Computer Science 100 Course Outline


PLANNED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for Spring Semester 2012 Ticket # 53782 & 53785 Updated 1/10/2012
UNIT	TOPICS	CHAPTER
I	Introduction to Computers
	Becoming Fluent in Technology	1
	What's Inside Your Computer?	2
	Application Software	4
	Technology in Focus I: History of the PC
	Ethics, Personal Responsibility, & the Impact of Computers on Our Lives	Lecture
	MS Word Training	In-Class training sessions
	Project 1: "Creating a Flyer" Project 2: "Creating a Resume"	See required projects

II	Using Computers at Home & In Business
	The Computer's Operating System	5
	Managing Your Computer System & Hardware	6
	Mobile Computing	8
	Spreadsheets: Using MS Excel	In-Class training sessions
	Project 3: "Creating a Sales Report & Chart"	See required projects
	Presentation Software (PowerPoint)	In-Class training sessions
	Project 4: "Show off your hobby, sport or pretend business"	See required projects


III	Connecting Us Together
	Using the Internet	3
	Introduction to Networking & Security	7
	Technology in Focus IV: Protecting Your Computer
	Introduction to Relational Databases	11
	How the Internet Works	13
	Website Design	In-Class training sessions
	Using MS Expression Web to create a web site
	Project 5: "Your Personal Web"	See required projects

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Text Book and Materials:

You may purchase a hard copy version of the textbook or purchase the new ebook version

Technology in Action, 3rd - 7th Edition; Evans, Martin, Poatsy; Prentice Hall Publisher
Extra course materials can be downloaded from www.prenhall.com/techinaction or accessed from the Student CD.

Overview

Computer Science 100 is a course that is designed to give students an introduction to computer concepts, terminology, and the ethical and personal issues we face when using today's electronic devices. Students will learn about the development of computers, how computers systems work, and how they are being used today. You will learn techniques for working with Windows and MS Office. I will instruct you on how to use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Expression Web. I will also show you how to maintain and "tune-up" your own computer and teach you how to work more effectively with technology. You will also learn how to create a web site (Except for the 8-week class).

There will be time to work on projects in class and I will teach you all the skills necessary to complete your projects. I will be available to assist you individually or in small groups outside of class if you need extra help.

How to Contact Me...

The easiest and most reliable way to contact me is through e-mail. That way, I can respond to you from home and on week-ends.

Grading

Your grade in this course is based on the percentage of points you earn. You may access your grades at any time via my website using your logon information. Final grades in this course are determined as follows:

90-100%=A
80-89%=B
70-79%=C
60-69%=D
BELOW 60%=F

I do not grade on a curve or throw out the lowest test score so make sure you stay on schedule. I will probably give you some extra credit opportunities during the semester. But you must be in class the day we have extra credit projects & you cannot make them up.

Exams, Quizzes, Activities & Projects

ALL Projects have due dates. (No late assignments will be accepted)
There are three (3) exams which will be given after we complete each unit. Each exam will be worth 100 points. The questions will be multiple choice and True-False in nature.
You can expect a quiz after we complete each chapter and each quiz will be worth 20-30 points.
There are five (5) projects:

Projects 1 & 2 are worth 10 points each

Projects 3, 4, & 5 are worth 15 points each.

There will be four (4) activities to complete. Each one will be worth 10 points. These will acquaint you with new technologies or current happenings in the computer field. They can be completed in class or at home.

Class Drops

If you decide to drop this (or any) course during the semester, you must drop the class yourself. Do not depend on me to handle this for you. I do my best to keep track of your status, but it is better if you make sure your records are accurate yourself. You must drop a course before the end of the 12th week of school.

Accommodations for Disabilities

Students with verifiable disabilities who want to request academic accommodations are responsible for notifying their instructor and Disabled Students Programs and Service (DSPS) as early as possible in the semester. To arrange for accommodations, contact DSPS at (714) 628-4860, (714) 639-9742 (TTY) or stop by the DSPS Center in E-105.

Make-Up Exams

If you miss a quiz or an exam you may take it at a later date without any penalty. Please contact me right away if you cannot attend class when we are having an exam so I can help you with the best solution for your situation. Sometimes I will give you some free answers for an exam. If you are not in class when the exam is given, you will not be given the free answers when you make-up the exam.

Student Code of Conduct/Civility/Cell Phones/Internet Use

Full details may be obtained from the SCC Student Handbook. At a minimum, I expect you to treat each others (and your instructor) politely and with respect. This includes turning off all cell phones (or muting them), participating in class, and arriving in a timely manner. Please remember that personal conversation during lecture time is distracting to your fellow students. Collaboration on a project is an exception, of course.
Please turn off cell phones before entering class. Do not make/receive calls during class time.
Please do not use Twitter or text messaging or Instant Messaging (IM) in the class while I am lecturing or presenting material.
I will turn the internet off during lectures because it is simply too distracting to others. During lab time or before class I will be glad to turn it on for you.

Plagiarism

You are encouraged to work with other students in the class, but all work that you turn in for grading must be your own. Taking credit for another students work is plagiarism and is a violation of SCC academic policy. You will be reported for academic dishonesty and receive an "F" for the assignment. Don't let this happen to you! Remember, all work that you turn in for grading must be your original work.

I will not accept any projects that appear to contain content that has been copied & pasted from a website! Use the web to gather your data but you must compose answers in your own words.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will compare and contrast computer solutions considering criteria.
Students will obtain and apply knowledge of options and solutions available for specific computing contexts and criteria.

My Personal Goals and Objectives for this Course:

Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

Learn the main parts of a computer and learn about the history of the personal computer.
Know how to configure & optimize Windows Vista.
Develop & expand their computer skills in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Expression Web.
Learn how to manage their computer using disk utilities like the defragmenter.
Learn to keep their computers operating efficiently by managing the swap file and indexing service.
Gain a firm understanding of security issues and the internet, dial-up, DSL & Cable technologies.
Understand the basic configuration options for a local area network & wireless communications.
Create a simple web site.
Continue the life-long learning process of acquiring new skills and knowledge through formal and self-directed means using information and learning resources.
Become an informed consumer of computer products and services.

The number of projects and the points possible for exams, projects and activities are subject to change without notice. This information is intended to be an overview of this course so you will know what to expect during the semester. But sometimes, we will need to modify this plan.