Instructor

Technology Department COSC 1401, Microcomputer Applications or ITSC 1401, Introduction to Computers CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Overview of computer information systems. Introduces computer hardware, software, procedures, systems, and human resources and explores integration and application in business and other segments in society. The fundamentals of computer problem-solving and programming in a higher level language may be discussed and applied. (COSC 1401: Cross-listed as BCIS 1301 and 1401. 11.0101.52.07; equivalent to ITSC 1401, Intro. to Computers) Course Title: Course Number: Credit Hours: Prerequisites: Semester and Year: Class Days and Times: Microcomputer Applications or Introduction to Computers COSC 1401 or ITSC 1401, section 30002 4 credit hours None Summer 2008 For Distance Learning Students: Internet class (eclassroom using eCampus Vista) located at http://ecampus.lonestar.edu and select appropriate item to log in. You must complete all of the orientations listed below. Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am – 11:30 pm Willow Chase room WC111 Instructor: Office Location: Philip W. Lee, PMP Tomball Office E210-J Tomball: E210-J – Monday and Wednesday 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Willow Chase WC124 - Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 am – noon (Due to last minute scheduling changes, office hours are subject to change) Philip.w.lee@nhmccd.edu 281-401-1803 Orientation is required for all distance-learning students. You can attend the on-campus orientation on the day/time specified in the class schedule or complete the three-part orientation within your instructor’s eCollege Vista eclassroom. Orientation must be completed within the first week of the semester and contact must be made with the instructor within the first week also. Log into your eclassroom at http://ecampus.lonestar.edu. First time users, select “Preparing Office Hours: E-mail: Office or alternate phone: Orientation (for distance learning classes only): Class Information (for distance learning classes only): for On-line Classes?” in the left portion of the screen and select #1: “Get my eCollege Login Information”. You must complete the “Begin Here” module in eCollege Vista prior to beginning your coursework. You can expect to spend at least 8-12 hours per week on this course during a 16week semester. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: The student will be able to  The student will identify the components of a computer system.  Demonstrate basic understanding of commonly used applications.  Explain the impact of computers on society.  Explore computer careers.  Identify fundamental programming structures.  Demonstrate proficiency in basic operating system functions.  Discuss current issues associated with security, ethics, and legal issues.  Describe uses of the Internet and design a simplistic web page using HTML coding.  Demonstrate proficiency in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications.  Demonstrate proficiency in the use of email.  Discuss current issues such as viruses and other related topics.  Demonstrate basic understanding of network topology and connections. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND/OR MATERIALS:  Bundle ISBN 1428327533  Includes:  Microsoft Office 2007 Introductory Concepts and Techniques, Windows XP Edition, ISBN 141884327X th  Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 4 Edition, ISBN 1423912098  180-day Trial of Microsoft Office 2007  Or Bundle ISBN 1423940997  Includes:  Microsoft Office 2007 Introductory Concepts and Techniques, Windows XP Edition, ISBN 141884327X th  Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 4 Edition, ISBN 1423912098  Storage Media: USB Storage Media recommended (DL students may use hard drive) EVALUATION: Evaluation will be based on tests and homework covering the material in the textbook, lab assignments (in class and homework), class attendance/participation, and team report/oral presentation as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Concepts tests (Discovering Computers Fundamentals 4th Edition textbook) Chapter homework (Discovering Computers Fundamentals 4th Edition textbook) Lab assignments (MS Office 2007 textbook) Skills tests (Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) Semester Project Class participation and attendance/punctuality 30% 10% 15% 25% 10% 10% Refer to class schedule for exact dates of above activities. ASSIGNMENTS: 1. Concepts tests from Discovering Computers Fundamentals 4th Edition: a. Concepts Test 1: Chapters 1 – 3 b. Concepts Test 2: Chapters 4 – 6 c. Concepts Test 3: Chapters 7 – 9 d. Concepts Test 4: Chapters 10 - 12 & Comprehensive Tests 1-4 will contain 50 items worth two (2) points each. All chapter homework must be submitted prior to taking each test. The average of the four tests will count for 30% of the semester average. Retake tests (different from the original COSC 1401 or ITSC 1401 Syllabus 11/4/2009 Page 2 test) for those students scoring below 70 may be given at the discretion of the instructor. If a retake test is allowed, the original and the retake grade will be averaged for the recorded grade. THESE FOUR TESTS MUST BE TAKEN IN A PROCTORED ENVIRONMENT. You can use any of the Lone Star College Testing/Assessment Centers. If that is not convenient, contact your instructor. 