Course Syllabus
CIT 1503– Microcomputer Applications
TR8:00-9:15;Room 221; Spring 2011
Instructor: Dr. Ralph Ruby, Jr.
Office: 419-C
Office Number: 870.972.3416
Personal Cell: 870.819.1770
E-mail Address:
Website:http://myweb.astate.edu/rruby
Office Hours: At your convenience
Textbook (Purchase Immediately)
Microsoft Office 2010 Introductory Concepts and Techniques, Windows 7 EditionShelly, Cashman, Vermaat. Course Technology, Publisher: Boston, ISBN 978-1-4390-7838-9. [Take this syllabus to the bookstore with you. They may try to sell you a very similar book].
Required Software and Materials
Microsoft Office2010– optional for your home computer. The labs on campus are equipped with this software. You may obtain copies from the ITS.
1 USB Drive (Flash Drive) – Purchase Immediately
Catalog Description
Students will learn basic computer skills that can be used immediately, throughout college, and beyond. Emphasis is on learning basic MS Office applications of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. (F,S,Su)
Course Objectives
The objectives of this course are to learn how to use MS Office to organize ideas and information, solve business problems, and manage data. This course will help you to learn to manage typical business tasks and encourage you to develop skills you can apply to solve business problems throughout your career. Specifically, you will work to:
Understand the fundamentals of, and be literate in, personal computing concepts and technologies.
Use word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and personal database software in common business settings.
Use mouse-based graphical user interface features such as file handling, the copying, moving, and deleting of objects, web-browsing, etc.
Manipulate multiple software applications simultaneously and integrate results across the various applications.
Instructional Methods
The primary teaching method for this class will be open entry open exit. To be successful in this course, you, as students, must take an active role. This means you must not only read the chapters, but you must also keep up-to-date on the applications and be prepared at test time.
Method of Evaluation
- Three or four objective and application [productivity] examinations will be given covering the content of the textbook.
- Application exercises.
All earned points will be totaled and divided by the total possible points to determine your final course grade. Your grade is based on the typical 10-point scale (ie, 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B, etc.)
Student Responsibilities
- Reading the course materials in the text is your responsibility in which the information will be used.
- Working through the chapter application [walk-thru] in the text is your responsibility before you begin your application exercises.
- Keep all papers that are returned to you in case a question arises about your course grade. The professor cannot give you credit for an assignment if it has been lost and it has not been recorded.
- Attendance is not required for this course.
- The professor utilizes e-mail to make announcements, update the syllabus, make assignments, collect homework on occasion, etc. It is your responsibility to check your e-mail on a daily basis. Not checking your e-mail is not a viable excuse for not having your work completed on time.
- The professor suggests that you exchange telephone numbers and e-mail addresses with two other students in the class.
- Turn off cell phones and all other appliancesBEFORE entering the classroom. If you are using your phone, etc. during class time, they may be taken from you, or you may be asked to leave the class.
Academic Ethics
Academic ethics means communicating honestly and politely with fellow students and with the professor; it means planning and writing your own projects, and it means relying solely on your own memory to answer test questions. Academic ethics means obeying the law. Students who engage in unethical behavior connected with this class will receive an F grade for the course and may be referred to other appropriate authorities.
Examinations
Objective examinationsmay include a combination of the following: Multiple/Choice, short answer, and defining terms. Application [productivity] examinations will be completed in class and will be based on the objectives of the particular concepts learned. A brief review the class period before each exam may be conducted. Makeup exams will only be given at the professor’s discretion when extreme conditions exist (i.e., hospitalization, death in the family, etc.). If you have to be out-of-town for some reason, then you should make arrangements to take the exam early. The final exam will only be given during the University designated time – no exceptions.
Accommodating Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and have registered with the Office of Disability Services, please visit with me about any special needs you have on the first day of class. If you think you may have a disability and have not visited with the Office of Disability Services, please call them at 972-3964. After you have met with them, please visit with me.
Important Dates
Jan. 17Martin Luther King DayNo Class
Feb. 22-28Mid-Terms
Mar. 21-26Spring Break
April 13Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the University
April 25Last Day of Class
April 27Final Exams begin
9:00 class exam is Friday, April 29 @ 8:00
11:00 class exam is Wed, April 27 @ 12:30
May 7Graduation
Association of Information Technology Professionals
A.I.T.P. is the professional association comprised of career minded individuals
who seek to expand their potential - employers, employees, managers,
programmers, and many others. The organization seeks to provide avenues for
all their members in the IS field, all in an effort to become more marketable in rapidly changing, technological careers. It is the mission of A.I.T.P. to provide superior leadership and education in Information Technology. A.I.T.P. is dedicated to using the synergy of Information Technology partnerships to provide education and benefits to our members and to working with the industry to assist in the overall promotion and direction of Information Technology. For Membership Information, please contact Dr. John Seydel,
Peer Tutoring
Peer tutoring is available to all students enrolled in ASU-Jonesboro courses in the Learning Support Center (LSC) located in the Dean B. Ellis Library, Room 100 (enter through the main library and take the stairs or elevator down to the ground floor). Tutors are able to assist students in almost all 1000- and 2000-level general education courses and some upper-division core courses. LSC hours are Monday – Thursday, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm and Friday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Students can drop-in or make appointments by calling 972-3451 or emailing . Tutor availability by subject should be posted on the LSC website after the 2nd week of the semester. Some tutors will prepare activities in advance for group tutoring sessions. LSC services are included in your tuition—there are no additional fees. Visit the LSC website for more information: http://www2.astate.edu/a/university-college/learning-support-services/learning-support-center/.
Rules for Sending Your Professors E-mails
Use your university account [unless your professor indicates otherwise].
Don’t ask for information you can find on your own or bother your instructor with minor problems.
Write a CLEAR subject line. Give your name if your email address doesn’t indicate it clearly.
Address the instructor with an appropriate salutation and by name using his or her correct title. For example, do NOT start your email with “Hey.” Instead start with “Good Morning Dr. Ruby” or “Dear Professor Smith.” If you are unsure of their title, ask.
Be clear and comprehensive.
Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. Keep the content professional.
Use complete sentences, correct punctuation, and capitalization. Check your spelling.
Give the professor time to respond.
Source modified from: C. Carter, J. Bishop, S.L. Kravits. Keys to Success.Building Analytical, Creative, and Practical Skills, Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall.
HAVE A GREAT SEMESTER!
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