SYLLABUS HANDOUT
for
Fall, 2004
Microcomputer Fundamentals
MCT 103 7C
T/Th • 3:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
Alan R. Reinarz
Metropolitan Community College
Page 1 of 7
Revised: Jul-02
SYLLABUS
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SECTION I: THE CLASS AND THE INSTRUCTOR
COURSE SECTION AND TITLE:
MCT 103 7C, Microcomputer Fundamentals
Academic Year
04/FA
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:
Alan R. Reinarz
LOCATION OF CLASS:
SOC 125
LOCATION OF LABS:
SOC 127
METHODS OF CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR:
areinarz@mccneb.edu
http://cot.mccneb.edu/areinarz
METRO OFFICES
HOURS*
LOCATION
PHONE
FAX
M/T/W/Th: 1:30p-2:30p
W: 8:00a-9:00a
SOC MAH 300
738-4089
738-4553
M: 4:00p-5:00p
FOC 008 203
TBA
457-2946
*Stated office hours may need to be changed due to special circumstances or events. If the student wishes to meet with
the instructor at a time other than scheduled office hours, the student should make an appointment with the instructor.
Home phone:
IMPORTANT DATES:
(402) 556-3071
(Also, see the end of the syllabus.)
DATE CLASS BEGINS:
DATE CLASS ENDS:
LAST DATE TO DROP CLASS:
DATES CLASS DOES NOT MEET:
9/7/2004
11/18/2004
11/3/2004
SECTION II: THE COURSE
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces the student to computer literacy. Basic skills on a microcomputer are
developed by learning the operating system; organize and manage files; word processing by
creating, editing, formatting, manipulating text and printing documents; spreadsheet by
creating basic sheets with labels, values, formulas, formatting and edit cells, using absolute
and relative cell referencing; saving, previewing and printing sheets; presentation software by
creating a basic slideshow using headings and bullet statements, saving, and how to start a
presentation; and database to understand the differences between a flat file and relational
database using Microsoft® Office. Exploring how to access information using basic Internet and
electronic mail skills are also covered.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
The student must have a working knowledge of order of operations, decimals/fractions,
percentages and translation of story problems into a workable formula. 20 wpm keyboarding
skill recommended.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:
1.
Recognize and identify the basic components of a computer system and identify the
concepts and terms most often associated with computer literacy.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Use Windows skills along with how to work with programs, identify standard naming
conventions, formatting floppy disks, manage files using both My Computer and
Windows Explorer.
Have a basic understanding of the Internet and conduct basic searches and URL
entries.
Understand the concept of e-mail and send and receive e-mail using a Web-based e-mail
system.
Create, edit and enhance Word files.
Design, create, edit and enhance Excel spreadsheets.
Use formulas, functions, absolute and relative cell referencing in spreadsheets.
Understand the differences between a spreadsheet and a database table.
Plan and develop a slide presentation, build basic bulleted slides, edit and modify slide
text, add slide notes, print slides in different forms and launch the slide presentation.
Identify the responsibilities of the user in information and systems security.
Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of search engines (e.g. Google) to
subscription database services.
Identify and define the concepts and terms most often associated with information
literacy.
Identify examples of plagiarism and demonstrate proper citation respecting copyright
issues.
Describe the similarities and differences of library catalogs and other databases,
Conduct basic searches for information synthesized in a brief paper.
REQUIRED/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
1.
Textbooks:
Title:
Illustrated MS Office 2003
(Introductory)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Course Technology
Computer Concepts Illustrated, 5th
Edition, Introductory
1-418-81151-3
Sam/Tom 2003 Student Tutorial
2.
The student will need to purchase three high-density 3.5” floppies for this course.
3.
Students will be required to request a Metro Student E-mail account on the first day of
class.
SECTION III: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
METHODS OF LEARNING:
The student will have specific assignments to read and master. These assignments are
indicated in the course schedule and/or outlined by the instructor. The student should read
the material before each class meeting. This helps prepare the student to participate in class
discussion and better understand materials being presented. Students will be required to
request a student e-mail account for this class.
ATTENDANCE STATEMENT:
The course will be covered partially by assigned portions of the text and may be presented in a
sequence different from the text. Material will also be covered that is not in the text. Attendance
is necessary to understand the course material. Each student is expected to recognize the
importance of class attendance and promptness. CHRONIC TARDINESS AND ABSENCES MAY
RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE FINAL GRADE BY 10%.
