Computer Science Technology Department

Computer Science Technology Department Houston Community College Department Phone Number: 713-718-6776 ab Houston Community College ITSC 1301 Introduction to Computers Course Syllabus spring 15 (Second Start) Instructor Course Reference Number (CRN) Course Description: Course Prerequisite(s) Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH) (Lecture, Lab) Course Location/Times Name: Fidelis Ngang Tel: 713-718-5552 Office: Spring Branch, Room 900L Email: fidelis.ngang@hccs.edu Website: tc3.hccs.edu/ngangf 44105 Course Level Beginning Overview of computer information systems. Introduces computer hardware, software, procedures, and human resources. None. Credit Hours 3.0 (Lecture 2, Lab 2) Internet Total Course Contact Hours 64 Instructional Materials Instructional Methods (select one) Discovering Computers Fundamentals with Microsoft Windows 7. Authors: Shelly, Vermatt, Freund, & Enger. ISBN: Bundle 13:9780495970354, 10:0495970352 (regular bound), - or - 13-978-1-111-95295-2, 10-1-111-95295-7 (spiral bound). Publisher: Cengage. Distance (100%) Type of Instruction Lecture/Lab Course Length (number of weeks) 12 Computer Science Technology Department Page 1 of 11

Course Requirement, Policy, and Course Calendar Instructor's Requirements Required Materials: Access to a PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8 (Microsoft s new operating system) with internet access. Word processing software either Microsoft Word or WordPad. Note1: WordPad is included with all Windows O/S (Windows 7, Windows 8, etc.) Note2: Microsoft Works is not the same as Microsoft Word or WordPad. Files created with Microsoft Works are not accepted in this course. PC should have a sound card and speakers. Real Player software (free download link provided) Students must have a working email address to use if Eagle Online is not working. Students must have access to a printer. Students must purchase Textbooks. You must have Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system and the above stipulated word processor on your personal or work computer to be able to work from home or office and do the required exercise and homework assignments. Or you must be able to go to an open Computer Science lab at the college. Course.com Class code (to join our class): 09349B26 (You must use the CORRECT code for your particular class; do not share a code with another student, even if he/she is in an ITSC 1301 class. There are several ITSC 1301 classes and each one has a different and separate course code for Course.com). Failure to read and follow instructions carefully and correctly is not an excuse to miss an assigned task, and you will lose points accordingly. Phone Contact: 713-718-5552 (Leave a voice message - please use email when you need a quick response.) Regular Email Address: Please use the Eagle Online email function for all communication within the class. However, if Eagle Online is not available you may use fidelis.ngang@hccs.edu (only use this if Eagle Online is not working). Office Hours: I am always available by appointment (in my office at Spring Branch campus) as needed and as per my discretion. This is an online or Distance Education (DE) class. I also check my email several times a day, so don t hesitate to send me questions via Eagle Online email. Student Attendance/Participation is Mandatory: As a Distance Education section of this topic, you must make satisfactory progress in this course. Students may be withdrawn, if in the opinion of the professor, the student has fallen behind in their assignments and it is not reasonable to expect the student to complete the course during the semester. If you decide to quit participating in the course before the Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawal (4:30 pm, Tuesday April 14), you should see the Registrar and properly withdraw so that you will receive a W. If you quit participating in the course after the Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawal (4:30 pm, Tuesday April 14), you will receive an F. This will apply to all students. Thus, you need to be in regular contact with your professor during the semester. Most of this Computer Science Technology Department Page 2 of 11

