CSCI 104: ESSENTIAL COMPUTING I
Summer- 2014
Hamilton Basement Computer Lab
General Info:
Professor: Mr. David Tucker
Office Location: 149 Ross Hall
Office Hours:
Every day after Class
Office Phone: (814) 732-2550
E-Mail Address: dtucker@edinboro.edu
Description:
This course familiarizes students with the interaction of computer hardware and software.
Emphasis is placed on the application of microcomputers, the use of productivity software
(word processing, spreadsheet management, file management, and presentation software),
Internet applications, and electronic mail applications. Students with credit for CSCI 100 may
not take this course to fulfill degree requirements.
Additional Information:
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This course is approved for General Education - Core 7 and the computer competency
requirement.
This course is designed to be a first course in the use of microcomputer productivity
software and a brief introduction to computer science.
Throughout the course, the students will be utilizing the commercially available
Microsoft® Office and Microsoft®Web Expressions or Adobe Dreamweaver® software
package.
There will be a brief overview of the field of Computer Science and the general topics
associated with CS. Throughout the course we will discuss features of the Windows®
operating system. After the introduction the students will then be exposed to:
o Word Processing
o Presentation Software
o Spreadsheet Software
o Web Page Development Software
Course Objectives
Successful completion of the course will be based upon the following objectives:
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Students will be proficient at utilizing computer hardware as input and output devices.
Students will be fluent in terminology and technical jargon used with respect to
computer hardware and software.
I'd also like the students to be knowledgeable about what to look for when purchasing a
computer system.
Students will be able to access the university computer systems.
Students will be able to navigate in a graphical operating system, in this case MS
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Windows 7.
Students will be able to use a word processing package to create, edit, and enhance
documents.
Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in a spreadsheet package, including
generating graphs to answer questions about data.
Students will utilize electronic mail throughout the system using their Edinboro student
accounts.
Students will create a web page using state of the art WYSIWYG software.
Students will create a dynamic slide show using presentation software.
Required Materials
1. MyItLab Access Code
2. Text. is optional; I recommend the MYITlab
code plus a hard copy of the text.
3. Flash drive
4. Regular use of your Edinboro e-mail account
and use of D2L
Course Textbook: Microsoft Office
2010 Plus Edition by Grauer, Publisher
Prentice Hall
Schedule and detailed information for the course
can be found at: Course Web Page:
http://dtucker.cs.edinboro.edu/csci104/Summer2014
Note: Check the site frequently for up-to-date
information.
MyItLab Course
codes:
Assignments
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Assignment 1:Using Windows Explorer; due
5/21; place in drop box in D2L
Assignment 2: Laptop Purchase Practice;
due 5/21; place in drop box in D2L
Assignment 3: MS Word Chapters 1- 4; OnLine using MyITLab ; due 5/27
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Assignment 4: Building
and hosting a web page; due
5/29
Assignment 6: MS Excel
Chapters 1 - 4; On-Line using
MyITLab; due 6/3
Assignment 6: MS Power Point
Chapters 1 & 2; On-Line using
MyITLab; due 6/5
Assessment and Evaluation:
Examinations (dates depend on the section you
are in)
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Quiz 1 – 5/21
MS Word Exam – 5/27
MS Excel Exam – 6/3
Derivation of Final Grades
Weights for Determining the Final
Grade:
Word Exam 15%
Excel Exam 15%
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Final Exam – 6/5
The final score will be converted to a letter grade
using the following scale:
90 < score < 100 A
87 < score < 89 B+
80 < score < 87 B
77 < score < 80 C+
70 < score < 77 C
60 < score < 70 D
0 < score < 60 F
Attendance
If you miss more than 1/3 of the classes (5 weeks’
worth) you will be dropped a letter grade for each
additional class missed. Usually this is not a
problem but can be in some extreme instances.
Final Exam 15%
Concepts Exam 5%
Web Site 5%
Directory HW 2%
PC Purchase 2%
My IT Lab Homework 41%
(graders are worth double the training)
Notes
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Incomplete grades will be
assigned only if proper
documentation is presented and
the student has a passing grade
in the course at the time of
withdrawal (very rare).
Borderline grades will be
assigned at the discretion of the
instructor usually based on
attendance.
All assessment is based on
results as it is unfair for the
instructor to subjectively
evaluate effort for each student
in the class.
Special Note: I do not grade on
effort or circumstances, I only
grade on results! -- Treat taking
this course as you would a very
important job, does an employer
pay on effort alone?
American Disabilities Act Statement
Academic Integrity
Any student who has a physical or learning disability
which requires special accommodations should
have the proper documentation with OSD. Before
any exams you will deliver the testing
accommodations sheets to me and we will discuss
the alternate arrangements for the exams.
You alone are responsible for your
work. Any student found to be cheating
or plagiarizing with respect to any
component of the course will be subject
to immediate failure from the
course. This course is particularly
susceptible to cheating. Please
don't! You are on your honor to turn in
assignments that only you created. In
addition cheating does not help you
learn the material & prepare for the
exam. You cannot pass this class on
homework points alone!
Additional Comments
It is the instructor's intention to provide an
environment that is relaxed and academically
stimulating. You will be encouraged to ask
questions and participate in the lecture.
As far as attendance goes, I will take roll and if you
haven't missed more than one week's worth of
classes you will receive extra consideration if you
fall on the border when I determine your final
grade. Note that high performance in a any class is
linked with consistent attendance and good effort. I
do expect you to attend all classes and you are
responsible for knowing about any announcements
or assignments made during class. If missing a
class is unavoidable, the student is expected to
catch up on the lecture notes either from the web or
ask a class mate, there may have been an
announcement. As I like to say - if you are going to
take a class then take it, if not then don't waste our
time.
Please do not use office hour time to make-up
excessive unexcused absences. This course is
taught in a lecture/laboratory style. While the
instructor is lecturing, it is EXPECTED that no one
will be working on the computers. It's rude and
disruptive to both other students and the instructor.
Additionally, a good bit of time may be given for inclass work on the computers. Students are
expected to use this time wisely, while the instructor
and lab assistant are present to assist. Additionally,
you should set several hours aside each week when
you can come to one of the labs (or use an
adequate home system) to finish the laboratory
problems.
It is imperative that you gain access to a computer
containing Microsoft Office 2010 and allow yourself
some time outside of class to complete your
assignments. (The computer labs have this
software)
Other Class Rules
1. No cell phone use during class
time
2. No Facebook use during the
class time, before and after is
fine. With the exception of
getting photos for your web page
if you want.
3. I reserve the right to deduct
points from your overall grade for
these infractions.
Other:
I am the instructor of record for this
class. Only the instructor of record for
this class can issue a final grade