1/21/10 Syllabus and Schedule

CSC 102 Introduction to Microcomputer Applications

Instructor: Kathleen Howard

Telephone: 518 335 1187

E-mail: kathleen.howard@clinton.edu

Office Hours: 1 to 2 pm on Tuesdays immediately prior to class. I can be available at other times if prior arrangements are made.

I. Course Description:
This introductory level course focuses on the applications in the Microsoft Office 2007 Suite; Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Students will achieve the understanding of database, spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing and how they relate to your personal and professional lives. Additionally, we will discuss introductory concepts of computer technology and the Internet. This course is designed for students with little or no experience in data processing.

II. Course Prerequisites:
A basic understanding of computer use and good familiarity with Microsoft's Windows XP or newer operating system. Students must also be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate averages and perform basic logical comparisons.

III. Textbooks and Supplies:
Learning Microsoft Office 2007 Through Applications & Exercise
ISBN #: 13: 978-0-13-244860-4

IV. Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this class students shall be able to:

Basic Computer Technology:
     1)  Understand operating systems 
     2)  Identify the parts of a window and how to manipulate it
     3)  Identify and understand basic hardware components and how they function
     4)  Basic network concepts

Internet:
     1)  History of the Internet
     2)  How the Internet works
     3)  Effectively searching on the Internet and search engines

Word Processing:
     1)  Create, save, retrieve, edit and print documents
     2)  Use the bold, underline, center, and right justification
     3)  Copy or move text within or between documents
     4)  Set margins, line spacing, tabs, and page numbers
     5)  Use search and replace, spell check and thesaurus
     6)  Use bullets and numbering
     7)  Create Tables
     8)  Insert a picture

Spreadsheets:
     1)  Create, save, retrieve, edit and print worksheets
     2)  Use cell references formulas and absolute formulas
     3)  Format a worksheet
     4)  Use graphics and charts in the spreadsheet
     5)  Use If statement and SumIf statements
     6)  Understand good spreadsheet design

Database:
     1)  Create, save, retrieve, edit and print databases
     2)  Use conditions to select specific information
     3)  Use sort functions
     4)  Understand the complexity of a database and the development of a good  
          database design

PowerPoint:
     1)  Create, save, retrieve, edit and print a presentation
     2)  Understand the preparation and delivery of a presentation

If you have questions regarding the content of this class, feel free to contact me via email or during a scheduled appointment.

This course will be taught by a combination of hands-on activities, audio-visual materials, lecture, and class participation.

V. General Education Goals:
This course satisfies the New York State requirement in Information Management.

VI. Assignments, Attendance, and Makeup Policy:

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date. They may not be turned in late. E-mailing completed assignments is the preferred way to hand in assignments. They will be graded and returned to you through e-mail as well unless a different arrangement is set up with the teacher at the beginning of the course. Homework assignments are due prior to the next class session unless otherwise specified by the instructor.

Students are expected to follow the college's attendance policy. This can be found in the Student Handbook. Failure to do so will result in involuntary withdrawal from the class. Arriving late for class will be counted as an absence. If you do arrive late for class, do not enter the class room until no one is speaking. We do not have time for class interruptions, including ringing phones. Please be courteous. If you know that you will be missing a class, I must be notified prior to class. I will check my e-mail immediately prior to each class. Make-up quizzes and exams will be available to students at the discretion of the instructor.

VII. Evaluation and Grading:

Homework: There will be 15 assignments worth between 0 and 2 points each for a total of 30 possible points. Homework will make up 30 % of your overall average.

Quizzes: 4 quizzes will be given throughout the course in preparation of exams. They will resemble the homework given on that topic. Each will be scored out of 100 points. Quizzes will make up 20% of your overall average.

PowerPoint Presentations: During the semester you will be required to prepare a PPT. You will be graded by your peers on the effectiveness of the presentation. PPT presentation will make up 10 % of your overall average.

Exams: 4 exams will be given. Each will build upon the material covered since the beginning of the year. Review of previous exams will be helpful. Exams will be scored out of 100 points each and will make up 40% of you final grade.

Final distribution of grades will be made after the final exam. Corresponding letter grades will be assigned in accordance with the student handbook.

VIII. Student Ethics:

“Academic honesty is expected of all Clinton Community College students. It is academically dishonest, for example, to misrepresent another person’s work as one’s own, to take credit for someone else’s work or ideas, to accept help on a test, to obtain advanced information on confidential test materials, or to intentionally harm another student’s chances for academic success. When the instructor believes that a student has failed to maintain academic honesty, the instructor may decide on the penalty he or she believes is warranted. When a student is penalized by receiving a failing grade on a major assignment or for the course, the instructor must submit to the Academic Vice President evidence that the student has acted dishonestly. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will retain a record of such offenses. A student who commits a second offense may be dismissed from the college with an appeal to return not permitted for one full calendar year. If the student disputes a charge or punitive action, he or she may follow Academic Grievance Procedures as outlined in the College Catalog”    

Clinton Community College Academic Honesty Policy, http://www.clinton.edu/AcademicAffairs/academichonesty.cxml

IX. Student Needs:

As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if an accommodation is needed, contact me privately after class or during my office hours as soon as possible so I can help you obtain any assistance you may need to successfully complete this course. The Academic Assistance Center may also be contacted for further assistance.

X. Emergency procedures:
School cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced on local radio stations as listed in the CCC student handbook. Class cancellations due to instructor absence will be posted on the classroom door and emailed to students using the student's email account provided by the college.  Room changes will be announced in advance whenever possible and posted on the classroom door.

CSC 102 Tentative Spring 2010 Schedule

The Final Exam (PPT Exam) for this course will take place on