Welcome to CSIS1
Intro to Computer Science and
Information Systems
(Based on UW’s Fluency with
Information Technology)
Please, take a syllabus
© 2004 Lawrence Snyder, modified by Steve Pearce
About CSIS1
Our book,
Fluency with Information Technology
-- FIT for short -- is the state-of-the-art
IT class for non-techies
• FIT is better than computer literacy
• FITness concept from NSF/NRC study
• FITness teaches how to use IT today
and how to learn IT throughout life
UW was first in the
US with a FIT class
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Being Fluent
CSIS1 teaches you to be Fluent with IT
What does that mean?
• You will use IT freely and easily
• Technology will not “be in the way”
• You will be able to recover from bugs,
errors or unexpected situations
• You will be in control and confident
… now and in the future
Becoming Fluent is no small feat!
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The Content
CSIS1 helps you become Fluent by
teaching …
 Skills, like email, word processing, …
 Concepts, like how networks work,
building Web pages with HTML, …
 Capabilities, like how to find accurate
information on the WWW, debugging, …
• Integrates content by using projects
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Lifetime of Learning
Why is lifelong learning emphasized?
• Consider a college education as a
“product” with a 55 year “useful life”
 What to teach the class of 1944?
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Lifetime of Learning
Why is lifelong learning emphasized?
• Consider a college education as a
“product” with a 55 year “useful life”
 What to teach the class of 1944?
• The first computer invented in 1946
• First packet sent on “Internet” in 1969
• PC as “Personal computer” used in ~1980
• WWW came “on the scene” in 1994
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Lifetime of Learning
Why is lifelong learning emphasized?
• Consider a college education as a
“product” with a 55 year “useful life”
 What to teach the class of 1944?
• The first computer invented in 1946
• First packet sent on “Internet” in 1969
• PC as “Personal computer” used in ~1980
• WWW came “on the scene” in 1994
No fixed set of topics is “everything” you need
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CSIS1
CSIS 1 is offered by Computer Science
& Information Systems Department
• CSIS 1 is based on UW’s Fluency class.
• CSIS 1 has no prerequisites except being a
student at MPC
• CSIS 1 is for “non technical” students and
students who may wish to explore a
technical career in computing
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Looking for a career?
• Computer science majors are often
among top in demand
 National Association Of Colleges And
Employers, Job Outlook 200X
• 7 of top 30 fastest growing occupations
are in the CS and CIS fields
 U.S. Department Of Labor, Bureau Of Labor
Statistics 2002-2012 Employment Projections
 www.bls.gov/emp/emptab3.htm
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Looking for a career?
• MPC CSIS Grads transfer to top schools in
California (Berkeley, Cal Poly, Davis, SJSU,
UCSC, Chico and many others)
• MPC CSIS Grads get jobs in local
community (software, system/network
administrators, web design, PC Tech)
• This class may turn you on to a lifelong
career
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Some careers of interest
Occupation
Projected 10
yr growth
Network/data systems analysts
57%
Software engineers, apps
46%
Software engineers, systems
45%
Database administrators
44%
Computer systems analysts
39%
Network/computer administrators
37%
Computer and information systems 36%
managers
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Is CSIS1 for You?
Take CSIS1 if you …
 Want to learn application & science of IT
 Want to prepare for a lifetime of
expanding your use of IT
 Want to have fun building web pages,
programming a “turtle” to draw pictures
 Can attend classes/labs or work on your
own
CSIS1 is worth it ... you’ll use this class for a lifetime
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But, Maybe Not
Do not take CSIS1 if
 You only want to learn a few skills like
word processing, email, Web, [CSIS50]
 You want a good grade with little work…
CSIS1 is not hard but it does involve a lot
of fun learning activities
 You expect someone else to do the work
CSIS1 is offered most terms …you can take it later
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Motivation is key
How well will you do…
• Students who perform well come to all
classes/labs, read the book, take all exams
• Students who do poorly skip classes/labs,
don’t attempt parts of projects …
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Taking CSIS 1 Is Worth It
Previous students said …
“I was initially intimidated but I am glad that I was able
to take the class. I learned much new information, that
will help me in the future.”
“This ended up being my favorite class. I enjoyed doing
the HTML, and programming was also REALLY fun. I
now feel comfortable with the basics and hope to
pursue more knowledge in the subject.
• If this isn’t the term, come back later!
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Class Mechanics
Text Book
Fluency with Information Technology L. Snyder, Addison-Wesley
Grading
All details are in the syllabus
• 12 Labs/Assignments
• 2 Projects
• 3 Midterm “Concept” Tests
• 1 Final “Skills” Test
• Relax--30 points are extra credit
(1 test, 1 project or 3 labs)
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Project1:
fake website
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Project 2
Algorithmic Art
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Summary
CSIS1 is a fun class that requires effort,
and it delivers knowledge you can
use now and throughout life
• CSIS1 is Skills, Concepts, Capabilities
• Good study habits are key to success
• Are you really new to computers? You can
also sign up for CSIS 71 Operating a personal
computer, 4 Saturdays, 9AM -1PM
CSIS1 may be the coolest class you ever take!
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