Computer Science Technology Department
Houston Community College
Department Phone Number: 713.718.6776
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Houston Community College
ITSC 1301 Introduction to Computers
Course Syllabus
Instructor
Name: Albert Gorup
Tel: 713.718.6776
Email: albert.gorup@hccs.edu
Course Reference Number (CRN): 73006
Course Description:
Course Level: Beginning
Overview of computer information systems. Introduces computer hardware, software,
procedures, and human resources.
Course Prerequisite(s): None.
Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH)
(Lecture, Lab) : Credit Hours 3.0 (Lecture 2, Lab 2)
Course
Location/Times
Stafford Campus - Room E106
Friday 9am - 2:30pm
Total Course Contact Hours: 60
Instructional
Materials
Discovering Computers Fundamentals with Microsoft Windows 7. Authors: Shelly, Vermatt,
Freund, & Enger. ISBN: Bundle 13:9780495970354, 10:0495970352. Publisher: Cengage.
Instructional
Methods (select one)
Face to Face
Type of Instruction: Lecture/Lab
Course Length (number of weeks): 12 Weeks
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Course Requirements, Policy, and
Course Calendar
Instructor's
Requirements
Points
20
20
20
20
20
100
Online Work
Mid-Term
Term Project
Final Exam
Class Participation
Total
Instructor Grading
Criteria
RUBRICS will be distributed detailing exactly what type of work is required to earn an A, B, C,
etc.
Course Calendar
Based on Windows basic operating system study three chapters and computer literacy study twelve chapters
DATE
Sept. 30
W EEKLY TOPICS OUTLINE DESCRIPTION
Course Overview: Course Syllabus and Topic Outline
Microsoft Windows Vista Ch. 1 Fundamentals of Using Microsoft Windows 7
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 1
Introduction to Computers
Oct. 7
Microsoft Windows Vista
Fundamentals of Using Microsoft Windows Vista, Continued
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 1
Introduction to Computers Learn it Online Practice Test.
Microsoft Windows Vista CH. 2: Working on The Windows VISTA Desktop
Oct. 14
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 2 The Internet and the World Wide Web
Learn it Online Practice Test.
Microsoft Windows Vista Continue with Ch. 2
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 3 Application Software Learn it Online
Practice Test.
Project: Individual projects will be assigned
Microsoft Windows VISTA
CH. 3: File and Folder Management Complete Hands on exercises on pages WIN 149
through WIN 210
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 4
The Components of the System Unit
Oct. 21
Oct. 28
Microsoft Windows VISTA CH. 3: File and Folder Management
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 4
The Components of the System Unit Learn it Online Practice Test.
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 5
Input and Output
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 5
Input and Output Learn it Online Practice Test.
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 6
Storage Learn it Online Practice Test.
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DATE
Nov. 4
Nov. 11
Nov. 18
Nov. 25
Dec. 2
Dec. 9
W EEKLY TOPICS OUTLINE DESCRIPTION
Mid-Term Exam :
Discovering Computers Fundamentals Chapters 1- 6 – ScanTron Exam
Microsoft Windows VISTA: Hands on practical exam
Chapters 1, 2 and 3
NOTE: Mid-Term Exam is closed book, no notes
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 7
Operating Systems and Utility Programs
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 7
Operating Systems and Utility Programs
Learn it Online Practice Test.
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 8 Communications and Networks
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 9 Database Management.
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 9 Database Management (continued)
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 10 Computer Security, Ethics, and Privacy
Thanksgiving
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 11 Information System Development and
Programming Languages
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 11 Information System Development and
Programming Languages (continued)
Discovering Computers Fundamentals: Chapter 12 Enterprise Computing
Learn it Online Practice Test.
Individual Project Presentations in class
Individual Project Presentations in class
Dec. 16
Final Exam Review and Wrap-up
Final Exam: ScanTron Exam Discovering Computers Fundamentals Chapters 6 – 12
ATTENDANCE
Many of you are amazed to discover that the tuition that you pay to HCCS is only a small portion
of what your college course actually costs. The state of Texas is paying for most of your tuition.
Therefore, you are required to attend this class. Class attendance is the responsibility of the
student. It is also your responsibility to consult with me regarding your absence from a class,
preferably prior to the absence.
Class attendance is recorded daily by the instructor. A student may miss 12.5% of total class
hours which translates into two absences before being withdrawn from this course. More than
30 minutes tardy equates to two absences from class. Reports of excessive absence will be
sent, when appropriate, to the Veterans Administration, the Social Security Office and/or other
agencies responsible for aid to the student.
