The Science of Information Technology (Physics 2050)

Syllabus

Resources

Required Textbook	The Quantum Dot by Richard Turton Potential Additional Trade Book To Be Announced
WebCT site	http://webct.rpi.edu/public/ScIT_Sample_0501_sp/
Software	Microsoft Excel XP Microsoft Power Point XP Shockwave Plug-in for Browser Internet Explorer needed to view videos

Introduction
This is an introductory course; but do not make the mistake of assuming that the entire course is elementary. In understanding how and why information systems work, we will delve into binary mathematics, electromagnetic theory, optics, information theory, solid state science, atomic structure, fourier analysis, DNA, and quantum mechanics. The mathematics expected of students on tests and homework will be limited to algebra and trigonometry. The lectures, however, will include calculus to illustrate exact relationships between quantities, and some calculus will be done in activities with the assistance of software packages.

Course Philosophy and Objectives
The Science of Information Technology is intended to give students an introduction into the scientific processes behind information systems. In particular, students completing the course should understand the principles behind and the physical limitations of information processing, information storage, and information transfer. Students will gain this understanding through readings, lectures, activities, and assignments. Class attendance is imperative, since lectures will complement and supplement the readings rather than merely duplicate them.

Attendance
Attendance is expected because students will be working in teams and have a responsibility to each other to show up. Peer-to-peer interaction is a key instructional mode in this course. Student absences can have a significant negative impact on the course grade, both directly through missed activities and indirectly through missed learning opportunities. Students should plan to attend ALL classes.

If an absence is necessary, the student must contact the professor before the class to be missed and hand in all assignments on time unless other arrangements are made with the professor. If notification of the professor should be impossible due to emergency situations, a note from a doctor or similar excuse should be presented upon the student's return to class if the absence is to be excused.

(Tentative) Grading Scheme - subject to change with notice

30%	Class Activities compose the largest portion of the course grade. Attendance is mandatory for this class, but two class activity grades will be dropped to account for illness or other absences.
25%	Tests will be given 2-4 times during the semester. Announcements of test dates will be made in class at least one full week in advance of the test. Tests will not be explicitly cumulative, but much material in this course builds upon other material, so understanding of earlier material will be assumed. The first Test will probably be in mid-February.
15%	Final will be a required cumulative exam.
15%	Homework will be assigned in class. Assignments will also be posted on the web for those who might miss class. One homework grade will be dropped.
10%	Project will be described in more detail in class. Each student will be expected to read and report on an article on some aspect of information technology in a scientific magazine such as Scientific American, Science, or Physics Today.
5%	Reading Quizzes will be given on the web to highlight important topics in the reading.

Assignments are due before the start of class. Any assignments handed in later than 5 minutes after the start of class on the due date will receive a 5% deduction. When appropriate, assignments may be accepted on subsequent days, subject to a 10% deduction per day. No homework will be accepted after solutions have been posted.

WebCT
WebCT will be used extensively in ScIT to enhance the learning experience and facilitate access to course materials. It is this instructor's policy to only use technology when it provides a benefit and can be managed effectively. The on-line quizzes will be used to encourage students to keep up with the reading assignments. Students will have at least two tries at every quiz, with the higher score counting toward the final grade. Except where indicated, the automatic grading feature of WebCT will provide quiz grades to the instructor. The instructor may, however, override this feature if a student appeals the grade for a valid reason. (Determination of validity is at the discretion of the instructor.) Homework assignments and solutions will be posted on the Contents page. The Contents page will also contain reading assignments, review material, and other course information. The Calendar tool will be used to post changes to the Syllabus and times of review sessions. Chat Rooms may be used for on-line office hours.

The student is encouraged to access WebCT often and take advantage of its many features. The student should, however, be aware of the information stored on WebCT. The instructor (and the student using the My Progress tool) can access a record of the student's activity on WebCT. In addition, the instructor can see student responses for all attempts at on-line quizzes, not just the one used for a grade. On-line survey data is recorded anonymously but assigned a number so the instructor can look for correlations without knowing who made those responses. This instructor intends to use WebCT's record keeping for no purpose other than statistical data for research and further course development.

Honesty
The evaluation of student performance is a service provided by Rensselaer. Attempts to undermine this service lower Rensselaer's reputation. Therefore, it is essential that academic honesty be preserved. Students are encouraged to work together on homework and in-class activities. Students can also consult with each other about the reading assignments and class project. Work that is turned in, however, should reflect the understanding of the person taking credit for the work. Merely copying others' work (including plagiarism) is strictly prohibited. No collaboration of any type is allowed on tests or the final exam.
Student-teacher relationships are built on trust. If a student is found to have violated this trust, disciplinary action will be taken. The first infraction may lead to failure on any involved assignments; the next infraction will lead to failure in the course. School policies on academic dishonesty are found in the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Computer Policy
Due to the increasing distractions from the laptops, we will be instituting two policies regarding computers:

The use of Instant Messenger or any non-class-related computer use will not be allowed during class time, unless the student is finished with the activity and waiting for others to finish. Students found running IM or other software will be asked to shut it down immediately. If a student persists in using computers in an inappropriate manner, the instructor will assume that the student has completed the activity and a grade will be assigned based on the work completed up to that point.
Students are expected to refrain from displaying any images and/or background deemed offensive by the instructor, a TA, or another student. The instructor reserves the right to excuse a student from class if he or she does not comply with this expectation.

