Miami Dade College North Campus
Computer Information Systems
Course Syllabus
CGS1060 Introduction to Microcomputer Usage
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Instructor E-mail:
Web page:
Michael J. Walton
1256-15
305-237-1211
Michael.Walton@mdc.edu
http://faculty.mdc.edu/mwalton/
Course Description:
This is an introductory level course that satisfies the College’s computer competency requirement. Students will learn essential
computer concepts and skills as well as knowledge of how to use current software applications. Topics include word processing,
spreadsheets, database, presentation software, email, Internet, and legal and ethical issues concerning the use of computers and
the Internet. Laboratory fee. (3 hr. lecture; 2 hr. lab)
Required Course Materials:
Each student is REQUIRED to OBTAIN the following:
1. USB Drive
2. GO! MICROSOFT OFFICE 2013 PACKAGE MIAMI DADE NORTH
Author: Gaskin
ISBN:
GRADE COMPOSITION:
Tests
Homework
50%
50%
ASSIGNMENTS:
Homework will be given a due date with a grace day. Late homework will have 10 points deducted for each day after the due day
and must be submitted within 7 school days from the due date.
Makeup exams will be allowed by the instructor only if contacted prior to the next class session and the student has a valid excuse.
GRADING SCALE:
Use the following grading scale to determine the letter grade:
A - 90-100
B - 80-89
C - 70-79
D - 60-69
F - 0-59
Academic Honesty:
Don’t cheat! If you are caught cheating you will receive zero points of that assignment. If you are caught a second time you will
receive an F for the course! Allowing another student to copy your work is cheating.
Withdrawal:
It is your responsibility to withdraw/drop. If you choose to drop the course please process the necessary paperwork with the
registrar’s office. If you fail to attend 4 consecutive classes (2 for night classes) you may be administrative withdrawn (purged) from
the class.
Incomplete Policy:
A grade of incomplete will only be given in extenuating circumstances as defined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities manual.
In addition, you must have completed at least ¾ of all the course work in order to be granted an incomplete.
In order to receive an incomplete the student must make a request to the instructor in writing with documentation to support
his/her request, the instructor must approve the request, and both the instructor and the student must fill-out and sign an
Incomplete Contract Form to be submitted to the CIS department with the class grades.
Classroom Conduct:
Any acts of classroom disruption that go beyond the normal rights of students to question and discuss with instructors the
educational process relative to subject content will not be tolerated, in accordance with the Academic Code of Conduct described in
the Student Handbook.
Children in Class:
Children are not allowed in the classroom or in the computer labs. Please contact Childcare services at 305 237-1019.
Electronic Devices:
Cellular phones, pagers, CD players, radios, and similar devices are prohibited in the classroom.
ADA:
If you are in need of ADA accommodations please contact the Access Services Department at 305 237-1272.
Course Competencies:
Competency 1: The student will demonstrate general knowledge of computer concepts by:
1. Describing the principle hardware components of a personal computer.
2. Describing the proper use and handling of portable data-storage devices.
3. Distinguishing between a computer operating system and application software.
4. Identifying common types of computer application software (such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, webbrowsing, and email) and their uses.
Competency 2: The student will demonstrate knowledge of a personal computer operating system by:
1. Defining and describing the components of a typical operating system interface.
2. Identifying the components of an interface window.
3. Maximizing, minimizing, restoring, moving, and resizing windows.
4. Creating, naming, renaming, copying, moving, and deleting files.
5. Creating, naming, renaming, copying, moving, and deleting folders and subfolders.
6. Navigating through folders and subfolders to retrieve saved files.
7. Formatting a storage device.
8. Opening and closing an application.
9. Managing and recovering from application errors.
Competency 3: The student will demonstrate knowledge of word-processing software by:
