COSC 1301
Sections N1 and N2
Micro-Computer Applications
Blinn College
Course Syllabus -Fall 2007
Course Number: COSC 1301
Course Title: Microcomputer Applications
Instructor: R. P. L. Skip Ferguson
E-Mail: Use WebCT Mail
Office: Room 105 – Bob Bullock Center - Brenham Campus
Phone: 979-830-4294
Prerequisites:
None
Office Hours:
Other times by appointment
Required Text:
Parsons/Oja, Computer Concepts—Illustrated Introductory, fifth Edition,
Course Technology, 2006.
Beskeen/Cram/Duffy/Friedrichsen/Reding, Pinard, Microsoft Office® 2003—
Illustrated Introductory, Second Edition, Course Technology, 2006. Included
with text is the SAM 2003 software to use on your personal computers.
Required Materials:
Project files: Instructor will provide instructions for obtaining the Project files.
Software: SAM2003, Microsoft Office 2003, Internet Explorer 6, and Windows XP will be used.
Another operating system may be used, but students will notice some differences in the
appearance of certain dialog boxes.
Handouts: Additional handouts may be required. Instructor will provide information on obtaining
this material.
Course Description:
Introduction to the use of computers as communication, data processing and problem-solving tools
with hands on experience. Emphasis is placed on the use of application software, such as word
processing, spreadsheet, database, and Internet software, to solve various information system
problems. Credit: three (3) semester hours.
Course Objectives:
Learn the functions of the components and operation of microcomputer systems, including the
processing units, primary and secondary storage devices, input/output devices, communication
devices, and system software.
Use word processing technology to efficiently produce written material.
Use electronic spreadsheet technology to assist in the decision making process.
Use database technology to provide access to extensive sources of information.
Use presentation graphics technology to produce presentation media.
Understand the significance of business computer information systems and related careers.
Blinn College Civility Statement:
Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to
act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members
accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave
in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights,
and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and
the physical and intellectual property of others.
Dress Code
The dress code as stated in the Blinn student handbook will be enforced in this classroom and lab.
Incivility Protocol
If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to
that class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor: it is the student's responsibility to
arrange for this conference.
Late Work Policy:
Lab assignments will not be accepted late. Assignments will be due by (no later than) 9:00 p.m. on the
day they are due (see calendar). You may submit an assignment before its due date, but not after.
Exams Policy:
Students are required to take their exams in class on the date scheduled (noted on the course
calendar). Make-up exams are given in extenuating circumstances.
E-Mail:
Students are provided email accounts within WebCT. Your WebCT account must be checked
regularly as the instructor will use this e-mail to communicate with the students
Quiz Policy:
Quizzes are given to assure that students are staying current with their assignments and to help them
focus on the main concepts from each chapter. It is the student’s responsibility to check the web site
and make sure they take the quizzes within the time frame allotted. There will typically be one quiz
per chapter.
Quizzes are timed. Any answers not saved when time expires will not be submitted for grading. To
ensure that your answers get turned in, make sure you click the Save Answer button after each
question (a blue check mark will appear next to the question number indicating that the answer has
been saved).
Class Attendance and Absences
Blinn College believes that class attendance is essential for student success; students are expected to
report promptly and regularly to all their classes. Class participation will constitute at least 10 percent
of the final course grade. If a student has three or more unexcused absences during the semester, the
faculty member will report the student to the Promoting Academic Student Success Center (PASS).
The Center will contact the student and require him/her to discuss their absences with a faculty
advisor in the Center. If the student does not positively respond by attending class, the student may be
administratively withdrawn from class.
There are two forms of excused absences recognized by the institution:
(1) Observance of religious holy days. The student should notify his/her instructor(s) not later than the
15"' day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any
religious holy day(s); and
(2) Representing Blinn College at an official institutional function (3) Other absences may be excused at the discretion of the faculty member.
Course Evaluation Process:
Lab Assignments
Tests (Three during the semester)
Quizzes (weekly)
Final Exam
Attendance
Total






30%
30%
10%
10%
20%
100%
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
 89.5 - 100
 79.5 – 89.4
 69.5 – 79.4
 59.5 – 69.4
 below 59.4
Disabled Student Policy:
Blinn College will make every attempt to provide the resources necessary to give effective aid to
students with disabilities. Any student that requires special assistance is advised to make an
appointment with a counselor in Academic Advising during the first week of the semester to make
arrangements for this assistance and to learn about the student’s rights and responsibilities.
Lab Assignments:
Lab assignments will be provided at least one week prior to the due date. The due date will be
stipulated at the time of the assignment. The number of lab assignments for each topic will vary. Lab
assignments are to be submitted (via WebCT) by 9:00 p.m. on the day that they are due. After 9:00
p.m. they are considered late and will be evaluated with a grade of zero.
All Hands-on Exercises are required and will be completed during lab time in class.
Students who will be absent due to an official Blinn College event usually know in advance and
therefore they should submit any assignment(s) that would be due while they were gone before they
leave or make sure that they will have access to the Internet while they are away.
Cheating:
Students are allowed to discuss homework assignments and labs but are required to do their own work.
Any evidence that a student did not complete his or her own assignment will result in a grade of zero on
that particular assignment. Students should retain a copy on all assignments in case it is needed to verify
work. Any collusion on exams or quizzes is considered cheating and will be dealt with appropriately. Any
use of unauthorized materials during a quiz or exam will also be considered cheating. See your Student
Handbook.
Final Exam Schedule:
TBD
Draft Schedule
Week
1
Reading
Introduction and Pre-Test

Discussion Topics
As assigned
09/08
Unit A Word
2
·
As assigned
Unit B Word
3
Unit C (Computer Concepts)
Computer Software
Test One
09/15




4
5
6
7
8
Unit C (Word 2003 (Microsoft
Office 2003)

Unit A and B (Excel 2003
(Microsoft Office 2003)
Unit C and D (Excel 2003
(Microsoft Office 2003)
Understand physical file storage
Tech Talk: How a Processor Executes
Instructions
Computers in Context: Astronomy
Issue: New Chip Technologies
As assigned
09/22
09/29
Unit D C (Word 2003 (Microsoft 
Office 2003)
Unit E (Computer Concepts)
Networks and the Internet
Due
As assigned
10/06







Introduce networks
Classify networks
Understand network topology
Explore network hardware
electronic spread sheets
data
good stuff

As assigned
10/13
TBD
TBD
Test Two
9
Integration
10
Power Point
11
Power Point
12
Integration
Test Three



TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Week
Reading
13
Unit F
Data Security (Computer
Concepts)
14
Unit G (Computer Concepts)
The Web and E-commerce



Discussion Topics
Tech Talk: Secure a LAN
Computers in Context: Law Enforcement
Issue: Is It a Crime?
Due
TBD



Tech Talk: Encryption
Computers in Context: Politics
Issue: Is the Truth Out There?
TBD
15
Unit H (Computer Concepts)
Digital Media



Tech Talk: Data Compression
Computers in Context: Film
Issue: Who’s Got the Rights?
TBD
Final Test