CGS 1060- Introduction to Computers
Online
Course Syllabus
Fall 2014
CRN(s)
17486
Contact Information:
Tasha Mills-Foster
Phone: (407) 582-4895
E-mail: tmills4@valenciacollege.edu
(Preferred mode of contact)
Office Hours:
Building 4- Room 301
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday
(Before or after class & by appointment)
Please follow proper e-mail etiquette when sending an e-mail.
I have more than one section/course and you must include your full name, VID number, course name and CRN.
If this information is not in the email, it will be harder for me to assist. You will receive a response within 48 hours.
*********************************************************************************************************
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to major uses of microcomputers for business applications. Topics
covered include computer literacy and the use of industry-standard software packages for word processing,
spreadsheets, database, and presentation graphics.
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: None
Course Learning Outcomes
 Each student will explain the purpose and functions of computer hardware and software in
business.
 Create, save, modify and print documents using a standard word processing software package.
 Use a standard spreadsheet software package to create, save, modify and print spreadsheets.
 Utilize standard database software to add, store, and manipulate data.
 Utilize a standard presentation graphics package to create a multi-slide presentation.
Core Competencies
Learning outcomes for a Valencia graduate: Think, Value, Act and Communicate. This course will
reinforce those competencies.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Purchase the SAM2013 from the Osceola Campus bookstore.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: **Please be advised that the
reference software used in this course is Microsoft Office Suite 2013
(Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) and Windows 8 Operating
System. You are not required to purchase this software however, you
must have access to this software **
If you are interested in purchasing this software I recommend the subscription version of the program Office 365
University. Click here for Office365 University
Students will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view the lecture notes as well as additional course documents.
software is free and can be downloaded from this link
NOTE: If you are going to use Office 2010 or Office
2007 please be aware that those versions may not have the
same features as Office 2013. Use at your own risk. Points
will not be adjusted.
Atlas Web Page: http://atlas.valenciacollege.edu
SAM: http://sam.cengage.com
The
MAC users can use Office for MAC 2011. Please note this
software does not have a database program (Access) and this
program will be used in this course. You will have to use a PC
with Microsoft Access to complete the Access labs
Grading Scale/Criteria:
During the session, there will be scheduled chapter exams and lab assignments/exams. Please follow the class
schedule for exam and lab assignment due dates. All assignments must be submitted by their due date in SAM.
Assignments WILL NOT be accepted through any other method but SAM. Occasionally, class structure will vary
from the plan to student/instructor interest.
The final semester grade consists of five (5)
components:
Ethics and Issues Discussion Board
15 %
Participation via Bb
Microsoft Office 2013 Assignments
(Chapter Labs)
25 %
Submission via SAM
Microsoft Office 2013 Quizzes
25 %
Submission via SAM
Chapter Exams- Chapters 1-5
(Discovering Computers )
Submission via SAM
20 %
Final Project
15 %
Total
100 %
The grading scale for this course is:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 – 59
**COURSE CONTENT**
Ethics and Issues Discussion Board: You will have a new discussion topic every Monday. Discussion topics are
only available for a week and will not be re-opened. Topics will cover current issues in information technology.
You must respond to my initial post with your thoughts on the topic. You can also use the questions at the end as a
guide. You are encouraged to respond to other classmates. Responses should be about 150 words. Please follow
the assignment schedule and/or check the discussion board for the topic. A textbook is not required for the
discussion board.
SAM 2013 Assessment, Projects, and Training Description
SAM 2013 Assessment, Training, and Projects version 2.0 (including MindTap Reader!) offers a real-world
approach to applying Microsoft Office 2013 skills. The Assessment portion of this powerful and easy to use
software is designed to help assess students' proficiency of the Microsoft Office 2013 software applications, as well
as Windows 8, Internet Explorer 10, and Outlook. The Training portion allows students to learn in the way that
works best for them by reading, watching, or receiving guided help. The Projects portion allows students to work
live-in-the-application on project-based assignments
SAM ACCOUNT REQUIRED: Directions for creating your SAM Student Account can be found online under
the SAM 2013 (Help). http://sam.cengage.com
Inst Key: T2018100
Discovering Computers Chapter Exams (SAM): There will be 5 exams and it must be completed online using
SAM. Failure to complete the exams during the allocated time will result in a failing grade for that exam. Please see
SAM Assignments link for exam. Exams will contain 50 true/false, interactive questions and/or multiple choices.
