CIS 3 – Page 1
Date Approved:
12/7/88
Date Scanned:
5/4/2005
Date Inactivated:
2/23/07
College of the Redwoods
CREDIT COURSE OUTLINE
DEPARTMENT AND COURSE NUMBER: CIS 3
DEGREE APPLICABLE
NON-DEGREE APPLICABLE
FORMER NUMBER (If previously offered) BDP 3
COURSE TITLE
PROBLEM SOLVING FOR COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
LECTURE HOURS: 3.0
LAB HOURS: 0
UNITS: 3.0
PREREQUISITE: NONE
Egibility for: Engl 150
Math 105
Request for Exception Attached
CO-REQUISITE: NONE
GRADING STANDARD:
Letter Grade Only
TRANSFERABILITY:
CSUS
UC
Articulation with UC requested
Repeatable
yes
no
CR/NC Only
NONE
Max No. Units
Grade/CR/NC Option
Maximum Class Size 50
Max No. Enrollments
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Provides the student with fundamentals of computer based solutions for use with microcomputer
productivity packages including word processing, spreadsheet, and data management software.
NOTE:
COURSE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES: List the primary instructional objectives of the class. Formulate
some of them in terms of specific measurable student accomplishments, e.g., specific knowledge and/or
skills to be attained as a result of completing this course. For degree-applicable courses, include
objectives in the area of “critical thinking.” Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to:
1. understand the basic concepts of variables, constants, data types, operators, hierarchy of
operations, mathematical expressions, and structure for computer based solutions;
2. plan the nest tine efficient way to formulate a document using a full featured word processor;
3 analyze, design and plan a worksheet template for use with a full featured spreadsheet package;
4. analyze, design, and plan a database for use with a DBMS package.
CIS 3 – Page 2
Date Approved:
12/7/88
Date Scanned:
5/4/2005
Date Inactivated:
2/23/07
COURSE OUTLINE:
Introduction
Basic Concepts
Variable vs. Constants
Data Types
Operators/Hierarchy of Operations
Functions
Mathematical Expressions
Problem Solving for Word Processing
Document Planning
Features and How to Implement Them
Formatting a Document
Cut and Paste
Merging of Documents
Structures
Sequential, Decision, Loop Case
Problem Solving for Spreadsheets
The Cell
Features and How to Implement Them
Pre-analysis
Formulas
Templates
Post Analysis
Problem Solving for DBMS
DBMS vs. Record Management
Planning a DBMS
File design
Report design
Programming in a DBMS language
Problem Solving for Other Productivity Packages
% of Classroom Hours Spent on Each Topic
3%
20%
15%
7%
25%
25%
5%
CIS 3 – Page 3
Date Approved:
12/7/88
Date Scanned:
5/4/2005
Date Inactivated:
2/23/07
APPROPRIATE TEXTS AND MATERIALS: (Indicate textbooks that may be required or recommended,
including alternate texts that may be used.)
Text(s)
Title:
Problem Solving & Programming Concepts
Required
Edition:
1st
Alternate
Author:
Sprankle
Recommended
Publisher: Merrill
Date Published: 1989
(Additional required, alternate, or recommended texts should be listed on a separate sheet and attached.)
For degree applicable courses the adopted texts have been certified to be college-level:
Yes. Basis for determination:
is used by two or more four-year colleges or universities (certified by the Division Chair or
Branch Coordinator, or Center Dean)
OR
has been certified by the LAC as being of college level using the Coleman and Dale—Chall
Readability Index Scale.
No. Request for Exception Attached
If no text or a below college level text is used in a degree applicable course must have a minimum of one
response in category 1, 2, or 3. If category 1 is not checked, the department must explain why substantial
writing assignments are an inappropriate basis for at least part of the grade.
1. Substantial writing assignments, including:
essay exam(s)
term or other paper(s)
written homework
reading report(s)
laboratory report(s)
other (specify) _____
If the course is degree applicable, substantial writing assignments in this course are inappropriate
because:
The course is primarily computational in nature.
The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
Other rationale (explain) Problem solving – problems for the computer using application software
concepts.
2. Computational or Non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
exam(s)
quizzes
homework problems
laboratory report(s)
field work
other (specify)_______
3. Skill demonstrations, including:
class performance(s)
other (specify)____
4. Objective examinations, including:
multiple choice
completion
field work
performance exam(s)
true/false
matching items
other (specify) Problems, short answer
5. Other (specify) ____________________________________
NOTE: A course grade may not be based solely on attendance.
CIS 3 – Page 4
Date Approved:
12/7/88
Date Scanned:
5/4/2005
Date Inactivated:
2/23/07
REQUIRED READING, WRITING, AND OTHER OUTSIDE OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
Over an 18-week presentation of the course, 3 hours per week are required for each unit of credit. ALL
Degree Applicable Credit classes must treat subject matter with a scope and intensity which require the
student to study outside of class. Two hours of independent work done out of class are required for each
hour of lecture. Lab and activity classes must also require some outside of class work. Outside of the
regular class time the students in this class will be doing the following:
Study
Answer questions
Skill practice
Required reading
Problem solving activity or exercise
Written work (essays/compositions/report/analysis/research)
Journal (reaction and evaluation of class, done on a continuing basis throughout the
semester)
Observation of or participation in an activity related to course content (e.g., play, museum,
concert, debate, meeting, etc.)
Field trips
Other (specify) ____________________________
COLLEGE LEVEL CRITICAL THINKING TASKS/ASSIGNMENTS:
Degree applicable courses must include critical thinking tasks/assignments. This section need not be
completed for non-degree applicable courses. Describe how the course requires students to
independently analyze, synthesize, explain, assess, anticipate and/or define problems, formulate and
assess solutions, apply principles to new situations, etc.
Students will be required to analyze problems and formulate a solution in using word processing,
spreadsheets and database management systems software. This will be performed through the use of
scenarios that need to be analyzed, followed by the designing of solutions.
The emphasis is placed upon design efficiency and effectiveness.