contact will be electronically within the Eagle Online environment. Many items will be submitted as assignments. Some items will be sent via email. All this will be within Eagle Online. If you run into difficulty, I can hopefully help you get back on track quickly. I am concerned with ensuring student success rather than disappointment, and having an appropriate student completion rate for any course that I teach. Professor Participation I will normally enter the course via Eagle Online every business day (Monday thru Friday unless it is a Holiday), however for a variety of reasons (sick, meetings etc ) I may not enter the course on a given day. Often I will enter the course more than once on a business day. I will usually enter the course on morning, but not always. Sometimes, I will enter the course on Sunday. Thus, it might appear that you have 24/7 professor response and you could wrongfully expect immediate response to all your needs. I will try to respond quickly and you should normally have a response within 1 business day, so don t panic if you don t get a response in 30 minutes. I will normally attempt to answer all Eagle Online email every time I enter the course. I will normally grade any homework assignments and quizzes requiring my involvement within 3 days after the due date for the assignment. Often the grades will be available the day after the due date but not always. Late Assignments Policy: No late assignments accepted. It is very easy to fall behind in an online class like this one, so the trick is to do whatever it takes to turn in your work on time. Make-up Exam Policy: You are expected to take all exams on the scheduled dates. There will be NO Make-up exams. Each exam will be available in Eagle Online for three days; there is no need for a make-up exam. Final Grade: Your final grade will be posted within your Eagle Online course; however official grades are provided to students by the Registrar and are available shortly after the end of the semester. There is no other official method of posting a student s final grade. Final grades will not be given over the telephone by either the professor or any HCCS employee. If you need an official transcript see the registrar and request a transcript be sent after posting of the grades for the semester. During the course, your progress (quiz, lab and exams scores) will be reported to you via our My Grades feature within Eagle Online. You should check this regularly to confirm your progress in the course is current. Assignments Projects Quizzes Exams: Assignments Chapter assignments are completed at the end of each chapter as instructed in the Modules and will be submitted within Eagle Online using the Submit Assignments. Specific instructions are included with each module. Projects You will have ONE project in this course. The project will be due about three weeks prior to the final exam. More information provided in specific assignments. EXAMS: You will have THREE exams in this course, thus Exam 1, Exam 2 and the final exam. i. Exam 1 will be taken AT HOME. It is an open-book/multiple choice questions exam and will cover Discovering Computers chapters 1-4. Computer Science Technology Department Page 3 of 11

ii. iii. o This exam will be posted in Eagle Online three days prior to the exam due (expiration) date. Exam 2 will be taken AT HOME. It is an open-book/multiple choice questions exam and will cover Discovering Computers chapters 5-8. o This exam will be posted in Eagle Online three days prior to the exam due (expiration) date. Exam 3 is considered your Final Exam. o Exam 3 (Final Exam) is closed book and ON-CAMPUS. o Exam 3 will consist of true/false and/or multiple choice questions. o You will take the final exam at the Distance Ed testing locations on the dates posted in the course calendar included with this syllabus. There will BE NO MAKE- UP for the FINAL EXAM. If you have a problem with the final exam weekend you must let me know 7 days PRIOR to the exam week-end (the sooner you let me know the better). We may be able to arrange a time for you to come to my office PRIOR to the exam. Acceptance Guidelines and Cautions/Warnings for Distance Ed Students: Not all people are well suited for this type of a (DE) course. A general set of guidelines is used determine if you should be accepted into this independent study section. These guidelines will require you to be: a. Self-motivated/Self-starter: Usually this means having completed at least 6 credit hours of college and has a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. Exceptions as approved by the instructor. Beware of PROCRASTINATION. b. Previous Microcomputer experience: If you have little to no computer experience, you might enjoy attending an in-classroom course with more one on one instruction. Due to the nature of a computer based course, you must already have basic experience with: 1) Basic Windows XP or Windows 7 knowledge (how to run programs, click on icons, copy/paste, save files, rename files etc ) Instructions in this course will be for Windows 7 operating system. 2) Saving Files on a PC into folders 3) A word processing software product such as Microsoft Word or WordPad Creating Files using Notepad and a Word Processor such as Word or WordPad 4) Using an internet browser c. Able and willing to use open lab times provided by the Computer Science department or the college to complete the course and/or have adequate hardware with software installed on a computer at home or work. This means Windows 7 operating system and Microsoft Word software or use WordPad. You should have adequate hardware with appropriate software installed to complete the course. Your computer/internet-access/printer breaking down is NOT a valid excuse for failing to turn in an assignment. If your computer or internet access is not working properly, you will need to use the open lab times provided by the Computer Science department or the college to complete your assignments (or you should have access to another computer). Computer Science Technology Department Page 4 of 11

