Fall2013-csci138-section18-ntobias
CSCI U138 – Introduction to Computer Technology
Fall 2013 Section 18
TTh 12:15 – 1:30 in Hodge 254
Instructor
Office
Email
Faculty Website
Nicole Tobias
Hodge 208
ntobias@uscupstate.edu
http://faculty.uscupstate.edu/ntobias
Office Hours
MW 1:00 – 2:30pm; Th 1:30 – 3:00pm;
or by appointment
“The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will
magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the
inefficiency.” ~Bill Gates
Course Description: [2013-2014 Catelog]
Introduction to graphical user interface, word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, cross-platform
training, computer components and peripherals, input/output concepts, storage concepts, and computer
buyer’s considerations. Course Credit - 3 hours
Required Texts and Resources:
1. Registration Codes (2) one each for the ConnectPlus and SimNet+SimGrader Software that will be
used in this course. These can both be obtained from the University Bookstore or the respective
software sites. The URL for SimNet is https://uscupstate.simnetonline.com and Connect is
http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com/class/n_tobias_csci_138_section_18_fall_2013. The ConnectPlus
software contains the ebook and assignments that will be used throughout the course over the
semester. The SimNet+SimGrader software is used to testing, training, and homework in this class.
2. A means of file storage. This can be accomplished with a flash drive, cloud storage, dropbox
account, etc.
3. Microsoft Office 2010. Student versions of MS Office often don’t include Access and you will need
Access. Students should have access to these programs through Spartan GreenSky from any
computer with internet access.
Please obtain your registration codes from #1 ASAP! You will not do well in this course if you neglect
acquiring them promptly since these are required for you to be able to turn in the work required.
Fall2013-csci138-section18-ntobias
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to give you a better understanding of:
 Basic MS Office applications
 Current information technology trends
Grades:
Final grades are based on a 10 point scale:
A
90 – 100
B+
C+
75 – 79
C
D
60 – 64
F
85 – 89
70 – 74
Below 60
B
D+
80 – 84
65 – 69
Course Breakdown:
The following is a suggested breakdown of the student’s grade in this course. Attendance, participation, and
attitude could mean the difference in the final grade at the instructor’s discretion.
Exams
40%
Assignments
20%
Projects
25%
Final
15%
--------------------------------------------------------Total
100%
Breakdown:
Tests
File Handling
Word
CE 1
Excel
CE 2
Access
Final
Lessons/Practice Tests
File Handling*
Word
5
CE 1*
4
Excel
4
CE 2*
4
Access
4
PwrPt
2
Projects
Word
Excel
Access
PwrPt
Seamonkey
5
4
4
2
1
Tests - All tests have a time limit and will be conducted in the classroom. All work is expected to be
completed by the individual student.
Assignments – File Handling and CE have practice tests (similar in look and feel to real tests) and each MS
Office application has lessons (each lesson has multiple tasks in a simulated environment that looks like the
actual application). These help you learn the material and prepare for the tests and they have no time limit.
Lessons are for the student’s benefit and will not be graded, however Practice Tests and Assignments
announced in class will be. You will have multiple chances to do each Practice Test until the due date has
passed and the highest score is kept.
Projects - Each MS Office application has real life problems you must complete live in the application (not a
simulated environment like the lessons). Each project will have one or more start files and an instruction file
you must download. Instructions for these projects must be followed in detail. Once the project is completed,
Fall2013-csci138-section18-ntobias
the student must upload the completed file to SimNet and submit it for grading. You will have multiple
chances to do each project until the due date and the highest score is kept. Some projects have multiple,
separate parts which will be averaged together for the project score.
Due Dates - Everything you submit to SimNet has a date and time stamp recorded, and every activity has a
due date listed on the calendar. The due dates for the tests are also listed on the calendar. Scores for every
Assignment/Practice Test, and Project are collected at the beginning of class on their due date.
Disability Accommodations:
In keeping with University policy, any student with a disability who requests academic accommodations
should contact Disability Services at (864) 503 – 5199 to arrange a confidential appointment with a Disability
Services staff member. Students are encouraged to seek an appointment as early in the semester as possible,
as accommodations are not provided retroactively. Letters of accommodations must be signed and printed
on letterhead from the Disability Services office. It is the student’s responsibility to provide these letters to
professors in a timely manner so the accommodations may be put in place accordingly.
Attendance:
Attendance will be monitored in this course. More than two unexcused absences will result in your final
average being docked by one point per unexcused absence. Excused absences include doctor’s appointments,
illness, and death in immediate family. These excused absences require a doctor’s note or communication
from the Dean of Students.
Make-Up Policy:
No make-up tests will be allowed except for extraordinary circumstances. These circumstances include (but
are not necessarily limited to) death in the immediate family and serious illness, etc. Instructor will make the
decision on a per circumstance basis.
Academic Integrity:
Students who admit responsibility or who are found responsible through the Code of Student Behavior of
violations of academic integrity will receive the appropriate grade determined by the professor, which may
include an X to signify academic dishonesty. Grades with an X are not subject to grade forgiveness. See
Student Handbook.
Class Policies:
1. Each person in class will be treated with courtesy and respect.
2. Students should maintain a professional demeanor and attitude in the classroom. Instructor reserves
the right to remove a disorderly student from the classroom.
3. Everyone is expected to be on time and attendance will be monitored.
4. Students should complete reading assignments before each class.
5. Computer usage is reserved for in-class activity and use of the computer will be monitored. All other
activities such as emailing, web surfing, messaging, facebooking, etc. shall cease when class begins.
Any student caught violating this will have one point docked from your final average per incident.
6. During class all cell phones must be turned off and stowed away. Anyone caught using a cell phone
during class will be docked one point from your final average per incident. Use of any unapproved
electronic device during a test will result in a grade of zero.
Fall2013-csci138-section18-ntobias
7. All assignments must be turned in by the due date or they will not be accepted. There are no
exceptions to this rule. Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
8. Extra credit is not available, so do not as for it.
9. All work done for this course is expected to be that of the individual student unless otherwise noted
by the instructor. If it is found that this is not the case and the student is participating in dishonest
conduct, appropriate measures will be taken by the instructor to seek the highest penalty available for
such actions as she sees fit.
10. Emails to the instructor must be professional and businesslike. This means that correct grammar and
spelling will be expected. Emails must at minimum contain the following subject line with the
appropriate information as it regards to the student: CSCI138-SectionNumber-LastName. Keep in
mind that email is not a perfect means of communication. I will try to be prompt in responding to
your emails but please at least allow a 48 hour response time.
11. The Instructor reserves the right to change the content, order, or date of the schedule in order to
fulfill the goals of this course.
Tentative Course Schedule:
The following pages contain a rough outline of the schedule for this course. Dates may be changed and
topics rearranged as needed throughout the semester at the instructor’s discretion. Students will be made
aware of schedule changes if they are made. An up-to-date schedule will be posted on the instructor’s
webpage at all times.
Fall2013-csci138-section18-ntobias
Fall2013-csci138-section18-ntobias