1. Creating, saving, editing and printing a document file.
2. Formatting text, paragraphs, and documents.
3. Checking the spelling and grammar of a document.
4. Opening and navigating through the “Help” system.
5. Setting margins and tabs.
Competency 4: The student will show knowledge of spreadsheet software and its uses by:
1. Locating and identifying the components of the worksheet.
2. Entering data on a worksheet and using formulas to perform calculations.
3. Defining the capabilities and uses of spreadsheets, including basic spreadsheet functions e.g. SUM, AVERAGE.
4. Effectively using formulas that contain more than one arithmetic operator.
5. Using the fill handle to copy formulas to a range of cells.
6. Formatting worksheets using various formatting techniques.
7. Creating charts and graphs using the chart wizard.
8. Importing and analyzing external data.
9. Using the “Help” system.
Competency 5: The student will demonstrate the ability to create presentations using presentation software by:
1. Selecting a design template and applying it to a presentation.
2. Adding text, pictures, objects, and multimedia elements to a slide.
3. Inserting, deleting, copying, and moving slides.
4. Formatting and editing a presentation using the outline view and the slides pane view.
5. Creating headers and footers.
6. Switching views.
7. Presenting a slide show.
8. Printing presentations, slides, and notes.
9. Using the “Help” system.
Competency 6: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the ethical use of computers by:
1. Distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate use of technology in an academic setting regarding plagiarism (such
as in internet research).
2. Describing what constitutes intellectual property rights infringement.
3. Distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate use of technology in a professional setting.
4. Distinguishing between legal and illegal file-sharing practices in a network such as the internet.
Competency 7: The student will demonstrate an understanding of basic computer security practices by:
1. Identifying the ways in which a computer virus can infect a computer (such as through an email-attachment, loading a file
from a disk or through a file-sharing network).
2. Describing the most common threats to computer security, such as viruses, worms, spam, etc.
3. Identifying practices to safe-guard a computer from security threats such as viruses and hacking (such as firewalls, virus
scanners, and passwords).
4. Identifying privacy issues and solutions (such as phishing and identity theft, etc).
Competency 8: The student will demonstrate proficiency in using the internet by:
1. Distinguishing between an email address and an internet website address.
2. Using a website address and a web-browser to navigate to a specific website.
3. Using an internet search engine to find a website on a specific topic.
4. Saving a web-address as a “favorite” or “bookmark” for later reference.
5. Formulating strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply online information.
6. Identifying uses of online collaborative tools.
Competency 9: The student will demonstrate proficiency in using internet email by:
1. Identifying the standard form of an internet email address.
2. Creating, sending, and forwarding an email message with a file attachment to individuals and to multiple recipients.
Competency 10: The student will show knowledge of database software and its uses by:
1. Defining the capabilities and uses of a relational database management system.
2. Locating and identifying the components of a database.
3. Creating and modifying tables, queries, forms, and reports.
4. Identifying relationships between tables.
5. Entering data into tables and forms.
6. Retrieving information from a database by using query and filter tools.
7. Using the “Help” system.
General Education Outcomes:
Purpose: Through the academic disciplines and co-curricular activities, General Education provides multiple, varied, and intentional
learning experiences to facilitate the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills and the development of attitudes that foster
effective citizenship and life-long learning. As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
In this course, the communication outcome will be reinforced by student reading and following the instructions in the
textbook in order to successfully create the desired document. The document will be graded for grammar and spelling.
Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
This outcome is not reinforced in this course.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
In all fields, critical thinking is an essential skill. You must be able to determine a logical sequence of steps to answer
questions and solve problems. You must also use these skills to solve the practical problems of managing multiple priorities
in your life, now and in the future. Therefore, critical and creative thinking are heavily reinforced in this course.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
This outcome is not reinforced in this course
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
This outcome is not reinforced in this course.
Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
This outcome is not reinforced in this course.
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
Ethical dilemmas appear constantly in life when using techology. As we get older, these dilemmas affect not only our own
lives, but also the lives of others and the whole of society. Understanding how to identify, think about, and resolve these
situations interacts with cognitive development and allows us to take responsibility for the directions in which society
changes.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
In this course, the student will be required current technology to create, submit their homework, and review their grade.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
This outcome is not reinforced in this course.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.
This outcome is not reinforced in this course.