CGS 2100- Computer Fundamentals & Applications
Osceola Campus
Course Syllabus
Fall 2014
CRN(s)17492: Building 3- Room 301 TR (9:00– 10:15 AM)
17504: Building 3- Room 301 F (10:30 – 11:45 AM)
18215: Building 3- Room 301 M (6:00 – 8:45 PM)
Contact Information:
Tasha Mills-Foster
Phone: (407)582-4895
E-mail:
(preferred mode of contact)
Office Hours:
Building 4- Room 301
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday
(before or after class & by appointment)
Please follow proper e-mail etiquette when sending an e-mail.
I have more than one section/course and you must include your full name, VID number, course name and CRN.
If this information is not in the email, it will be harder for me to assist. You will receivea response within 48 hours.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course covers the fundamentals of computers and computer nomenclature, particularly with respect to personal computer hardware and software used in today's business environment. Students will survey and use business applications programs utilizing pre-written programs that include word processing, spreadsheet, databases, presentation graphics, and Web browsers. Students completing the course will have a solid understanding of computer concepts, how to use computers and software in today's business world, and how to access information on the World Wide Web.
CREDITS: 3PREREQUISITES: None
Course Learning Outcomes
- Each student will explain the purpose and functions of computer hardware and software in business.
- Create, save, modify and print documents using a standard word processing software package.
- Use a standard spreadsheet software package to create, save, modify and print spreadsheets.
- Utilize standard database software to add, store, and manipulate data.
- Utilize a standard presentation graphics package to create a multi-slide presentation.
Core Competencies
Learning outcomes for a Valencia graduate: Think, Value, Act and Communicate. This course will reinforce those competencies.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Purchase the SAM2013 from the Osceola Campus bookstore.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: **Please be advised that the reference software used in this course is Microsoft Office Suite 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) and Windows 8 Operating System. You are notrequired to purchase this software however, you must have access to this software **
If you are interested in purchasing this software I recommend the subscription version of the program Office 365 University. Click here for Office365 University
Students will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view the lecture notes as well as additional course documents. The software is free and can be downloaded from this link
NOTE: If you are going to use Office 2010 or Office 2007please be aware that those versions may not have the same features as Office 2013. Use at your own risk. Points will not be adjusted.
MAC users can use Office for MAC 2011. Please note this software does not have a database program (Access) and this program will be used in this course. You will have to use a PC with Microsoft Access to complete the Access labs
Atlas Web Page:
SAM:
Grading Scale/Criteria:
During the session, there will be scheduled chapter exams and lab assignments/exams. Please follow the class schedule for exam and lab assignment due dates. All assignments must be submitted by their due date in SAM. Assignments WILL NOTbe accepted through any other method but SAM. Occasionally, class structure will vary from the plan to student/instructor interest.
The final semester grade consists of five (5) components:
Technology Discussion BoardParticipation via Bb / 20 %
Microsoft Office 2013: Case Problems
Submission via SAM / 25 %
Microsoft Office 2013: Exams
Submission via SAM / 25 %
New Perspectives Concepts: Exams
Submission via SAM / 20 %
Final Project / 10 %
Total / 100 %
The grading scale for this course is:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 – 59
**COURSE CONTENT**
Discussion Board:You will have a new IT related discussion topic every Monday. Discussion topics are only available for a week and willnotbe re-opened. Do not wait until the last minute to respond to the discussion. You must respond to my initial post with your thoughts on the topic. You are encouraged to respond to other classmates. You can also use the questions at the end as a guide. Responses should be about 150 words. Please follow the assignment schedule and/or check the discussion board for the topic. A textbook is not required for the discussion board.
SAM2013 Assessment, Projects, and TrainingDescription
SAM 2013 Assessment, Training, and Projects version 2.0 (including MindTap Reader!) offers a real-world approach to applying Microsoft Office 2013 skills. The Assessment portion of this powerful and easy to use software is designed to help assess students' proficiency of the Microsoft Office 2013 software applications, as well as Windows 8, Internet Explorer 10, and Outlook. The Training portion allows students to learn in the way that works best for them by reading, watching, or receiving guided help. The Projects portion allows students to work live-in-the-application on project-based assignments
SAM ACCOUNT REQUIRED: Directions for creating your SAM Student Account can be found online under theSAM 2013(Help).
Inst Key:T2018100
Concepts Exams (SAM): There will be 4 exams (Essential Concepts, Windows 8, File Management and The Internet from the ebook)and it must be completed online using SAM. Failure to complete the exams during the allocated time will result in a failing grade for that exam. Please see SAM Assignments link for exams. Exams may contain true/false and/or task oriented questions. You will be given two attempts for the each exam. Exams will cover the topics addressed in the New Perspectives MS Office 2013 (first four sections) eBook. Exams will be in an "Always Available" status. However; If the exam is not completed by the assignment schedule due date, 10 (ten) points will be deducted for each day its late.
MS Office 2013 Training (SAM) Optional: MS Office 2013 quizzes will have a training component. The training is designed to help you with your MS Office quizzes. I recommend that you complete the training exercise prior to taking the exam. The training will be available all semester. The training exercises will not be graded.
MS Office 2013 EXAMS (SAM): All MS Office 2013 exams will be completed online using SAM. Failure to complete the exams during the allocated time will result in a failing grade for that exam. Please see SAM Assignments link for exams. Each exam will contain approximately20-25 task oriented questions. Basically you will demonstrate your ability to use MS Office 2013 by performing different tasks. You be given two attempts per quiz. The highest grade will be used for that quiz.
Exams will be in an "Always Available" status. However; If the exam is not completed by the assignment schedule due date, 10 (ten) points will be deducted for each day its late.
