SYLLABUS HANDOUT
for
Spring/2003-2004
Microcomputer Fundamentals
MCT 103 1B
Alan R. Reinarz, Instructor
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 1B, Microcomputer Fundamentals
Academic Year
03/SP
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:
Alan R. Reinarz
LOCATION OF CLASS:
EVC 159
LOCATION OF LABS:
EVC 157
METHODS OF CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR:
areinarz@metropo.mccneb.edu
http://cot.mccneb.edu/areinarz
METRO OFFICES
HOURS*
LOCATION
PHONE
FAX
M/W 1:00p-2:30p
EVC 156
289-1364
289-1405
M/W: 4:00p-5:00p
SOC MAH 300
738-4089
738-4553
T: 4:00p-5:00p
FOC 008 203
457-2624
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:
DATE CLASS BEGINS:
DATE CLASS ENDS:
LAST DATE TO DROP CLASS:
DATES CLASS DOES NOT MEET:
(402) 556-3071
3/10/2004
5/24/2004
5/9/2004
none
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:
MCT-125 Keyboarding or 20 wpm typing and
High School Algebra or MAT 100 level
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COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Recognize and identify the basic components of a computer system and identify the
concepts and terms most often associated with computer literacy.
Use introductory Windows skills along with how to work with programs, identify
standard naming conventions, format floppy disks, and 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 browser
interface.
Create, edit and enhance Word files.
Design, create, edit and enhance Excel spreadsheets.
Use formulas in spreadsheets and employ absolute and relative cell referencing.
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.
Understand the basic strategies of buying a PC.
REQUIRED/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
1.
Textbooks:
A: Computer Concepts Fourth Edition, Illustrated Series Brief, Parsons/Oja, Course
Technology, 2002, ISBN 0-619-10933-5
B: Microsoft Office XP, Windows XP Edition, Illustrated Series, Introductory,
Beskeen/Duffy/Friedrichsen/Reding, 2003, Course Technology, ISBN 0-619-11186-0
C: SAMxp & TOM, Course Technology, 2003, ISBN 0-619-17350-5
2.
The student will need to purchase three high-density 3.5” floppies for this course.
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%.
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.
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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 these types
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 in 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).
The above paragraph does not in any way negate the Academic Honesty Statement or each
student’s responsibility to safeguard his or her works which constitute solutions to the
College’s assignments and tests from access by any other students now and for all time.
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
operational security. During monitoring, information may be examined, recorded, copied and
used for authorized purposes. All information, including personal information, placed on or
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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 1100 points for the
course. For example, a 100% on one test is equal to 100 points. You must accumulate at least
759 points to pass this course.
TESTS = 200 points • LABS = 800 points • ATTENDANCE = 100 points
POINTS TO PASS WITH A “D”= 759 • TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE = 1100
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FINAL COURSE GRADE:
A = 1015–1100 • B = 930–1014 • C = 844–929 • D = 759–843 • F = 0-758
MAKE-UP TEST PROCEDURES: There will be no make-up test for this course.
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.
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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
3/10/
2004
Syllabus Review/Orientation
Request E-mail accounts
3/15
2
3/17
3/22
Recognize and identify the basic components of a
computer system.
Understand the concepts and terms most
associated with computer literacy.
Identify the basic components of the Windows
operating system
Identify components of the GUI interface.
How to launch and close applications.
3
3/24
3/29
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.
Chapters:
Assignments:
Computer Concepts:
Unit A, pp 1 – 13
Unit B, pp 33 – 55
Unit C, pp 66 – 87
Unit D, pp 100 – 107
1
Microsoft Office XP:
Windows XP, Unit A:
All pages
2
Computer Concepts:
Unit D, pp 108 – 119
Microsoft Office XP:
Windows XP, Unit B:
All pages
Appendix A
3
Computer Concepts:
Unit A, pp 14 - 27
Microsoft Office XP:
Internet Section, Unit A:
All pages
4
Microsoft Office XP:
Word 2002 Section,
Units A, B, C and D
5
Microsoft Office XP:
Excel 2002 Section,
6
Be introduced to directory structure and path.
4
5
6
7
3/31
4/5
4/7
4/12
4/14
4/19
4/21
4/26
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.
Mid-Term
Identify the basic components of Microsoft Word
2002, create documents, save documents to
floppy disk, 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
2002, create work sheets, use formulas, use
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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 2002.
8
4/28
5/3
9
5/5
5/10
Plan, develop basic bulleted slides, add slide
notes, print slide in different formats and launch
slide presentations.
10
5/12
5/17
5/19
5/24
Identify the basic strategies with buying a PC
and the decision process.
Final
11
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Units A and B
Microsoft Office XP:
Excel 2002 Section,
Unit C
Access 2002 Section,
Unit A, pp A-1 thru A-5
Microsoft Office XP:
Power Point 2002
Section, Units A, B and
C
A Buyers Guide
7
8
9
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