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Course Syllabus
CMPS 482 – CURRENT TRENDS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
CS/IT Department, College of Science and Technology
Summer 2013

Instructor Information
Instructor: Ghassan Alkadi, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Office Location: Fayard Hall 327 D
Telephone: Office: (985) 549-5099
Dept.: (985) 549-2189
E-mail: galkadi@selu.edu
Office Hours: W 11:30 – 1:30

Course Identification
Course Number: CMPS 482 - 959
Course Name: CURRENT TRENDS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
Course Location: Fayard 215
Class Times: W 1:30 – 4:15
Prerequisites: Senior Classification and registration in or prior credit for CMPS 411

Course Description
Topics include computer and information ethics, social implications of technology, current trends in
computer science and information technology applications and development, professional issues, and
emerging trends and current topics in computer science research. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Minimum Topics
 Workforce preparation

o Resume building
o Interview skills
o Job hunting
 Computing Ethics

o Ethics analysis
o Ethics tests
o ACM / IEEE codes of ethics
o Case studies

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 Soft skills

o Public speaking and presentation techniques

o Technical writing techniques
 Continued professional development

o Literature reviews
o Researching latest technology
 To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of computer science concepts.

Course Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be familiar with issues related to computer
ethics and the impact of computers in society. They will read and critically analyze material
related to computer ethics, discuss issues with other class members online, and expand on
the material in writing.

Program Learning Objectives and Evaluation

 An understanding of professional, ethical and social responsibilities.
o Evaluated by written assignments.
 An ability to analyze the impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society,
including ethical, legal, security and global policy issues.
o Evaluated by written assignments.
 Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, continuing professional
development.
o Evaluated by written assignments and research paper.
 An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the
discipline.
o Evaluated by comprehensive exam.
 An ability to communicate orally with a range of audiences

Course Resources
Course Website(s)
 Moodle < https://moodle.selu.edu/moodle/>
 Personal Website < http://www2.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/galkadi/galkadi.htm >

Required Course Text

 No Textbook is required.

Other Resources
 Always check your Moodle account for the latest postings by the instructor.

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Grading Policy
Grading System
Letter Grade Percentage Grade points/credit Rating
A 90% & above 4.00 Excellent
B 80% – 89% 3.00 Good
C 70% – 79% 2.00 Average
D 60% - 69% 1.00 Inferior
F 59% and below 0.00 Failure
I Incomplete; given only when a student is unable to complete a segment
of the course because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. A
grade of incomplete may be given only when approved in writing by the
department chair or school dean.
Grading Policy
Grades will be based on the following:

Discussion / Participation 10
Résumé / Interview 15
Ethics Report 30
Presentations 15
Research Report 30
Total Points 100
Late Assignments
 The instructor reserves the right to make any changes deemed appropriate.
 Late assignments will not be accepted without a valid excuse.

Comprehensive Exam P/F (Failing this exam results in an F for the course)
 The comprehensive exam will be scheduled during the second half of the
semester, after determination of a time that meets everyone's schedule.
 The exam is mandatory.

Oral Presentations
Students will choose a topic (Topics will need to be approved by the instructor with
duplicate topics being approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.) Each student will give a
5-10 minute PowerPoint presentation on his topic. Students should make sure the
presentations are consistent and do not present redundant information. The PowerPoint
file must be submitted to the instructor. Students will be graded on preparation and
presentation skills as well as on content.

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Research Paper
The research paper should be a summary of the research the student did in preparing for
the oral presentation. The length should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words. For the
research paper students will be graded on effective writing style and grammatical
correctness as well as on content.

Assignments
 Homework assignments will be in essay format. The length requirement will vary for
each assignment.
 All Assignments must be submitted to Moodle.
 No late homework /Assignments will be accepted without a valid excuse.
 All writing should be done using correct grammar, spelling, etc. Proofread carefully. A
poorly written paper will result in a grade of F for the assignment.

Course Policies
 Students must use the e-mail accounts provided by the university in order to communicate with
the instructor outside class and access the PCs in the labs.
 It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he/she is properly registered to receive credit for
the course.
 It is University Policy that the class room is not a place for children, and that students are not to
bring their family members for day care or babysitting.

Collaboration/Plagiarism Rules
Cell phones, Blackberries, iPods, iPhones, Tablet PCs, or any other electronic devices are not to be used
in the classroom.

Information exchanges on these devices during exams are prohibited and violate the Academic Integrity
Code.

Instructor’s expectations regarding the detection of plagiarism through use of

Turnitin.com:

“Students agree by taking this course that all required papers may be subject to submission for textual
similarity to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source
documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such
papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the
Turnitin.com website.”

Instructor’s Expectations Regarding Student Behavior/Classroom Decorum

“Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in this class. Classroom behavior that interferes
with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from

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the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early;
use of beepers, cellular telephones, or other electronic devices; repeatedly talking in class without being
recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a way that is perceived as “crossing the
civility line.” In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular
telephone to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required.” Classroom behavior which is
deemed inappropriate and cannot be resolved by the student and the faculty member may be referred
to the Office of Judicial Affairs for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code of Student
Conduct which may be found at http://www.selu.edu/admin/stu_affairs/handbook/

University Policies
Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy. Academic dishonesty cases will
be handled in accordance the University's policies.

If you are a qualified student with disability seeking accommodations under the American with
Disabilities Act, you are required to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services, Room 203, Student
Union. No accommodations will be granted without documentation from the Office of Disability
Services.

Academic Integrity:
“Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Behavior that violates these
standards is not acceptable. Examples are the use of unauthorized material, communication with fellow students
during an examination, attempting to benefit from the work of another student and similar behavior that defeats
the intent of an examination or other class work. Cheating on examinations, plagiarism, improper acknowledgment
of sources in essays and the use of a single essay or paper in more than one course without permission are
considered very serious offenses and shall be grounds for disciplinary action as outlined in the current General
Catalogue.”

http://www2.selu.edu/documents/policies/empl/p4_academic_integrity.pdf

Course Schedule
 All Exams, documentation, progress reports and presentation due dates will be posted
on Moodle.
 June 17
o Graduation audits for Summer 2013 graduation candidates begins. No
graduation applications for Summer 2013 will be accepted after this date.
 July 2 Tuesday
o Regular Classes: Last Day to withdraw or resign from the
University. Deadline at 5:30 p.m.
 July 4
o Independence Day Holiday
 July 25, 2013 Friday
o Last Day of Classes
 August 5, 2013 Monday
o Student accounts will be charged for any rental books not returned by
12:30 p.m.

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