Section:  0148

Computer Science 401 Introduction to Computers

CLASS MEETING TIMES AND LOCATIONS:
            Since this is a sixteen-week distance learning class, there will be no specified time for weekly lab and weekly lectures.  There are readings and assignments that MUST be completed by the students on a weekly basis.

            As in any Computer Science class, the lab and lecture time is not sufficient to complete assignments.  Therefore, the CSIT department has made the computer lab available for On-line students at the following times:

Additional Lab hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30 - 1:50; Mon - Thurs: 4:00 - 9:50; Sat: 9:00 - 12:50

INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS:
Office hours and communcations with the instructor are usually conducted with the Course Managment System, ETUDES NG. For general questions which may be helpful to the entire class, please go to Class Discussions and Forums, then go to General Questions. For private questions, please go to Class Discussion and Forums, then go to Private Message. You may also send an email to the instructor at online401@sbcglobal.net. A message may also be left at 818-947-2614 at anytime. I am usually in the office from 9:00a.m. - 10:00a.m. on Tuesdays.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
            This course presents an introduction to Computer Science terminology, concepts, and programming.  Topics include the impact of computers on society, ethical issues, operating systems, The Internet, and hardware/software applications, including word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation graphics.  Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and the use of the computer to solve problems.

OBJECTIVES:
            Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Define the functions of the major elements of a computer system.
2. Operate a Personal Computer (PC).
3. Perform fundamental Windows operations on a PC.
4. Learn common applications programs.
5. Write and understand programs written in a programming language.
6. Decide what type of computer to obtain for a given company and what associated peripherals and software will be required for the computer.
   

MATERIALS:
            Text Books:

1. Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat; Discovering Computers 2007, Shelly             Cashman Series, ISBN 1-4188-4370-9.
2. Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat; Office 2003, Essential Concepts and             Techniques" Shelly Cashman Series, ISBN 1-4188-5947-8.

• A memory stick (thumb drive), or equivalent.
• Office 2003 is installed on the LAMC computer science lab PC's if you plan to do your work at school.
• Possession of, or access to, Office 2003 Professional if doing work at home or at a location other than LAMC.
• Internet Access, World Wide Web (WWW)
• An e-mail account. 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
            The reading and network assignments must be completed by the student on a weekly basis.  Comments on the reading material and specific assignments can be found in the Schedule under Assignments & Lectures. Students can communicate with each other and/or the instructor by e-mail, bulletin boards, and chat groups.  One of the benefits of on-line classes is group support and help with the other projects throughout the semester.

Exams will be taken on-line and consist of True/False, Multiple Choice, and Matching.  The answers will be submitted to the instructor via the ETUDES NG website.

Threaded Discussions(TD) (Bulletin Board): Student participation in asynchronous online discussions will form a significant part of the grade (see Determination of Grade below).  Discussion questions based on text and Website readings will be posted weekly in the Academic Forum Bulletin Board page.  Discussions will take place using the Bulletin Board. 

Internet Assignments(4) Every two weeks an Internet specific assignment will be due.

Lab Assignments(4) Every two weeks a different lab assignment will be due.  These assignments are taken from the lab manuals.  The sections studied will be:  Windows XP, Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Excel 2003, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003.

GENERAL POLICIES:
            All assignments MUST contain the following information:
a) Student Name: Bill Ding
b) Assignment Number: 2
c) Assignment Due Date:  February 25, 2008

Failure to include all requested information will result in lost points. Use REMark lines in QBasic programs to supply this information.

All assignments will be due on a set date (See schedule) no later than 11:00 p.m. of the posted date.

Assignments may not be accepted if they are received more than 6 days after the due date.

Students not completing an assignment, discussion or test will receive a grade of no better than a 'F' or "0" points.

Incompletes are only issued when a student is current with all class work and has an unexpected emergency.  An emergency would be a death in the family, an accident, emergency operation, etc.  The student needs to make a written request to the instructor prior to the due date of the assignment, discussion or test.

Any form of cheating will be reason for failure. This includes plagiarism (copying) from reference material, www, or another student.

Students with special needs should discuss these needs with the instructor.

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to modify presentation of material if he feels it is to the benefit of the student to do so.  The instructor also reserves the right to modify grading policy based on material covered during the semester. 

ATTENDANCE:

1. The entry date for each on line student will be the date of receipt of your first e-mail to the instructor. If you register but do not complete the first two assignments by February 25, 2008, you may be removed from the instructor's roster.
2. Online copies of your work will be kept by the computer course management system for a period of two years.
3. If you register and never complete any of the assignments then you will be listed as having never attended this class.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

• All registered students must e-mail the instructor on or before the first day of class.  The instructor's e-mail address is online401@sbcglobal.net.
• The e-mail should contain the following information for purposes of registration:  student name, e-mail address.
• In addition to the registration information, the e-mail should contain information about the computer you plan on using and something about yourself,  why you registered for a distance learning (on-line) class.  Also include what you expect to get out of the course.
  

DETERMINATION OF GRADE:

Exam #1	Windows 2003	40
Exam #2	Chapters 1 3	100
Exam #3	Hands On Test (HOT)	40
Exam #4	Chapters 4 7	100
Exam #5	Chapters 8 10	100
Exam #6	Chapters 11 13	100
Lab Assignments	"In the Lab" (4 @ 10 points each)	40
Threaded Discussions	15 @ 10 points each	150
Internet assignments	Net #1 - #4 (4 @ 10 points each)	40
QBASIC assignments	QBASIC (6 @ 5 pts each, #7 = 10 pts)	40
Lab Final	QBASIC Final Exam	50
Student Project	A 5 to 10 page paper	100
TOTAL		900

Your final letter grade will be based on your total points:

Grading scale: A = 90% to 100%; B = 80% to 89%; C = 70% to 79%;
 D = 60% to 69%; F = < 60%.