Douglas Putnam
College of San Mateo
Spring 2009

CIS 681

Details

Instructor
Douglas Putnam
Email
putnamd@smccd.edu
WebAccess
http://smccd.mrooms.net (WebAccess will be available Jan 26, 2009)
WebAccess Quickstart Guide
Quickstart_Student.pdf

CIS 681MA Syllabus

CIS 681MA Spring 2009 CSM
Internet Programming: Ruby

1 Basic Information

REQUIREMENT: Registered students must email me by
Jan 26, 2009 to confirm their class enrollment.

2 Course Description

Comprehensive course in Ruby, an open-source dynamic object-oriented scripting language. Covers variables. arrays and hashes, classes, objects, and writing server-side Ruby scripts for the Web. Also covered are exception handling, regular expressions, I/O objects, and modules. An introduction to SQL and the MySQL database, and advanced topics such as Model-View-Controller architecture and agile Web application development with the Ruby on Rails framework. [CSM Catalog Listing]

Prerequisite:

CIS 254 or equivalent.

Recommended Preparation:

Eligibility for ENGL 838/848 (CSU)

3 Text Books and Resources

CSM Server Account:

For this course, I will create a shell account for you on a CSM Linux server (csmcis2.smccd.edu). Though you may create your scripts on any computer, your Ruby scripts must run on your CSM Linux account. Once the semester begins I will send you the account information. At the end of the semester, after all class work has been graded, the account will be deactivated. Keep in mind that your CSM shell account is for your CSI 681MA course work only. Any abuse of the system will result in deactivation of your account, dismissal from the course, and discipline as determined by CSM for any violations of the CSM Student Code of Conduct.

4 Grading 

Quizzes       20%
Labs          50%         90-100   A       60-69   D
Midterm Exam  15%         80-89    B       < 60    F
Final Exam    15%         70-79    C
The lowest score on the quizzes and the lowest score on the labs will be dropped. Students with grades one point below cutoff will be promoted to the next highest grade if they have completed all assignments. If you opt to take the course as Credit/No Credit, you must maintain a "C" average to receive credit for the course.

5 Assignments

This course will require at least nine hours of computer work each week in addition to preparation time. There will be a programming assignment every two weeks. They will be graded on style and correctness, and they must run on the CSM Linux server. All assignments must be submitted by e-mail. Students are expected to do their own work. Any case of duplicate assignments will result in a grade of zero for all people involved. All assignments are due at 11:45 PM on the due date. Late assignments will have a 50% penalty and are accepted only up through the Monday following the due date.

ADVISORY: Any questions asked about an assignment
on the due date will be answered on the following day. Try
not to wait to the last day to begin homework assignments.

6 Final Exam Schedule

The final exam will be due May 31.

7 Participation

Anyone registered for the course must email me by Jan 26, 2009. Under normal circumstances I do not drop students from the class rolls. It is the student's responsibility to file the paperwork needed to drop or withdraw from this class. If you simply stop participating in the class you will probably receive an "F".

8 Communications

We will communicate mostly through email and the WebAccess class discussion board. When you have a question about what the book is saying or about an assignment, post it to the class discussion board. I will respond to the discussions. That way everyone can see the question and the answer. It will be a lot like asking a question in class. When you have a personal question regarding your grade or other matters, please send it to my regular email address (putnamd@smccd.edu). I will monitor the discussions and read my email evenings Monday through Friday.

I am hoping that as you become comfortable with the online format, more of you will ask questions and contribute to discussions than in a regular class. However, please remember the limitations of online communication, and take the time to re-read your questions or answers before actually posting them. As usual, offensive language or other breaches of CSM Computer Policy are not acceptable. If you like to talk a lot, please do not talk too often or too long before giving others a chance to respond. If you are a quieter person, please take a chance and ask or answer some questions.

-Douglas Putnam


Douglas Putnam 2008-11-18