AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER STUDIES AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Course Syllabus:  COSC 1301 (3-2-2) Introduction to Computing

Synonym 44220 and 44257

 

Lecture/Lab:       Riverside  #9142   Mon-Wed                                     6:00 pm – 7:45 pm

                            Riverside #9142   Tues-Thurs                                    5:40 pm – 7:25 pm 

 

Instructor:  Steven C. Gauna

Office:  Riverside Campus #9142

Office Hours:  Monday-Wednesday 5:00pm – 6:00pm

                         Tuesday-Thursday    4:40pm – 5:40am

                            Others by appointment

E-mail:  sgauna@austincc.edu

Home page:  http://www.austincc.edu/sguana

Date: January 17, 2012 thru May13, 2012

 

Course Description: Overview of computer systems—hardware, operating systems, and microcomputer application software, including the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and databases.  Current issues such as the effect of computers on society, and the history and use of computers in business, educational, and other modern settings are also studied.

 

This course provides the required computer literacy core competencies that all students need to attain by graduation.

 

Pre-requisite:  Reading R.

Keyboarding and mouse operation skills recommended.

 

Approved Course Texts:

CMPTR, 1st Edition, Pinard/Romer, Course Technology, 2012.

NOTE:  This textbook MUST be selected from one of two BUNDLES (the only difference is that one bundle provides a 180 day license to Microsoft Office 2010)

ISBN-13: 978-1133-22090-9 or ISBN-10: 1-133-22090-8   :  (Textbook, CourseMate, and SAM Access) ISBN-13: 978-0495-96549-7 or ISBN-10: 0-495-96549-9   :  (Textbook, CourseMate, SAM Access, and

180 day Microsoft Office 2010 license)

 

Instructional Methodology:  This course will have 50% lecture and 50% laboratory.  If the students are unable to finish the assigned lab work within the lab time, they will need to visit the CIS open labs to complete their assignments.

 

Course Rationale: This course meets the Computer Literacy course requirements as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This course is included in several degree plans and certificates including:

Associate of Applied Science Computer Programming

Associate of Applied Science Web Programming

Associate of Applied Science – Local Area Network Administration


Associate of Applied Science User and Computer Support

Associate of Applied Science Game and Visualization Programming Associate of Applied Science Information Technology Application Associate of Applied Science – Security Administration

Associate of Applied Science – Software Testing

 

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

The students will learn touse computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and

acquiring information”. Students will have an “understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities

associated with the use of technology, and acquire the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available”.  After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.         Define and describe the hardware used in information technology (IT).

2.         Define and describe the types of software used in IT.

3.         Delineate and discuss societal issues involving the use of IT and networks.

4.         Demonstrate the ability to create and use documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases in order to communicate and store information as well as to support problem solving.

5.         Use IT to acquire, differentiate and evaluate information and technology.

 

SCANS (Secretarys Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdf for a complete definition and explanation

of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

 

RESOURCES

1.1 Manages Time

INTERPERSONAL

INFORMATION

3.1 Acquires and

Evaluates Information

3.2 Organizes and

Maintains Information

3.3 Uses Computers to

Process Information

SYSTEMS

4.1 Understands Systems

4.2 Monitors and

Corrects Performance

TECHNOLOGY

5.1 Selects Technology

5.2 Applies Technology to Task

BASIC SKILLS

6.1 Reading

6.5 Listening

THINKING SKILLS

7.2 Decision Making

7.3 Problem Solving

7.4 Mental

Visualization

7.5 Knowing How to

Learn

7.6 Reasoning

PERSONAL SKILLS

8.1 Responsibility

8.2 Self-Esteem

8.3 Sociability

8.4 Self-Management

8.5 Integrity/Honesty


Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Written exams,

homework and lab projects will 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

 

Each student’s grade for this course consists of non-comprehensive exams on concepts, chapter homework on Microsoft office 2010 applications, Microsoft Office 2010 projects, and a departmental final exam.  .

 

Each Microsoft Office 2010 Lab is due at the beginning of the next scheduled class following the laboratory.  Late assignments will be accepted for one week with a late penalty of 20%.  No

credit will be given for exercises received after one week.  Scheduling of computer time outside of regular lab time is the student’s responsibility.  Availability of computers is NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment.  The last date to submit assignments for consideration this semester is May 4, 2012.

 

3 - Concept Exams

125 points

375 points total

Concept Research Paper

50 points

50 points total

4 – LAB Exams

100 points

400 points total

15 Chapter Homework Assignments

5 points

75 points total

PowerPoint Presentation

50 points

50 points total

Department Assessment

50 points

50 points total

TOTAL

 

1000 points

 

 

The concepts exams are closed book exams.  The lab exams are SAM based, and you may use your textbook, your notes, or the Windows/Office Help” feature as references. However, you may not seek or use the aid of another person.

 

Makeup Exams will be given only if the student contacts the instructor PRIOR to the start of the regular scheduled exam to schedule a makeup date.  Any student taking a makeup exam will NOT receive the benefit of any curve applied to the regularly scheduled exam.

 

Course/Class Policies: Academic Integrity

A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests.  Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity as described in the current Student Policies Handbook.

 

The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current policy

(http://www.austincc.edu/admrule/1.04.006.htm).

 

For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ for the course.

 

 

 

Incomplete

 

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 instructors 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.

 

Tutoring

 

Free tutoring is provided for this course.  For schedules and details please refer to http:://www.austincc.edu/cit .

 

Attendance / Withdrawal

 

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

 

It is the students responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is April 23, 2012.  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.

 

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 are charged a higher tuition rate.  State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC College Catalog.

