IS370 section 701 |
Last updated: Monday 25 November 2002. Message 12 added.
12. Just a reminder
that the final exam is tonight (Monday) in our regular room (Lewis 1504) at our
regular time (starts at 5:45 PM).
The final exam will only cover material
since the midterm which is basically chapters 8 through 15 as well as
assignments 4 through 8. It will be a closed-book exam, HOWEVER, each student
may bring one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of notes. Both sides of the sheet may be used. I
estimate that the exam will take 90 minutes but the entire class time is
available (until 9 PM) if necessary.
The format of the exam will be exactly
the same as the midterm. You can refer to the sample exam which is available at
the class web site reached through my web page (http://condor.depaul.edu/~jbernste).
Click '701 Syllabus' on the 'IS370' line, then click 'Exams' on the second
header line. Exam questions will be a combination of true-false, multiple
choice, definition selection table, and short answer questions.
FYI, Grades posted at the class web site at
the GRADES link now include all homework assignments completed as well as the
adjustment to convert the grade equivalent to 7 assignments into the entire 8
and give extra credit for points obtained beyond 35.
11. Some important
items pertaining to the eighth assignment, next week's class, the final exam,
and class evaluations.
Assignment 8 is available at the ASSIGNMENTS link on the class line of my web
site (http://condor.depaul.edu/~jbernste). For those of you who missed the
explanation in last night's class, basically what is called for is a single Data
Flow Diagram (1 page) representing the Origin level of the present physical
system - which is what is described in the assignment. Origin level means that
only major subsystem processes need be shown, plus data stores, external
entities (like Customers, etc.), and of course data flows. I would not expect
more than a half dozen processes on this diagram. Perhaps the simplest way to
approach this is to just make 4 lists (processes, external entities, data
stores, data flows) by carefully and thoroughly analyzing the assignment blurb,
and then build your diagram to include all the listed items. Do NOT concern
yourself with neatness. Hand drawn is fine, and if you do make those lists, turn
them in too to help me give you the best possible grade. Any questions, please
email me.
As to next week's class, we will cover the last two topics briefly and then
spend the bulk of the class reviewing the material since the midterm. The final
exam will only cover material since the midterm which is basically chapters 8
through 15 as well as assignments 4 through 8. I'd also like to reconsider how
we did in relation to the list of objectives we developed in the first class:
The most up-to-date information
Job opportunities
How to get the true advantages of IS
Where trends are going
Help career choice
Good grade.
Finally, this reminder from the CTI school. Each student is urged to log on to
http://www.cs.depaul.edu/myCTI and submit their evaluation of the class. This is
something that is important to the school and to the instructors, so please do
it as soon as you can.
Thanks, and see you all next Monday.
10. A
way to solve assignment 7 (the 3 prisoners and the red and white hats) is with a
decision table that looks like this:
All possible cases
A
R R R
R W
W W
B
R R W
W R
R W
C
R W R
W R
W R
Results
A figures it out
x
B figures it out
x
x
Since the 4 cases left where A and B could NOT figure it out all have C
wearing RED, he knew his color.
BUT, how did A and B figure out the 3 they could figure out? Obviously
seeing 2 other WHITEs gives it away, but how did B figure out the 2nd case?
That's the crux of the problem! Explain that and you've got it. Have fun!
If you can't get it, come to class next Monday and we'll work on it a bit
in class so that you can finish and turn it in.
9. GUEST SPEAKER
ALERT:
In regard to our discussion in class last week about your interest
in another guest speaker who would cover employment market issues, I have found
someone BUT due to scheduling difficulties, he can only come to the class THIS
COMING MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 28!!!
The
speaker is Mr. Steve Samuels who is a senior Human Resources person at Hewitt
Associates here in the Chicagoland area and is also the former Director of the
DePaul University Computer Career Program where he was instrumental in assisting
thousands of DePaul graduates in finding Information Systems jobs over the last
20 years.
In
addition, Hewitt Associates is a major and fast growing benefits outsourcing
company which has recently become a public company and has been doing well
financially and hiring many people even during these difficult economic times.
I have
tentatively scheduled Steve to speak to the class for about an hour from 6:30 to
7:30 PM.
I think
you will find his comments and insights very interesting and useful and I urge
you to arrange your schedules to allow you to be present for Steve's talk at the
class tomorrow.
8. As we discussed in class last night regarding the assignment 5 web page, here is the link to the PowerPoint presentation regarding creating a web page. Click here. The presentation also includes an introduction to the Microsoft Front Page web page development tool which is available through the DePaul labs. Other information that would be helpful is on the assignment page which includes a link to a DePaul site, Homepage/HTML, which also has some good tips. The assignment page can be created using any editor on your own PC and uploaded to your Shrike account (or elsewhere) if that is more convenient. As to content & sample HTML, you can right click any web page and select View Source to see sample working code. I will grade this assignment online so just provide me with your URL address. If you already have a web site, just tell me where it is.
