Introduction to Computers and Information Systems

Syllabus for COMSC 100 – 9082  ¿  Spring 2010  ¿   3 Units

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Meeting days/time:
Mon & Wed 9:30 am – 10:45 am

Lab – Mon 8:30-9:30am OR

            Wed 11am-12 noon

 

Instructor:
Mario Tejada Jr.

 

 

Classroom: SRC-E227

 

Office: SRC 121

Class Date: 1/25 – 5/28

 

Phone: 925-866-1822 ext 5125

Office Hours:
Mon & Wed 11am – 1pm @ SRC

Tues & Thurs 8:30am - 10am @ PHC

Select Thurs nights 6-8pm @ SRC

or By Arrangement at either campus

E-mail: mtejada@dvc.edu

 

 

Website: http://Webct.dvc.edu

 

 

 

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to computers and technology, how this technology is used in business, and some of the societal implications of computers and related technology. Topics include the history of computers, current computer technology and terminology, the Internet, software, systems, and societal issues related to computer use. A basic instruction in programming procedures and programming logic is provided.

This course is appropriate for the student with a general interest in this area as well as for the student desiring to pursue further training in computer science or information systems. This class – in combination with COMSC 100L - meets the Computer Literacy requirement for transfer to both CSU and UC campuses.

No prior computer experience is assumed.

 

At the end of this class students will be able to:

  1. Explain and use the basic vocabulary of Computer Science and information systems.
  2. Describe the components of a computing system.
  3. Perform basic computer programming procedures and programming logic.
  4. Describe the components of Corporate Information Systems.
  5. Comprehend information system development, capabilities, current and future applications, and societal impact.

Student Learning Outcomes being assessed this semester can be found at:

http://www.dvc.edu/slos?comsc-100

 

Required Text and Materials:

1.   Textbook: Understanding Computer: Today and Tomorrow, 12th Edition, by Morley and Parker.  Course Technology, 2008. (ISBN: 1-4239-2521-1) - Available at SRC

2.   USB – Flash Drive

3.   Internet Computer and MS Office Software (or an alternative)

 

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Teaching Methods and Methods of Evaluation:

1.   Class Meetings: Important material from the text and outside sources will be covered during our regularly scheduled class meetings. Regular attendance is critical and students should take careful notes. Discussion is encouraged, as is student-procured outside material relevant to topics being covered.

 

2.   Homework and Other Assignments: Exercises, projects, labs, and other activities will be periodically assigned to reinforce the material in the text. These assignments may require the use of a computer. Computer-based assignments can be completed on campus or at home, if you have a home PC with the appropriate software.

 

3.   Quizzes: Quizzes will be given via the class website on WebCT (http://webct.dvc.edu) to help ensure students stay up with reading assignments. There will be no make-up quizzes. (16 Quizzes + 20 Questions each + 1 Point Each)

 

4.   Projects: There will be two projects. One based on the different software applications we will study. The second will be based on HTML programming.
Project Hand Outs will be distributed during class. (2 Projects at 100 points each)

 

5.   Exams: Three semester exams and a Final exam will be given for a total of 3 exams. The exams will be closed book/notes and are designed to test the students’ comprehension of material in the reading assignments, as well as any additional material discussed in class.
It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor PRIOR to the next class meeting if an exam is missed and a make-up exam is requested.(See Missed Classes)
(3 Exams at 100 points each)

 

6.   Internet Research Projects: Some assignments for this course will require the use of the Internet. Internet work can be completed at the campus or at home.

 

7.   Grading: Letter grades will be determined based on the percentage of possible points earned during the semester, as outlined below. The Instructor may change this if needed.

 

Grading Scale:

Evaluations

Qty

Points

Total

% Grade

A = 90%-100%

Exams

4

100

400

36%

B = 80%-89%

Quizzes

16

20

320

29%

C = 70%-79%

Internet Research

10

10

100

9%

D = 60%-69%

Apps Project

1

100

100

9%

F = Below 60%

HTML Code Project

1

100

100

9%

 

Participation

32

3

96

9%

 

Total Points =

 

 

1116

 

 

8.   Extra Credit – EC options will be explained in Class.


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Course Policies:

 

Withdrawal from Class Policy

If for any reason you need to stop attending class it is your responsibility to contact the admissions office and withdraw from the class. If you haven't dropped and your name shows up on the FINAL Class Roster I have to put an "F" – Sorry but it’s a School Policy.

 

Missed Classes

The student is responsible for obtaining material distributed on class days when he or she was absent. This can be done through contacting a classmate who was present or by contacting the instructor during office hours or by e-mail. Missed quizzes cannot be made up under any circumstances.
Missed exams are only given for the following excused absences:

 

School sponsored function

Religious Holiday

Jury Duty/Government obligation

Prior Arrangement with Instructor

Assignments
All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Late submission of assignments will be assessed a penalty of 10% per day. No exceptions.