 

Student Files Privacy

 

The information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies

Labs may be viewed by their instructor for educational and academic reasons.

 

Students with Disabilities

 

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 Policies).

 

Communication

 

The ACC online Blackboard system  http://acconline.austincc.edu and the ACCmail accounts will be used as the official communication system during this semester.  Lecture notes, handouts, changes to course schedule or assignments and your grades will be posted on Blackboard and all email communication will be via the ACCmail accounts.

All students are expected to check both Blackboard and their ACCmail accounts on a regular basis.  For information on how to log onto Blackboard and ACCmail please visit the following sites:  http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php and http://www.austincc.edu/google/.

 

Safety Statement

 

Each student is expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Emergency posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom.  Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

 

Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the days activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and / or barred from attending future activities.

 

Use of Electronic Devices

 

The use of cell phones, pagers and personal electronic devices are not allowed at any time in the class or lab. The use of a laptop computer in class or lab is restricted to instructor approved activities.


COSC 1301 Introduction to Computing

Course Schedule

 

 

 

Week

Date

Concepts Lecture (50 min)

Lab Session (50 min)

Homework Assigned

1

1/16

HOLIDAY NO CLASS

 

 

1/18

Course Orientation

Lab Orientation / SAM Logons

 

2

1/23

Chapter 1 (LO 1.1, 1.2)

Chapter 7 Windows 7 (LO 7.1,

7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6)

Practice It 7-1

1/25

Chapter 1 (LO 1.3, 1.4)

Chapter 8 Managing Files (LO

8.1, 8.2, 8.3)

Practice It 8-1

3

1/30

Chapter 2 (LO 2.1, 2.2)

Chapter 9 Intro Office 2010

(LO 9.1, 9.2, 9.3)

 

2/1

Chapter 2 (LO 2.3, 2.4)

Chapter 9 Intro Office 2010

(LO 9.4, 9.5, 9.6)

Practice It 9-1

4

2/6

Chapter 2 (LO 2.5, 2.6)

Chapter 10 – Creating a

Document (LO 10.1 10.5)

 

2/8

Concept Exam 1 Review

Chapter 10 – Creating a

Document (LO 10.6 10.11)

SAM Practice It 10-1

6

2/13

Concept Exam 1(CH 1 - 2)

Chapter 11 – Formatting a Long

Document (LO 11.1 – 11.5)

 

2/15

Chapter 3 (LO 3.1, 3.2)

Chapter 11 – Formatting a Long

Document (LO 11.6 – 11.9)

SAM Practice It 11-1

6

2/20

Chapter 3 (LO 3.3 3.4)

Chapter 12 – Enhancing a

Document (LO 12.1 12.5 only)

SAM Practice It 12-1

2/25

WORD Lab Exam (SAM Projects)

7

2/27

Chapter 3 (LO 3.5, 3.6, 3.7)

Chapter 13 – Creating a

Workbook (LO 13.1, 13.2, 13.3)

 

2/29

Chapter 4 (LO 4.1, 4.2)

Chapter 13 – Creating a

Workbook (LO 13.4, 13.5, 13.6,

13.7)

SAM Practice It 13-1

8

3/5

Chapter 4 (LO 4.3, 4.4)

Chapter 14 – Formatting a

Worksheet (LO 14.1 – 14.6)

SAM Practice It 14-1

3/7

Chapter 4 (LO 4.5, 4.6)

Chapter 15 – Working with

Formulas and Functions (LO

15.1 15.6)

SAM Practice It 15-1

SPRING BREAK 3/12/12 – 3/18/18

9

3/19

Concept Exam 2 Review

Chapter 16 – Inserting and

Formatting Charts (LO 16.1 -

16.4)

 

3/21

Concept Exam 2(CH 3-4)

Chapter 16 – Inserting and

Formatting Charts (LO 16.5

16.9)

SAM Practice It 16-1

10

3/26

EXCEL Exam (SAM Projects)

3/28

Chapter 5 (LO 5.1, 5.2)

Chapter 17 – Creating a Database

(LO 17.1 17.4)

 

11

4/2

Chapter 5 (LO 5.3, 5.4)

Chapter 17 – Creating a Database

(LO 17.5 17.8)

SAM Practice It 17-1

4/4

Chapter 6 (LO 6.1, 6.2)

Chapter 18 – Maintaining and

Querying a Database (LO 18.1

18.4 only)

SAM Practice It 18-1

12

4/9

Chapter 6 (LO 6.3, 6.4)

Chapter 19 – Creating Forms and

Reports (LO 19.1 – 19.7)

SAM Practice It 19-1

4/11

ACCESS Exam (SAM Projects)


 

13

4/16

Chapter 6 (LO 6.5, 6.6)

Chapter 20 – Creating a

Presentation (LO 20.1 – 20.4)

 

4/18

Concept Exam 3 Review

Chapter 20 – Creating a

Presentation (LO 20.5 20.8)

SAM Practice It 20-1

14

4/23

Concept Exam 3 (CH 5-6)

Chapter 21 – Enhancing a

Presentation (LO 21.1 – 21.4)

 

4/25

 

Chapter 21 – Enhancing a

Presentation (LO 21.5 – 21.7)

SAM Practice It 21-1

15

4/30

PowerPoint Exam (SAM Projects)

5/2

Present PowerPoint Projects

16

5/7

Review for Department

Assessment

Chapter 22  - Integrating Word,

Excel, Access, and PowerPoint

(LO 22.1 only)

Practice It 22-1 (steps 1-15

only)

5/9

Department Assessment

 

 

 

 

NOTE: The instructor has the prerogative to change the course schedule as required. Students are expected to read and study the assigned material, per the course schedule, BEFORE each class, this includes the lab assignments!!