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Excessive absences or unsatisfactory progress will subject the student to administrative
withdrawal from the course. If a student should miss a class for any reason, he/she is expected
to cover the material he/she missed on his/her own. All work must be made up to the
satisfaction of the instructor. Class assignments and labs can be printed from the instructor’s
Internet page at http://cot.mccneb.edu/areinarz.
STUDENT CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate and professional.
Surfing the Web, checking E-mail, sleeping and talking are inappropriate behaviors and are
disruptive to other students in the class. If you feel sleepy, you should stand in the back of the
room. The instructor may ask you in front of your classmates to not participate in this type of
behaviors or assess points from your class participation/attendance grade. Continuous display
of such behaviors is justification for the instructor to ask you to leave the room.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL:
If you cannot attend and complete this course, you should officially withdraw by calling Central
Registration, 457-5231. Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an instructor
withdrawal (IW) or failing (F) grade. The last date to withdraw indicated on the Important dates
sheet attached to this syllabus.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
The College imposes specific disciplinary actions in response to incidents of academic
misconduct [cheating, plagiarism, etc.]. These actions may include: admonition, failing grade,
failure of course, disciplinary probation, suspension and dismissal. A copy of the current
disciplinary procedure is available in each campus Student Services center and from your
Dean’s office.
USE OF STUDENT WORK
The ownership of student works submitted in fulfillment of classroom requirements shall
remain with the student(s): By enrolling in classes offered by Metropolitan Community College,
the student gives the College license to mark on, modify, and retain the work as may be
required by the process of instruction, as described in the course syllabus. The institution shall
not have the right to use the work in any other manner without the written consent of the
student(s).
Nothing in the preceding paragraph supersedes the provisions of the preceding section entitled
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAM
Metropolitan Community College is committed to continuous improvement of teaching and
learning. You may be asked to help us to accomplish this objective. For example, you may be
asked to respond to surveys or questionnaires. In other cases, tests or assignments you are
required to do for this course may be shared with faculty and used for assessment purposes.
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
As you pursue your educational objectives, you may be required to use computer information
technology resources at Metropolitan Community College. Use of these resources is a privilege
and carries with it a responsibility to respect the rights and privacy of others, the integrity of
facilities, and to follow Student Conduct Guidelines and College Policies. Uses of technological
resources, either on campus, connected through the Internet or by a dial-up connection are
required to comply with the college requirements for use. Computer systems, including all
related equipment, networks and network devices (specifically including Internet access), are
provided only for authorized Staff, Faculty and Students and may be monitored for lawful
purposes, including ensuring authorized use, for management of the system, to facilitate
protection against unauthorized access, and to verify security procedures, survivability and
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operational security. During monitoring, information may be examined, recorded, copied and
used for authorized purposes. All information, including personal information, placed on or
sent over this system may be monitored. Use of Metropolitan Community College technology
systems, authorized or unauthorized, constitutes consent to monitoring. Evidence of
unauthorized use collected during monitoring may be used for administrative, criminal or other
adverse action.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM AREA IDENTIFICATION:
Program Area
Computer Technology and Visual Arts
Academic Dean
Tom Pensabene
Academic Dean’s office phone
457-2660
The Office of the Academic Dean should be contacted with any questions or problems that your
instructor is not able to resolve to your satisfaction.
SECTION IV: INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
In each lecture during this course, the instructor covers material the student needs to learn
and accomplish. In addition, written handouts will be provided from time to time. These are
used to supplement the text material and expand the course. It is essential the student
practices principals covered in class and complete the labs.
Instruction consists mainly of lecture material presented by the instructor. In some classes,
group discussion and demonstration will be used. In all meetings, discussion opportunities will
be provided and the student is encouraged to ask questions and clarify information as the
instructor is lecturing and/or presenting material.
METHODS OF ASSESSING STUDENT PROGRESS
Grades will be determined by labs, tests, class attendance and participation and class
assignments. The student has the possibility to accumulate a possible 480 points for the
course. For example, a 100% on one test is equal to 100 points. You must accumulate at least
337 points to pass this course.
