SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WESTERN CAMPUS

STUDENT COURSE OUTLINE


COURSE TITLE:

INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (CST111)

CATALOG #:

CST222

CREDITS:

4





INSTRUCTOR:

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

SEMESTER:

2009 Spring

E-MAIL:

bam@suffolk.li



OFFICE HOURS:

After class and by appointment. (Department phone is 451-5647.)





COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Survey of concepts and applications of information technology. Introduces role of information technology in solving business problems and supporting organizational functions. Explores organization structure of modern enterprise and role of information technology within this structure. Introduces major components of information technology and its broad applications. Explains need for information technology analyst to understand business-level objectives needed to provide appropriate technology solutions to achieve those goals.

Familiarizes the student with various software applications, utilities, and "productivity tools" that are used to accomplish tasks in business and industry, providing some introductory "hands-on" experience with:

  • Graphical User Interface (GUI)
  • Text editors
  • Web browsers (e.g. IE, Firefox/Netscape, Opera, Safari )
  • Web page creation with HTML tags, Javascript, etc.
  • Web page generators (e.g. "Front Page")
  • Programming (with languages e.g. Java, C++, Visual Basic)
  • Spreadsheet software (e.g. "Excel")
  • Presentation software (e.g. "PowerPoint")
  • Networking tools and utilities

PREREQUISITES:

NONE


TEXTBOOK(S):
    Thompson Course Technology - Illustrated Series:
  • "Computer Concepts" 6th Ed., Enhanced - Parsons/Oja
  • "HTML" (Brief, 3rd edition) - Vicki L. Cox & Elisabeth Eisner Reding
  • "Excel"
  • "PowerPoint"

SOFTWARE NOTE:

All software used by this course is available on computers in the computer labs on campus. (as well as on computers in the classroom/lab).



OBJECTIVES:

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

  • Recognize and define common terms and phrases used in the information technology field.
  • Be familiar with how computer hardware, telecommunications, networking, and the Internet function.
  • 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 the ethical issues and choices associated with the impact of information technology, particularly privacy and information privacy.
  • Be familiar with security issues involved in general information technology and Internet security issues.
  • Utilize commonly-available software productivity applications, such as:
    • Text editors (such as "TextPad")
    • Web page creation, using HTML.
    • Spreadsheets (such as "Excel")
    • Presentation software (such as "PowerPoint")
    • Email clients (such as "Gmail")
    • Search engines (such as "Google")
    • on-line researchy tools (such as "Wikipedia")



PROCEDURES TO ACCOMPLISH 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 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.

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.

Also, please note: In-class 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.