AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
Course Information
Course: COSC 1300 Introduction To Computing
Section: 32967
Semester: Spring 2006
Lecture: Mondays 5:40 pm – 8:20 pm NRG 4211
Lab: Mondays 8:30 pm – 9:20 pm NRG 4230
Instructor Information
Instructor: Frederick (Fred) Kumi
Telephone: (512) 223-4923
Office: Northridge Campus – NRG 4234
Office Hours: Mondays 5:10 pm – 5:40 pm
9:20 pm – 9:50 pm
Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursdays 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Or by appointment
E-mail:
Home page: http://www2.austincc.edu/fkumi/
Course Description
A survey course discussing computing terminology, components, programming concepts, and the computer's integration into business activities. Laboratory experience includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software and databases.
Pre-requisite: R – Reading
Course Materials
Approved Course Texts:
(1) Understanding Computers Today and Tomorrow, 10th Edition, by Charles S. Parker and Deborah Morley, Course Technology. (ISBN 0-619-24333-3)
(2) Microsoft Office 2003, Essential Concepts and Techniques, by Shelly, Cashman, Vermaat, Course Technology, 2004 (ISBN 0-619-20021-9)
Optional Materials:
1 High Density (HD) floppy diskette or a USB Flash Drive.
Course Rational
This course is designed to be an introductory computing concepts course. The intent of the course is to teach the basics of hardware, software, program design, computer ethics, system and application software and the role of computing in society today. A software suite is also used in the lab to create documents, spreadsheets, databases and presentations. There is also an internet component integrated in the course.
This course is included in the following degree plans:
· Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming
· Associate of Applied Science – Local Area Network Administration
· Associate of Applied Science – Microcomputer Application Support
Course Objectives
After successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Understand and discuss the history and evolution of computers.
2. Understand how hardware and software function in a computer.
3. Identify the different types and sizes of computers.
4. Understand how a computer works.
5. Explain the differences between system and application software.
6. Understand the function of a network, a network Operating System and identify different types of networks.
7. Understand the different types of application software and their usage.
8. Understand what a program is and the development and use of programming languages.
9. Understand the Information Systems and the System Development Life Cycle.
10. Understand and discuss issues of ethics, privacy, integrity as related to computers and the laws pertaining to these issues
SCANS Competencies
Competencies have been identified that are relevant to the level of instruction in the community college environment. These competencies reflect the knowledge and skills employees need to succeed in any occupation and are defined by the Department.
Instructional Methodology
This course will have 2.5 hours of lecture and 50 minutes of lab each week. Students who do not finish the assigned lab work during class will need to finish their work in the CIS open labs or at home. The open lab for the Northridge Campus is located in 4232. Lab hours will be provided during the lab orientation given in class.
Course Policies
A. Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. If the student misses a class or is tardy, it is the student's responsibility to get assignments and missed material. Absence is no excuse for late assignments, including when deadlines have been changed.
B. Class Participation: All students are expected to participate in class discussions. Please feel free to ask questions any time. There are no ‘dumb’ questions. Class discussions benefit everyone. However, let’s have only one discussion going on, with one person talking at a time. Carrying on separate conversations distracts me and other students and makes their learning more difficult.
C. Lab Attendance: Lab attendance is required unless excused by the instructor. Success in the course depends on the student's ability to implement successfully in the lab the concepts that have been learned in class. The lab allows hands-on experience and one-on-one instruction.
D. Lab Assignments: Lab assignments must be the product of the student's independent effort. Students are expected to meet assignment deadline. Each assignment is due at the beginning of the next scheduled class following the lab. Late assignments will be accepted for one week with a late penalty of 20%. No credit will be given for assignments received after two weeks. Scheduling of computer time outside of regular lab time is the student’s responsibility. Availability of computers is NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment
E. Academic Integrity: A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests. Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity described in the current ACC Student Handbook, under “Student Discipline Policy, Section C”.
“Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework”.
The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current ACC Student Handbook policy. See http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm for more information.
The penalty for scholastic dishonesty for this course is a grade of ‘F’.
F. Class and Lab Preparation: All students are expected to read the chapters to be covered in class and familiarize themselves with the week’s assignments before class. In this way, you will obtain much better value from the class, and be able to make best use of lab time
G. Freedom of Expression Policy: It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.
H. Miscellaneous: Classes will start and end on time. Please turn off the sound to all communication and electronic devices before class begins. If you must arrive late or leave early, please minimize any disruption to your fellow students by sitting quietly close to the door.
Examinations
Three major exams will be given during the semester. There are no makeup EXAMS in this course. If you miss an exam you will receive a grade of ZERO for that exam. Students may take the optional comprehensive final exam and drop their lowest exam grade (this applies to either one missed exam OR the lowest exam grade if all three exams have been taken).
Semester Grades
Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, homework, and lab projects will be a part of the grade.
A. The semester grade has four parts:
Semester Exams (3 @ 20% each) 60%
Lab Assignments 15%
Homework 15%
Group Presentation 10%
Total 100%
B. Letter grade
A - 90% to 100%
B - 80% to 89%
C - 70% to 79%
D - 60% to 69%
F - Below 60%
You must score 60% or higher to pass this course.
Incomplete Grade
A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
2. The student has earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
3. The student requests the grade in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents are completed.
To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester. Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.
Withdrawal
It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class. The instructor may withdraw students from this class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings. The last date to withdraw for this semester is Monday, April 24, 2006. It is not the instructor's responsibility to initiate a withdrawal on behalf of the student. In situations where the student fails to withdraw before the withdrawal date, and the student's work is below the minimum acceptable standards, a letter grade of F will be given.
Students with Disabilities
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester. (Refer to the current Student Handbook)