COSC 1300 Introduction to Computers

SECTION 04688      

Lec AVRY 307   MW    9:30am-10:45am

Lab AVRY 307   W    10:55am-11:45am

AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER STUDIES

                       

Instructor:  James Webb

Office Telephone:  (512) 223-4922

Office:  NRG 4243

Office Hours: 

Day	Campus	Room	Hours
Mon	RRHEC	4262	11:00AM-12:30PM
Tues	RGC	113	12:25PM – 1:25PM
Wed	RRHEC	4262	12:00AM – 12:30PM
Thur	RGC	113	12:25PM – 1:25PM
Fri	NRG	4243	By Appointment

 

E-mail:  jwebb@austincc.edu

 

Course Description:    A survey course discussing computing terminology, components, programming concepts, and the computer's integration into business activities. Laboratory experience includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software and databases.

 

Pre-requisite:  Reading - R.

 

Approved Course Texts:

 

(1) Computers: Understanding Technology - Comprehensive, by Floyd Fuller and Brian Larson, Paradigm Publishing, 2008. (ISBN-13: 978-0-76382-935-3)

 

(2) Microsoft Office 2007: Essential Concepts and Techniques, by Shelly, Cashman, Vermaat, Course Technology, 2008. (ISBN-13: 978-1-4188-4374-8)

 

Instructional Methodology: This course will have 2.5 hours of lecture and 50 minutes of lab per week.  If the students are unable to finish the assigned lab work within the lab time, they will need to visit the CIS open labs.  Each instructor will have their own teaching methodology.

 

Course Rationale:  This course is designed to be an introductory computing concepts course...The intent of the course is to teach the basics of hardware, software, program design, computer ethics, systems software, application software and the role of computing in society today.  A software suite is also used in the lab to create documents, spreadsheets. Databases and presentations.  There is also an internet component that will be taught in the course.  This course is included in the following degree plans:

• Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming.
• Associate of Applied Science – Local Area Network Administration.
• Associate of Applied Science – Microcomputer Application Support.

 

Course Objectives/ Learning Outcomes:  After successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.     Understand and discuss the history and evolution of computers.

2.     Understand how hardware and software function in a computer.

3.     Identify the different types and sizes of computers.

4.     Understand how a computer works.

5.     Explain the differences between systems and application software.

6.     Understand the function of a network, a network Operating System and identify different types of networks.

7.     Understand the different types of application software and their usage.

8.     Understand what is a program and the development and use of programming languages.

9.     Understand the Information Systems and the System Development Life Cycle.

10.  Understand and discuss issues of ethics, privacy, integrity as related to computers and the laws pertaining to these issues.

 

Scans Competencies:   See attached.

 

Grade Policy:

Grade will be based both on concepts and practical application.  Exams, quizzes and homework assignments may be a part of the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale”

 

90%  - 100%         A

80%  -  89%          B

70%  -  79%          C

60%  -  69%          D

0%    -  59%          F

 

Semester Grades         Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

Assignments                           25%                 A         90% or higher

3 Tests                                    50%                 B         80 to 89.5%

Attendance                              10%                 C         70 to 79.5

Project                                    15%                 D         60 to 69.5%

F          59% or lower

 

 

Course/Class Policies:

 

Academic Integrity

 

A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests.  Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity described in the Current ACC Student Handbook, under  “Student Discipline Policy, Section C”.

 

“Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework”. 

The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current ACC Student Handbook policy. See http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm  for more information.

(Penalty for violation of academic policy must be specified)----Examples 

 

 

Incomplete

 

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

 

1.     The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.

2.     The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.

3.     The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.

4.     To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

 

Freedom of Expression Policy:

 

It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

 

Attendance / Withdrawal Policy:

 

Students are expected to attend classes and will be held responsible for all material covered in class.  Regular attendance helps ensure satisfactory progress towards completion of the course. 

 

It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class.  The instructor may withdraw students from this class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is (Insert Withdrawal Date Here).  It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

 

Students with Disabilities Policy:

 

“Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester.  (Refer to the Current ACC Student Handbook)”

 

Testing Center Policy (Open Campus Sections Only)

 

The academic testing center is to be used for regular testing of open campus students only.  All other sections will use the classroom time for regular testing and the testing center may be used to administer make-up tests.