Syllabus

This page is the version of record. It may change during the term, and any changes will be announced on Discord.

1 Course info

  • Instructor: Julia Belyakova
  • Office: Ben Franklin 236 or Zoom
    Note: it is cold in the office, so a jacket is recommended for comfort.
  • Class: TuTh 9:30–10:45 AM, Bakeless 205
  • Student hours: M 9 AM and 3 PM, W 2 PM, Th 11 AM, F 2 PM
    Both office walk-ins and Zoom log-ins are welcome; if you would like a guaranteed time slot, please schedule an appointment via CU Succeed.
    Note: if none of the time slots work for you, notify the instructor as soon as possible.

What do I call the professor? Please call me Julia! Or Yulia—my given Russian name—if you don’t mind pronouncing it. If you feel uncomfortable addressing a professor without a title, you can call me “Professor Julia”.

What if the instructor is wrong? If you have any reason to believe that the instructor is wrong about something, please let them know! You can do that in class, on Discord, via email, or during student hours. Everyone makes mistakes, and the instructor will appreciate timely corrections.

If you have concerns or questions about course policies, grading, or other matters, please contact the instructor.

2 Books and Resources

2.1 Textbooks

Required textbooks (free online):

  1. [InCS] Introduction to Computer Science, by OpenStax, ISBN-13: 978-1-711471-83-9
    > Audiobook version
    Note: the book will also be available through Brightspace, but if you want to highlight and add notes, you will need an OpenStax account.
    Click here to learn more To highlight and add notes (both on the book website and on the embedded book pages in Brightspace), students must create a free student account on openstax.org and remain logged in to their student account: How to Create a Student Account on OpenStax.org.
  2. [DCIC] A Data-Centric Introduction to Computing by Kathi Fisler, Shriram Krishnamurthi, Benjamin S. Lerner, Joe Gibbs Politz.

Optional, supporting textbook:

  1. [CSIl] Computer Science Illuminated, by Nell Dale and John Lewis, 8th edition, Jones & Bartlett Learning, ISBN: 9781284275070.

2.2 Readings and media

All required readings and media materials will be posted on the Schedule page.

2.3 Software

Note: you are welcome to use a development environment of your choice instead of VS Code.

2.4 Getting Help

See Communication, AI policy, and Collaboration and Outside Help for guidelines.

3 Communication

  • All public course materials (syllabus, schedule, assignments, etc.) will be available on this very website, at https://cu-cs-courses.site/cmsc-100-f2026.

  • All announcements and course-related discussions (including questions about assignments) will be on Discord.

    Click here to learn more

    You will need to create a Discord account, join the course server via the invite link posted on Brightspace, and change your display name to your full name, so the instructor and classmates can identify you. Feel free to use your preferred first name if it is different from your legal first name, but do include your legal last name.

    Please check Discord daily on weekdays for announcements and discussions.

  • All quizzes and exams, as well as some of the assignment submissions, will be on Brightspace.
    Assignment instructions will tell you which platform to use for each assignment.

For personal matters that are course related (e.g., grading, accommodations), please contact the instructor via Discord private messages or email.
For other personal matters (e.g., research opportunities, career advice), please contact the instructor via email only at ybelyakova@commonwealthu.edu.

This goes without saying, but please do not post any parts of assignment solutions (or screenshots that may hint at your solutions) on Discord or through any other communication channel, whether you are asking for help or providing help. If a question absolutely cannot be formulated without revealing the solution, please privately message the instructor on Discord.

And remember, you are always welcome to chat with the instructor during student hours!

Note on Discord communication.

