Fall  2007
  CIS100
 Introduction to Computer Applications





































 

Table of Contents Syllabus - Fall  2007  CIS100 I

Course Description

CIS 100  Introduction to Computer Applications (From the UCC Web Site and UCC catalogue)

This course introduces students to basic computer concepts.  The course also introduces students to some of the more practical features of Office 2007 and Microsoft Access.  Students experience hands-on instruction in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and professional presentations.  This course prepares students to succeed in both college and the business world by enabling them to write reports, analyze and chart data, and prepare presentations.  Prerequisite:  ADM 101 or keyboarding skills, ENG 088, MAT 011, or instructor approval. 

  3 credit hours.  2 lecture and 2 laboratory hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Campus-Web

See discussion of campus-web courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

Completing the course assignments should enable the student to:

Each of the assignments requires the student to THINK and apply knowledge rather than simply repeat it .

Specifically the CIS100 Leaning outcomes should support the Student Learning Outcomes for all UCC students .

Assessment (Grading Policy):

The degree to which the student has achieved the above Student Learning Outcomes is assessed using project assignments, a presentation, a portfolio of work, quizzes and a final.

Grades are based upon a 1000 point system:

Required Text and Materials:

The bookstore sells a shrink wrapped bundle with

1. Microsoft Office 2007: Brief Concepts and Techniques

2. Practical PC, 4^th Edition

3. Individual SAM testing key

4. a 1GB flash drive

for $212

 Bring your books to class 2 or 3.

Books

Testing Key

Materials

1. A flash drive or HD floppy disk to use as a Tracking disk for Practice PC

2. One set of CHEAP earphones ($1 at Dollar stores and Harmons)

Software

Microsoft Office Professional 2007 will be taught and your knowledge of it will be tested.  Thus must use Office 2007 to do the assignments.  Most of the assignment require features that are not available in earlier version.  All UCC labs in Cranford, Elizabeth and Plainfield have Office 2007 installed as do all the computers in the libraries.  If you have an earlier version installed at home (or wherever you use a computer outside of school) and it has an earlier version of Microsoft Office you will not be able to use it for this course.  You will have to purchase Office 2007 or use the PCs at UCC.

If you have Home or Standard editions of Office 2007, you must do the Access portions somewhere that has Professional edition (such as UCC) though you will be able to do the Word, PowerPoint and Excel assignments on Standard and Home Editions.  The older version of Office (2003 and older) have an interface that is VERY different and passing the SAM Key skills tests will be much more difficult. To Purchase an Academic version of Microsoft Office 2007 online see

Note, you can download portions of the suite of programs for a 60 day free trail directly from the Microsoft site.

Topics:

Professor:

Assignments

The only way to learn to use Computer Application Software is to Use it !

Assignments are as real life as possible, as relevant to each individual as possible and varied as possible to appeal to different learning styles. For example the student will prepare

Success in "real life" depends on doing your job in a timely and professional manner.  Completing your assignments in a timely and professional manner is key to getting a good grade in this course.

Class Policies

Because reading instructions carefully and following them precisely are critical to using computers effectively, please read the pages linked to above and those they hyperlink to carefully.  Your grade depends on it!

Importance of using all resources

Because reading instructions carefully and following them precisely are critical to using computers effectively, please read the pages linked to below and those they hyperlink to particularly Guidelines, Assignments and Hints . 

Use the software's Help pages, References and Tutorial Sites .  Find what you need at the Map/Search.

Calendar

Assignments are due on the date indicated on the calendar.  Assignments loose one letter for each week late. End of chapter work is due on the date indicated on the calendar.  We are all human and have busy personal lives, if you have a problem please see me.

Email

Email is the best way to contact me.  I respond to EVERY email sent by a student.  I check my email at least a dozen times a week (once in a while, I skip a day, many days I check several times a day.)

If you do not get a response, make sure your email address and subject is correct and send again.

Attendance

See UCC policy.  Attendance is taken at each class.  If you miss class, contact a fellow student and review what was covered.  Poor attendance can affect your grade adversely.

Lateness

If is very disruptive to the rest of the class to have students arrive late to class.  Please make all possible effort to arrive on time.  It is noted in the attendance book when you are late.  More then 2 "lates" will reduce your grade.

Helping fellow students versus Cheating

Students are encouraged to help each other.  If one student knows how to use a software feature or solve a problem that a fellow student is having difficult with, both will benefit from one teaching the other.  See the Learning Pyramid.  Sometime students find it enjoyable to work side-by-side on an assignment so when one gets stuck, they can talk out the problem.  However, it is expected that each student will work on their own work and submit work they have personally created . Thus the sharing of a complete work is considered cheating of both the person who shared his/her work and the copier and is dealt with per the UCC's policy on Academic Integrity below.

Because I look at all of the assignments that each student submits carefully to provide  feedback on how to improve and because I have taught computer courses for over 25 years, there is a very high probability that I will recognize when assignments are submitted that are not original.  Typically the cheating is detected because the same error appears.  
DON'T DO IT. CHEATING WILL BE CAUGHT!

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to uphold the school’s standard of conduct relating to academic honesty. Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student's submitted work, examinations, reports, and projects must be that of the student's own work.

The penalty for violating the honor code is severe. Any student violating the honor code is subject to receive a failing grade for the course and may be subject to disciplinary action as described in the Student Handbook. If a student is unclear about whether a particular situation may constitute an honor code violation, the student should meet with the instructor to discuss the situation.

For this class, it is permissible to assist classmates in general discussions of computing techniques. General advice and interaction are encouraged. Each person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the assigned homework and laboratory exercises. Unless otherwise directed, students may not "work together" on graded assignments. Such collaboration constitutes cheating. A student may not use or copy (by any means) another's work (or portions of it) and represent it as his/her own.

See further discussion of "quizzing and grading philosophy" of this course.

Special Needs

If you have any disability (either permanent or temporary) that might affect your ability to perform in this class, please inform me immediately. I will adapt methods, materials, or testing so that you can participate equitably. To learn about the services that UCC provides to students with disabilities, contact the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities, by phone at (908) 709-7164 or by e-mail.

See the UCC Policy on Special needs.