AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER STUDIES AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Course Syllabus: COSC 1300 – Introduction to Computing
Synonym 15103 - Section 004 – 5˝ Week - PCM – Summer 2008
Instructor: Robert Comer
Office Telephone: 223-6256
Fax: 223-9230
Office: Riverside Campus, Building G, Room 9144
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday – 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Or by appointment
E-mail: comer@austincc.edu
Home page: http://www2.austincc.edu/comer/
Teaching Assistant: Stanley Pushkarsky
Office Telephone: 223-3187
Fax: 223-3192
Office: Rio Grande Campus 113.1
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday - 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
E-mail: pushkar@austincc.edu
Course Description:
A survey course discussing computing terminology, components, programming concepts, and the computer's integration into business activities. Laboratory experience includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software and databases.
Pre-requisite:
Reading - R.
Approved Course Texts:
Textbook - Understanding Computers, Today and Tomorrow, Comprehensive, 11th Ed.,
Deborah Morley, Charles S. Parker. Course Technology: 1-4188-6055-7.
Lab Manual (Choose ONE of the following)
Lab Manual - Office 2003, Essential Concepts and Techniques, 2nd Ed.,
Shelley, Cashman, and Vermaat. Course Technology/CENGAGE Learning
ISBN: 1-4188-5947-8
OR
Lab Manual - Office 2007, Essential Concepts and Techniques,
Shelley, Cashman, and Vermaat. Course Technology/CENGAGE Learning
ISBN 13: 978-1-4188-4374-8
ISBN 10: 1-4188-4374-1
Instructional Methodology:
The course will use the blackboard system, http://acconline.austincc.edu/. Course materials are located at that site, including but not limited to Course Documents, Chapter Outlines, Reviews, Quizzes, Assignments, Gradebook, et. al.
Course Rationale:
This course is designed to be an introductory computing concepts course. The intent of the course is to teach the basics of hardware, software, program design, computer ethics, systems software, application software and the role of computing in society today. A software suite is used in the lab to create documents, spreadsheets, databases and presentations. There is also an internet component that will be taught in the course. This course is included in the following degree plans:
§ Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming.
§ Associate of Applied Science – Local Area Network Administration.
§ Associate of Applied Science – Microcomputer Application Support.
Course Objectives/ Learning Outcomes:
After successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Understand and discuss the history and evolution of computers.
2. Understand how hardware and software function in a computer.
3. Identify the different types and sizes of computers.
4. Understand how a computer works.
5. Explain the differences between systems and application software.
6. Understand the function of a network, a network Operating System and identify different types of networks.
7. Understand the different types of application software and their usage.
8. Understand what is a program and the development and use of programming languages.
9. Understand the Information Systems and the System Development Life Cycle.
10. Understand and discuss issues of ethics, privacy, integrity as related to computers and the laws pertaining to these issues.
Scans Competencies:
See attached.
Grade Policy:
Grade will be based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, quizzes and homework assignments may be a part of the grade. An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:
90% - 100% A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
0% - 59% F
A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests. Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity described in the Current ACC Student Handbook, under “Student Discipline Policy, Section C”.
“Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework”.
A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.
4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester. Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.
Freedom of Expression Policy:
It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.
Students with Disabilities Policy:
“Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester. (Refer to the Current ACC Student Handbook)”
Attendance / Withdrawal Policy:
Students are expected to attend classes and will be held responsible for all material covered in class. Regular attendance helps ensure satisfactory progress towards completion of the course.
It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class. The instructor may withdraw students from this class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings. The last date to withdraw for this semester is June 25, 2008. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.
ALERT: New state law for new students. No more than six course withdrawals throughout your undergraduate education, regardless of how many colleges you attend. Students who entered college before fall 2007 are not affected. Ask a counselor for details.
Testing Center Policy (Open Campus Sections Only)
The academic testing center is to be used for regular testing of open campus students only. All other sections will use the classroom time for regular testing and the testing center may be used to administer make-up tests.
Instructor Specific Requirements:
Testing
Students must take five exams during the semester. Exams must be taken at one of the Campus testing centers. They will be graded by testing center personnel while you wait. The graded exams are then sent to the instructor and recorded. Each exam is based on the material covered in the textbook only. The material in the lab manual is not specifically tested. Specifics about the exams can be found on the Course Information page on the blackboard site.
Laboratory Assignments
You will be required to complete four (4) laboratory assignments (covering Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) using the lab manual during the semester. You may the ACC computer labs (www.austincc.edu/cit/labs) or you may use your own computer or a computer to which you have access, as long as the computer has the Microsoft Office software listed above. Specifics about the lab assignments can be found on the Course Information page on the blackboard site.
.Grading
The final course grade is based on the total score of the five exams (100 pts. possible on each for a total of 500 pts.) and the laboratory assignments (with a total of 150 pts. possible) for a grand total of 650 points possible.
Total Score Final Grade
585 and above A
520-584 B
455-519 C
390-454 D
less than 390 F
Extra Credit
You may do a project (which may be a research paper and/or additional lab assignments) for extra credit. Details are available on the blackboard site under Course Information.