Not taught this semester.  Use for information purposes only.

Course Description

COSC 1301 Personal Computing is a hands-on course for the development of skills needed to use personal computer systems for business, individual, and educational applications.  You will learn word processing, database management, spreadsheet development, and how to use the operating system.  Keyboarding skills are not required, but are helpful.  This course may not be applied toward a Computer Science or Computer Information Technology degree.

 Prerequisites

Reading--R

 Approved Course Texts 

Microsoft Office 2003 Illustrated Introduction, Premium Edition.  Beskeen & Friedrichsen, Course Technology, Inc.  ISBN: 1-4188-6039-5.

Instructional Methodology

The instructor delivers this course by lecture/demonstration (50%) and lab practice (50%) for in-class sections.  Normally the lecture/demonstration will occur at the beginning of the class.

 Course Goals

This course is a Compute Literacy Skill based course that prepares the students to be proficient in Microsoft Office Products.  It helps you develop personal productivity skills with the use of microcomputers for the following applications:

You will learn how to integrate information across applications.  You will develop your computer literacy with an increased knowledge of computing concepts and terminology.  You also will develop skills in disk and file management using a graphical user interface (Microsoft Windows XP). 

 If you plan to use your own computer to work on the activities in this course, then you should have the software listed in the above table, i.e., Windows XP, Microsoft Office 2003, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.  If you do not have this software, then you should use the computers in the Computer Studies Computer Labs at the various campuses.

 Course Rational

This course is a beginning course that serves as a prerequisite to many other courses in the Computer Studies Department.  It will also prepare you to be proficient in Microsoft Office Products.

 What This Course Isn’t

This course is not a hardware or “fix your PC course.”  It is oriented to the application Microsoft Office with some Windows XP and Internet Explorer added.

 Scans Competencies

 Be Punctual!!!!!

We have much information to cover in a very short time.  We can only do that is if you are on time.  In addition, being late is disruptive to your fellow students.  The times for this course are shown on the front page.

 Electronics

Pagers, Cell phones.  No use allowed.  Turn off in class.

Laptops.  You are more than welcome to use your own laptop in class.  In fact, this is preferable since you will have the files and procedures on your computer you are familiar.  Yes, you can use your own laptop on the exam.

Electronic note taking:  laptops. PDAs, etc.  OK.

Voice recording.  OK.  Just remember, you cannot use the recordings for commercial use or put on them Internet.

Photos, videos.  Not allowed at all.

Surfing the net & e-mail. Not allowed. The quickest way to get a bad grade is to come to class and do e-mail instead of learning.
 

 Smoking, Food, and Drinks

The College prohibits smoking, food, and drinks in the classroom.  Since most classrooms are scheduled constantly, there is little time to clean during the day.

 Unattended Children

For safety reasons and to avoid distractions, unattended children are not allowed on campus.  Children may not be taken to classes or testing centers, and may not be left unattended in the Library, Student Lounge, or elsewhere on campus.

Grade Policy

Grade Scale:
            90%  - 100%         A

            80%  -  89%          B

            70%  -  79%          C

            60%  -  69%          D

            0%    -  59%          F

Basis for Grades 

What Happened to “Homework?”

You will notice there is no homework component in your grade.  That does not mean to ignore the homework/lab exercises.  The only way you are going to pass the exams and quizzes is to do the homework/lab exercises.

 In addition, this professor has a nasty habit of giving a previous home assignment as part of the exam, as in word for word.  If you have done the home assignment, the exam is a gift.  If you haven’t, the exam could be a horrible experience.

Exam 1

25% of your grade

Open book exam

Hands-on computer exam (you have to be able to apply and think—view it as an essay)

Not multiple guess or T/F

You may use your textbook as a reference, if you need it.  However, you may not seek or use the aid of another person.  The exam measures your skill level and how well you can apply it.  The exam should not be a learning experience.  

 If you take Exam 1 up to one week after this date, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 10% from your exam grade.  If you take Exam 1 between one week and two weeks late, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 20% from your exam grade.  You may not take Exam 1 after two weeks from the administration date; you will receive a grade of zero (0%) for the exam.

 Exam 2

25% of your grade

Open book exam

Hands-on computer exam (you have to be able to apply and think—view it as an essay)

Not multiple guess or T/F

You may use your textbook as a reference, if you need it.  However, you may not seek or use the aid of another person.  The exam measures your skill level and how well you can apply it.  The exam should not be a learning experience. 

 If you take Exam 2 up to one week after this date, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 10% from your exam grade.  If you take Exam 2 between one week and two weeks late, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 20% from your exam grade.  You may not take Exam 2 after two weeks from the administration date; you will receive a grade of zero (0%) for the exam.

 Exam 3

25% of your grade

Open book exam

Hands-on computer exam (you have to be able to apply and think—view it as an essay)

Not multiple guess or T/F

 You may use your textbook as a reference, if you need it.  However, you may not seek or use the aid of another person.  Exam 3 measures your skill level and how well you can apply it.  The exam should not be a learning experience.

