CPET1104, Microcomputer Applications for Technicians
Microcomputer Applications Report
Applicable Program Outcomes, Course Outcomes, and Learning Objectives: PO-1, PO-2, CO-3, CO-4, LO-7.
Select a computer related topic and prepare a five to seven page report (The minimum length report would consist of: a cover sheet, three full pages of text, and a page listing your references.). The topic should be one that is interesting to you and one that you can easily research. Use the sample research reports in your Word textbook as a guide.
Tell your instructor which topic you would like for your report. Each person must use a different topic. You are free to choose a topic not listed below if it is computer related and nobody else has spoken for it. Ask your instructor for approval for a topic that is not on the list.
Some possible topics for you to consider for your paper are:
1. Thin-client network computers
2. The Microsoft Windows operating system (ME, XP, NT, 2000)
3. Computer networks, local area networks
4. The Internet global network
5. Wireless computer networks
6. Computer multimedia, interactive media
7. Notebook/Laptop/PDA/Tablet PC
8. Computer voice recognition
9. Virtual reality
10. Telephone modems
11. Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
12. Electronic mail
13. Digital satellite transmission
14. Fiber optic data transmission
15. Interactive television
16. Computer graphics
17. Computers in medicine
18. Computer assisted instruction
19. Microprocessor chips
20. Computer programming
21. Computer typsetting
22. Microprocessors in automobiles
23. Job opportunities in computer fields
24. Computer printers
25. Computer graphics scanners
26. FAX machines
27. Computer aided design or computer aided manufacturing
28. ENIAC - topics relating to computer history
29. Computer music (MIDI)
30. Personal computers - costs, purchase or build your own
31. Computer software - types of packages and costs
32. Computer games - an inside look
33. Computers in art - commercial packaging
34. Computers in the broadcast industry
35. Future computers - What might we see in the next five years?
36. Computer vocalization - computer speech
37. Computer chess
38. Computers in society
39. Computer hacking and security
40. The CD and DVD, Read-Write and Read-Only
41. The World Wide Web on the Internet
42. Intranet information systems
43. Cable modems, DSL
44. Computer viruses
45. Computer crime
46. Computer privacy
47. Commerce on the Web
48. The Java language and Java script
49. Microsoft Corporation
50. Intel Corporation
51. Web page design with HTML
52. Data encryption
53. Computer animation
54. Nanotechnology (micro-machines)
55. Computer chip manufacture/DNA Arrays (gene chips)
56. Web Services – Sun Microsystems’ Sun One, IBM’s WebSphere, Microsoft’s .NET
57. Network e-commerce
58. RFID systems (dog ID chips, inventory chips)
59. Grid computing
60. Internet Mark II - Future Internet infrastructure
I. Technical abstract (hardcopy from printer - a single sheet)
Put the word Abstract at the top of this document and your report title under this. The abstract should be single spaced with one inch margins-left/right and top/bottom using 11-12 point sized font (Times Roman or similar style). Near the top of the printed abstract, put your name, CPET1104-your section and the date on three separate lines.
This is a brief (one or two paragraph) description of your topic written after you have obtained initial approval. The abstract should not be written until you finish your research. A minimum of three (3) different references is required. References may be from books, magazines or dependable Internet Web sites. Avoid the use of personal pronouns in your writing, such as "I" or "me", unless you are describing a personal experience.
II. Report format (hardcopy from printer - five or more pages)
Use double spacing and one inch for margins, left/right and top/bottom. Select a technical paper format from a writer's guide such as the Harbrace College Handbook. The rules laid out in such a book are an excellent guide for producing a good paper. You may decide to use another format or style but be sure to follow a published guide.
The components of your paper should include the following:
A. Cover page - one sheet (not a hard cover!). This should have a title centered about two inches from the top margin. Your name should be centered about two inches below the title. The course identifierCPET1104-<your section> and Microcomputer Applications for Technicians should be centered approximately two inches from the bottom of the page with the date of the report centered immediately below. Do not put your instructor's name on your report!
B. Report's text - minimum of three full sheets, double-spaced. Use standard sized type
(11 or 12 point – no large sized characters). Write in your own words, use a minimum
amount of quoted material.
Drawings and tables may be used in your report, but they may not be counted as part of the
three required pages of text. Do not submit your report in a report folder, just staple the
sheets together.
The pages following your cover sheet should be numbered at the upper right or at the bottom of each sheet. The sheet after the cover sheet should be numbered as page 1 (Note: In Microsoft Word you can use Insert | Page Numbers to add page numbers.).
Cite your references in the body of the report. Footnotes/Endnotes can be used or the technique shown in the box below is allowable. For example,
The reference cited above, 1:49, refers to reference number 1 (as listed on the reference sheet at the end of the report) and page 49 in this reference. Internet Web site references should include the Web site address, an article title, the author (if available), and the date the site was accessed.
C. List of references - one sheet. Minimum of three references. Put the word References at the top of this sheet. Then list your references (sources of information). For example,
References
1. Bryan, G. T. The Computer Handbook. New York: McGill Book Company, 1994.
2. Burt, Howard. “Computers in Industry”, 15 January 2004 (date Web site was
accessed) .
NOTE: In Microsoft Word you can use Insert | Endnote to create a reference page at the
end of your document.
III.Oral presentation. Introduce yourself first. Is this is your first term at STCC or are you about to graduate? What are some of your interests in the field of engineering technology? Where would you like to work?
Limit your talk to about five minutes. Describe the important points in your paper. Your presentation will be much better if you just try to describe some of the more interesting points covered in your paper. Try to avoid reading your paper to the class. (Use note cards, if necessary.) Keep your presentation to the point and leave time for questions at the end. A
PowerPoint presentation consisting of five or more slides is required as part of your oral
presentation.