7. Midterm exam
grades are posted at the GRADES link on
the class line of my web site http://condor.depaul.edu/~jbernste
Both the actual grade (based on 100
points for the entire exam) and the grade
converted to the 30% of the class grade
that the midterm exam represents are listed. You can congratulate yourselves on
doing very well on the exam. The class
average was 91.2.
We will review the exam on Monday in
addition to covering our scheduled
material.
6. As I noted in
class last night, here is some follow-up information about the midterm exam.
FIRST, the sample exam AND the answers to the sample exam are
now
available at the class web site reached through my web page
(http://condor.depaul.edu/~jbernste). Click '701 Syllabus' on the 'IS370'
line, then click 'Exams' on the second header line.
The exam will be next Monday (October 14) at the regular class time and
place. I estimate that the exam will take 90 minutes but the entire class
time is available (until 9 PM) if necessary. It will cover chapters 1
through
7
in the textbook.
The midterm exam will be closed-book. HOWEVER, each student may bring
one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of notes. Both sides of the sheet may be used. Very
much like the practice exam, the exam questions will be a combination of
true-false, multiple choice, definition selection table, and short answer
questions. The sample exam will give you good insight as to the format of
the
exam. The chapter Web Quizes and Powerpoint slides, available through the
class syllabus web page, will give you good insight as to the content.
A comment on test taking technique: Answers to most of the
questions will
actually be on the exam paper (as part of multiple choice or definition
selection table questions). It might be a good idea to read the exam over
thoroughly even before answering any questions. You also have your
page of notes that you can
refer to and if anything seems unclear or ambiguous, please promptly ask
me, or David Bernstein, who will be there
for awhile if my flight is late, to clarify it.
My 'money-back-guarantee' will be in effect (if half the class gets a
question
wrong, it's automatically marked correct for everyone) but hopefully,
that will
not be necessary to use.
5. Following
are several messages pertaining to the class.
First, as I mentioned in class, I have decided to make only seven of the
eight homework assignments required so, in effect, you can simply choose to skip
doing any one of them. The 7 will add up to the 40% of your grade that the eight
were going to add up to. If you DO do all eight, you can obtain some extra
credit.
Second, if homeworks are submitted to me before the class by email and I
note errors in my return email, you can make the necessary fix or fixes and
resubmit the homework for a revised grade as long as I receive it before the
time when it's actually due.
Finally, a reminder that our next class will include a preview of the
midterm format and requirements that should be helpful to you.
4. A tip for doing assignment 2. In class we discussed creating 4 data lines for FIB, LOFIB, HIFIB, and the loop control counter. After most of you had left I realized that you need a fifth data line (for the constant 1 that you need to add to the loop control counter). Don't forget that these 5 data items need to be initialized to something. The counter to -8 but the others should start at either zero or one.
3. An interesting email that I received today (and also
forwarded by email to the class):
Dear CTI Faculty,
As you know, today's technology job market is extremely competitive and requires students to utilize a myriad of job search techniques. In order
to assist students in their various efforts, DePaul's Career Center is hosting a FREE Technology Networking Event and Career Forum. This event
is specifically designed to help DePaul's CTI students and alumni:
- Gain insight into the variety of careers available within technology;
- Market themselves as unique and well-qualified candidates; and
- Build their professional networks
A panel of 10 technology professionals from a variety of companies and industries will share resources and tips with attendees, and will also
be available for questions and general networking. It is our hope that you will consider attending and share the event
information with interested students and alumni:
Location: DePaul Center - Concourse Level - Music Mart
Date: Thursday, September 26
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm. (check-in will begin at 4:30 p.m.)
NOTE: Networking events provide attendees with an opportunity to exchange information, but are not resume distribution events.
Students should pre-register online at http://depaul.erecruiting.com/. If you or other faculty/staff would like
to attend, please let me know via e-mail at aghori@depaul.edu
Thank you for your time and cooperation. If you have any questions about
the event or wish to receive further information, please feel free to contact me at (312) 362-5874 or
aghori@depaul.edu
Thanks, Aisha Ghori
Assistant Director/CTI Career Advisor
Career Center, DePaul University, 312.362.5874, 312.362.8565 (fax), aghori@depaul.edu
2. ANNOUNCEMENT! I need to be out of town from Thursday through Sunday. I will NOT be able to check my email. I don't travel that much so this is an exception and I will be checking email, grading assignments, etc. again on Sunday evening so please be patient with me. Thanks and I apologize for any inconvenience.
1. FYI, here is the list of additional class objectives that we listed on the board last night. I'll try to keep a focus on them as the course unfolds and please feel free to suggest other items if they occur to you.
The most up-to-date information
Job opportunities
How to get the true advantages of IS
Where trends are going
Help career choice
Good grade
© 2002 by Joel E. Bernstein
All rights reserved