Schedule (This should be taken merely as a proposed schedule and outline of topics - many changes will occur during the semester. Check the WebCT Calendar regularly for updates).

Class Topic Notes Reading
(Chapters out of Quantum Dot) Activity HW

1 Intro to information systems; History of Computers; Science vs. Technology

2 A Wave Is a Wave Is a Wave: An introduction to traveling and standing waves

3 Bending and Bouncing Light: Reflection and Refraction and Optical Fibers

4 Translating that Optical Signal: Fourier Series, Fourier Transforms, and Bandwidth

5 Optimizing that Signal: Characteristics of Signal Transfer

6 Optical Communication and Modes

7 Review for Test 1 plus
Guest Lecture by Dr. Peter Persans on Optical Communication
Video

8 Test 1

9 Interference and Diffraction: How the wave properties of light lead to limits on resolving data
Animation

10 Storage by Electrons: Electric Fields and Capacitors

11 That Natural Attraction: Induction and Magnetic Storage

12 The Future is Now: Magnetoresistance, Giant Magnetoresistance, and You

13 Atoms and Energies: The Bohr Atom and Atomic Spectra Prologue and Ch. 1
or through semi_35

14 Atoms in Solids: Resistance and Energy Bands. Chapters 2-3,
or through doping_25

15 Putting Electrons to Work: Doping and Semiconductor Devices Chapters 3-4

16 Lasers (using Applet) plus
Guest lecture by Dr. Leo Schowalter on Widebandgap Semiconductors Applet
Slides Chapters 4-5

17 Review for Test 2

18 Test 2

19 Life is Less Than Ideal: When resistors and capacitors mix, plus
Guest lecture by Dr. Toh-Ming Lu on Interconnect Science , plus
Chapters 5-6

20 Quantum Mechanics 101: Wave-particle duality and its consequences , plus
Chapters 7 and 8

21 Quantum Mechanics 102: Enter the Wavefunction Chapters 8 and 9

22 Quantum Mechanics 103: Tunneling and its effects in semiconductor devices Chapters 9 and 10

23 Quantum Mechanics 104: The implications of quantum mechanics for computing , plus
Handout on Quantum Computing

24 Possibilities for Optical Computers plus
Guest Lecture by Nobel Laureate Dr. Ivar Giaever on DNA Computing Chapter 11, Epilogue

25 Review for Test 3

26 Test 3

27 Guest lecture by Dr. Roland Kersting on Optical and Terahertz Computing (Video)

28 Review and Evaluation

Class	Topic	Notes	Reading (Chapters out of Quantum Dot)	Activity	HW
1	Intro to information systems; History of Computers; Science vs. Technology
2	A Wave Is a Wave Is a Wave: An introduction to traveling and standing waves
3	Bending and Bouncing Light: Reflection and Refraction and Optical Fibers
4	Translating that Optical Signal: Fourier Series, Fourier Transforms, and Bandwidth
5	Optimizing that Signal: Characteristics of Signal Transfer
6	Optical Communication and Modes
7	Review for Test 1 plus Guest Lecture by Dr. Peter Persans on Optical Communication	Video
8	Test 1
9	Interference and Diffraction: How the wave properties of light lead to limits on resolving data	Animation
10	Storage by Electrons: Electric Fields and Capacitors
11	That Natural Attraction: Induction and Magnetic Storage
12	The Future is Now: Magnetoresistance, Giant Magnetoresistance, and You
13	Atoms and Energies: The Bohr Atom and Atomic Spectra		Prologue and Ch. 1 or through semi_35
14	Atoms in Solids: Resistance and Energy Bands.		Chapters 2-3, or through doping_25
15	Putting Electrons to Work: Doping and Semiconductor Devices		Chapters 3-4
16	Lasers (using Applet) plus Guest lecture by Dr. Leo Schowalter on Widebandgap Semiconductors	Applet Slides	Chapters 4-5
17	Review for Test 2
18	Test 2
19	Life is Less Than Ideal: When resistors and capacitors mix, plus Guest lecture by Dr. Toh-Ming Lu on Interconnect Science		, plus Chapters 5-6
20	Quantum Mechanics 101: Wave-particle duality and its consequences		, plus Chapters 7 and 8
21	Quantum Mechanics 102: Enter the Wavefunction		Chapters 8 and 9
22	Quantum Mechanics 103: Tunneling and its effects in semiconductor devices		Chapters 9 and 10
23	Quantum Mechanics 104: The implications of quantum mechanics for computing		, plus Handout on Quantum Computing
24	Possibilities for Optical Computers plus Guest Lecture by Nobel Laureate Dr. Ivar Giaever on DNA Computing		Chapter 11, Epilogue
25	Review for Test 3
26	Test 3
27	Guest lecture by Dr. Roland Kersting on Optical and Terahertz Computing	(Video)
28	Review and Evaluation