SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

AMMERMAN CAMPUS

STUDENT COURSE OUTLINE
& COURSE POLICY


COURSE TITLE:

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

CATALOG #:

CST101
(CS-11)

CREDITS:

4

PREREQUISITES:

NONE

INSTRUCTOR:

Prof. B. A. Martin ("BAM")

SEMESTER:

2010 Spring

E-MAIL:

bam@suffolk.li



OFFICE HOURS:

After class and by appointment.





COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Comprehensive introduction to use of personal computers for improving productivity and problem solving. Primarily for non-computer majors and liberal arts students (i.e., those majoring in areas such as humanities, arts, social and behavioral sciences). Includes desktop configuration, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, basics of personal computer organization, and directory structures and file management. Optional topics may include database concepts, Web page creation, Internet and its resources, Web browsers and use of Internet for research. Course cannot be applied to satisfaction of graducation requirements in any computer-related degree program or certificate at SCCC.

OBJECTIVES:

After completing this course a student will be able to:

  • Use a microcomputer operating system (Windows) including directory structures and file management.
  • Describe and define desktop configuration and the basics of a personal computer.
  • Use the World Wide Web and search engines to access information for internet research.
  • Operate a personal computer.
  • Recognize computer terminology.
  • Use a word processing program (Word).
  • Use an electronic spreadsheet program (Excel).
  • Use a presentation graphics program (PowerPoint).
  • Use a database program (Access).
  • Integrate word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation graphics files.


TEXTBOOK(S):
"Microsoft Office 2007"
(Microsoft Windows XP Edition)
By Beskeen, Cram, Duffy, Friedrichsen, and Reding
[ Publisher: Course Technology ]



OBJECTIVES:

After completing this course, a student will be able to:

  • Recognize and define common terms and phrases used in the information technology field.
  • Recognize and classify information systems encountered in everyday life and in the business world.
  • Distinguish the relative advantages and disadvantages of various computer architectures for various situations.
  • Be familiar with how computer hardware, telecommunications, networking, and the Internet function.
  • Be familiar with the different forms and functions of electronic business, including electronic document interchange (EDI), electronic commerce, and other forms of electronic business exchanges over the Internet and other networks.
  • Be familiar with security issues involved in general information technology and, in particular, with Internet security issues.
  • Be familiar with the ethical issues and choices associated with the impact of information technology, particularly privacy and information privacy.

PROCEDURES FOR ACCOMPLISHING THESE OBJECTIVES:


  • Class lectures and discussions. (Questions are encouraged.)

  • In-class demonstrations, using projector to show instructor's video screen.

  • Laboratory work.

  • Homework assignments and projects (collected and/or examined in class)


STUDENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THE COURSE:

To successfully complete this course, you must submit required homeworks and programming assignmentsts, and demonstrate proficiency on all exams and projects. All work submitted must be neatly presented clearly labeled and identified as to the assignment and what has been accomplished.



GRADING POLICY:


  • Examinations (two).

  • Comprehensive Final Examination

  • Assignments and projects completed.

  • Participation and demonstrated understanding, in class.

30%

30%

40%

+/- 10%

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING PROGRAMMING ASSIGNMENTS & LABORATORY TIME:

In-class laboratory time is intended for announced tutorial exercises and also for obtaining instructor help with problems in programming assignments that have been worked on between classes. In-class laboratory time is NOT intended for students to do most of their work on the programming assignments and projects; these assignments are to be done between classes, and are expected to require a minimum of 6 hours per week to complete – independently, at your own pace.

Also, please note:   laboratory time is NOT intended for computer activites unrelated to the college curriculum (such as games, entertainment, "instant messager", "surfing the web", etc.) Use of classroom computers for unrelated activities may result in loss of privileges.


ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attention is directed to the following statement of college policy:

"The college expects that each student will exercise personal responsibility with regard to class attendance. All students are expected to attend every class session of each course for which they are registered. Students are responsible for all that transpires in class whether or not they are in attendance."

Consequently, each student in this course is strongly advised to make standing arrangements with another individual student to take detailed notes, collect handouts, relay announcements, etc., in the event 'e doesn't show up at class. While you are encouraged to contact the instructor for advice before (or after) missing a class, it is more effective to have your "buddy" take detailed notes, and the student remains responsible for "all that transpires in class". Find a "buddy" to cover for you! Do it now, not after missing a class.

This instructor does not give credit for mere attendance, nor is credit lost for absence. Attendance is not a direct factor in grading policy, but it may indirectly affect the “participation” component.

College policy defines "Excessive Absence or Lateness" as "more than the equivalent of one week of class meetings". While attendance is not a component of grading policy for this class, a student missing more than one week of consecutive classes - without making any contact with the instructor - may be removed from the class roster and given either a “W” or an “F grade, at the instuctor's option.



*** PLEASE TAKE NOTE ***

SCCC STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT


... Although not all-inclusive, the following actions, activities or behaviors are expressly prohibited:

"Unauthorized or illegal use of College computer facilities or equipment, such as hacking; duplication or unauthorized use of copyrighted software; destruction, unauthorized transfer or alteration of files; unauthorized use of another individual's identification, password or work."
Any student guilty of the above may receive a failing grade in that class, be dismissed from class

and/or be referred to the Dean of Students for further discipline proceedings.