Fundamentals of Information Security
Course Number: ITSY 1300   Section: 001
Instructor: Prof. Michael P. Harris, CCNA, CCAI

Course Information: This is the first course of the Information Security degree plan. As the name indicates, this is a foundation class wherein there are no formal prerequisites; however, this will be a college-level class for people whose major field centers around computer science. This is a breadth course as opposed to a technical treatment of the subject; therefore, the activity will center on reading and writing in the computer security field. The course will contain a significant hands-on lab component. In this class, you will write original research papers and for your Skills-Based Assessment, present your project and paper orally to the class.

Testing: This course will not use formal traditional examinations. Most of your examinations will consist of two parts. Part 1 (50%) will usually be Multiple-choice written exam.
Part 2 (50%) will be some form of "Skills Bases Assessment", a hands-on graded lab. You will turn in a documentation packet with these graded labs. We will discus what documentation will be required for each lab in class.

Grading Policy: 85% of your grade will be the average of the written exams, Skills-Based Assessments, and research assignments, all of which will be equally weighted, and 15% of the grade will be class participation. It is important to note that, although we will not have a traditional final examination, either the written portion or a presentation of the results from your Skills-Based Assessment will be the graded activity on the date scheduled for final examination.  Attendance on the day of the Final Examination will be required; missing the final class day will result in a significant penalty. Exceptions will be handled on a case by case basis.

Structure of our Class: There will be a lecture/discussion portion and a presentation segment. I do not intend to read the textbook to you; therefore, please come to class having accomplished the assigned reading --see the Class Schedule for the reading assignments. We will begin each class with the Lecture/discussion for the days topic and this will usually be followed by a formal presentation/demonstration. The remainder of the class will be an open lab wherein I will be available to help with your labs, skills-based assessments, research projects, and writing.

Attendance Policy: Missing three classes is grounds for a drop from the course. Open lab attendance is mandatory if you are behind on any of the lab assignments, research assignments, papers; otherwise, it is time that I will be in the class room to help you. If you are current in your assignments, then missing the lab period carries no penalty. If your assignments are in arrears, then missing lab will count as an absence.