You will be given two attempts for each exam. Exams will cover the topics addressed in the Discovering
Computers ebook. Exams will be in an "Always Available" status. However; If the exam is not completed by the assignment
schedule due date, 10 (ten) points will be deducted for each day it’s late.
MS Office 2013 Training (SAM) Optional: All MS Office 2013 quizzes will have a training component. The
training is designed to help you with your MS Office quizzes. I recommend that you complete the training exercise
prior to taking the exam. The training will be available all semester. The training exercises will not be graded.
MS Office 2013 EXAMS (SAM): All MS Office 2013 exams will be completed online using SAM. Failure to
complete the exams during the allocated time will result in a failing grade for that exam. Please see SAM
Assignments link for exams. Each exam will contain approximately 20-25 task oriented questions. Basically you
will demonstrate your ability to use MS Office 2013 by performing different tasks. You be given two attempts per
quiz. The highest grade will be used for that quiz.
Exams will be in an "Always Available" status. However; If the exam is not completed by the assignment schedule due date, 10 (ten)
points will be deducted for each day its late.
Word/Excel/Access/PowerPoint "In The Lab" exercises (SAM): ): These labs can be completed at home or
in the campus Learning Center. Please be advised that you will need to have access to Microsoft Office 2013 to
open the start files. You are not required to purchase the software but you must have access to it. The software is
available in the classroom and in the Learning Center 3-300 Osceola Campus or your nearest campus. Textbook lab
tutorial exercises are designed to teach and prepare you for the "Chapter Lab" assignment and it is highly
recommended that you complete the tutorial in its entirety before attempting the "Chapter In The Lab" assignment.
You are required to submit your Office 2013 assignments using SAM http://sam2010.course.com
In the Lab Problems will be in an "Always Available" status. However; If the case problem is not completed by the assignment schedule
due date, 10 (ten) points will be deducted for each day its late.
E-book lab training exercises are designed to teach and prepare you for the assignment/project and it is highly
recommended that you complete the eBook tutorial in its entirety before attempting the SAM case problem. You are
required to submit your Office 2013 assignments & tests using SAM (http://sam.cengage.com)
Do not attempt the assignment until you have read and completed the tutorial in the Office 2013 textbook.
Final Project: Projects will be assigned by the instructor. Students will submit all contents of the final project by
the assigned deadline.
*******************************************************************************************
Academic Calendar with Important Dates
Academic Calendar:
Final Examhttp://valenciacollege.edu/calendar/
Monday, December 8, 20014 (6:30 – 9:00 PM)
Important Date(s) to Note:
No Class- September 1
October 7
November 26 – 30
Withdrawal- November 7
Osceola Campus Final Exam Schedule (different
from college-wide):
Monday, July, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
http://valenciacollege.edu/osceola/documents/Final
ExamSchedule.pdf
Academic Honesty
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is
not limited to, acts or attempted acts of plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration
or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, facilitating academic dishonesty, and misuse
of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.
All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students' individual thoughts, research,
and self-expression. Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from another source, the
source shall be appropriately acknowledged.
Students shall take special notice that the assignment of course grades is the responsibility of the students'
individual professor.
Academic penalties for dishonesty may include, without limitation, one or more of the following: loss of
credit for an assignment, examination, or project; withdrawal from course; a reduction in the course grade;
or a grade of "F" in the course. Disciplinary penalties for academic dishonest may include, without
limitation, warning, probation, suspension and/or expulsion from the College. Anyone observing an act of
academic dishonesty may refer the matter to the professor, as an academic violation, and/or to the Dean of
Students or designee, as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct as described in the Student LifeMap
Handbook.
