University of Arizona
Department of Agricultural Education
Department of Ag. Bio-Systems Engineering
Syllabus
ABE120-6
Tuesday Evenings 4:30-8:20pm
Shantz Computer Lab Room 338
Fall 2004
Course Description
Introduction to the use of microcomputers in word processing, spreadsheets, database
management, presentations, Internet and other areas. This course section meets once a week for
four (4) hours.
Instructors:
Arin Haverland-GTA , Dr. Ed Franklin
Office: Forbes 109C, 238
Hours: Email for an Appointment-Assignments and messages may be left in my box on the door
of Forbes 109C or in the Ag Education Office (621-1523), Forbes Room 228
Contact Info: T 621-7175 Email: arin@email.arizona.edu I also have a message board on the
ABE120 bulletin board next to Forbes 240, Please check the board for ABE120 Updates!
Questions about the course may also be directed to: Dr. Ed Franklin, Assistant Professor
Email: eafrank@ag.arizona.edu
Required Textbook and Materials
 Pasewark and Pasewark. (2003) Microsoft Office XP, Thompson Learning,
Massachusetts
ISBN 0-619-05843-9 with SAM Student Guide/Key (sold together, as a bundled set)
 A Formatted 250mb ZIP disk or memory/storage drive/device is required for storing all
ABE120 work. Protective cases are recommended to prevent damage to your disks. Be
sure to label all of your disks by clearly marking your name and email on them. Take all
materials with you when you leave the classroom to prevent loss!
***All materials are available at the U of A Bookstore
Special Needs and Accommodations Statement
Students who need special accommodation or services should contact the SALT (Strategic Alternatives
Learning Techniques) http://www.salt.arizona.edu/ or http://www.drc.arizona.edu/
The need for accommodations must be documented by the appropriate office and given to the instructor
so that we may accommodate you.
Important University Dates:
August 30, 2004 is the last day to add a course-must use form
September 17, 2004 is the last day to drop a course and not have in show on your transcripts
October 15, 2004 is the last day to drop a course with a grade of “W”, after this date the Dean’s
signature will be required.
Goals
This course will provide an introduction to using a microcomputers. Basic skills will be
developed in word processing, spreadsheets, database management, presentations, and Internet
use. The software for these skills will be Microsoft Office XP consisting of Word, Excel , Access
, PowerPoint and Internet Explorer, all operating in the Windows XP environment. In addition,
email and interactive network software will be introduced.
Classes
This class will meet one night a week (Tuesdays) from 4:30pm to 8:20pm in the Shantz
Computer Lab, Room 338. The assignments are tutorials, which allow intensive hands on
practice on a microcomputer in the computer lab as well as independent study and work outside
of the classroom/computer lab. You should read the text as well as all assignments prior to class
and expect that completion of the assigned computer homework may take additional non-class
time. The text is divided into tutorials that are presented as Assignments (A1-A22). Homework
to be graded will consist of various hands on practice exercises and projects to be emailed to the
TA for grading. As we progress through the semester, an online interface may be added to
supplement the course. In addition, as this is a technology based course, there may be times
when a server is down or unexpected events require alternative means for handling assignments
etc,. Students will be advised as to any changes in procedure however Students are responsible
for checking the ABE 120-6 Course Website and their email DAILY for all assignments,
announcements, quizzes, test reviews and any other class materials that will be posted to the
course website/s. Course Website http://ag.arizona.edu/classes/ABE120-8
Attendance
Students not present for the first class may be administratively dropped so that other students
may enroll. Students will be expected to attend each Tuesday night session. Formal attendance
will be taken in this course and students are required to be in the computer lab for at least two (2)
hours in order to hear announcements and discussion. An attendance form will be available for
students to sign-in at the beginning of each class. All students must sign in! In the event of an
emergency. students must contact the TA. Students must call the Grad office at 621-7175 or the
Ag Education Office, Forbes 228 at 621-1523 before 4:00pm and leave a message regarding the
reason for the absence. Attendance during in-class exams, quizzes and student PowerPoint
presentations is mandatory to receive credit. http://catalog.arizona.edu/2000-01/policies/classatten.htm
Homework:
All assignments are due by 5:00pm on the Sunday following the date assigned. The
student’s first and last name, course and section number should be included on each email
and attachment. Students must CC themselves on every email. Assignments may be
completed in class or at another time on another computer with the appropriate software-you
must have Office XP to do assignments outside of class. SAM exercises may be used as
supplements or replacements for some projects as specified by the instructor and must be
completed IN the lab during class. Each Assignment will be graded on a ten (10) point basis.
Late Assignments will have an automatic deduction of two (2) points per day late unless late
work has been authorized by the instructor or TA. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
TA BEFORE the due date to make arrangements for authorization for late work.
Exams/Quizzes and Presentations
There will be two (2) exams given in class by the instructor (performance based tests worth one
hundred (100) points each) as well as a Final Exam worth two hundred (200) points-(Tuesday
December 14th 5-7pm Shantz 338). A take home portion of each exam will be given by the
instructor and made available to students on line. Students should bring textbooks to class on test
days as exercises may be used from the text. There will be ten (10) weekly Quizzes given in
class , each worth fifteen (15) points. There will be no make ups given. A student absent on the
night of a test or quiz will be awarded a zero (0) and the average of the remaining tests/quizzes
will be awarded in its place. All students are required to create a web page (A10) and present it,
as well as a PowerPoint presentation to the class to demonstrate proficiency in the course. Each
PowerPoint presentation will be worth one fifty (50) points. Students will be required to offer
feedback on all presentations. Feedback is worth fifty (50) points. Students will also be assigned
chapters in the textbook to present to the class, also worth fifty (50) points. All test dates are
posted. Should a conflict arise with a given exam date, the student must contact the GTA
BEFORE the class.
GRADES
Assignments/SAM Exercises
22 @ 10 Points Each
220
Weekly Quizzes
10 @ 15 Points Each
150
Exams
2 @ 100 Points Each
200
PowerPoint Presentation and
Presentation = 50 Points
150
Feedback
Feedback = 50 Points
Text Presentation
Presentation = 50 Points
Final Exam
1 @ 200 Points Each
200
Attendance-REQUIRED
16 weeks @ 5points each
80
Total for Course
1000
Confidentiality of Student Records http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/ferpa/default.htm
***Students who have achieved a grade of “A” (720 points) will have the option not to take
the final exam upon permission from the instructor.
Each Student is expected to do his/her own work. During class, students may share information
and are encouraged to do so however; each student is responsible for their own work. You
will take tests and quizzes individually. The University of Arizona Code of Conduct and
Academic Integrity will be strictly enforced in this class.
http://catalog.arizona.edu/policies/974/acacode.htm
LAB POLICIES: Monitors for all computers will remain turned off during announcements and
presentations. ***Due to the computer lab environment, EATING AND DRINKING IN THE
LAB ARE NOT ALLOWED. This is a standard procedure that is in place to protect the
hardware and software in the lab. Due to the duration of this section, students will be allowed to
leave the classroom and return to continue working after announcements have been made.
The Ag Ed Computer Lab is open 8-5 Monday through Friday and is open to ABE120-6
Students-You must have an Ag Account to log in. Additionally, a help lab for all ABE120
sections will be held each week-see instructor for details.