CpSc 110, Computer Concepts

Syllabus: Spring, 2014

Dr. Conlon

Catalog Description: A computer literacy course stressing the use of applications software on personal computers. It covers a survey of computers and their impact on society and the use of word processing software. Other application software is also covered, such as spreadsheets and database software, but the particular applications examined may vary from section to section. (3 credits)

Class Meetings:

Section

Days

Time

Room

1

MWF

10:00 a.m.-10:50 p.m.

ATS 129

4

MWF

11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m.

ATS 129

Instructor:

Name

Phone

Email

Office

Michael P. Conlon, Ph.D.

724-738-2143

michael.conlon@sru.edu

ATS 252

Office hours:  As indicated below, or by appointment.

Day

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Time

1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

 

10:30 a.m.-12:00m.

 

Office hours are for you. Please feel free to visit me to discuss any problems. Do not wait until problems become unmanageable. If I am doing other work during my office hours, I will gladly drop what I am doing to help you. If my office hours are inconvenient, see me before or after class and we will find a better time to meet.

Text: CMPTR, © 2012, by Pinard and Romer, Course Technology. ISBN #978-1-111-52799-0.

Important dates:

Section

Exam 1

Exam 2

Late Work

Deadline

Final

1

Feb 12

Apr 21

Apr 28

Wed, May 7, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

4

Fri, May 9, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Grading: 

Projects

Lab Work

Class Exams

Final Exam

Attendance, etc.

25%

20%

30%

15%

10%

Supplies: You will need a USB flash-memory stick for saving files. Be sure to put your name on it! On both parts if it comes apart! You will want to have a pair of earphones with a miniature phone plug for the Audacity project. Most cell-phone or MP3-player earphones will suffice.

Software: You will find it convenient to have Microsoft Office 2011, the GIMP, and Audacity on your computer. Office is proprietary and purchasing it may be expensive. Audacity and the GIMP are free, open-source software and may be downloaded from audacity.sourceforge.net and www.gimp.org respectively. If you do not have these programs on your computer, you will have to access them in our classroom and ATSH room 230. Some or all of this software is not available in other SRU labs, and room 230 is not available when classes are being held in that room.

Grading Policy: To pass you must take all exams, submit all assignments, and earn a passing grade. Late projects will receive a grade of zero, but nonetheless must be submitted for you to pass. No late assignment will be accepted after Monday, April 28. No assignment will be accepted after the last class of the semester. Of course, exceptions will be made in extraordinary circumstances.

Lab Policy:

Attendance, reading, and participation:

Plagiarism policy:

Electronic Devices Policy: No electronic communication, computation, or entertainment devices may be used in exams. Cell phones must be turned off during exams, and placed under your seat or in your backpack. Use of electronic entertainment devices during lecture and lab time is inappropriate.

Email: I will occasionally communicate with the class via electronic mail. Assignments may be announced this way. You are responsible for checking your SRU email regularly.

Course Philosophy: While a large portion of this course is dedicated to training in computer application programs, it is important to realize that training in specific computer applications is of only ephemeral value. Next year, or next month, newer versions of these applications may be released, or competing programs may supersede them in the marketplace, rendering your training largely obsolete. Rather, it is the purpose of this course to teach you the principles of computing, and principles do not change very rapidly. We use the applications somewhat for their immediate utility, but primarily as examples of these general principles. Armed with knowledge of these principles of computing, you will be more able to adapt to the changes in the technology so that what you learned in this course will still be of significant value to you when these applications are a distant memory. Please understand that the material covered in lecture classes is, in the long term, more important than what is covered in lab.

Course Outcomes: This course and its outcomes support the Information Systems Learning Outcomes of Problem Solving and Critical Thinking (PS&CT), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (C&IS), and Ethical and Professional Responsibilities (E&PR). These Information Systems Learning Outcomes are tied directly to the University Wide Outcomes of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Communication, and Values and Ethics.

 

Course  Objectives

Departmental Learning Outcomes

The student  will be able to:

  1. 1.Define or identify terms and concepts as  they  are commonly used in the field of computers.  [PS&CT e; C&IS a, b, d, e]  

  2. 2.Maintain files using at least one operating system and/or operating environment. [PS&CT e]  

  3. 3.Demonstrate the use of fundamental concepts of various software packages such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database. [PS&CT c; C&IS b]  

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking.

Solve abstract and complex problems  using software design methodology.  Make  informed choices among alternative solutions.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills.

Use written, oral and electronic methods for effective communication.

Calendar (tentative)

Date

Subject

Reading

Jan

22

Introduction

Ch. 1

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27

Windows and the Graphical User Interface

Ch. 7

 

29

 

 

 

31

Managing Files

Ch. 8

 

 

 

Feb

3

The GIMP: photo retouching

Beginner  section of http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/

 

5

GIMP lab

 

 

7

Computer Hardware

Ch. 2

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

12

Exam 1; Computer Software

Ch. 3

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

Intro to MS Office

Ch. 9

 

19

 

 

 

21

Computer Networks

Ch. 4

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

26

MS Word: Creating a document

Ch. 10

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mar

3

MS Word: Formatting a long document

Ch. 11

 

5

 

 

 

7

MS Word: Enhancing a document

Ch. 12

 

 

 

 

 

10

Exam 2

 

 

12

The Internet and Email

Ch. 5

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

Network and Internet Security and Privacy

Ch. 6

 

26

 

 

 

28

Excel: Creating a Workbook

Ch. 13

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

Apr

2

Excel: Formatting a Workbook

Ch. 14

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Excel: Working with Formulas and Functions

Ch. 15

 

9

Excel: Inserting and Formatting Charts

Ch. 16

 

11

Excel project

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

Audacity: processing audio data

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help

 

16

Audacity Lab

 

 

18

Intro to Databases

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

Exam 2

 

 

23

Access: Creating a Database

Ch. 17

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

Access: Maintaining and Querying a Database. Late work deadline.

Ch. 18

 

30

 

 

May

2

Creating Forms and Reports

Ch. 19

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Section 1 Final: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m

 

 

9

Section 4 Final: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m