2. Chapter homework will be assigned for each chapter in the Discovering Computers Fundamentals 4 Edition textbook. This homework may include completion of the crossword puzzle from the publisher’s web site, completion of the end of chapter activities, or other activities assigned by your instructor. Chapter homework will not be accepted late. The average of the chapter homework assignments will count for 10% of the semester average. 3. Lab assignments are listed on the class schedule and are selected from the MS Office 2007 textbook. These will be completed during lab time and/or outside of class/lab as needed. Points will be deducted for typographical errors (poor proofreading), format errors, etc. Lab assignments will not be accepted late. The average of the homework/lab assignments will count for 15% of the semester average. 4. MS Office 2007 skills test will consist of: a. Windows skills test b. Word skills test c. Excel skills test d. PowerPoint skills test e. Access skills test These tests are listed on the class schedule. The average of the five (5) skills tests will count for 25% of the semester average. 4. Students will complete a semester project which includes: a. A written research paper in MLA format; b. PowerPoint presentation; and c. A Short oral presentation using PowerPoint presentation. Oral presentations will be given during chat in distance learning courses; your instructor will provide specific information. The average of all the components will count for 10% of the semester average. 5. Students are expected to actively participate in class activities. Regular attendance is expected in order to actively participate. Attendance and punctuality are qualities expected of all employees and, therefore, are expected of students as well. Ten points will be deducted for each unexcused absence and five points will be deducted for each tardy or leaving class/lab early. Class attendance, punctuality, and participation will count for 10% of the semester average. Distance learning students: A minimum of 15 class participation activities must be completed to earn full credit for this portion of the course. Your instructor will provide specifics about this evaluation measure. Activities include may include (but are not limited to) a. chapter quizzes and practice tests completed with a grade of at least 85 (may be retaken as many times as needed); b. posting to the discussion forum for the chapters from the Discovering Computers textbook; c. chat sessions; and d. total hits to the eclassroom. LETTER GRADE ASSIGNMENT: Final letter grades will be assigned after computing individual final averages in percent as follows: Final Average in Percent 100 – 89.5 % 79.5 – 89.4 % 69.5 – 79.4% 59.5 –69.4% 0– 59.4% ATTENDANCE POLICY: Letter Grade A B C D F th COSC 1401 or ITSC 1401 Syllabus 11/4/2009 Page 3 Attendance to all classes is expected and with active participation in class activities. Should you anticipate an absence, please notify the instructor in advance. An excessive number of absences will prohibit the successful completion of this course. If you should miss a class, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain lecture notes and assignments from a classmate. Distance learning students: Refer to the Class Participation Grade (#5 above in the Assignments section) for details. Four cumulative tardies will be counted as the equivalent of one absence. Missing more than twenty minutes of class will count as being absent. Absences are cumulative beginning on the first day the class meets. Arriving late and leaving early is disruptive to the class. If you arrive late or leave early for a legitimate reason, please advise your instructor. MAKE-UP EXAMS: Students should contact the instructor prior to missing a scheduled examination by phone, in-person, by e-mail, or by voice mail. An opportunity to take a makeup exam will be offered to those who make prior contact with the instructor. There may be a ten point penalty for taking tests late. Students scoring below 70 on any exam may be afforded the opportunity to take a retake exam with the permission of the instructor. If permission is granted, the original exam grade and the retake exam grade will be averaged for the recorded exam grade. Makeup tests (with permission of the instructor for those who had an excused absence on the day of the original test) will be allowed with no late penalty. All make-up and/or retake exams will be completed the week before finals. CIVILITY STATEMENT: Members of the Lone Star College, which includes faculty, staff, and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Lone Star College holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect, and demonstrates concern for personal dignity, rights, and freedom of every member of the College community, including respect for the College property and the physical and intellectual property of others. If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor: it is the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Students are expected to be on time for class. Being late disrupts the lecture and your fellow students. The instructor has the right to take reasonable measures to ensure a class period free of disruptions. Due to the increased popularity, the use of cell phones and pagers is prohibited in the classroom at all times. They need to be turned off when entering the classroom. Exceptions to this rule are allowed for medical emergencies only. (Refer to Student Conduct on page 65 of the Lone Star College 2006-2007 catalog). WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Withdrawal from the course after the official day of record (see current catalog) will result in a final grade of “W” on the student transcript and no credit will be awarded. After to the official day of record, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a request for withdrawal from any course. Your instructor may drop you after four unexcused absences. