University of Massachusetts Lowell, Computer Science Department

http://www.cs.uml.edu

91.513-Internet and Web Systems I-Fall 1999

201: Monday, 5:30-8:00 P.M., UML;
291: Wednesday, 5:30-8:00 P.M., GTE Labs, Waltham


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Instructor

Dr. Haim Levkowitz, Associate Professor of Computer Science
Office: OS 214
E-Mail: haim@cs.uml.edu
Phone: (978) 934-3654
Fax: (978) 934-3551
Office Hours
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Course description

As the Internet and the World-Wide Web see more and newer uses - by individuals, the business, education, and research communities  the need and demand to establish new Internet and Web sites, and to maintain them is growing very rapidly.

In addition, there is a growing demand to develop new capabilities, services, and business models that will work. Chief among them are searching and finding information (and sifting real information from junk), reducing information overload and finding efficient ways to deal with growing amounts of information, protecting users' and enterprises' security and privacy, and digitally converging  multi-media channels.

Along with these, many non-technical issues arrise, including legal, moral, social, issues of intellectual property, and others.

In this course we provide the basic understanding and knowledge of how the Internet and the World-wide Web operarte, and the technical knowledge required to establish and maintain an Internet/Web site and to develop and introduce new capabilities and features on such sites. Further, we look at the various (technical and non-technical) directions the Internet/Web is taking, and its increasing influence on our day-to-day lives. Finally, we explore future needs and requirements, research and development topics, ideas, and opportunities.

Students in this course will acquire the necessary knowledge and develop the required skills that will prepare them to be desirable contributors to this amazing revolution.

As a continuation of this course, we are offering 91.514: Internet and Web Systems II . In this course, students will have the opportunity to examine (fewer) topics in more depth, to get involved in research projects, and establish and pursue a longer term research plan and agenda.

This year we are fortunate to have the Internet and Web Systems Laboratory, where we will have the opportunity (and freedom) to explore, experiment, and gain some hands-on experience with the hardware and software that makes (components of) the Internet. Students will be able to take turn "running" the lab, establishing and maintaining services, and experimenting with hardware and software.

This is an opportunity to work on research projects, including advance ones, which might lead to Master's thesis and Doctoral dissertation work.

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Required and recommended text

This is a very fast-moving field. Every day there are new entries. The quality of books is mixed, with more mediocre (or below) books than really good ones, so I am always postponing final text selection as long as possible, to the last moment. The following list lists the two required texts, as well as other recommended reading materials.

In addition, I will be placing in the list several other sources of information you should become familiar with before or during the course. This will include books, journals, movies, Web sites, and other sources I find appropriate.

See also my list of Interesting Places to Visit, which get updated whenever there is a need (and the opportunity). To help you with your search and research, visit my Internet Research Toolkit, it has a rich collection of tools that can be very helpful.

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Tentative topics and schedule

Class(es) 
1, 2  Introduction; Introduction to the Internet; Introduction to the Web; Overview of Internet/Web services; Common server setup
2, 3  CGI Prog, gateways, imagemaps, Perl
4, 5  Security, privacy, firewalls
6, 7  Java, JavaScript, XML
8, 9  Searching, finding, research, Softbots, intelligent agents business implications
10, 11 Electronic commerce; new media; legal, social, business implications
12, 13  Advanced topics, research problems and opportunities, new and future topics

Class presentations in HTML and PowerPoint formats

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Course requirements

Your grade will be determined by 3-5 homework assignments (50%), and 4-5 in-class quizzes/exams (50%).

Tentative assignment schedule

Week 
Your Web page (no credit)
Simple form interaction; E-mail interaction support;  
7 Searching and finding
11  Security and privacy
13  Animation, other media, interesting tools and applications

Make sure you read, and understand, and follow the homework assignments general instructions and policies.

Quizzes

There will be four to five in-class quizzes (exact dates to be announced, but they will take place about every three to four week). Typically, each will last about one hour. They will all be "closed everything" and you will be tested on your ability to "think and solve problems" rather than remember details.

Available projects

There is no project requirement for this course. If you need or would like to do a project related to the topic of this course visit the constantly updated list of IWS projects.

Incompletes

No incompletes in this course, except for extremely severe circumstances (e.g., death, accident, etc.).

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Grading

 
Quizzes (4-5)  50% 
Homework assignments (3-5)  50% 
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Important dates

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Copyright © 1999, Dr. Haim Levkowitz Associate Professor, UMass Lowell Department of Computer Science