  • Students are encouraged to ask and answer each other’s questions on Discord (without revealing their solutions).
  • If your question has been answered, please add the ✅ANSWERED tag to your question.
  • If a similar question already exists, the instructor will not engage with the duplicate.
  • The instructor will monitor Discord daily during work hours. Occasionally, the instructor might engage with Discord after hours or over the weekend, but that is not guaranteed.
  • There is limited support for anonymous questions, but students are encouraged to ask publicly unless they are very anxious. It is better to ask anonymously than not at all.
  • When answering, try to help the author of the question arrive at the answer themselves. For example, if you think the answer can be found in a certain section of the textbook, you can say that you found that section particularly helpful.
  • Because sometimes, student answers are incorrect, the instructor might use a red-cross emoji (❌) to indicate that. Please do not use that emoji yourself! If you realize your own answer is incorrect, edit the message and cross it out instead of deleting it, so other people can see what was wrong and learn from it.

4 Course Description

The course introduces students to the basic concepts of computer science and computing and is intended for any student interested in computer science, regardless of their major. It covers topics such as the history of computers, information systems, computer organization, data representation, algorithms, programming languages, programming, software engineering, operating systems, networking, and artificial intelligence.

4.1 Prerequisites

None.

The course is designed for students with no prior programming experience. High-school mathematics can be helpful in some parts of the course.

4.2 Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the course will be able to:

  1. Explain what constitutes a computer system and how modern computer systems evolved.
  2. Describe how information—such as numbers or images—is represented in computer systems.
  3. Explain the purpose and basic operation of computer hardware and software and how they interact with each other.
  4. Apply algorithmic thinking to solve computational problems.
  5. Understand, write, and test simple programs in a high-level programming language.
  6. Describe the basics of operating systems, networks, and artificial intelligence.
  7. Critically evaluate the capabilities and ethical implications of computer systems and artificial intelligence and use them responsibly.

4.3 Course Structure

The course consists of synchronous classes and individual class preparation work.

For class preparation, students are required to read, watch, and listen to assigned readings and media materials (posted on the Schedule page) and complete weekly assignments (posted on the Assignments page). Note:

  • assigned preparation materials are due before the class;
  • weekly assignments are due on Wednesday at 10 PM.

Class sessions will include discussions (including the discussion of assignment solutions), student questions, activities, quizzes, thinking time, and time to start working on weekly assignments. Class time is designed to:

  • help students better understand course materials;
  • provide students with opportunities to engage with the content and each other;
  • allow students to practice learning, thinking, and problem solving in a distraction-free environment;
  • provide students with feedback on their work.

You will get the most out of the course if you come to class prepared, as classes are not for delivering new material.

There will be two progress exams and a final exam.

4.4 Grading

Your overall course grade reflects how well you did, so you will not be graded on the curve.
Click here to learn what your grade means

  • A means you did excellent work—you can complete most of the tasks on your own.

  • B means you did good work—you can complete a lot of the tasks on your own, and with some help, you can complete most of the tasks.

  • C means you did fair work—you can complete some of the tasks on your own, and you can complete a lot of the tasks with some help.

  • D means you have basic competence in the area, but you need help to complete a significant portion of the tasks.

We compute a weighted total over the assessment types according to the table.

Component Weight
Attendance (optional) 5% (0%)
Assignment presentation 5%
Assignments 10%
Quizzes 10%
Progress exam 1 25%
Progress exam 2 20%
Final exam 25% (30%)

More information about each assessment component is provided below.

Missing an exam, class, or activity. In general, if you miss due to circumstances beyond your control, you will not be penalized, but you must submit a notification as soon as possible according to the rules below.

  • If you cannot take an exam due to circumstances beyond your control, you must notify the instructor beforehand (or as soon as possible if prior notice is not feasible) to arrange an exceptional make-up.

  • If you cannot complete any graded activity besides an exam (e.g., complete an assignment or attend a class—assuming your attendance is graded) due to circumstances beyond your control, upload a note to the dedicated folder on Brightspace—you do not need to notify the instructor separately. Because a certain number of missed classes and activities is allowed without penalty (more on this below), the notes might need to be reviewed only at the end of the term and will not be monitored throughout the term.
    Note: if you expect to have to miss 4 or more days, do notify the instructor.

