Course Description and Learning Objectives
This course will describe computer science as a field of study and as a major at Colorado State University. We will also address career exploration, research experience opportunities, and build a skill set of successful academic strategies.
In this course we seek to help students:
- Achieve an understanding of the computer science major, its concentrations, and credit requirements.
- Appreciate the breadth of computer science as a field of study, as well as the breadth of applications and connections to other fields.
- Obtain familiarity with student success resources and tools available on campus.
- Be engaged with the computer science department at CSU.
- Reflect on how social, personal, and academic factors influence the adjustment to college life.
- Create a computer science graduation plan (degree plan).
- Apply student success skills and strategies to your college life.
Student Expectations & Responsibilities
Students are responsible for their academic pursuits. Students are responsible for all course material, requirements, and assessments. As a partner in the scholastic process, you are asked to consider your responsibility and behavior while attending class and completing your work for this course.
It is the expectation that all students will:
- Attend all class sessions. Arrive on time, having prepared for the session. In the rare case you need to come late to class or leave early, please do so respectfully. If you are ill, please alert the instructor in advance so that arrangements can be made.
- Be respectful and engaged while presentations, discussions, and class processes take place during class hours.
- Engage in class discussions and use courtesy. Creating a respectful educational atmosphere is all of our responsibility. Disparaging remarks in relation to others’ ethnic or racial background, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status/background etc. will not be tolerated.
- Take note of due dates and complete each assignment for this course on time. If you cannot complete the required work by the due date, you need to discuss this with the instructor IN ADVANCE to make arrangements to turn in your work. Under extenuating circumstances, please contact the instructor.
- No late assignments will be accepted. If you have accommodations that extend your due dates, please be sure to have your accommodations letter sent for this class so that accommodation window deadlines can be adjusted in Canvas for you.
- A total of 3 lowest assignment scores will be dropped, one from each assignment category except for the Degree Plan Assignments. The (one) lowest score from Tuesday Group Assignments, the (one) lowest score from the Tuesday Participation-iClicker, and the (one) lowest score from Thursday Class Assignments will be dropped. No Degree Plan Assignment scores will be dropped.
- Laptops are useful at certain times for this course, and your instructor will alert you in advance so that you can plan to bring them. Laptops or access to Canvas will be needed to access Tuesday’s group work assignments. We ask that you only have your laptops out when needed for the assignment, and that they are put away during instruction time, unless needed for accessibility/accommodation.
- Cell phones: students are expected to be professionally engaged in class and have your cell phones put away when not in use for iClicker or other course related activities. If you are expecting an important call, please sit near the exit so that you can take it if necessary.
- The course is designed to require up to two hours outside work for each contact hour in achieving the learning objectives through readings, assignments, projects or other activities.
Instructor Expectations & Responsibilities
As instructors, we will foster an environment of open communication and respect for all students and staff. The instructors reserve the right to modify the syllabus and/or class outline for this class. Students will be advised in a timely manner of any changes. If you have any problems or questions, please talk to your instructor after class or by email.
Use of Generative AI
In this course, most assignments are designed to be completed in class and are rooted in personal reflection, academic skill-building, and active participation. The goal is to help you build confidence in your own voice and ideas, not rely on shortcuts.
That said, we recognize that generative AI tools (like ChatGPT, Grammarly, or others) are becoming part of everyday learning. We’ll occasionally discuss or even demo these tools, so you understand their capabilities and limitations.
Acceptable Uses of AI Tools (with instructor approval or for personal learning support):
- Using AI to brainstorm time management strategies or study techniques for personal use.
- Using AI to generate questions to quiz yourself on academic skills or concepts discussed in class.
- Using tools like Grammarly to help with grammar or sentence clarity — as long as the ideas and reflection are your own.
Unacceptable Uses of AI Tools:
- Using AI to generate or rewrite your responses to in-class prompts, personal reflections, or written assignments — especially those meant to capture your own experiences, goals, or academic plans.
- Using AI to complete classwork during in-class activities, unless it’s part of an approved exercise.
- Submitting AI-generated content as your own work without attribution or instructor approval.
If you’re ever unsure whether a specific use is okay, ask first. Using AI inappropriately may be considered academic misconduct.
For more information, review the CSU Student Code of Conduct.
Grading
| GRADE | RANGE |
| A | 90-100% |
| B | 80-89.9% |
| C | 70-79.9% |
| D | 60-69.9% |
| F | 0-59.9% |
| ASSIGNMENT | GRADE PERCENTAGE |
| Tuesday Participation iClicker (Canvas automatically drops 1 lowest grade) | 10% |
| Tuesday Group Work (Canvas automatically drops 1 lowest grade) | 30% |
| Thursday Class Assignments (Canvas automatically drops 1 lowest grade) | 30% |
| Degree Plan Work | 30% |
| Total: | 100% |
- Deadlines for assignments and coursework are listed on Canvas.
- Tuesday Participation (iClicker) during class only, must be present in class.
- Tuesday Group Work is typically completed in class. If not completed in class, it will be due on the same Tuesday by 6 PM MT. Note that on weeks when AA 100 has evening exams; deadline will be extended to 8pm in Canvas.
- Thursday class assignments are due the Friday following class by 6 PM MT.
- Keep a copy of all work created for the course, including work submitted through Canvas course learning management system.
iClicker
We will be using iClicker for participation on Tuesdays. Our campus has licensed iClicker, so it is free for students to use! Participating in iClicker sessions will be counted towards your final grade. Participation through i-clicker on Tuesdays will be worth 10% of your overall grade. Plus, some Tuesday Group Assignments may be completed in class through iClicker.
You are required to participate with the iClicker student app on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. It is your responsibility to follow the steps below to properly register your iClicker account in a timely manner. It is also your responsibility to regularly check your iClicker records for any discrepancies and bring them to the instructor’s attention within 48 hours.
In order to participate in iClicker activities and ensure that your grades are properly reflected in the gradebook, follow the steps for how to create an account through a Campus Portal. To join this class, go to join.iclicker.com & enter the code to join this course.
FIND YOUR SECTION CODE IN CANVAS.
Be sure to set up the device(s) you’ll use to participate in our classes. You can download the iClicker student mobile app via the App Store or Google Play, or you can use the iClicker web app by signing in as a student at iclicker.com.
We may have a GPS location requirement turned on for iClicker in our class. If you are not physically in class when you try to join iClicker, you will not be counted as present and will not be able to respond to polling/quizzing questions. You will need to allow the device you are using to reveal your location in order to successfully check in. If you have any issues with your device’s location settings, refer to the Attendance Geolocation Troubleshooting Guide.
When it’s time for class, make sure you have selected this course from the main screen of your iClicker account. When we start a class session in iClicker, select the Join button that appears on your screen, then answer each question in iClicker.
The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus, and any changes will be communicated.
