Syllabus CPT 150 Microcomputer Concepts Spring 2016
I. General Information
Course Number/Section: CPT 150-WB
Instructor Name: Judith Scheeren
Title: Microcomputer Concepts
E-mail: scheerenj@wccc.edu
Office Hours: W 12:30-2:30 TTH 12:30-2:00
Catalog Description:
This course introduces students to the Microcomputer and various state-of-the-art software
applications: word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation. The overall goal of the
course is to guide the student into becoming a proficient microcomputer user. Students are
provided with hands-on experience by using programs in the Microcomputer Laboratory.
Prerequisite(s): None
Note: CPT 150 WB is an online course. Instructional learning activities are online with some
completed independently and submitted in Blackboard for assessment. Some activities are
completed in SAM and assessed in SAM, a technologically-enhanced course supplement. Testing
occurs both in Blackboard and in SAM.
II. Required Text
The textbook is customized and required for WCCC students in CPT 150.
Note: Shrink wrapped package includes:
 Westmoreland County Community College CPT 150
Microcomputer Concepts Custom book;
 SAM 2013 and MindTap eReader printed access code;
 180 day trial version of Microsoft Office 2013
The book bundle is only available at the WCCC bookstore at the
Youngwood campus or Education centers. Books purchased used, online,
or rented will not have the required supplemental material.
 Students may purchase the MindTap eReader with the SAM 2013
Access code at the WCCC bookstore.
Textbook and SAM access are required because:
 Quiz questions come from them
 Assignments are there
 Reading assignments are there
 Practice exercises are there
III. Required Specific Equipment/Supplies
A. Furnished by student: one USB Flash drive (Online course students: Reliable Internet Access,
Internet Explorer, Windows 7 or 8 PC, Office 2013, and one USB Flash drive.) Note: registered
students can download and install a free version of Office 365. See Course Material in
Blackboard for details. This course requires the use of a Windows computer. A
Macintosh computer and Microsoft Office for the Macintosh is not acceptable.
B. Furnished by the college: Blackboard course management system and a student email account.
Computers with Windows 7 or 8, Internet Explorer, and Office 2013 are available at any WCCC
facility.
IV. Reference Materials
 Various computer books are available in the Learning Resource Center. The LRC also provides
access to print, non-print, and electronic information resources. WCCC Online Electronic
Resources: http://my.wccc.edu login and click the Library pull-down menu
 Student Class Files, grades, email available at: my.wccc.edu – Login, click Blackboard, click on
course name
V. Procedures
Revised: 1.18.2016 jas
1
A. Evaluation and Grading Scheme
Final course grade is weighted and based on total points accumulated over the semester with a
breakdown as follows:
Exams hands-on in SAM
30%
Assignments/SAM projects/SAM
training
30%
Class participation (CP)
10%
Final Cumulative Exam
30%
The following scale will determine grading for course: 90-100%=A; 80-89%=B; 70-79%=C; 6069%=D; 0-59%=F
B. Exams/Quizzes
Exams are administered in SAM after each major topic and are task based or hands-on exercises.
They will address chapter material as well as class discussion material. Make-up exams are not
permitted. No make-up for any exam. A cumulative final exam is required at the end of the
course.
C. Assignments:
There will be several assignments due each module during the semester. These are designed to
provide the student with activities to increase proficiency with the material presented in class.
Each assignment has a due date. Late assignments are not evaluated and receive no credit.
D. Projects -- Optional
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft PowerPoint projects may be
assigned for this course with specifications provided well in advance of the due date.
E. Attendance and Class Participation
Face-to-face students will participate in classroom activities and online students will make regular
submissions to a graded, threaded topical discussion board.
Any college class requires a time commitment from the student. You must plan to spend 6-9
hours per week outside of class time working on course material. This involves:
 Reading the assigned chapter
 Reading and reviewing lecture material presented in the classroom
 Completing textbook assignments
 Viewing and reporting findings from assigned Web sites
 Participating in classroom activities
For this to be a rewarding and positive educational experience you must manage your time
wisely. Develop a schedule for yourself so that you are completing course work on a regular
basis. This may be at the same time and day each week, or as time permits.
You should make every effort to attend all classes, arriving on time with the required materials
and ready to begin promptly. Irregular or casual attendance results in fragmented understanding
and poor performance. You are responsible for all work and all announcements made during
class.
F. Withdrawal Policy:
Students withdrawing before midterm will receive a "W" grade. Students withdrawing after midterm will receive a grade of "W" only if passing at the time of the request. There may be financial
aid issues associated with your withdrawal and you are encouraged to meet with a counselor
prior to completing the required withdrawal forms.
College Initiated Withdrawal for Lack of Performance
A college initiated withdrawal will be initiated for any student failing to login into this course in
Blackboard and/or participate in classroom activities for a period of three consecutive weeks.
G. Plagiarism and Cheating
Revised: 1.18.2016 jas
2
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any student
who is found to be an active participant, on either end, in any incident, will receive a grade of
zero for that assignment. Repeat incidents earn an F for the course.
H. Classroom Conduct
 Cell phones and other electronic devices not needed for the course are to be turned off
during class.
 The course will use computers with continuous Internet capability and “Surfing the
Net,” “chatting online,” or any other unauthorized extra-curricular activity during class is
not permitted.
 Students enrolling at the college assume obligations to conduct themselves in a manner
compatible with the college’s function as an educational institution. Your attention is
drawn to the WCCC Catalog and Student Handbook, in particular the sections
concerning the Code of Student Conduct, Disruptive Student Behavior, and Academic
Dishonesty.
 Only WCCC assigned student email address (userid@my.wccc.edu) is used for email
communication. Faculty WCCC email address is scheerenj@wccc.edu. Please enter the
course number in the subject line of your emails (CPT 150). You must also include your
full name in the body of the email.
VI. Students with Disabilities:
If you need an accommodation due to a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact Disabilities Services in Room 130 Founders
Hall, 724-925-4121; or Lauren Eicher, Counselor of Disabilities & Student Behavioral Intervention
Services, at eicherla@wccc.edu. Advance notice may be necessary for some accommodations to
be provided in a timely manner. Accommodations must be supported by adequate
documentation and are determined on an individual basis.
VII. Course Outline (available in Blackboard or attached)
VIII. Course Schedule Note: Although the instructor may deem it appropriate to deviate from the
following schedule, the basic design of the course will be:
Modules
Topics & Assignments
Dates
 Introduction to course, SAM 2013, WCCC Resources (Portal & email)
 Read Exploring the Basics of Microsoft Windows 7-SAM Path due January
21. Also complete the Getting Started with SAM training.
 Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 1 > Windows 7
Jan 19–
 Review Questions due January 22
1
Jan 24
 Introduction to SAM 2013 – eBook, videos and calendar
 Complete Case Problems 1 and 2 p. WIN 35-36 (See Windows 7 Optimized
PDF in Module One Assignment folder in Blackboard) Due January 24
 Discussion: Response to discussion question due January 21; responses to
two classmates due January 24
 Read Managing Your Files-SAM Path due January 27
 Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 2 > File
Management
 Review Questions due January 28
Jan 25–
2
Jan 31
 SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook
 Complete Case Problem 1 and 2 p. FM 31-3 due January 31
 Discussion: Response to discussion question due January 27; responses to
two classmates due January 31
Revised: 1.18.2016 jas
3