  • Missing an exam or activity for any other reason will result in a zero for that component of the course.

Attending when sick. If you are contagious or otherwise sick, please do not attend class in person. You can choose to attend class via Zoom if you feel well enough for that.

Regrading. If you believe that grading of your work was unfair, you can notify the instructor within 7 days of receiving the grade to request a regrade.

Weighted totals are rounded to the nearest integer and converted to letter grades as follows:

Weighted total Letter grade
100–93 A
92–90 A−
89–87 B+
86–83 B
82–80 B−
79–77 C+
76–73 C
72–70 C−
69–67 D+
66–60 D
59–0 F

4.4.1 Attendance

Each student decides whether their attendance is graded or not. The decision is submitted on Brightspace in the second week of the term.

Attendance is encouraged, and if you attend a class, you will be expected to participate in class activities.

If you choose to grade the attendance component, you can miss up to 10% of non-exam classes without penalty.

If you choose not to grade the attendance component, the 5% weight will be redistributed to the final exam, so the final exam will be worth 30% of your overall grade.

4.4.2 Assignment presentation

For every assignment, one or more students will be selected at random to explain their solutions to the class, answer questions from the class (including the instructor), and receive feedback.

The activity is designed to help students practice presentation skills, receive and give constructive feedback, and learn. The quality of the presentation will not be graded.

There might not be enough time to provide students with more than one opportunity to present their solutions, so in general, students should be prepared to present in each class, whether they have a complete or a partial solution.

The instructor will try to ensure that every student gets one chance to postpone their presentation without penalty, but the student might need to present during student hours if there is not enough time left to present in class.

4.4.3 Assignments

Assignments are graded for correctness, and all assignments are weighted equally.

Late assignment submissions will not be graded, but students are welcome to receive feedback during student hours.

Two lowest assignment grades will be dropped without penalty.

4.4.4 Quizzes

Quizzes on class preparation materials will be posted on Brightspace and completed in class; all quizzes are weighted equally. Each quiz will have two attempts, with only the second one graded for correctness.

  • The first attempt is completed at the beginning of the class. It is designed to serve as retrieval practice, identify gaps in material comprehension, and allow the instructor to correct common misunderstandings.

  • The second attempt is completed at the end of the class, and students will have some time to review the material prior to that. The time will not be enough to learn the material from scratch, and class time is not a replacement for at-home class preparation.

Late quiz submissions will not be graded, but students are welcome to receive feedback during student hours.

Two lowest quiz grades will be dropped without penalty.

4.4.5 Exams

Exams are modeled after assignments and quizzes.

For progress exams, a student can choose to take a second attempt, with the cumulative grade computed as 80% of the highest score + 20% of the lowest score. If at least one attempt earns 60% or higher, the grade will not drop below 60%.

The final exam has only one attempt.

5 Policies

Students are expected to adhere to all relevant university policies, including but not limited to the Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity policy. Some of the university policies are provided in the next section for your convenience. The current section lists course-specific policies.

5.1 AI Policy

Motivation. AI tools (e.g., Generative AI chatbots and agents such as ChatGPT and Claude Code) have demonstrated remarkable success in various domains, including the ability to solve introductory computer science problems. However, AI has its limitations—among others, the tendency to hallucinate and produce incorrect information. AI is not replacing domain experts in the workforce, and it cannot operate without human oversight and human judgment. Because developing domain expertise and good judgment requires learning and practice, course assignments and activities are designed to help students do just that, and this goal cannot be accomplished by outsourcing the work to AI tools.

Policy.

  • The use of AI tools to completely or partially produce solutions to assignments, quizzes, and exams is not allowed before their due dates, unless explicitly permitted in the assignment or activity instructions—we will have dedicated time to engage with AI tools in class, and some of the assignments will allow the use of AI for specific tasks. This is no different from the general academic integrity policy, which prohibits students from outsourcing their work to others, be it another student or chatbot.

