Jiangen He
Primary instructor for sections 01 and 02
- jiangen@utk.edu
- Office
- 449 Communications Building
- Office hours
- Book at tiny.utk.edu/heoffice210. Write if nothing on the calendar works for you.
- Office phone
- (865) 974-5882
A note from your instructor
Welcome to INSC 210
I look forward to a great semester with you. Every class session is pre-recorded so you can watch on your own schedule. That flexibility is real, and it still asks for discipline: pick a weekly time for the lectures and keep it.
An online course rewards self-reliance, and it works best when communication stays open. Email or text me when something is unclear. I do my best to reply within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on weekends, and I will tell you if I will be away or if a connection issue may slow a response. I am also happy to meet on Zoom or in person.
If you are having trouble, have a question, or simply want to talk more about the course, write to jiangen@utk.edu.
At a glance
Course information
Qian Yang
Primary instructor for sections 03 and 04
- qyang20@vols.utk.edu
- Office
- 451 Communications Building
- Office hours
- Book at tiny.utk.edu/heoffice210. Write if nothing on the calendar works for you.
- Office phone
- (865) 308-7728
- Mode
- Online, asynchronous, pre-recorded videos
- SIS office
- 450 Communications Bldg.
865.974.2148 - Required texts
- All readings are provided. Bookmark w3schools.com.
- Office hours
- Shared calendar · tiny.utk.edu/heoffice210
Catalog description
Principles, selection and use of computer-based information management applications. Application software, the Internet and web technologies. Systems development methods. Management of information systems. Network security, information security, information accessibility, and artificial intelligence.
What this section adds
This course gives you the skills and knowledge needed to start learning to code, and a broad working picture of information technologies.
Learning environment
- Fully online. You do not need to travel to campus.
- Work asynchronously in Canvas, UT’s learning management system.
- Content is delivered through lectures, videos, discussions, live demonstrations, and hands-on practice.
- Submit assignments in Canvas. Do not email them to the instructor.
Computing requirements
- Comfortable use of word processing, a web browser, email, and Canvas, including assignment submission.
- A high-speed internet connection for the lecture videos.
- A UT email account, plus PowerPoint or the PowerPoint Reader for lecture notes.
By the end of the term
Student learning outcomes
Students who complete this course will be able to demonstrate awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the following.
Computing
Explain the evolution of computing and the types of computers we use today.
Networks
Explain the building blocks of computer networks and how internet infrastructure shows up in daily life.
Databases
Apply basic database concepts and queries to retrieve information from databases.
The web
Use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in programming exercises and to build a working website.
Week by week
Course schedule
The schedule can change. Use Canvas for the current activities, materials, and due dates.
Week 0
Getting started
- Course overview
- Introducing today’s technologies
- Self-introduction on the discussion board
- Reading materials
Week 1
Computers and HCI
- Introduction to computers
- Introduction to HCI
- Watch videos on new HCI technology and discuss them on the board
- Assignment 1: Computers and HCI — due Sep 2, 23:59
- Quiz 1
Week 2
Communication and networks
- Communication and networks
- Reading materials
- Quiz 2
Week 3
Internet and digital content
- Internet and World Wide Web
- Communicating digital content
- Watch cybersecurity videos and discuss them with peers
- Quiz 3
- Assignment 2: Networks — due Sep 16, 23:59
Week 4
Databases, part 1
- Introduction to database management systems
- SQL, part 1
- Quiz 4
Week 5
Databases, part 2
- SQL, part 2
- Assignment 3: Database — due Sep 30, 23:59
Week 6
Programming and the web
- Introduction to programming and web development
- Install a development tool
- Discussion: new web technologies
Week 7
HTML, part 1
- Introduction to HTML
- HTML tags, part 1
- Quiz 5
Week 8
HTML, part 2
- HTML tags, part 2
- Create a web project
- Quiz 6
- Assignment 4: A personal website — due Oct 21, 23:59
Week 9
CSS basics
- CSS basics
- A hands-on exercise
- Quiz 7
Week 10
CSS layout
- CSS concepts
- CSS layout
- Assignment 5: Stylize your personal website — due Nov 4, 23:59
Week 11
Interaction and accessibility
- Interaction
- Design and accessibility
- Discussion: technology accessibility
Week 12
Templates and deployment
- UTK website template
- Deploy and maintain a website
- Assignment 6: Improvement and deployment — due Nov 18, 23:59
Week 13
Basics of AI
- Basics of artificial intelligence
- Discussion: test AI biases — due Dec 2, 23:59
- Prompt engineering exercise — due Dec 1, 23:59
Week 14
Applications of AI
- Applications of artificial intelligence
- Assignment 7: AI experiments — due Dec 4, 23:59
How you are evaluated
Assignments and grades
70% Assignments
20% Quizzes and discussions
10% Attendance
Attendance
Attendance means completing the class activities: lecture video, reading, quizzes, discussions, and related work. Access to course content is tracked electronically.