3
Read Word Tutorial 1: Creating and Editing a Document – (WD 1)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 3 > Word 1
Review Questions due February 4
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
February 4
 Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Word Tutorial 1 due February 6
 Complete Case Problem 2 p. WD 58 and submit in Blackboard due
February 7
 Discussion: Response to discussion question due February 3; responses to
two classmates due February 7




4







5







6



7



Feb 1–
Feb 7
Read Word Tutorial 2: Navigating and Formatting a Document – (WD 62)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 4 > Word 2
Review Questions due February 11
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
February 11
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Word Tutorial 2 due February 13
Complete Case Problem 3 p. WD 117 and submit in Blackboard due
February 14
Discussion: Response to discussion question due February 10; responses to
two classmates due February 14
Read Word Tutorial 3: Creating Table and a Multiple-Page Report – (WD
119)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 5 > Word 3
Review Questions due February 18
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
February 18
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Word Tutorial 3 due February 20
Complete Case Problem 3 p. WD 172 and submit in Blackboard due
February 21
Discussion: Response to discussion question due February 17; responses to
two classmates due February 21
Read Word Tutorial 4: Enhancing Page Layout and Design – (WD 175)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 6 > Word 4
Review Questions due February 25
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
February 25
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Word Tutorial 4 due February 27
Complete Case Problem 1 p. WD 233 and submit in Blackboard due
February 28
Discussion: Response to discussion question due February 24; responses to
two classmates due February 28
Feb 15–
Feb 21
Exam 1: Word Hands-On Exam in SAM-Available February 29-March 2
Read Excel Tutorial 1: Getting Started with Excel – (EX 1)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 7 > Excel 1
Review Questions due March 3
Feb 29–
Mar 6
Revised: 1.18.2016 jas
Feb 8–
Feb 14
Feb 22–
Feb 28
4