HCCS professors cannot assign a “W” for any student after the official withdrawal date:
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 4:30 pm. “Administrative withdrawals are the discretion of the
professor. If you are doing poorly in the class, but you have not contacted your professor to ask
for help, and you have not withdrawn by the official withdrawal date, it will result in you receiving
a grade of “F” in the course.
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Learning Objective, Students Learning Outcome, and
Program Spec
Note: This section of the syllabus provides the general course learning objectives, the expected students
learning outcome, the course scope in terms of the department program, and the instrument used to evaluate
the course. If you have any question, contact the instructor or the department.
HCC Grading Scale
Grade
A = 100- 90
B = 89 - 80:
C = 79 - 70:
D = 69 - 60:
59 and below = F
IP (In Progress)
W(Withdrawn)
I (Incomplete)
AUD (Audit)
GPA Points
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
1 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll
to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses.
To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of
semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect GPA.
Course Student Learning
Outcomes (SLO):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify the components of a computer system.
Use Common business applications software.
Explain the impact of computers on society.
Identify computer careers.
Identify fundamental programming structures.
Identify ethical use of computers.
Learning Objectives
Student Assignments
Refer to the course calendar
LATE ASSIGNMENTS and MAKE-UP POLICY
 You are expected to adhere to the weekly schedule of assignments printed in the
course syllabus. Assignments are correlated with student learning objectives.
 All assignments have a specific due date. All assignments for each session are due on
that due date, at beginning of the class session.
 Late assignments will only be accepted at the discretion of the instructor. Points are
deducted past due dates, one letter grade for each late day. That is, if you earn an A
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but turn in the assignment 2 days late then that assignment’s grade becomes a C.
No make-up exams will be given in this course.
If there is a documented catastrophic event, an extension may be granted. Under no
circumstances will an extension be granted for more than one (1) class day following
the student's return to class.
 Any assignment or quiz which is not submitted will earn a grade of zero.
It is your responsibility to obtain any handouts, material or course supplements that were
distributed in class or posted to the Internet during your absence.


Student Assessment(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Demonstrate proper file management techniques to manipulate files and folders in a
Windows based environment.
Assessment criteria under development
Use appropriate features from a commonly used word processing application
program to generate a document (or set of documents) that solves a contemporary
real-world problem.
Assessment criteria under development
Apply proper formatting techniques to a document draft so that it models a
previously formatted document.
Assessment criteria under development
Demonstrate the effective use of search engines to find reliable and relevant internet
resources.
Assessment criteria under development
Demonstrate effective oral presentation skills to present the results of an internet
search. May use a slideshow (created with a presentation graphics program) as a
visual aid.
Assessment criteria under development
Program/Discipline
Requirements:
Instructors will use syllabus that will satisfy CurricuUNET requirements and improve ongoing assessment of student-centered learning and teaching.
Academic Discipline/CTE
Program Learning
Outcomes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
SCANS and/or Core
Curriculum Competencies:
If applicable
SCANS
F1: Reading-locates, understands, and interprets written information in prose and
documents such as manuals, graphs, and schedules.
F6: Speaking-organizes ideas and communicates orally.
C8: Uses computers to process information
Use basic operating system functions
Identify the components of a computer system;
Use common business applications software
Explain the impact of computers on society
Identify computer careers; identify fundamental programming structures
Identify ethical use of computers
Every semester, calendar based weekly learning material (reading, hands exercises for inclass, web enhanced, or online assignments, and scheduled quiz/test/exam) will be posted
as part of the syllabus.
HCC Policy Statement
Access Student Services
Policies on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
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Distance Education and/or Continuing Education Policies
Access DE Policies on their
Web site:
http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Access CE Policies on their
Web site for non-credit
classes:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
Competencies: If applicable
DISABILITY SUPPORT
SERVICES
Students experience difficulties in courses for a variety of reasons. "Any
student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric,
vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations
must contact the Disability Services Office at your college at the beginning of
each semester. Instructors are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office." If you
need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please
let me know as soon as possible.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICES:
System:
713.718.5165
Northeast: 713.718.8420
To visit the ADA Web site, log on to www.hccs.edu, click Future Students,
scroll down the page and click on the words Disability Information. At any
point in the semester, if you encounter difficulty with the course or feel that
you could be performing at a higher level, consult with me. For problems
with writing skills or time management, contact the Student Support Services
Program at 713-718-7799.
Computer Science Technology Department
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