 Exam 3 covers material taught between Exam 2 and the date of Exam 3 and will include material from the whole course.  If you do not take Exam 3 on or before the Exam 3 scheduled/deadline date, then Dr. Daniel will assign a grade of zero (0%).  You will not be able to take Exam 3 after the scheduled/deadline date.

Quiz 1

12.5% of your grade

Closed book quiz

Standard quiz:  fill in the blanks, T/F, multiple choice

 The goal of Quiz 1 is to access your knowledge level of Windows XP and Office XP.  It will cover all material up to the date of the quiz.  The quiz will be relatively short; and if you come to the lectures, you should not have a problem.  Again, this quiz should not be a learning experience.

 If you take Quiz 1 up to one week after this date, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 10% from your exam grade.  If you take Quiz 1 between one week and two weeks late, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 20% from your exam grade.  You may not take Quiz 1 after two weeks from the administration date; you will receive a grade of zero (0%) for the exam.

 Quiz 2

12.5% of your grade

Closed book quiz

Standard quiz:  fill in the blanks, T/F, multiple choice

 The goal of Quiz 2 is to access your knowledge level of Windows XP and Office XP.  It will cover all material up to the date of the quiz, including material that may have been covered on Quiz 1.  The quiz will be relatively short; and if you come to the lectures, you should not have a problem.  Again, this quiz should not be a learning experience.

 If you take Quiz 2 up to one week after this date, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 10% from your exam grade.  If you take Quiz 2 between one week and two weeks late, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 20% from your exam grade.  You may not take Quiz 2 after two weeks from the administration date; you will receive a grade of zero (0%) for the exam.

 Exception to Grade Reduction Policy for Tests or Quizzes

To prevent the 10% or 20% grade reduction, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You must have experienced an unforeseen and sudden emergency.  Note:  getting behind in the course is not an unforeseen emergency.
2. You must present Dr. Daniel documented proof of your emergency.
3. You must contact Dr. Daniel in person, by phone, or by e-mail of your emergency on or before the exam deadline date or the exam administration date and time.

 Retesting & Extra Credit

Dr. Daniel does not allow retesting nor extra credit to raise your grade.

 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 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. 

 The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current ACC Student Handbook policy. See http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm for more information.

 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 instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.

 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”.

 Attendance and 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. 

 If you withdraw from the course and complete the appropriate withdrawal form, then you will receive a "W" grade.  However, do not rely on Dr. Daniel to withdraw you from the course.  It is your responsibility to administratively withdraw from the course to receive a "W" grade.  You will receive a "W" grade, if you initiate a withdrawal through the Admissions and Records Office prior to the withdrawal deadline date.  After this date, you may not withdraw and you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F depending on your level of achievement.  If you miss the withdraw deadline, then Dr. Daniel will not request a waiver of the College policy and he will not request a retroactive withdrawal.  Dr. Daniel reserves the right, but not the duty, to withdraw you from the course for absenteeism over 10%, missed exams/assignments, or lack of progress.

Number of Allowed Withdrawals

There is a new state law for new students concerning the maximum number of withdrawals allowed.  No more than six course withdrawals allowed throughout your undergraduate education, regardless of how many colleges you attend.  Students who entered college before fall 2007 are not affected.  Ask your advisor/counselor for details.

 Freedom of Expression Policy

The department faculty expects each instructor and student to respect the right of others to express their views related to classroom discussions.

Student Privacy of Files

For academic purposes, an instructor may view a student’s information and data that he/she stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs.

 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)

 Internet Policies

My instructor, Professor Dwight D. Daniel, has informed me of the following information:

• This course has an Internet component.
• The Internet contains some Web pages with text, graphic, animation, and video content that are of an adult nature.  Some Web pages contain nudity, sexually oriented text information, and profanity.
• Dr. Daniel will not direct me to any information on the Internet that contains sexually oriented material or material that displays profanity.
• Dr. Daniel has advised me to not view any Internet material that may be offensive to me.
• Dr. Daniel has warned me that I could accidentally, or with my intention, locate and view offensive material on the Internet.  If this happens, Dr. Daniel has advised me not to view this material on any computer in any ACC computer lab.

 High School Students!

ACC does NOT observe the same holidays and days off as AISD, RRISD, etc.  High schools get many days off during the semester that ACC does NOT observe.  If your high school is closed and ACC is not, you still have to come to your ACC class and you are still responsible for due dates.

 Emergency School Closures

If it is necessary for the school to close due to inclement weather or for other reasons, ACC will make the announcements on the typical radio and TV stations and the ACC website.  It is important to note: 

1. Closure of AISD, RRISD, does not mean ACC is closed.
   
    
2. There are night and day classes at ACC.  One or the other but not both can be canceled so listen to the announcement fully.
   
    
3. ACC has a tendency to close campuses and not the whole system so again listen to the announcement fully.