Discussions and quizzes
The course includes discussions and quizzes. Quizzes may appear inside videos or as separate Canvas quizzes.
Preparing work
Unless told otherwise, type assignments, double-space them, and use a 12-point font with reasonable margins. Include your name, the date, the course number, and page numbers. Some work is submitted as HTML files; we will cover that in class. Submit through Canvas.
Late work
Late work loses 5% for each 24-hour period after the due date. If something will keep you from finishing on time, ask for an extension before the deadline. When the situation warrants it, we will set a new due date together.
Grading scale
| Letter | Points | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93–100 | Superior performance (4.0 quality points) |
| A− | 90–92.99 | Intermediate superior performance (3.7) |
| B+ | 88–89.99 | Very good performance (3.3) |
| B | 83–87.99 | Good performance (3.0) |
| B− | 80–82.99 | Intermediate good performance (2.7) |
| C+ | 78–79.99 | Fair performance (2.3) |
| C | 73–77.99 | Satisfactory performance (2.0) |
| C− | 70–72.99 | Unsatisfactory performance (1.7) |
| D+ | 68–69.99 | Unsatisfactory performance (1.3) |
| D | 63–67.99 | Unsatisfactory performance (1.0) |
| D− | 60–62.99 | Unsatisfactory performance (0.7) |
| F | 0–59.99 | Failure (0.0) |
Other marks
- S — Satisfactory. Assigned only for C or better work on an S/NC basis. No quality points.
- NC — No credit. Assigned for C− or worse work on an S/NC basis. No quality points.
- I — Incomplete. Reserved for emergencies that prevent finishing the course on time, and only under unusual circumstances at the instructor’s discretion. If you disappear without contacting the instructor or completing the required form, an F is submitted. An I that is not removed within one calendar year, or upon graduation, becomes an F.
- W — Official withdrawal from the course or the university. No quality points.
Expectations
Policies
Academic integrity
Know the Hilltopics Student Handbook and follow UT academic policy, including the Honor Statement and the Academic Integrity Policy.
“An essential feature of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty. As a student of the university, I pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity.”
Study, preparation, and presentation should be your own work unless a team effort is clearly specified. When you use other scholars’ work, cite the source. Infractions are penalized according to severity and may include a course grade of F.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism in any form is not tolerated. Claiming you did not understand the rules is not an excuse. Examples include:
- Copying written or spoken words without quotation marks and a citation.
- Summarizing another source’s ideas without a citation, unless the information is common knowledge.
- Borrowing facts, statistics, graphs, images, or phrases without acknowledgment, unless they are common knowledge.
- Collaborating on a graded assignment without the instructor’s approval.
- Submitting work created by a professional service, in whole or in part, without attribution.
If you are unsure, ask. The University Libraries maintain a citing sources guide.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Campus syllabus
The campus syllabus collects policies and resources that apply to every UTK course. Please read them and use the support listed below. At UT we are committed to a high-quality learning experience.
— Dr. John Zomchick, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
Students with disabilities
If you may need an accommodation based on a disability, contact Student Disability Services in Dunford Hall at 865-974-6087, or by video relay at 865-622-6566, to coordinate reasonable academic accommodations.
Accessibility
University accessibility policy and training live at accessibility.utk.edu.
Wellness
The Student Counseling Center is the university’s primary place for personal counseling, psychotherapy, and psychological outreach. The Center for Health Education and Wellness manages 974-HELP, the distressed student protocol, case management, the Sexual Assault Response Team, and the Threat Assessment Task Force. See also wellness.utk.edu.
Emergency alert system
When you are alerted to an emergency, take appropriate action. Learn what to do and sign up for UT Alerts at safety.utk.edu. Check the posters near exits and elevators. In an emergency, the schedule may change; reasonable adjustments will be made, and you are responsible for meeting revised deadlines.
Title IX
UT faculty support students and uphold gender equity laws outlined by Title IX. If you tell a faculty member about sexual misconduct, dating violence, or stalking, we must inform the Title IX Coordinator, who can connect you with resources. Confidential options include the Student Counseling Center (865-974-2196) and the Student Health Center (865-974-3135). More at titleix.utk.edu.
Your role in assessment
Improving teaching and learning is a shared responsibility. You may be asked to assess this course during the term or at the end. Please respond; those notes help the next group of Volunteers.
The instructor reserves the right to revise this syllabus as needed. Students will be notified in writing or by email of any changes.