Course Syllabus
CPS425 – Internship
Purpose:
According to many – “experience is the best teacher.” Here’s the opportunity to gain
valuable instruction through an internship. This job experience will also add something
every future employer will want - someone with job experience and not just an
education.
Course Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Recognize and perform successfully the duties of a IT employee.
2. Understand how successful systems are developed and function.
3. Identify the potential problems that exist within an IT department and the needed
solutions.
Prerequisites: Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
Course Expectations:
A. Learning Plan
Students are required to complete a written “learning plan” which is acceptable to
both the employer and internship advisor.
B. Contact Hours
Students are required to complete a minimum of 72 contact hours. The actual
distribution of the hours for the semester will be arranged with the student’s
employer.
C. Performance Evaluation
At the completion of the internship, the student will complete a written selfevaluation and request an evaluation from their employment supervisor.
D. Writing Assignments
Student are to complete and turn-in four writing assignments:
1. Students are to complete a written paper that demonstrates an
understanding of the business where they were employed. The content of
this paper should include the following: description of the business and its
products/service, description of the company’s competitive position within
its markets, organizational structure of the business, description and
evaluation of the company’s information systems and possible future
direction the company is undertaking. 3-6 PAGES.
2. Students are to submit a “work product.” This should be a paper that
demonstrates a significant level of accomplishment on the job. 3-10
PAGES. Alternative ways of demonstrating accomplishment on the job
may be arranged with the internship advisor.
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CPS425 – Internship
Course Syllabus
3. Students are to prepare a “letter” as if they had been hired as a consultant
to management. Based on observations during the internship experience,
this letter should make recommendations to management for
improvements in the computer systems operation of the business. 2-4
PAGES.
4. Students are to author a case study about business/technology ethics
based on a real or potential issue related to their job. 2-3 PAGES.
Summary:
30% Performance Evaluation
70% Written Assignments
100%
Grading Scale:
A: <=100% >=95%
B: <86% >=84%
C: <76% >=74%
D: <66% >=64%
A-:
B-:
C-:
D-:
<95%
<84%
<74%
<64%
>=90%
>=80%
>=70%
>=60%
B+: <90% >=86%
C+: <80% >=76%
D+: <70% >=66%
F: <60% >=0%
Being Responsible:
At times, the amount of work required may seem insurmountable – however it is
expected that each student be responsible to strive to do his or her best. On this note,
pilfering or borrowing answers from a classmate or other resource is not acceptable. It
will result in a failing grade and any further action deemed appropriate by the college.
Policy Statement on Extensions and Incompletes:
Extensions of the due dates for assignments or the semester project will be given in the
event of extenuating circumstances (such as illness, personal emergency) If you submit
a brief written request to the professor as soon as possible after the circumstances arise.
This request will be initialed (if approved) and will be returned to you. You must attach it
to the piece of work for which the extension was granted.
A grade of Incomplete will be given without penalty if you are unable to complete the
course work by the last day of the term due to major illness or other similar emergency.
Again, a written request should be submitted. Such a request will only be granted if you
are substantially up-to-date with your course work and were making good progress in
the course up to the time that the difficulty arose. Of course, you must complete all work
for the course by the midpoint of the next semester in accordance with College policy.
Students with Disabilities:
Gordon College is committed to assisting students with documented disabilities (see
Academic Catalog Appendix C, for documentation guidelines). A student with a disability
who may need academic accommodations should follow this procedure:
1. Meet with a staff person from the Academic Support Center (Jenks 412
X4746) to:
a. make sure documentation of your disability is on file in the ASC,
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Course Syllabus
CPS425 – Internship
b. discuss the accommodations for which you are eligible,
c. discuss the procedures for obtaining the accommodations, and
d. obtain a Faculty Notification Form.
2. Deliver a Faculty Notification Form to each course professor within the first
full week of the semester; at that time make an appointment to discuss your
needs with each professor.
Failure to register in time with your professor and the ASC may compromise our ability to
provide the accommodations. Questions or disputes about accommodations should be
immediately referred to the Academic Support Center. See Grievance Procedures
available from the ASC.
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