ISY 1305  Introduction to Information Technology & Processing

Spring, 2001: Section 13, T/R 11:00-12:20

Course Description and Policies

Instructor: Dr. John Knue (Email: )
Phone / Office: (254) 710-6219 / ISY Suite (north) 175
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-11:00, 12:30-2:00 and 3:30-5:00; Wednesday 9:00-12:00; by appointment, or anytime I’m available in my office.
Required Text & Other Materials / - PC Concepts, 2nd Ed. by Martin & Parker
- Test Preparation Guides (MOUS) for Excel2000,Word 2000, and PowerPoint2000 (three different textbooks)

Course Structure

This course is divided into 4 components. Each component will include lab assignments and a written test. Most materials will be covered in class; however, selected material will be assigned as independent study.

  • Component 1 is based on information in chapters 1-3 of the PC Concepts textbook, pages 1-40 in the Excel textbook and on other lecture materials provided/assigned.
  • Component 2 is based on the information in the assigned chapters of the Excel textbook.
  • Component 3 is based on the HTML handout and the assigned chapters in the Word textbook.
  • Component 4 is based on the assigned chapters in the PowerPoint textbook and chapters 4-7 in PCConcepts.

Course Objectives*

At the conclusion of the semester, you should be able to:

  • Use a personal computer and Microsoft Office to prepare documents/materials using Word, PowerPoint, and Excel software.
  • Use Windows 98 and other support capabilities such as scanners, printers, etc., to complete lab assignments based on Microsoft Office software.
  • Use electronic mail to receive and send assignments, and correspond with the instructor.
  • Prepare a personal Home Page using HTML.
  • Identify and describe the hardware and software requirements for PCs, LANs, WANs, etc.
  • Describe how PCs are used in the workplace.
  • Identify and describe how telecommunications and networks, and the Internet and WWW support business and industry.
  • Identify requirements for purchasing a computer and the social issues related to computer use.

*Note: Each component will include a study sheet with specific requirements to support the objectives above and the lab assignments.

Testing Out

If you are already very familiar with this material and feel you have mastery of these objectives, you should drop 1305 and take ISY 3325. Or, you may test-out of this class for $160 fee, whereby you receive full credit for the course, but not a letter grade. (Please see Carolyn Monroe in ISY 177 [ext 4241] for more information).

General Course Policies

  1. Attend class faithfully. You are responsible for all materials covered, and assignments made during any class period—even if you were unable to attend. To pass the class, you must attend 75% of the scheduled class days (per the BU Student Handbook).
  2. Submit all assignments on time. All lab assignments are due on the date indicated in the study sheets (not later than 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted). Ten percent will be deducted for each day an assignment is late, unless accompanied by a University-approved excuse. No assignments will be accepted if more than one week late. If you miss an assignment because of illness, you must present a note from a physician to be allowed to turn the assignment in late.
  3. Guidelines for submitting lab assignments. Submit lab assignments according to the following:
  1. Lab assignments are to be accomplished individually. You may help each other but make sure to turn in your own work, not a copy or duplicate of someone else’s work. In other words, two lab assignments exactly alike are not individual work.
  2. Staple all multi-page lab assignments. Do not staple two labs together.
  3. Place your name (legibly) and the lab assignment number on the first page (no name, no credit).
  4. You do not need to print the labs in color.
  5. Some lab assignments may be checked by a student grader; therefore, you may ask for the lab to be checked by the instructor if you think the grade is in error.

Note: Some lab assignments will be submitted electronically so not all of these guidelines will apply.

  1. Take tests on the scheduled day (advance testing by appointment only).

Using the Casey Computer Center Lab (200)

You may have pre-registered for an account with the HSB Advanced Technology Lab (room 200) when you signed up for the course. You must have a lab account to use the HSB Advanced Technology Lab. To sign up now, you may call the Cashier’s Office in the Robinson Tower at 2311 to apply for an account. There is a $25 fee for the lab of which $20 is print credit. The laser printouts cost 5 cents/page and color printouts are 25 cents. (Athletes will be using the computer lab in the Neil Morris building.)

If you are using the computers in room 200 or in Moody, you can access two drives; J and P. The J drive is a shared network drive where the faculty post labs, data, and other information you may want to use. The P drive is for your personal storage and only you can access it. It contains 15 MB of disk space. See below for additional explanation.

Web Sites

1.Additional Course Information: Sometimes you will be directed to access information from the instructors “J-drive”. Use the following directions to access the J-drive. If you are in the dorm or seeking access using a Baylor dialup, go to This will list the ISY 1305 Master File on the instructors J-drive. You’ll receive specific instructions on what to access at the time of the assignment.

2.If you are using a commercial Internet Service Provider such as AOL, go to and click on “student” near the top of the page. Under “Tutorials” you can select information for accessing the J-drive.

3.Check Grades On-Line: During the course the instructor will post grade information on-line. You may check your grades on-line using the following web site: The instructor will normally send an email announcing when the grades have bee updated.