Word/Excel/Access/PowerPoint Case Problems (SAM): These case problems can be completed at home or in the campus Learning Center. Please be advised that you will need to have access to Microsoft Office 2013. Office 2007 may be used but please be advised there will be somedifferences in features and grades will not be adjusted. You are not required to purchase the software but you must have access to it. The software is available in the classroom and in the Learning Center 3-300 Osceola Campus or your nearest campus.
Case Problems will be in an "Always Available" status. However; If the case problem is not completed by the assignment schedule due date, 10 (ten) points will be deducted for each day its late.
E-book lab tutorial exercises are designed to teach and prepare you for the assignment/project and it is highly recommended that you complete the eBook tutorial in its entirety before attempting the SAM case problem. You are required to submit your Office 2013 assignments & tests using SAM ()
Do not attempt the assignment until you have read and completed the tutorial in the Office 2013 textbook.
Final Project: Projects will be assigned by the instructor. Students will submit all contents of the final project by the assigned deadline.
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Academic Calendar with Important Dates
Academic Calendar:
Important Date(s) to Note:
No Class- September 1
October 7
November 26 – 30
Withdrawal- November 7
Final Exam-
Thursday, December 11, 2014 (7:30 – 10 AM)
Friday, December 12, 2014 (10 – 12:30 pm)
Osceola Campus Final Exam Schedule (different from college-wide):
Monday, July, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Academic Honesty
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, acts or attempted acts of plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, facilitating academic dishonesty, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.
All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students' individual thoughts, research, and self-expression. Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from another source, the source shall be appropriately acknowledged.
Students shall take special notice that the assignment of course grades is the responsibility of the students' individual professor.
Academic penalties for dishonesty may include, without limitation, one or more of the following: loss of credit for an assignment, examination, or project; withdrawal from course; a reduction in the course grade; or a grade of "F" in the course. Disciplinary penalties for academic dishonest may include, without limitation, warning, probation, suspension and/or expulsion from the College. Anyone observing an act of academic dishonesty may refer the matter to the professor, as an academic violation, and/or to the Dean of Students or designee, as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct as described in the Student LifeMap Handbook.
Attendance/Withdrawal Policy
Students are expected to attend all classes. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with his or her professor regarding any absences. Failure to do so in a timely manner may put the student at risk of academic penalty.
A student who withdraws from class by June 27thwill receive a grade of “W”. A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline. A faculty member MAY withdraw a student up to the beginning of the final exam period for violation of the class attendance policy in which case the student will received a grade of “W”. Do not rely on the instructor withdrawing you if you stop attending, although he/she retains the right to do so once you have missed three classes. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F”.
For a complete policy and procedure overview on Valencia Policy 4-07 please go to:
Classroom Policies
Cell Phones should be Silent during Class!
NOTE: Students must save all assignments onan external storage device. DO NOT save work on the classroom or open labs hard drives, unless specified by the instructor. Work saved on network drives or hard drives can be deleted at any time.
Valencia's attendance policy is that a student will be present for all class meetings. After two absences (one in a night class), a student will receive an excessive absence notice and must schedule a conference with the instructor immediately. After two absences (one in a night class) a student may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the instructor. Continual tardiness will be viewed as absences and treated as such.
There will be no eating or drinking in the classroom. Class begins at a scheduled time and is over when the instructor dismisses class. Leaving early without prior permission will result in a class-work grade of zero.
Tardiness is unacceptable class behavior. If you are tardy and class has begun, take a seat near the door and do not disrupt class by crossing the room. Students must do their own work; there are no exceptions. Students who plagiarize or cheat (in any way) risks dismissal from class and expulsion from the college.
Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty member to leave the class for the remainder of the class period. Longer suspensions from class or dismissal on disciplinary grounds must be preceded by a disciplinary conference or hearing, as set forth in the Implementing Procedures of this Code.
Examples of such disruptive or distracting activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Activities that are inconsistent with commonly acceptable classroom behavior and which are not conducive to the learning experience, such as: excessive tardiness, leaving and returning during class, and early departure when not previously authorized;
- Activities which violate previously prescribed classroom guidelines or constitute an unreasonable interruption of the learning process;
- Side discussions which are irrelevant to the subject matter of the class, that distract from the learning process, or impede, hinder, or inhibit the ability of the students to obtain the full benefit of the educational presentation;
The entire set of classroom policies can be found in the Student Code of Conduct as described in the Student LifeMap Handbook.
Final Grade Policy
Final course grades of "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" shall be assigned based upon the student's academic achievement upon the completion of all course work, including the required final examination. A student who fails to take the required final examination may receive a final course grade earned, unless the professor elects to assign the student a grade of "I" or as otherwise addressed in the Professor's course syllabus.
Grade Grievance
Students have recourse through the Student Academic Dispute Resolution process to seek a fair determination for the assignment of a final course grade. However, final grades of "W" and "I" based upon the failure of the student to take the final examination, excessive absences, or other administrative reasons may not be grieved to the Student Final Grade Dispute Resolution Committee. For non-final grades and matters, each Campus President shall be responsible for designating a person or persons to assist students who wish a review of decisions that are related to access to courses and credit granted toward the degree (excluding final grades).
Student Assistance Program
Valencia College is interested in making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia students can get FREE and immediate help with issues dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470. Free face-to-face counseling is also available.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a Notification to Instructor (NTI) form from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.
Syllabus Disclaimer
Having read and gone over this syllabus and by remaining enrolled in the course, you are entering into a contract to complete the course requirements and respect classroom policies. The above information, as well as the course schedule, is subject to written or verbal change at the discretion of the professor. Changes made to course requirements or the course schedule will be announced in class and through ATLAS e-mail.