CSD 340: Course Syllabus
(Web Scripting) Spring 2017

Contact Info:   

Thomas E. Blum
Office: H-133/124
Office Hours: Mon 2:00, Wed 3:00, Fri 2:00 or by appointment
Phone: 215-951-1139
e-mail: blum@lasalle.edu
Web: http://alpha.lasalle.edu/~blum
Department office: Holroyd 123
Department phone: 215.951.1130

Description:

An introduction to basic programming concepts such as variables, arrays, control structures (if and loops), functions, as well as an introduction to basic interface concepts such as forms, controls, events, etc. Use of these concepts in the creation of dynamic and interactive documents for the Internet. Mainly client-side scripting in particular JavaScript including jQuery and JSON, but also posibly some server-side scripting in conjunction with AJAX. Prerequisite: DArt 230 or permission of the DArt Director.

Section & credits

 Section: 21
Credits: 3

Meetings:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45

Holidays:
Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr.
Mar. 6-12 Spring break
Apr. 14-17 Easter

Location:

Holroyd 120

Text:

 Make: Getting Started with p5.js (Making Interactive Graphics in JavaScript and Processing), Lauren McCarthy, Casey Reas & Ben Fry, Maker Media

Course Calendar:

 alpha://www.lasalle.edu/~blum/c340-cal-s17.htm

Websites:

Learning Objectives

 Students should be able to:
  • Design and implement an HTML page with JavaScript facilitated interactivity, such as retrieving input from a user and changing the page's content or style in response.
  • Apply control structures (such as if-else, try-catch, switch, for, while, timer).
  • Analyze a situtation and then select and implement the appropriate programming logic.
  • Construct programming array structures.
  • Choose appropriate string methods (including parsing) to implement solutions.
  • Read data from a JSON file.
  • Use some elements of the jQuery library.
  • Create dynamic and interactive pages using p5.js

Assessment:

 There will be weekly labs and/or classwork as well as weekly homework. There will be two exams, a project and a final. The various components of the course will be weighted as follows:

      Homework: 14%
      Lab/Class: 28%
      Tests: 32%
      Project: 10%
      Final: 16%
  • Unless stated otherwise, labs are due the week after they are assigned.
  • Every two weeks, an assignment becomes eligible for 10% less. For example, if the first homework is assigned Jan. 17, it is nominally due Jan. 24 and still eligible for full credit up to Jan. 30. If it is submitted in the next two weeks (up to Feb. 14) it is eligible for up to 90%. In the following two weeks (up to Feb. 28) it is eligible for up to 80%. And so on.
  • Plagiarism, be it from a book, a web site or a fellow student, will be considered cheating.
  • You must cite the sources you use in a comment.
  • You are often allowed to bring in files from labs to use on the tests. It is recommended that you keep a copy of all relevant files. It might be useful to back them up. Also you should develop a systematic naming scheme so that you can find the file(s) you need on the test.
  • The plus/minus grading system will be used.
  • Attendance will be taken.
  • Absences, lateness, etc. will be reflected in the class portion of the grade. More than three unexcused absences may result in the lowering of a grade.
  • Before leaving lab early you must see me to show me your progress. If you are leaving early or not working on the labs during the lab period, it will count against you.
  • It is your responsibility to keep copies of all of your assignments, tests and so forth at least until you receive your final grade for the course.

Grading scheme:

  • A  94 <= average
  • A- 91 <= average < 94
  • B+ 88 <= average < 91
  • B  85 <= average < 88
  • B- 82 <= average < 85
  • C+ 79 <= average < 82
  • C  76 <= average < 79
  • C- 73 <= average < 76
  • D+ 70 <= average < 73
  • D  67 <= average < 70

Classroom Behavior:

While in the classroom, students should behave in a manner that is neither distracting to nor disrespectful to the professor or other students. Cell phones should be turned off.

Cheating:

 When using materials from a book, website, etc., the source must be cited; otherwise it is considered plagiarism. Claiming another's work as your own is cheating. A student caught cheating will receive a score of zero. Cheating may result in a reduction of the final grade. Repeated cheating can result in a failing grade for the course. Asking another for help on part of a homework is acceptable; handing in duplicate or nearly duplicate work is not. If you require a significant amount of assitance, you should seek my help. Finally, openly allowing your work to be copied is also cheating.

Some Tutoring

 Tutoring for various subject areas (70+ courses) is available for La Salle undergraduates. Subject tutors help students identify what as well as how to learn, clarify course content, and help students understand their strengths and weaknesses regarding the subject matter. Students should take advantage of tutoring at the first indication of difficulty in a course or whenever they wish to improve their performance or knowledge in a course, for example, to improve grades or to maintain high grades. Students can make tutoring appointments through GradesFirst located under Tools in the mylasalle portal. For students who have created their own study groups but would like a tutor to assist the group with the material, “facilitated study groups” can be arranged. For more information, contact Eddie Reed at (215) 438-6900 or reede@lasalle.edu

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science sometimes has "walk-in" computer science tutoring available. If available the time and place will be announced.

Academic Skills Workshops

 Academic Skills Workshops are offered face to face and online on a variety of topics such as study strategies, documentation styles, test taking, group study, and time management. A number of workshops are also archived online so students are advised to go to www.lasalle.edu/portal/learningsupport for workshop descriptions, dates, and times. Additional academic resources are available online as well. For more information, contact Melissa H Gallagher at (215) 438-6900 or hediger@lasalle.edu

Student Resources

 https://lasalle.instructure.com/courses/1772 includes links to
  • Student Guide on how to use Canvas
  • Student Guide to Resources, Rights and Responsibilities
  • Academic Integrity Policy
  • American Disabilities Act
  • IT Help Desk Support
  • Academic and Learning Support Services
  • Library Resources in Canvas
  • Library