  • It is okay to use AI tools to help you study course materials (e.g., by prompting AI to quiz you on a topic), explain concepts, and provide help with tooling and grammar. Do keep in mind that AI tools are not always correct, so you should verify their output by referencing credible sources such as textbooks and documentation.

When in doubt, ask the instructor for clarification. If there is a reasonable cause of confusion or ambiguity in the policy that has not yet been addressed and documented in the syllabus, past instances of such inappropriate uses of AI will not be penalized.

5.2 Collaboration and Outside Help

Discussion of concepts and class preparation materials—with the instructor, other students, or through outside resources, including AI tools—is allowed and encouraged, both in person and online.

All submitted work must be your own, and you must not share your work with others before it is due, unless explicitly permitted in class. The work must be completed individually unless explicitly specified otherwise.

If you need help, you are welcome to post questions on Discord (see the Communication section for guidelines), message the instructor on Discord, or ask the instructor during student hours.

5.3 Device Policy

Screens and devices are distracting, and they interfere with your learning and the learning of others. Computers should be used in class only for course-related learning activities.

If you have a valid reason to use a device during class for any purpose not related to the course, please notify the instructor in advance to come up with a plan. For example, in some cases, sitting in the back of the class to minimize the distraction to others might be appropriate.

If, occasionally, you absolutely need to use a device for personal reasons or outside obligations without prior arrangements with the instructor, please step out of the classroom. Note that this does not apply to exams—stepping out of the classroom with a device is generally not allowed during exam time.

5.4 Class Presence Policy

Please be kind and respectful.

If you are late for class, need to use the restroom, etc., please enter and exit quietly. If you need to move your body during class, you are welcome to quietly stretch in your seat, stand up, or walk in the back of the classroom.

Feel free to hydrate as much as needed. If you need an occasional snack, that is okay as long as it is quiet.

6 University Policies

All student-facing policies can be found at University Policies and Student Handbook.

6.1 Student Code of Conduct

Commonwealth University’s Student Code of Conduct prohibits the violation of any University policy as well as local, state, or federal laws. Expressly included in this expectation are any federal, state, regional, or local emergency orders or declarations, mandatory policies, or mandatory health advisory requirements, including those made by the University President. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct will be reported to office of Office of Student Conduct.

6.2 Students Requesting Academic and/or Access Accommodations

Commonwealth University is committed to providing equitable access to educational experiences, campus facilities, digital learning environments, and university-sponsored programs and activities. Disability Services partners with students, faculty, and staff to ensure equal access in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable federal and state laws.

Students who have, or believe they may have, a disability that requires academic or access to accommodations should contact Disability Services at their home campus as early as possible, preferably within the first two weeks of the semester or immediately following a diagnosis. Early communication helps ensure accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.

Once a student is determined eligible for accommodations, Disability Services will prepare an accommodation letter outlining approved academic and/or accessibility accommodations. Students are responsible for sharing their accommodation letter with each instructor and should renew their accommodations through Disability Services at the beginning of each semester.

As Commonwealth University continues to enhance the accessibility of its digital learning environment, students who experience barriers related to course materials, instructional technologies, or other digital resources are encouraged to contact both their instructor and Disability Services as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations or accessible alternatives can be provided.

6.3 Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Commonwealth University recognizes its responsibility to foster a living, learning, and working environment that values the contributions of all members of our campus community. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging strengthen our university and are essential to our institutional success. We strive to cultivate a climate in which all members of the Commonwealth University community can embrace these values and thrive in the classroom, in the workplace, and in their professional and personal lives beyond the University.

We demonstrate our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across our campus communities by:

  • Supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of students both inside and outside the classroom.

  • Providing workshops, training opportunities, and programs that broaden understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

  • Ensuring that our learning, living, and working environments are welcoming, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all individuals.