8







9







10



11







SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
March 3
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Excel Tutorial 1 due March 5
Complete Case Problem 2 p. EX 62 and submit in Blackboard due March 6
Discussion: Response to discussion question due March 2; responses to
two classmates due March 6
Read Excel Tutorial 2 Formatting Workbook Text and Data – (EX 67)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 8 > Excel 2
Review Questions due March 10
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
March 10
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Excel Tutorial 2 due March 12
Complete Case Problem 2 p. EX 126 and submit in Blackboard due March
13
Discussion: Response to discussion question due March 9; responses to
two classmates due March 13
Read Excel Tutorial 3: Calculating Data with Formulas and Functions – (EX
131)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 9 > Excel 3
Review Questions due March 17
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
March 17
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Excel Tutorial 3 due March 19
Complete Case Problem 1 p. EX 184 and submit in Blackboard due March
20
Discussion: Response to discussion question due March 16; responses to
two classmates due March 20
Read Excel Tutorial 4: Analyzing and Charting Financial Data – (EX 189)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 10 > Excel 4
Review Questions due March 24
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
March 24
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Excel Tutorial 4 due March 26
Complete Case Problem 2 p. EX 251 and submit in Blackboard3 due March
27
Discussion: Response to discussion question due March 23; responses to
two classmates due March 27
Exam 2: Excel Hands-On Exam in SAM-Available March 28-March30
Read Access Tutorial 1: Creating a Database – (AC 1)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 11 > Access 1
Review Questions due March 31
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
March 31
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Access Tutorial 1 due April 2
Complete Case Problem 2 p. AC 47 and submit in Blackboard due April 3
Discussion: Response to discussion question due March 30; responses to
two classmates due April 3
Revised: 1.18.2016 jas
Mar 7–
Mar 13
Mar 14–
Mar 20
Mar 21–
Mar 27
Mar 28–
Apr 3
5

12










13



Read Access Tutorial 2: Building Database & Defining Table Relationships –
(AC 51)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 12 > Access 2
Review Questions due April 7
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
April 7
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Access Tutorial 2 due April 9
Complete Case Problem 2 p. AC 108 and submit in Blackboard due April 10
Discussion: Response to discussion question due April 6; responses to two
classmates due April 10
Read Access Tutorial 3: Maintaining and Querying a Database – (AC 115)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 13 > Access 3
Review Questions due April 14
SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
April 14
Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for Access Tutorial 3 due April 16
Complete Case Problem 2 p. AC 173 and submit in Blackboard due April 17
Discussion: Response to discussion question due April 13; responses to
two classmates due April 17
Apr 4–
Apr 10
Apr 11–
Apr 17
Exam 3: Access Hands-On Exam in SAM-Available April 18-April 20
Read PowerPoint Tutorial 1: Creating a Presentation – (PPT 1)
Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 14 >
PowerPoint 1
 Review Questions due April 21
Apr 18 SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
14
Apr 24
April 21
 Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for PowerPoint Tutorial 1 due April
23
 Complete Case Problem 1 p. PPT 63 and submit in Blackboard due April 24
 Discussion: Response to discussion question due April 20; responses to
two classmates due April 24
 Read PowerPoint Tutorial 2: Adding Media and Special Effects – (PPT 69)
 Review the material in Blackboard > Assignments > Module 15 >
PowerPoint 2
 Review Questions due April 28
 SAM 2013 -- Review videos in eBook and Complete Training; Training due
Apr 25–
15
April 28
May 1
 Complete SAM Project (auto graded) for PowerPoint Tutorial 2 due April
30
 Complete Case Problem 2 p. PPT 129 and submit in Blackboard due May 1
 Discussion: Response to discussion question due April 27; responses to
two classmates due May 1
Exam 4: PowerPoint Hands-On Exam in SAM Comprehensive Final Exam in Blackboard
Available May 2-May 4
Blackboard Closes May 7


Revised: 1.18.2016 jas
6