Instructor Grading Criteria Detailed Course Evaluation: There will be a 1,000 point system used to determine the grade for this course per the following: Item Exam #1 Exam #2 Homework (Module) Assignments Project Final Exam (Exam #3) Percent 15% or 150 points 15% or 150 points 30% or 300 points 10% or 100 points 30% or 300 points Total: 100% or 1000 points The Final exam will be taken on campus and in-person (no exceptions). Students are required to take all Exams (Exam #1, Exam #2 and the Final Exam). Based on the weights above a final percent will be calculated with grades awarded as follows: A - 900 to 1000 points (90% to 100%) B - 800 to 899 points (80% to 89.9% C - 700 to 799 points (70% to 79.9% D - 600 to 699 points (60% to 69.9% F - 0 to 599 points (0% to 59.9%) Note: For those interested, the Excel formula used to calculate the final grade for the course is as follows: (Exam #1 Grade) + (Exam #2 Grade) + (Home Assignment Grade) + (Project Grade) + (Final Exam Grade). Item Introduction- Orientation (both inside and outside of Eagle Online) Email to professor and Discussions posting within Eagle Online Starting Date Feb 14 Feb 14 Due Date Feb 14 Feb 14 Course Calendar Obtainable Comments Points Required This should be done As Soon As Possible - ASAP Required This should be done ASAP Module 00-1 Required Purchase text books ASAP Feb 14 Feb 14 Join Class at Course.com (companion website for our Module 00-2 Feb 14 Feb 18 10 class, also known as Cengage Learning ). Must be completed by ALL students! Module 00-3 Email your professor using the Eagle Online Email 5 Feb 14 Feb 18 function known as Quickmail. Computer Science Technology Department Page 5 of 11

To remain enrolled in the course, students should be actively attending/participating before the Official Date of Record, Tuesday February 24, 15 Microsoft Windows 7 Ch. 1: Fundamentals of Using Microsoft Windows 7 Do Hands-on exercises on pages WIN 1 through WIN 57 Homework Assignment: Read Pages WIN 1 through WIN 57. Complete the exercise In The Lab - Lab 2: Switching through Open Windows (page 35 WIN 63). Answer all (if any) questions in the exercise and submit your answers to me via the EO Assignment Submit Module 01 link. Module 02 Module 03 Feb 18 Feb 25 Mar 4 Feb 25 Mar 4 Mar 11 WIN = 15 35 WIN = 15 35 WIN = 15 Discovering Computers Fundamentals - Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Microsoft Windows 7 CH. 2: Working on The Windows 7 Desktop Do Hands on exercises on pages WIN 68 through WIN 122 Homework Assignment: Read Pages WIN 68 through WIN 122. Complete the exercise In The Lab Lab 2: Researching Online Gadgets (page WIN 128). Answer all (if any) questions in the exercise and submit your answers to me via the EO Assignment Submit link. Discovering Computers Fundamentals - Chapter 2. The Internet and World Wide Web Microsoft Windows 7 - CH. 3: File and Folder Management Do Hands on exercises on pages WIN 133 through WIN 189 Homework Assignment: Read Pages WIN 133 through WIN 189. Complete the exercise In The Lab - Lab 3: Managing Your Music (page WIN 197). Answer all (if any) questions in the exercise and submit your answers to me via the EO Assignment Submit link. Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 3: Application Software Computer Science Technology Department Page 6 of 11

Module 04 Exam 1 within Eagle Online Module 05 Module 06 Module 07 Module 08 Exam 2 within Eagle Online Module 09 Mar 11 Sun Mar 15 11:55 PM Thursday Mar 19 Monday Mar 23 Friday Mar 27 Tuesday Mar 31 Sat Apr 4 11:55 PM Apr 8 Sunday Mar 15 Wed Mar 18 11:55 PM Monday Mar 23 Friday Mar 27 Tuesday Mar 31 Apr 4 Tue Apr 7 11:55 PM Sunday Apr 12 150 150 Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 4: The Components of the System Unit. Text book portion: Discovering Computers Fundamentals Chapters 1-4 Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 5: Input and Output Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 6: Storage Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 7: Operating Systems and Utility Programs Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 8: Communications and Networks Text book portion: Discovering Computers Fundamentals Chapters 5-8 Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 9: Database Management Computer Science Technology Department Page 7 of 11

Module 10 Module 11 Module 12 Sunday Apr 12 Thursday Apr 16 Monday Apr Thursday Apr 16 Monday Apr Friday Apr 24 Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 10: Computer Security, Ethics, and Privacy Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 11: Information System Development and Programming Languages Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 12: Enterprise Computing Module 13 Tuesday Apr 28 100 Project (complete and submit within Eagle Online) Module 14 Final Exam Total Obtainable Points Apr 29 May 2 Katy Campus (Room 8) to be confirmed Friday May 1 May 2 Katy Campus (Room 8) to be confirmed 300 1000 Students Review (Exam 1, Exam 2, and chapters (1-10), in preparation for Final Exam). Chapters 11 and 12 will be covered but will not be on the final exam. This is your last chance to come to me with those extraneous stories (excuses). By Final Exam Day it will be too late to make and/or accommodate any adjustments or changes. Text book (Part II): Discovering Computers Fundamentals Chapters 1 10. Computer-Based, In-Person and On-Campus (HCC - Katy Campus). If you fail the Final Exam, you will fail the course! Computer Science Technology Department Page 8 of 11

