| COURSE NUMBER: | CS115 | CREDIT HOURS: | 3 |
| COURSE TITLE: | Introduction to Computer Applications | CLOCK HOURS: | 45 |
| INSTRUCTOR: | Jim Chapman | OFFICE HOURS: | By appointment |
| OFFICE: | Room 219E | VOICE MAIL: | 453-5000 x5245 |
| EMAIL ADDRESS: | chapmanj@thomas.edu |
Shaffer, Ann, et.al. Microsoft Office 2007 Windows Vista Edition: First Course (New Perspectives Series) with CaseGrader. Course Technology: Boston; 2008.
This course introduces the student to a suite of software tools critical to academic and workplace success (word processing, spreadsheets, E-mail, Internet tools, presentation graphics, and database).
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
A (94 - 100) A- (90 - 93) B+ (87 -
89) B (83 - 86) B- (80 - 82)
C+ (77 - 79) C (73 - 76) C- (70 - 72) D+ (67 - 69) D (63 - 66)
D- (60 - 62) F (below 60)
Assignments: Assignments are found on the tentative assignment schedule, and are due on the Tuesday after being assigned. Unless otherwise directed, each assignment completed is to be printed out, stapled together or otherwise bound and turned in at the beginning of the class. All work is to be clearly labeled with the student's name, unit number, and assignment at the top. Early work is gladly accepted; late work is automatically assigned a zero unless previous arrangements have been made with the instructor. Missing a due date does not automatically provide an extension to the following class! Assignments submitted through Blackboard will not be accepted for credit unless otherwise noted.
Exams: Exams are given at the end of the basics, Word, Excel, and Access sections of the course. Exams are generally separated into 2 sections: theory and application. Theory tests are primarily multiple choice, 20-30 questions, and usually worth 40-50% of your total test grade. Application tests require use of the software program in a variety of topics covered during the section, and are worth the remaining 50-60% of the total test grade.
Final Exam: The final is modeled after the section exams, using between 50 and 100 multiple choice questions and a project using all of the software applications covered in the course. The final application section is provided up to 2 weeks before the end of the course as a take-home exam. The question section will be completed during the final exam period.
Integration Project: The integration project is divided throughout the textbook, and integrates the applications together. The project should be completed and bound together for submission.
CaseGrader Assignments: Additional assignments will be given using the CaseGrader program. These are cases that are downloaded and edited, then whose final project is uploaded to a server and automatically corrected. Cases will be assigned on most major components of the course.
Bonus Points: Bonus points may be earned, up to 5 per exam, through the use of the Additional Course Documents item in Blackboard. Under each item in this section are a practice test and a review test. Completing both of these items in 2 units of each section before the exam is taken will allow extra points on the test. Points will be based on the average score of all additional items completed. A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points, D=2 points, and F=1 point. Students taking the tests in 2 sections who do poorly may use the other sections to earn more points; however, the average of all tests taken will be used to determine the number of bonus points given.
Supplies:
E-portfolios allow students an opportunity to store work they feel demonstrates their proficiency in the four Thomas College Core Competencies of Communication, Leadership and Service, Analytical Reasoning and Community & Interpersonal Relations.
Materials can come from class projects, extra-curricular and work experiences. Because it's an electronic format a variety of file types can be stored in the portfolios. From documents and spreadsheets to music and photographs - the portfolio accommodates them all.
The portfolios are set up on the SharePoint Portal Server on the Thomas College system. If they choose, students may also decide to create a web-page styled version of their electronic portfolio.
Because of the nature of this course, class attendance is required and essential. If it is necessary to miss a scheduled class, the student must notify the instructor via voicemail, e-mail, or in person. If the class missed is an exam, make-up will be allowed only if the student contacts the instructor prior to the exam. If allowed, the make-up must be completed within one week. Failure to do so will result in a grade of “0”. More than 4 consecutive or 6 total absences may result in dismissal from the course for lack of attendance.
Lecture and lab times are provided to further student’s understanding of the material. Students using chat rooms, surfing the Internet, playing Solitaire, text/instant messaging, and using other similar diversions during lectures and discussions are disruptive to the rest of the class. This disruptive behavior may result in dismissal from the course. Please use these items appropriately.
It is expected that you will make use of any resources available to you as become proficient in the course objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining help from reference materials, other members of the class, and tutoring through the Learning Center. Items you submit for evaluation must represent your own work. It is permissible to obtain help from other persons when completing assignments, but you should make sure that you are able to reproduce any problem that required assistance without any help. Any departure from these guidelines will be considered cheating and dealt with according to the procedure outlined in the student handbook. Possible consequences range from receiving a “0” on the item to receiving a “0” for the course, but all consequences will be determined at the instructor’s discretion.
Students requiring academic accommodations to be successful in this course are encouraged to arrange a meeting with Ellen McQuiston, Director of the Center for Academic Success. At that meeting, strategies for success will be discussed, as well as any accommodations required for the classroom, which will then be communicated with the instructor.
ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USAGE ALLOWED IN THE LABS!Revision date: 1/7/2008