Comp 006-01: Computers Make it Possible

Instructor: Diane Pozefsky

Time: Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 - 10:45

Location: Sitterson 115

Do you want to make a difference in the world?  Do you want to learn how? Computers can help and this course will show you how.  We will study how computers have changed our society and have themselves changed to meet those needs.  This is a project-oriented course and projects will focus on helping address societal problems.  Class material will cover broad topics such as how computers work and their influence on society as well as more detailed subjects such as the fundamentals of databases and how we build security into systems.  Projects can address such problems as capturing information that reflects our disappearing biodiversity, local problems of pet overpopulation, or making computer programs that can help the visually impaired.  Students are asked to come with a problem that they would like to address and a desire to make a difference. 

Course Description:

The goal of this seminar is to teach students how computers have affected society and how those uses have changed computers.  The course will feature hands-on experience with using computers to address a problem of interest to the student as well as research into the computer industry and its achievements in changing the world.  While no programming experience is required, student projects may include producing a web page that shows the type of solution they envision for their problem.  Teams and projects will be adapted to the skills and interests of students. 

When the course is completed, the student will be able to explain in non-technical language how computers actually accomplish such tasks as managing an eBay transaction and why there are tasks that computers can’t do.  The student will have learned basic skills that will allow him or her to produce a web page, and will have learned how to distinguish popular press hyperbole from reality.

Grading:
5%        homework assignments
10%      class participation
10%      tests
50%      reports and projects
25%      final project

Textbook:
There is no required textbook for this course.  Readings and materials will all be available electronically.  If, however, you are interested in a textbook that covers similar material to this course, I recommend
    Snyder, Fluency with Information Technology: Skills,  Concepts and Capabilities, 2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley, July 2005

Who's in the class?  Our web pages!

Nevin Yang
Samuel White
Shane Walterhoefer
Bart Wagner
Robert Shoemake
Rachel Schneider		 Julie Scherer
William Nutt
Chris Nelson
Si On Lim
William Knight
Michelle Gorski		 Shoneca Evans
Robert Driver
Meghan Clarke
NaTasha Cherry
Alexis Brown
Chip Bowman

Final Projects
Voting with Fingerprint ID      presentation   website
Life Saving Medical Chip      presentation
Chapel Hill Transit                  presentation
Criminal                                   presentation


Calendar

Assignments

References

Lessons