Attendance/Withdrawal Policy
Students are expected to attend all classes. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with his or her
professor regarding any absences. Failure to do so in a timely manner may put the student at risk of
academic penalty.
A student who withdraws from class by June 27th will receive a grade of “W”. A student is not permitted to
withdraw after the withdrawal deadline. A faculty member MAY withdraw a student up to the beginning of
the final exam period for violation of the class attendance policy in which case the student will received a
grade of “W”. Do not rely on the instructor withdrawing you if you stop attending, although he/she retains
the right to do so once you have missed three classes. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a
class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F”.
For a complete policy and procedure overview on Valencia Policy 4-07 please go to:
http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordID=75.
Classroom Policies
Cell Phones should be Silent during Class!
NOTE: Students must save all assignments on an external storage device. DO NOT save work on the
classroom or open labs hard drives, unless specified by the instructor. Work saved on network drives or
hard drives can be deleted at any time.
Valencia's attendance policy is that a student will be present for all class meetings. After two absences (one
in a night class), a student will receive an excessive absence notice and must schedule a conference with the
instructor immediately. After two absences (one in a night class) a student may be withdrawn at any time at
the discretion of the instructor. Continual tardiness will be viewed as absences and treated as such.
There will be no eating or drinking in the classroom. Class begins at a scheduled time and is over when the
instructor dismisses class. Leaving early without prior permission will result in a class-work grade of zero.
Tardiness is unacceptable class behavior. If you are tardy and class has begun, take a seat near the door and
do not disrupt class by crossing the room. Students must do their own work; there are no exceptions.
Students who plagiarize or cheat (in any way) risks dismissal from class and expulsion from the college.
Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed
by the faculty member to leave the class for the remainder of the class period. Longer suspensions from
class or dismissal on disciplinary grounds must be preceded by a disciplinary conference or hearing, as set
forth in the Implementing Procedures of this Code.
Examples of such disruptive or distracting activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Activities that are inconsistent with commonly acceptable classroom behavior and which are not
conducive to the learning experience, such as: excessive tardiness, leaving and returning during class,
and early departure when not previously authorized;
2. Activities which violate previously prescribed classroom guidelines or constitute an unreasonable
interruption of the learning process;
3. Side discussions which are irrelevant to the subject matter of the class, that distract from the learning
process, or impede, hinder, or inhibit the ability of the students to obtain the full benefit of the
educational presentation;
The entire set of classroom policies can be found in the Student Code of Conduct as described in the
Student LifeMap Handbook.
Final Grade Policy
Final course grades of "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" shall be assigned based upon the student's academic
achievement upon the completion of all course work, including the required final examination. A student
who fails to take the required final examination may receive a final course grade earned, unless the professor
elects to assign the student a grade of "I" or as otherwise addressed in the Professor's course syllabus.
Grade Grievance
Students have recourse through the Student Academic Dispute Resolution process to seek a fair
determination for the assignment of a final course grade. However, final grades of "W" and "I" based upon
the failure of the student to take the final examination, excessive absences, or other administrative reasons
may not be grieved to the Student Final Grade Dispute Resolution Committee. For non-final grades and
matters, each Campus President shall be responsible for designating a person or persons to assist students
who wish a review of decisions that are related to access to courses and credit granted toward the degree
(excluding final grades).
Student Assistance Program
Valencia College is interested in making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college
experience. To that purpose, Valencia students can get FREE and immediate help with issues dealing with
stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship
problems dealing with school, home or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program
(SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470. Free
face-to-face counseling is also available.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a Notification to
Instructor (NTI) form from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with
the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities
determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.
Syllabus Disclaimer
Having read and gone over this syllabus and by remaining enrolled in the course, you are entering into a
contract to complete the course requirements and respect classroom policies. The above information, as
well as the course schedule, is subject to written or verbal change at the discretion of the professor.
Changes made to course requirements or the course schedule will be announced in class and through
ATLAS e-mail.