Kuwait University
College of Business Administration
Quantitative Methods and Information Systems Department
Spring 2012
Dr. Zainab M. Al-Bader
Office:2498-8683
E-mail: zalbader@mis.cba.edu.kw
Class Homepage: http://is.cba.edu.kw/130
Course Syllabus
QMIS 130: Computer Based Business Applications
Class Hours (Room 210): Mondays & Wednesdays
Section 54: 9:30 am – 10:45 am
Section 55: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays
12:20 pm – 1:40 pm
Course Description
This course provides students with a basic information technology background in order to
understand tradeoffs in computer for effective use in a business environment. It also provides the
student with the basic understanding of the concepts and issues related to computers and
computer systems as well as hands-on experience. Microsoft Windows and MS Office software
will receive particular emphasis.
Course Objective
At the end of this semester, you (the student) should have a clear understanding of how personal
computers work. You should be able to identify various hardware and software components of
computers as well as their use in business. You will also be able to effectively use the Microsoft
Office software package for your business needs.
Text books
T. O’Leary and L. O’Leary, Computing Essentials: Introductory 2012, McGraw Hill, 2012.
CE 2012 iPhone Application (Optional)
Twitter
Twitter Account: @130_Spring12
The twitter account is used only for announcements, instructors will not respond to any
questions/comments posted by followers.
Important Class Dates
Date
Event
17/03/2012
Midterm (8:00 am – 10:00 am)
22/03/2012
Last day to withdraw the course
TBA
28/05/2012
MS Word and MS Excel Sessions and Exams (http://is.cba.edu.kw Web site)
Final Exam (8:00 am – 10:00 am)
Class Outline
Subject/Chapter
Topics
Chapter 1 - Introduction, IT, The Information systems, People, Software, Hardware,
Internet, and you
Data, Connectivity, the wireless revolution, the
Internet and Cloud Computing
Chapter 2 - The Internet, The
Web, e-Commerce
The Internet and the Web, Access, Communication,
Search tools, e-Commerce, Cloud Computing, Web
Utilities
Chapter 3 - Basic Application
Software
Application Software, Word Processors, Spreadsheets,
Database Management Systems, Presentation
Graphics, Integrated Packages, Software Suites
Chapter 4 - Specialized
Application Software
Specialized Applications, Graphics, Audio/Video,
Multimedia, Web Authoring, Artificial Intelligence, Cell
Phone Apps
Chapter 5 - System Software
System Software, Operating Systems, Desktop
Operating Systems, Mobile Phone Operating Systems,
Utilities, Device Drivers
Chapter 6 - The System Unit
System unit, Electronic Data and Instructions, System
Board, Microprocessor, Memory, Expansion Slots and
Cards, Bus Lines, Ports, Power Supply
Chapter 7 - Input & Output
Input Devices: Keyboard, Pointing Devices, Scanning
Devices, Image Capturing Devices, Audio-Input Devices
Output Devices: Monitors, Printers, Audio-Output
Devices
Combination I/O devices
Chapter 8 - Secondary Storage
Storage, Hard Disks, Optical Discs, Solid-State Storage,
Cloud Storage, Mass Storage Devices
Chapter 9 - Communications &
Networks
Communications, Communication Channels,
Connection Devices, Data Transmission, Networks,
Network Types, Network Architecture, Organizational
Networks
Chapter 10 – Privacy, Security,
and Ethics
Threats to privacy, how can we secure systems, how
actions of users affect society, and what are the
standards of moral conduct
Lab Information
Computer Online Lab
Objective
Microsoft Word
Creating/editing Word documents
Microsoft Power Point
Creating/editing PowerPoint presentations
Microsoft Excel
Creating/editing/programming Excel spreadsheets
Policies
Policy number 1: You are responsible for knowing these policies
“I didn’t know” is not an excuse
No Cheating
Be on time for the lecture. At the beginning of each lecture, I will take attendance, anyone
coming after that time will be considered as absent.