 

Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism and cheating are serious violations of school policy and will not be tolerated. Cheating on an exam or assignment will result in receiving a zero for the entire exam or assignment and notification to the Dean of Student Life. DVC’s policy can be found at:
http://www.dvc.edu/org/info/policies/academic-dishonesty.htm

 

Classroom Courtesy – Respect
No food or drinks allowed in computer class. Turn off cells phones, pagers, and other electronic devices before entering the classroom.
The DVC Student Code of Conduct (http://www.dvc.edu/org/info/policies/code-of-conduct.htm) is posted on the DVC Website and pertains to both face to face and online courses.

 

Cell Phone Policy – If it Rings or If You send/receive a Text THEN you’re disturbing the class so…..You will bring Cookies to the Next Class Meeting as an Apology!
Homemade or Chips Ahoy – we don’t care, just bring the cookies!!

 

Student Privacy Rights Policy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a law that protects students from having their education records shared with people without the student giving their advance approval in writing.  (Education records include such things as grades, information from counseling appointments, academic standing, disciplinary records, to name a few.)  FERPA also gives students the right to see their education records.  If there is inaccurate or misleading information in their records, students can challenge it and try to get it changed.  Under FERPA, colleges must have students’ written permission to let parents, guardians, spouses, or others see or discuss their educational records, even if the student is present.  

 

DVC Students Privacy Policy is located at:

http://www.dvc.edu/org/info/policies/privacy.htm

 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, or if you would need assistance in the event of an emergency, please contact me as soon as possible.

 

Students who require alternative formats for course materials or adaptive equipment because of a specific disability can request them through the Disability Support Services office. The High Tech Center on the Pleasant Hill Campus (in LC-107) is an adaptive technology computer lab available for students with disabilities and is open Monday-Thursday from 9am-5pm, and Fridays from 9am-1pm. Please contact Carrie Million in LC-112 or at 925-685-1230 ext. 2553 for more information.

 

For information related to DVC Disabled Student Services go to:

http://www.dvc.edu/org/departments/dss/dss-student-handbook/program-services/index.htm

 

 

Important enrollment dates:

·         Feb 2nd – Drop with a Refund

·         Feb. 19th - Last Day to take the CR/NC option or to Drop without a "W"

·         April 30th - Last Day to Drop with a "W"

Census Date – Febt 8th

You MUST have submitted at LEAST 1 ASSIGNMENT to me by this date or
I WILL DROP YOU from the class - this is to verify that you are REALLY taking this class!

 

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Assignment Calendar
Subject to Change by the Instructor
Revised on 4-8-10

 

    

Date

Assignments Due

Homework

1

Mon

25-Jan

Class Orientation

Log in to WebCT, Discussion Board & Take Practice

2

Wed

27-Jan

HTML Day

Meet your Lab partners

3

Mon

1-Feb

Chapter 1

Read Chapter

4

Wed

3-Feb

 

Internet Research #1 - Storage Devices

5

Mon

8-Feb

Chapter 2

Read Chapter

6

Wed

10-Feb

 

Internet Research #2 - Purchase a PC

 

Mon

15-Feb

Prez Holiday

 

7

Wed

17-Feb

Chapter 3

Read Chapter

8

Mon

22-Feb

 

Internet Research #3 - Computer Security

9

Wed

24-Feb

Chapter 4

Read Chapter

10

Mon

1-Mar

Progress

Report Day

11

Wed

3-Mar

Chapter 15

Read Chapter

12

Mon

8-Mar

Exam #1 -
Chpt 1-4

Complete ALL Quizzes for Chpt 1-4 by today

13

Wed

10-Mar

No Class 

Accreditation Team Visit

14

Mon

15-Mar

 

Internet Research #4 - Property Rights

15

Wed

17-Mar

Chapter 16

Read Chapter

16

Mon

22-Mar

 

Internet Research #5- Computer Ethics

17

Wed

24-Mar

Chapter 5

Read Chapter

18

Mon

29-Mar

Chapter 6

Internet Research #6 - OS or Utiliy Software

19

Wed

31-Mar

Exam #2 -
Chpt 15 -16

Complete ALL Quizzes for Chpt 15-16 by today

 

Mon

5-Apr

Spring

 

 

Wed

7-Apr

 

Break

20

Mon

12-Apr

Chapter 7

 

21

Wed

14-Apr

Chapter 8

Internet Research #7 - Application Software

22

Mon

19-Apr

Chapter 9

 

23

Wed

21-Apr

Chapter 10

Internet Research #8 - Web Browser Software

24

Mon

26-Apr

   

25

Wed

28-Apr

Exam #3 -
Chpt 5 -9

Complete ALL Quizzes for Chpt 5-9
by today;

26

Mon

3-May

Chapter 11

 

27

Wed

5-May

Chapter 12

Internet Research #9 - Internet Security

28

Mon

10-May

Chapter 13

 

29

Wed

12-May

Chapter 14

Internet Research #10 - Multimedia

30

Mon

17-May

 

 

31

Wed

19-May

Progress Report Day

Apps Project Due
HTML Project Due

32

Wed

26-May

FINAL EXAM  8am - 10am

Complete ALL Quizzes for Chpt 11-14
by today;

 

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