PinPoint Exercises: Some of the lab assignments will be based on the PinPoint Exercises contained on the CD-ROM in the back of the Word, PowerPoint and Excel textbooks. If you do not have the CD, or if it does not work correctly, you may access the exercises on the instructors J-Drive. Look in the respective folder marked “PinPoint Exercises”.

Using E-Mail: The instructor will also communicate information to you via your Baylor email address. Check it regularly for information. If you would like to be contacted at an email address other than the Baylor one, please provide it to be included in the instructor’s address list.

Classrooms and Labs: Please, DO NOT bring food or drink into the classroom or lab and keep the work areas neat in the labs.

Academic Dishonesty: This class is an exercise in higher education and an independent effort is expected from you. I endorse wholeheartedly the University’s policy on cheating. These rules have been established to protect the integrity of those pursuing learning in an open and honest manner. Challenge yourself and live with the results. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the University. Since dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

Grading Criteria

Grade Points / Grading Scale
Activity / % of Final Grade / A / 90% or higher
Test 1 / 22.5% / B+ / 88-89.9%
Test 2 / 22.5% / B / 80-87.9%
Test 3 / 22.5% / C+ / 78-79.9%
Test 4 (Comprehensive Final) / 22.5% / C / 70-77.9%
Labs / 10% / D / 60-69.9%
Total / 100 % / F / Below 60%

ISY 1305 Class Schedule* – Spring 2001: Section 13, T/R 11:00-12:20

Wk / Day /
Topic/Activity
/ Remarks
1 / Tue-Jan 9 / Introduction to Course / Distribute Study Materials for Test 1
Thu-Jan 11 / Intro to Personal Computers
Computer Hardware / Study PC Concepts, Chapter 1
Study PC Concepts, Chapter 2
2 / Tue-Jan 16 / Finish Hardware
Computer Software / Study PC Concepts, Chapter 3
Thu-Jan 18 / Finish Software
Windows Explorer / Study Excel Text, Pages 1-40
3 / Tue-Jan 23 /
Finish Explorer
Review / Bring your notes
Thu-Jan 25 /
Test 1
/ Bring Pencil for Scantron
Wk / Day / Topic/Activity / Remarks
4 / Tue-Jan 30 /
Return Test 1
Getting Started with Excel,
Editing Worksheet Contents
/ Distribute Study Materials for Test 2
Study Excel Chapters 1 & 2
Thu-Feb 1 / Modifying Worksheets
Controlling Cell References / Study Excel Chapters 3 & 4
5 / Tue-Feb 6 / Managing Pages & Printing
Formatting Worksheets / Study Excel Chapters 5 & 6
Thu-Feb 8 / Use Functions
Use Financial Functions / Study Excel Chapters 7 & 8
6 / Tue-Feb 13 / Use Financial Functions (cont.)
Thu-Feb 15 / Create Charts / Study Excel Chapter 10
7 / Tue-Feb 20 / Create Charts (cont.)
Export a Worksheet or Chart
Manage Data and Lists / Study Excel Chapters 12 & 13
Thu-Feb 22 / Manage Data and Lists (cont.)
8 / Tue-Feb 27 /
Review
Thu-Mar 1 /
Test 2
/ Bring Pencil for Scantron
March 3-11: Spring Break, No classes
9 / Tue-Mar 13 /
Return Test 2
HTML / Create Home Pages / Distribute Study Materials for Test 3
Study HTML Handout prior to class
Thu-Mar 15 / HTML / Create Home Pages (cont.)
Get Started With Word, Work With Documents / Study Word Chapters 1 & 2
10 / Tue-Mar 20 / Edit Documents, Format Text, Format Paragraphs / Study Word Chapter 3-5
Thu-Mar 22 / Format Pages, Use Tables / Study Word Chapters 6 & 7
11 / Tue-Mar 27 / Work With Columns and Pictures / Study Word Chapter 8
Thu-Mar 29 / Using Word to Create a Web Page
Review for Exam 3 / Study Word Chapter 10
12 / Tue-Apr 3 / Test 3 / Bring Pencil for Scantron
Thu-Apr 5 /
Diadeloso-- No class
13 / Tue-Apr 10 /
Return Test 3
Get Started With PowerPoint
Work With Text / Distribute Study Materials for Test 4
Study PowerPoint Chapter 1 & 2
Thu-Apr 12 / Edit Your Work
Format Text / Study PowerPoint Chapters 3 & 4
14 / Tue-Apr 17 / Format Slide Characteristics
Elements of Sight and Sound / Study PowerPoint Chapters 5 & 6
Thu-Apr 19 / Get Ready for an Electronic Show
Print and Deliver / Study PowerPoint Chapters 7 & 8
15 / Tue-Apr 24 / Communication and Networks
The Internet and WWW / Study PC Concepts, Chapters 4 & 5
Thu-Apr 26 / Purchasing a PC
Social Issues Involving Computers / Study PC Concepts, Chapters 6 & 7
16 / Tue-May 1 / Review for Final
Saturday, May 5: 8-10 a.m. (room 103) / Comprehensive Final Exam

*The dates and times are approximate.