CSCI 304

This course is a continuation of CSCI 204. It also applies concepts covered in CSCI 207 and CSCI 280.  Topics include productivity suite customization, World Wide Web programming and electronic content development.  Prerequisites: CSCI 204 or CSCI313, CSCI 207 (or other programming course) and CSCI

• Information design & architecture
• Graphic design, including typography
• Cascading style sheets (CSS)
• HTML & Dynamic HTML (DHTML)
• Web-based forms
• Server-side programming
• Client-side programming
• Security

The following texts are available at the campus library, or you can order them from the campus bookstore or any online booksellers such as www.amazon.com and www.bn.com:

Don't Make Me Think (Krug) (I will circulate a copy of this)
Que, ISBN: 0789723107

The Non-Designer's Web Book, 2nd Edition (Williams and Tollett)
Peachpit Press, ISBN: 0201710382

HTML 4 for the WWW: Visual Quickstart Guide, 4th Edition (Castro)
Peachpit Press, ISBN: 0201354934

OR

HTML for the World Wide Web with XHTML and CSS: Visual QuickStart Guide, 5th Edition (Castro)
Peachpit Press, ISBN: 0321130073

OR

HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition: Visual QuickStart Guide,
6th Edition (Castro)
Peachpit Press, ISBN: 0321430840

You should also obtain textbooks on the topics listed in the "topics covered" section.  Some suggestions are:

PHP for the WWW: Visual Quickstart Guide , 2nd Edition (Ullman)
Peachpit Press, ISBN: 0321245652

PHP and MySQL, 2nd Edition (Welling and Thomson)
SAMs Publishing, ISBN: 067232525X

In addition to these texts, online readings will be assigned and linked from this page.

You should purchase at least one jump drive or other removable media to store your work on. I recommend you always maintain a backup of your work!

Your grade will be based on

individual assignments (40%)
group project (30%)
mid-term exam (15%)
final exam (15%)

It's important to understand that if you complete all the requirements for an assignment, that entitles you to a grade of "B" (i.e. "satisfactory work"). To receive an A for an assignment, you must go beyond the basic requirements, and demonstrate creativity, initiative, and excellence--the grade of "A" is intended for work that is superior, rather than average.

"Incomplete" Grades: You may request an incomplete, or "I" grade, only in cases where exceptional conditions beyond your control, such as accidents, severe illness, family problems, etc., have kept you from completing the course. You must alert me to these circumstances as soon as possible--telling your instructor in November that you were sick in September is not acceptable. If your request for an incomplete is granted, you must complete the work for the course within the time limits set by the University.  Unfinished "I" grades automatically become "F". Incomplete grades are not given to students who have simply fallen behind in their work.

Individual Assignments:

• Assignment 0: Create a new directory named CSCI304 in the public_html directory of your Linux account for your assignments, and place in that directory an index.html page from which you will link all subsequent assignments. (That means the url to the index.html page will be http://www.cs.edinboro.edu/~your_user_name/csci304/) The page must include a picture of yourself, your name, and your preferred e-mail address (the one you check most often, and would like me to use). Do your best to use the principles of design you are learning this semester; I want to see the best you can do (that does not mean putting in every type of bell and whistle you can imagine; keep it simple and clean.)
• Assignment 1: (Due Week 9) Create a web based "academic portfolio" about yourself, showcasing your academic interests and technical skills for a prospective employer. See grade sheet for details.
• Assignment 2: (Due Week 15) Create a revised and expanded version of assignment 1, incorporating a variety of technologies covered in class.  See grade sheet for details.

• Group Assignment 1: (Due Week 8) Site Design Document with page mock-ups.  (30%)
• Group Assignment 2: (Due Week 12) Prototype of site for in-class critique. (ungraded)
• Group Assignment 3: (Due Finals week) Final presentation of site. Delivery of electronic items and group binder. (40%)
• Peer Evaluation: (Due Finals week) You will evaluate each member of your group based on their effort and the quality of their work. Due along with final presentation. (30%)

Student Pages
Group Pages

The schedule is outlined below.  This may change as the semester progresses and I will update you on these modifications in class.