Instructor Class Description

This course prepares students for all further iSchool information technology and systems classes. Provides the fundamental concepts and skills in the four units of the course: networks, databases, Web sites, and algorithmic thinking (programming). In each unit, students are expected to master the fundamental concepts and demonstrate their skills in projects. Each unit is a prerequisite for more advanced technical courses.

This course is actually 4 courses packed into one. In the future, each of these 4 units will be offered as a separate 1-credit course (INFX 501, 502, 503, and 504) and these separate courses will all be distance courses.

Student learning goals

Networking Concepts and Applications

• Explain and discuss the main networking technologies and concepts
• Work with a variety of communication and collaboration technologies
• Understand the different protocols and tools Perform basic file transfers
• Perform several tests to verify connectivity and accessibility
• Explain and discuss technologies and best practices for securing data resources

Database Concepts

• Explain and discuss the terminology and concepts of structured database systems
• Explain and discuss the concepts of queries and how to extract information.
• Discuss future directions in databases in large information systems
• Build a simple table to be linked to existing tables.
• Perform various simple queries using SQL and QBE skills.

Web Design Concepts

• Explain the idea of markup in general and HTML in particular
• Produce a basic Web page using a text editor and HTML
• Produce a basic site with intermediate tagging using a Web integrated development environment
• Apply the concepts of information representation and organization to Web page navigation
• Plan for the creation of a large scale web site

Algorithmic Thinking

• Explain algorithmic thinking in the context of the document object model.
• Name the basic features of languages in general and scripting languages in particular
• Recognize and analyze basic and intermediate level scripting constructs in a Web page
• construct information presentations that react to events by algorithmically transforming the document’s information architecture
• Students will possess knowledge of the DOM, its methods, and their use within a client-side scripting language.

General method of instruction

Learning is through a combination of lectures, readings, and hands-on exercises and projects. One hour of class time will be spent on each unit each week.

D.A. Clements and Bob Boiko have worked together on developing the syllabus and both will actually teach a couple hours of each section (A and B):

• D.A. Clements will teach Algorithmic Thinking and Networking Concepts
• Bob Boiko will teach Database Concepts and Web Concepts

Lectures. All lectures will be available online prior to the week they are assigned. You are responsible for watching the lecture at your convenience. There will be no lecture time in this class.

Labs. All scheduled class time for this course is lab time. While you have registered for one or the other class section, you are welcome to come to the lab during either of the scheduled times. Lab time is your time. Come prepared with questions or use the time to work on your own.

Recommended preparation

No prerequisites are needed to succeed in this course.

Class assignments and grading

Each major subject area will have one or more tests, lab projects, or workbooks to be completed.

No one in the class is competing against anyone else. No grading curve is used.

Office of the Registrar
For problems and questions about this web page contact icd@u.washington.edu,
otherwise contact the instructor or department directly.
Modified:July 11, 2012