You can explore more at: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Commonwealth University

6.4 Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual attendance is an important component of student success and is expected in all course delivery modalities, including in-person, online, and hybrid courses. Students are responsible for attending class, participating in course activities, and communicating promptly with their instructor if circumstances prevent attendance.

Students who miss class due to a university-excused absence or other legitimate circumstances, such as illness, serious mitigating circumstances, official military service, official University representation, religious observances, approved disability accommodations, or civic and legal obligations, should notify the instructor as soon as possible. When appropriate documentation is provided, students will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make up graded coursework without penalty in accordance with the University’s Attendance Policy and the instructor’s course policies.

Students should also consult the University’s Attendance Policy, 1-23 and work with their instructor to address any attendance concerns in a timely manner.

6.5 Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the foundation of teaching, learning, and scholarship at Commonwealth University. It reflects a commitment to honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage in all academic endeavors. Students are expected to complete their work ethically, acknowledge the ideas and contributions of others appropriately, and demonstrate integrity in all coursework.

Academic dishonesty includes any act of fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or unauthorized assistance intended to gain academic credit or influence the grading process in ways that are inconsistent with university policy or course expectations. Examples include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication or falsification of information, unauthorized use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and assisting others in acts of academic dishonesty.

The University is committed to fostering a community where integrity guides teaching, learning, and scholarship. Faculty are encouraged to communicate clear expectations regarding academic integrity, citation practices, collaboration, and the appropriate use of AI technologies. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with and adhering to the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, Policy 1-02.

6.6 Grade Appeal Policy

Commonwealth University is committed to ensuring that final course grades are assigned fairly and consistently. Students may appeal a final course grade if they believe any of the following has occurred: (1) a significant and unwarranted deviation from the published grading criteria or course syllabus, (2) arbitrary grading, or (3) grading that is inconsistent with University policy. Appeals may not be based solely on disagreement with the instructor’s academic standards, workload, grading scale, or dissatisfaction with the earned grade.

Students are encouraged to first discuss their concerns with the instructor of record. If the issue cannot be resolved informally, students should next consult the department chair and then the dean (or designee) before initiating a formal appeal. A grade appeal should be initiated within 10 class days of the beginning of the next regular semester following the assignment of the final grade. Complete procedures, deadlines, and information about the formal appeal process are available Grade Appeal Policy, 1-19.

6.7 Undergraduate Final Examination and Evaluative Assessment Policy

The final examination or evaluative assessment is an important component of this course and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their achievement of the course learning outcomes. Depending on the instructor’s course design, the final assessment may consist of a traditional examination or another culminating assessment, such as a project, presentation, portfolio, paper, performance, or other evaluative activity. Details regarding the final assessment will be provided by the instructor.

Final examinations and evaluative assessments are administered during the University’s official final examination period. Students enrolled in face-to-face, hybrid, synchronous online, or asynchronous online courses are expected to complete the final assessment according to the schedule and instructions provided by the instructor. Students should avoid making travel or other commitments that conflict with the University’s final examination period, as alternative arrangements are granted only under limited circumstances in accordance with Policy Number 1-15.

Students should consult the Commonwealth University Undergraduate Final Examination and Evaluative Assessment Policy and the official final examination schedule for additional information.

6.9 Student Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) was enacted in 2008 and reauthorized the amended Higher Education Act of 1965. HEOA requires postsecondary educational institutions to distribute or make publicly available a broad range of information collectively known as Student Consumer Information. Topics covered under HEOA include student financial aid, campus health and safety, student outcomes, and general institutional information.

Commonwealth University Consumer Information website: Consumer Information

6.10 Title IX and Protection of Minors Legislation: Reporting Obligations

Commonwealth University and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational environment for all students.