TESTS = 200 points
LABS = 180 points
ATTENDANCE = 100 points
POINTS TO PASS WITH A “D”= 337
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE = 480
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FINAL COURSE GRADE:
A = 445 - 480
B = 409 - 444
C = 373 - 408
D = 337 - 372
F = 0 - 336
MAKE-UP TEST PROCEDURES
There will be no make-up test for this course.
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LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments turned in late will lose 10% per class day for up to a week and will then receive a
grade of 0. No assignments will be accepted after the test has been given. All assignments must
be turned-in during class or dropped in the instructor’s mail box in the computer lab or office. I
will not accept homework in the hallway.
MAINTENANCE OF STUDENT RECORDS
Assignments will be returned to the students in class a week after the assignment is handed in.
Tests will be graded and returned to the students in the next class period after the test. A test
critique will be conducted to cover high miss areas.
SECTION IV: SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:
Week:
Date:
Topics:
1
2004
9/7
9/9
Syllabus Review/Orientation
Recognize and identify the basic
components of a computer system.
Understand the concepts and terms most
associated with computer and information
literacy.
Identify examples of plagiarism and
demonstrate proper citation respecting
copyright issues.
Identify the basic components of the
Windows operating system
Identify components of the GUI interface.
How to launch and close applications.
Format floppy disks and properly shut the
operating system.
Create folders, copy files, move files, create
shortcuts and move shortcuts to the
desktop.
Use My Computer and Windows Explorer to
manage files and folders.
Be introduced to directory structure and
path.
Distinguish between local, network and
floppy drives and establish basic file
management.
Understand and use basic e-mail using the
student e-mail Web client.
Identify basic network related terms, use
basic Internet browser skills and use basic
search skills on the Internet.
Compare and contrast the strengths and
weaknesses of search engines (e.g. Google)
to subscription database services.
Identify and define the concepts and terms
most often associated with information
literacy.
Describe the similarities and differences of
library catalogs and other databases,
Mid-Term
2
9/14
9/16
3
9/21
9/23
4
5
9/28
9/30
10/5
10/7
Metropolitan Community College
Chapters:
Assignments:
Computer Concepts:
Unit A, pp 1 – 13
Unit B, pp 35 – 59
Unit C, pp 72 – 99
Unit D, pp 110 – 115
Information Literacy
Handout
Assignment 1
Microsoft Office XP:
Windows XP, Unit A: All
pages
Assignment 2
Microsoft Office XP:
Windows XP, Unit B:
Pages: Windows XP B-8
– B-19
Appendix: Windows XP
Appendix-2 and
Appendix-3
Assignment 3
Computer Concepts:
Unit D: pp 116 - 125
Computer Concepts:
Unit A, pp 14 – 23
Unit E, pp 154 - 165
Microsoft Office XP:
Internet Section, Unit
A: All pages
Assignment 4
Information Literacy
Handout
Page 6
6
10/12
10/14
7
10/19
10/21
8
10/26
10/28
9
11/2
11/4
10
11/9
11/11
11
11/16
11/18
Identify the basic components of Microsoft
Word, create documents, save documents to
removable media, edit document content,
use copy and cut operations, insert tables
and print documents. Format Word
documents, change fonts, use borders and
shading, control line spacing, use text
aligning tools, change margins, insert
headings into documents.
Identify the basic components of Microsoft
Excel, create work sheets, use formulas, use
relative and absolute cell referencing, save
workbooks, preview sheets and print.
Format work sheets, use borders and
shading, use aligning tools, discuss tools
used to create charts; identify the basic
components of Microsoft Access.
Plan, develop basic bulleted slides, add slide
notes, print slide in different formats and
launch slide presentations.
Identify the responsibilities of the user in
information and systems security.
Conduct basic searches for information
synthesized in a brief paper.
Microsoft Office XP:
Word Section, Units A,
B, C and D
Assignment 5
Microsoft Office XP:
Excel Section, Units A
and B
Computer Concepts:
Unit C pp 82 and 83
Microsoft Office XP:
Excel Section, Unit C
and Unit D pp D-1 – D5
Microsoft Office XP:
Access Section, Unit A,
pp A-4 thru A-5
Microsoft Office XP:
Power Point Section,
Units A and B
Computer Concepts:
Unit F pp 175 – 201
Security Handout
Information Literacy
Handout
Assignment 6
Assignment 7
Assignment 8
Assignment 9
Final
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