Learning Objective, Students Learning Outcome, and Program Spec Note: This section of the syllabus provides the general course learning objectives, the expected students learning outcome, the course scope in terms of the department program, and the instrument used to evaluate the course. If you have any question, contact the instructor or the department. HCC Grading Scale Grade GPA Points A = 100-90 4 points per semester hour B = 89-80: 3 points per semester hour C = 79-70: 2 points per semester hour D = 69-60: 1 points per semester hour 59 and below = F 0 points per semester hour IP (In Progress) 0 points per semester hour W(Withdrawn) 0 points per semester hour I (Incomplete) 0 points per semester hour AUD (Audit) 0 points per semester hour IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses. To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect GPA. Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): 1. Identify the components of a computer system. 2. Use Common business applications software. 3. Explain the impact of computers on society. 4. Identify computer careers. 5. Identify fundamental programming structures. 6. Identify ethical use of computers. Learning Objectives Student Assignments Refer to the course calendar Student Assessment(s) 1. Demonstrate proper file management techniques to manipulate files and folders in a Windows based environment. Assessment criteria under development 2. Use appropriate features from a commonly used word processing application program to generate a document (or set of documents) that solves a contemporary real-world problem. Assessment criteria under development 3. Apply proper formatting techniques to a document draft so that it models a previously formatted document. Assessment criteria under development 4. Demonstrate the effective use of search engines to find reliable and relevant internet Computer Science Technology Department Page 9 of 11

resources. Assessment criteria under development 5. Demonstrate effective oral presentation skills to present the results of an internet search. May use a slideshow (created with a presentation graphics program) as a visual aid. Assessment criteria under development Program/Discipline Requirements: Academic Discipline/CTE Program Learning Outcomes Instructors will use syllabus that will satisfy CurricuUNET requirements and improve ongoing assessment of student-centered learning and teaching. 1. Use basic operating system functions 2. Identify the components of a computer system; 3. Use common business applications software 4. Explain the impact of computers on society 5. Identify computer careers; identify fundamental programming structures 6. Identify ethical use of computers SCANS and/or Core Curriculum Competencies: If applicable SCANS F1: Reading-locates, understands, and interprets written information in prose and documents such as manuals, graphs, and schedules. F6: Speaking-organizes ideas and communicates orally. C8: Uses computers to process information Every semester, calendar based weekly learning material (reading, hands exercises for inclass, web enhanced, or online assignments, and scheduled quiz/test/exam) will be posted as part of the syllabus. HCC Policy Statement Access Student Services Policies on their Web site: http://hccs.edu/student-rights Distance Education and/or Continuing Education Policies Access DE Policies on their Web site: Access CE Policies on their Web site for non-credit classes: http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook http://hccs.edu/ce-student-guidelines Competencies: If applicable TEXT BOOK INFO (See below) ****************************************************************************************** Discovering Computers - Fundamentals 11 Edition, 7 th Edition Computer Science Technology Department Page 10 of 11

Please note that the ISBN number of the stand-alone textbook (without the three chapters on Windows 7) is different from the ISBN on the HCC customized version (that includes the three chapters on Windows 7). HCC ISBN number 13: 978-0-495-970354, 10: 0-495-97035-2 (regular bound), - or 13: 978-1-111-95295-2, 10: 1-111-95295-7 (spiral bound). Publisher: Cengage. Stand-alone book ISBN number 13: 978-1-4390-7945-4, 10: 1-4390-7945-5 If you buy the textbook at a HCC on-campus bookstore, then you have a complete textbook for this class, however, remember that the ISBN number on that copy may not work to join the class at Course.com, so use the ISBN numbers on the stand-alone copy of the book given above. If you buy the textbook somewhere else (e.g. online), then you DO NOT have a complete textbook for this class because you are missing the Windows 7 section and may need to order that Windows 7 textbook separately. However, you will have the correct ISBN number to join the class at Course.com. Below are actual pictures of the front and back covers of the HCC customized version of our textbook. Front Cover Back Cover (lower portion) Computer Science Technology Department Page 11 of 11