6.10.1 Sexual Discrimination or Misconduct and Title IX Requirements

In order to meet this commitment and to comply with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, all University officials, volunteers and employees (including student employees) are obligated to report incidents of sexual misconduct of which they become aware to the Title IX Coordinator/designee, unless: 1) they serve in a role that makes such reports privileged or are recognized as providing a confidential resource; or 2) they are a faculty member and learn of the report from a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as part of a University-approved research project. These reporting exceptions do not apply to report of sexual misconduct involving an individual who was, or is, a child (a person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred. When a report involved suspected abuse of a child (an individual under the age of 18 at the time of the incident(s) as reported), all University employees, officials and volunteers are required to notify the University police and the Child Line run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Reports regarding Title IX and sexual misconduct should be directed to Title IX Coordinator titleixcoord@commonwealthu.edu or by completing an online form on the Title IX webpage.

Additional information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are available to victims of sexual assault and/or harassment can be found here: Commonwealth University Title IX Office

6.10.2 Protection of Minors Requirements

Faculty members are obliged to report sexual violence or any other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (a person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred. Mandated reporters must immediately make an oral report of suspected child abuse to the Department of Human Services (DHS) by calling 800-932-0313. Immediately following the report to DHS, the mandated reporter must notify Officer in Charge at Bloomsburg by calling 570-389-2211 or 570-389-4168, as designated in the University’s protection of minor’s policy. No exceptions apply to this reporting obligation. Detailed information is available at:

Commonwealth University Protection of Minors: PRP 2410 Background Screening, Protection of Minors, Volunteerism

6.11 Recording Policy

All classroom work, including (but not limited to) lectures, discussions, and/or group activities, is proprietary and not subject to public disclosure or distribution in the absence of express permission. Unauthorized recording of any part of this class (whether audio, video, or both) is strictly prohibited. Approval to record classroom activities may be obtained from the Office of Disability Services upon determination that the recording of this class is an approved accommodation. No recordings may be published, rebroadcast and/or released in any form without my express permission. Violation of this policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including course failure, reporting to the Dean of Student Affairs, and/or referral to external authorities.

6.12 Academic Freedom

Consistent with the CBA (Article 2), Academic Freedom refers to the idea that faculty are entitled to full freedom to teach, discuss, research, and publish in their academic field without interference from administrators, boards of trustees, political figures, donors, or other entities. Faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom when discussing their subject, so long as the material stimulates debate and learning is relevant to the subject matter, even if it is controversial (see also AAUP policy).

6.13 Respectful Ethical Communication and Anti-Doxxing Policy

To maintain a safe and ethical learning environment, students may not share or post personal information about the instructor or classmates, such as home addresses or personal contact information, without express permission. Students’ conduct in the classroom and the use of course materials shall comply with relevant university policies. Suspected violations may be referred to the appropriate internal and/or external authorities.

6.14 Critical Thinking and Academic Inquiry

This course is designed to support critical thinking. Critical thinking means examining evidence, considering relevant scholarly perspectives, asking questions, and forming your own conclusions. By contrast, indoctrination presents beliefs as unquestioned truths without regard for evidence or other scholarly perspectives, whereas this course is grounded in critical thinking.

Consistent with principles of academic freedom, the course fosters engagement with ideas and credible scholarship. Course materials are selected based on evidence, expertise, and learning outcomes. You are encouraged to question ideas, compare frameworks, and develop your own reasoned positions. Your grade is based on how you follow the assignments’ guidelines and engage with evidence and arguments. You will not be penalized simply for reaching conclusions that differ from those of your instructor or classmates. Grades reflect how well your work meets the stated assignment criteria (e.g., instructions, rubric, quality of reasoning, and use of evidence), not the particular position you take. This approach reflects a foundational principle of higher education: students learn discipline-specific ways of knowing.

7 Acknowledgements

This syllabus was composed by Julia Belyakova with input from several sources. I am grateful to the authors of these sources: Artem Pelenitsyn, Drue Coles, Shriram Krishnamurthi, Daniel Patterson, Matthias Felleisen.