CSCI-1080 Intro To CS: World Wide Web

Saint Louis University
Department of Computer Science

Slack Channel of the Class

Please join our Slack Channel HERE for discussions, teaching points, and peer learning.

Syllabus

You may download the official class syllabus HERE.

Basic Information

Instructor: Flavio Esposito

Office: Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (ISE) 234D
Email: first DOT last AT slu DOT edu
Phone: 314-977-2334
Homepage: http://www.cs.slu.edu/~esposito/

Required Resources

This class uses online resources, handouts and the following textbook:

• “Six Degrees: The Science of a Connected Age” by Duncan Watts

Course Overview

This course will cover introductory notions behind the technology of the web, from the structure of the Internet (web science) to the design of web pages (web development). Students will learn principles of the web as a network, and practical basics for web builders. The web science component of the class introduces notions of the web as an example of a network and use the Math CS tools of graph theory to better understand the web.

The web building component instead introduces some of the fundamental languages of (dynamic) web programming as well as other popular building tools, leading to each student creating his/her own web site over the term.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will be able to use modeling and algorithmic techniques to analyze basic aspects of the web as a network.

2. Students will be able to apply basic graph theory notions that drive static and dynamic networks like the web.

3. Students will be able to recognize and apply basic web development instructions and control structures in HTML, CSS and JavaScript to generate dynamic web pages.

4. Students will be able to design, implement, test and evaluate web development projects that satisfy a set of requirements.

Preliminary Lecture Outline (Web Science)

1. Online safety and Web basics
   
   

2. Introduction to Networks: “A collection of objects connected in some fashion.”
   

   1. Set theory (“collection of objects”)
      

   2. Graph theory (“connected in some fashion”)
      

3. Web structure:
   

   1. Bow-Tie: the structure of the Web
      

   2. Centrality: the basis of Google and most search engines
      

   3. Clustering
      

4. Web dynamics:
   

   1. The emergence of hubs and clusters in the ever-growing Web
      

   2. The diffusion of information via the Web (e.g., Twitter)
      

5. Web commerce and recommendation algorithms:
   

   1. Collaborative filtering: Netflix, Amazon, etc.
      

   2. The Long Tail: niches and blockbusters
      

6. Web influence and group behavior:
   

   1. PageRank: the algorithm inside Google
      

   2. Principles of search engine optimization
      

Preliminary Lab Outline (Web Development)

1. Beginner HTML
   

2. Beginner CSS
   

3. Web page design and layout with CSS
   

4. Project peer reviews: Attendance is mandatory
   

5. CSS templates and Browser Debugging Tools
   

6. Introduction to JavaScript

7. Advanced Javascript: JQuery, Slideshows and Games

8. Content Management Systems

9. Project final presentations: Attendance is mandatory
   

Grading Criteria and Exams Schedule

• Grades and assignments will be posted on Canvas.

• Homeworks: 30% (after dropping lowest score)
  

• Project: 20% – Due last day of class
  The project is a website built with the tools covered in class plus an essay.
  Project grading criteria will be posted.

• Tests: 50%

All tests will be closed books and closed notes, except for your own handwritten 8.5“x11” cheat sheet (front and back).

Final Exams Dates and Times are decided by the the SLU Registrar Office.

Late submission policy

Homeworks submitted late will have a score reduced of per day for the first days after the deadline. No submissions will be accepted after the second day. Upon request to the Dean of Students (http://www.slu.edu/dean-of-students-office), students shall be given up to five (5) consecutive days (not including weekends or holidays) of excused absence for bereavement.

Technology in class

• Cell phones are allowed in vibration mode during class. If you have a personal emergency, feel free to step out quietly from the classroom and take the call. Cell phones are not allowed during exams. Recording audio or video (frames) during class is allowed but not recommended. Learning how to take notes effectively is useful: train for that.

• Laptops: There should be a computer for each student during practical sessions but you may use your own. Laptops are not recommended but not forbidden during theory sessions.

Student Success Center

In recognition that people learn in a variety of ways and that learning is influenced by multiple factors (e.g., prior experience, study skills, learning disability), resources to support student success are available on campus. The Student Success Center assists students with academic and career related services, and is located in the Busch Student Center (Suite, 331) and the School of Nursing (Suite, 114). Students can visit www.slu.edu/success to learn more about:

• Course-level support (e.g., faculty member, departmental resources, etc.) by asking your course instructor.

• University-level support (e.g., tutoring services, university writing services, disability services, academic coaching, career services, and/or facets of curriculum planning).

University Writing Services Support

We encourage you to take advantage of university writing services in the Student Success Center; getting feedback benefits writers at all skill levels. Trained writing consultants can help with writing projects, multimedia projects, and oral presentations. University Writing Services offers one-on-one consultations that address everything from brainstorming and developing ideas to crafting strong sentences and documenting sources. For more information, call 314-977-3484 or visit http://bit.ly/1gAKC9H.

Disability Services Academic Accommodations

Students with a documented disability who wish to request academic accommodations must contact Disability Services to discuss accommodation requests and eligibility requirements. Once successfully registered, the student also must notify the course instructor that they wish to access accommodations in the course.

Please contact Disability Services, located within the Student Success Center, at Disability_services@slu.edu or 314.977.3484 to schedule an appointment. Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries. Once approved, information about the student’s eligibility for academic accommodations will be shared with course instructors via email from Disability Services and viewed within Banner via the instructor’s course roster.  

Note: Students who do not have a documented disability but who think they may have one are encouraged to contact to Disability Services.

Title IX

Saint Louis University and its faculty are committed to supporting our students and seeking an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have encountered any form of sexual misconduct (e.g. sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic or dating violence), we encourage you to report this to the University. If you speak with a faculty member about an incident of misconduct, that faculty member must notify SLU’s Title IX coordinator, Anna R. Kratky (DuBourg Hall, room 36; akratky@slu.edu; 314-977-3886) and share the basic facts of your experience with her. The Title IX coordinator will then be available to assist you in understanding all of your options and in connecting you with all possible resources on and off campus.   If you wish to speak with a confidential source, you may contact the counselors at the University Counseling Center at 314-977-TALK. To view SLU’s sexual misconduct policy and for resources, please visit the following web addresses: http://www.slu.edu/general-counsel-home/office-of-institutional-equity-and-diversity/sexual-misconduct-policy and www.slu.edu/here4you.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is honesty, truthful and responsible conduct in all academic endeavors. The mission of Saint Louis University is “the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity.” Accordingly, all acts of falsehood demean and compromise the corporate endeavors of teaching, research, health care, and community service via which SLU embodies its mission. The University strives to prepare students for lives of personal and professional integrity, and therefore regards all breaches of academic integrity as matters of serious concern.

The governing University-level Academic Integrity Policy can be accessed on the Provost's Office website. A more detailed policy statement is given by the College of Arts & Science, also applying to this course.