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Lone Star College is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part of the academic community, students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on exams or assignments, collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course. Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, orally communicating or receiving answers during an exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment, using unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials for an exam, and obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam. Plagiarism means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without giving proper credit by COSC 1401 or ITSC 1401 Syllabus 11/4/2009 Page 4 documenting sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report or project that someone else has prepared, in whole or in part. Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments designed to be completed independently. These definitions are not exhaustive. When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or misrepresentation, a faculty member will take disciplinary action including but not limited to: requiring the student to retake or resubmit an exam or assignment, assigning a grade of zero or "F" for an exam or assignment; or assigning a grade of "F" for the course. Additional sanctions including being withdrawn from the course, program or expelled from school may be imposed on a student who violates the standards of academic integrity. SOFTWARE PIRACY: Law strictly prohibits unauthorized copying of software purchased by Tomball College for use in laboratories. Tomball College administration will take appropriate disciplinary action against anyone violating copyright laws. COMPUTER VIRUS PROTECTION: Computer viruses are, unfortunately, a fact of life. Using the diskettes on more than one computer creates the possibility of infecting computers and diskettes with a computer virus. This exposes the computers of the college, your personal computer, and any others you may be using to potentially damaging viruses. The college has aggressive anti-virus procedures in place to protect its computers, but cannot guarantee that a virus might not temporarily infect one of its machines. It is your responsibility to protect all computers under your control and use and ensure that each diskette you use, whenever or wherever you use it, has been scanned with anti-virus software. Since new viruses arise continually, your anti-virus software must be kept current. And, since no anti-virus software will find every virus, keeping copies of data (backups) is extremely important. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: It is the policy of the Lone Star College to provide equal employment, admission and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Lone Star College strive to provide an excellent learning environment free from harassment or intimidation directed at any person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Any form of harassment will not be tolerated. SCANS MATRIX: The U.S. Department of Education Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) has researched and listed the skills and competencies that make up the know-how employees will need for workplace success. You can view the SCANS skills that are included in the course objectives at the Lone Star College web site at: http://www.lonestar.edu, under Catalog & Description, then Course Descriptions. ADA STATEMENT: The Lone Star Colleges are dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students. The college district promotes equity in academic access through the implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities. If you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, please notify the instructor of this course as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the first two weeks of class to arrange for reasonable accommodations. GUARANTEED GRADUATE POLICY: Lone Star College guarantees that graduates of its Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science and all Certificate programs, providing under certain circumstances, additional education and training tuition free to students lacking appropriate mastery of specified competencies. For additional information, refer to the Lone Star College e catalog. COSC 1401 or ITSC 1401 Syllabus 11/4/2009 Page 5 FOR ADVISING ON THIS PROGRAM AT NHMCCD CONTACT: o Technology Department: Lindell Chapman, Lindell.chapman@lonestar.edu, 281-357-3756 o COSC/ITSC 1401 Curriculum Specialist: Pat Rajski Lyon, pat.lyon@ lonestar.edu, 281-357-3610 o COSC/ITSC Instructor: Philip Lee, Philip.w.lee@lonestar.edu, 281-401-1803 o There is also information at www.lonestar.edu COSC 1401 or ITSC 1401 Syllabus 11/4/2009 Page 6