Prof. Arthur Schlissel

Math 279 - Course Outline
Fall 2001


This course will show how the computer is used for rapid communication with people all over the globe, the transmission of files and documents to/from them, and the construction of web pages.

No previous knowledge of computers will be presumed. This is a "hands on" intensive course so that in addition to classtime the student will have to spend time practicing on a computer.

The text for the course is "Mastering the Internet and HTML", by Ibrahim Zeid, 2000, Prentice-Hall Pub. In addition relevant notes will be distributed.

Students are expected to attend every class and are responsible for all material and assignments presented in class whether present or absent. Excessive class absence will result in the lowering of the term grade.

Students are urged to ask questions to clarify material.

Students should purchase a formatted HD (high density) 3 1/2" disk. It may be necessary to use more than one disk during the term.

There will be periodic assignments to be done in class and outside of class, tests, and a final project and/or final exam. The final grade will be based on all these.

All students are required to have an e-mail account for use in communicating with the instructor.


  1. Introduction to the computer
  2. Introduction to DOS and Windows 95/98
  3. The Internet
  4. E-mail
  5. Listservs
  6. Electronic discussion lists
    • Using the lists
    • Searching for relavant lists
    • Searching archives of lists
  7. Netnews
  8. Sending and receiving files
  9. FTP (File transfer protocol)
    • Sending and receiving text and binary files
    • Anonymous FTP sites
    • Searching for FTP sites
  10. Compression and archiving of files: zip files
  11. HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
    • Personal WEB page
    • Using a web page to send and receive data
  12. JavaScript:Interactive web pages
  13. Encryption
  14. Ethical and legal considerations regarding telecommunications
    • Copyright of material
    • Privacy
  15. Etc.


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