CS1010 Orientation Notes

Course Overview

  • Orientation class for Computer Science 1010/CS 1010; not a coding class. Coding appears in later CS courses (e.g., CS 1270/2270/2280).
  • Topics: resume building, career preparation, academic policies and procedures, ISU forms and where to find them, and creating an academic plan for future semesters.
  • End goal: have a resume and a clear understanding of how things work at ISU.

Advisers, Peer Mentors, and Support

  • Each student will be assigned one adviser (out of the six instructors).
  • Advisers can be found in Workday under the Academics tab.
  • Peer mentors are assigned to sections; you can find yours via Canvas and Workday.
  • You’ll meet your peer mentor in your discussion section; the syllabus page lists peer mentors and classroom assignments.

Class Structure and Key Platforms

  • Canvas: used for the syllabus, calendar, and finding your peer mentor and section details.
  • Workday: used to view your adviser and class schedule (look for the letter/section for CS 1010).
  • Syllabus: contains calendar, assignments, sections, room numbers, and more.
  • ISU Career Services resources: templates and guidance for resumes.

Schedule, Calendar, and Attendance

  • The course is half-semester and meets about 6 times total; Mondays are lectures (big section) and Wednesdays are smaller discussion sections (Canvas room).
  • There are some non-class days (e.g., Labor Day) and optional workdays with office hours.
  • Attendance policy:
    • Attendance is mandatory; you can miss up to 4 days without penalty.
    • More than 4 days missed means you will not pass unless you communicate and make arrangements (email the instructor or your peer mentor).
    • Each calendar day counts unless noted as a non-count day (e.g., certain workdays).
    • A special case: the career fair day counts differently; you attend by submitting a photo from the fair.
  • If class is canceled due to emergency, instructors will email notices; actual cancellations are rare.

Assignments and Grading Overview

  • Four major assignments total:
    1) Professional resume
    2) Academic policies and procedures quiz
    3) Registration procedures quiz
    4) Graduation plan (end of semester)
  • All four assignments must be completed at a satisfactory level to pass CS 1010. A pass is required in all four components.
  • You can revise and resubmit each assignment as many times as needed before the course end, according to the rubric.
  • Late work has a cutoff date on the calendar; ensure submissions occur before that date.
  • This is a pass/fail (S/F) course; meeting attendance and assignment requirements determines passing.

Professional Resume: Key Rubrics and Rules

  • Rubric components for the resume:
    • Organization
    • Language
    • Length
    • Legibility
  • To get a passing score (a 2) on Organization:
    • Resume must include at least two sections (e.g., Education and Experience).
    • All section titles must be relevant and professional (e.g., Education, Experience; you may add Coursework, Achievements, Skills, etc.).
    • Personal information must be appropriate (name, phone, email); avoid irrelevant details like favorite color.
  • To pass overall, you must meet all four criteria (Organization, Language, Length, Legibility).
  • If you submit a blank template, feedback will be given and you must revise to meet requirements.
  • You can exceed expectations by aiming for a 3 in any category (e.g., using active verbs and correct tense).
  • Action verbs and tense guidelines (from the rubric): use past tense for past experiences and present tense for current activities.
  • Templates and rubrics:
    • The Canvas module “Professional Resume” contains the rubric and a resume template you can fill out.
    • Career Services templates are available for different majors; ensure they meet the rubric requirements.
  • AI usage:
    • Using AI (e.g., ChatGPT) to help draft the resume is allowed, but you must verify accuracy and tailor details to your own experience.
    • If AI-generated content is detected as generic or inaccurate, you will be asked to revise.

How to Access Resources and Get Help

  • Go to Canvas → Modules → Professional Resume for rubric, templates, and guidance.
  • Use provided resume templates or Career Services templates; ensure adherence to rubric criteria.
  • Reach out via email if you have questions or need feedback; communicate promptly about absences or issues.

Quick Reference: Important Dates and Milestones

  • Resume due date is listed in the course calendar (roughly mid-September, around the 15th, per the instructor’s notes).
  • The course runs through the fall semester; you’ll have a graduation plan due later in the term.
  • Attendance and assignment deadlines are posted in the syllabus calendar; check regularly.

Attendance Verification for the End of Class

  • To verify attendance, you will access a short attendance quiz in Canvas (Quizzes → Lecture Attendance).
  • You’ll enter a specific word to mark attendance (example word provided during the session).
  • Stay for the entire attendance process; you can leave after completing the check.

Quick Tips for Success

  • Ensure you know your adviser and peer mentor early via Workday and Canvas.
  • Review the syllabus and calendar within Canvas regularly for updates.
  • Start the resume early; use the template and rubrics; revise until it meets all criteria.
  • Communicate with instructors and mentors if you need to miss a class or have questions.
  • Use AI wisely: customize content to your own experience and verify facts.