Absence with a valid excuse will still count as an absence.
Each student is allowed three absences (no questions asked), after that, each absence will
result in an automatic deduction of 5 points from your overall grade.
Kuwait University absence regulation will be enforced. That is, you will get a 1st warning after
2 absences, a 2nd warning after 4 absences, and an FA for any additional absence.
All mobiles should be silent.
Emailed assignments will not be accepted unless specified by the instructor.
Students should check the course website and Blackboard for class information regularly; you
are responsible for any information posted on the course website and Blackboard.
o http://is.cba.edu.kw/
o http://bb.kuniv.edu/
Each student should turn silent his/her mobile at the beginning of class.
No make-up quizzes, coursework, or assignments will be given.
If you are a special needs student (have any disability), please inform your instructor
After a grade is posted, you will have one week to discuss your quiz/project/presentation with
your instructor. After that week, the grade is final.
o For the final exam, the final grades will be posted after 48 hours of your final exam
Grading
The grades for this class are distributed as follows:
Grade
50
50
100
300
200
300
1000
Activity
Assignments
Quizzes (Best 2 of 4 quizzes, 25 points each)
Presentation
Word (150 Points) and Excel (150 points) Lab Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Final exam
Total
Grade distribution
Range
>= 950
900-949
870-899
830-869
800-829
770-799
730-769
700-729
650-699
600-649
<= 599
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
Zero Tolerance for Nepotism (No Was6a)
By registering for this class, you agree to abide by all its regulations including the zero
tolerance of nepotism. By agreeing to this rule, you understand that your grade will
be decreased a full letter grade (that is: goes from an “A” to a “B” for example) if anyone
(family, friends, etc.) attempts to influence your grade (with or without your knowledge).
Wild Card
This wild card can be submitted instead of a doctor’s note, the passing of a loved one, or
any other personal excuse - no questions asked.
It will allow you to make up the work for a quiz, an exam, a paper or a presentation or
removal of one absence (it is your decision completely).
You have one shot at using your wildcard !! USE IT WISELY
In the unfortunate case you decided to use your wild card you must fill out a form found on
the IS website within one week. Make sure to stamp the form at the QMIS department,
and give it to your instructor. In case you can’t find your instructor, place the stamped form
in his/her mail box (only the form not your wildcard)
Make sure to bring your Wild Card with you when you are going to make up the work. This
is your authorization so without it, you will not be allowed the make-up.
NOTE: THE WILD CARD DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FINAL EXAM. YOU MUST ATTEND THE FINAL EXAM.
FAILING TO ATTEND THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN AN “FA”, with or without the wild card.
YOU MUST BRING THE WILD CARD TO THE FINAL EXAM!!! that means that you held on to
the Wild card until the end and you will earn a bonus of moving up a grade to the next
level. An example would be moving a B+ to A- and so on (WOHOOOO).
An “F” grade will only move up if you have earned at least 570 points (570 + a wildcard = D)
If you lose your physical wildcard, you will not earn the grade up. Keeping it safe is your
responsibility.
Cheating
All of the following acts will be considered as cheating:
Presenting work that you copied from someone else as yours
Talking to others during exams or quizzes
Looking over someone else's exam during the exam or quizzes
Using your mobile phone during exams or quizzes (regardless of what are you using it for)
Communicating with anyone else during any quiz or exam
Presenting work that you copied from the internet or a book as yours
Any text that you would want to include in your work needs to be referenced
Referencing a book example (referenced text is in italic):
….. "The latest version of the Microsoft Office release has built in support for
web enabled features" (Microsoft Office Demystified, John Davis, 2004,
Prentice Hall press, page 243) ……..
Referencing an internet site example (referenced text is in italic):
…. "DHCP servers assign a unique IP address whenever a new computer or
device is connected" (http://www.tcpip.org/dhcp.html) ……
Punishment for cheating is as follows (from the university guidelines)
Students will be given an F for ALL of their classes for that semester
Students can also be denied class registration for the next semester