Comp 100 -  Computers:  Their Impact and Use – 3 Units

Instructor:  C. Bendavid

California State University Northridge                                                                             Office Hours:

                                                                                                   11-12:15 T-TH and 9:15-9:45 MWF

Web address:  www.csun.edu/~bendavid                                                                      Office:JD 4501

COMP 100 Book Web Page:  www.scsite.com/dcf2e

E-Mail address:  cecile.bendavid@csun.edu                                            Office Phone: 818-677-3941

                                                                                (please communicate via email for faster response)

 

Prerequisites:  None – This course assumes you are relatively new to computers.  Anyone with superior or advanced knowledge of computers should notify me so that you could assist students during lab time. 

 

Course Description::

The course is an introduction to the uses, concepts, techniques, and terminology of computing.  Places the possibilities and problems of computer use in historical, economic, and social contexts.  Shows how computers can assist in a wide range of personal, commercial, and organization activities.  Typical computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation programs and the Internet are explored. 

 

General Education Code – Section E

 

Comp 100 is part of Section E of the General Education. Section E’s general goal is to have the student understand how human beings function in a technological, cultural and social environments. Through the study of applied arts and science, students should become more integrated and well-rounded individuals.

 

By the end of the semester, students will:

 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic computer concepts such as computer hardware, software, architecture, networks, ethics, security, and the Internet

 

  1. Demonstrate file management techniques in the MS Windows environment

 

  1. Demonstrate skills related to email use

 

  1. Demonstrate skills involved in web-based research

 

  1. Demonstrate working knowledge of word processing with MS Word

 

  1. Demonstrate working knowledge of spreadsheets with MS Excel

 

  1. Demonstrate working knowledge of database management with MS Access

 

  1. Prepare a presentation with MS PowerPoint

 

  1. Identify and apply behaviors leading to individual well being and development;

 

  1. Identify factors leading to community well being and development.

 

  1. Describe the roles of science and technology; apply them in daily life situations at the individual and/or community levels

 

 

Learning Outcomes

 

The student should be able to:

 

  1. Explain the need for computer literacy in today’s and tomorrow’s computer society.
  2. Understand and discuss the computer’s positive and negative effects on society.
  3. Discuss current, ethical and social issues associated with computing.
  4. Discuss the characteristics of computers that explain why they are so widely used.
  5. Distinguish the major types of computers and their principal uses.
  6. Name and know the functions of computer hardware and peripheral devices and how they work.
  7. Use basic features of the PC operating systems.
  8. Distinguish between data and information.
  9. Explain how computers represent data (bits and bytes).
  10. Identify the main steps of a typical computing process.
  11. Explain what a computer is and how it processes data to produce information.
  12. Able to write sequential steps to accomplish a task.
  13. Explain how to organize and retrieve information on a computer.
  14. Select, set up, troubleshoot a home or work computer.
  15. Describe and use networks and communications such as e-mail.
  16. Able to follow the source of a Web page.
  17. Understand use of browsers, search engines and become familiar with Internet resources.
  18. Gain a working knowledge of the most widely used software applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and the Internet).

 

 

Course Contents:

 

Computer Concepts

(SUMMARY – SEE COMPLETE LIST AT END OF SYLLABUS)

History of Computers

Computer Organization and Hardware

Computer components and peripherals

Data representation

Type of Computers

Computer Software

            Operating Systems

            Application Software,

            Programming Languages

Digital Media

Networks, Networking, Internet

Computing Issues

            Ethics

            Security

            Health risks

Windows  

Basic concepts of browsing, use the mouse, scrolling bars, menus and dialog boxes.

Desktop. Important windows and their manipulation. Running applications and switching between applications, task bar.  The Windows Explorer.

Drives, Files and Folders: creating directories, and working with paths; managing files: copy, move, delete, rename,... Format a disk

 

Word Processing

File manipulation: open, save (different formats), close

Editing: cut, paste, copy, find and replace

Formatting and style (text and paragraphs): font, alignment, indentation, tab spacing, control on the style, columns, pagination, headers and footers margins, bullets and numbering,

automatic formatting and style.

table: insert, cell height and width, borders, frames.

Use of tools: spelling, grammar, thesaurus, WordArt, drawing objects

Import and export concepts and interface with other applications

Merging files

 

Spreadsheet

File manipulation

Editing: copy, move, delete cell content (value or formula), find, replace, insert, delete rows, or columns, or range.

Formatting: number, text, date format, font, alignment, cell borders, header and footer, pagination, margins, row height, column width, hide/show columns and rows.

Modeling and design: Formulas/Functions/ (Macros)

Charts and graphs.

Forecasting with spreadsheets.

Import and export concepts and interface w/other applications

Data manipulation: sorting.

 

Internet

Mail and addresses (Email): read, write, reply, forward documents (professor-student, student-student, copy to professor), address, list of addresses, attachments, save, customize

w/your signature. TELNET, and FTP: down and up loading text and graphic documents.

Server and client concept: Cyberspace and graphical interfaces or Browsers (Netscape, Explorer); URL’s, hyperlinks, home pages, access, read, basic actions and buttons on a

page, interacting with a page, bookmarks, searching engines, downloading documents.

Basic HTML: General structure, headers, horizontal lines or separators , hyperlinks to images and documents, alignments , text formatting and list tags.

 

Presentation Tool

Basic design of a presentation, selecting outline of content, editing, enhancing it using drawing , paint tools, spelling, effects and transitions. Inserting objects as graphs/charts, WordArt, and links to other documents. Importing, exporting to other applications.

 

Database Management System – MS Access

Design of table, forms, queries, simple reports. Entering data for table, use of forms and print reports. Create Reports with relational forms.

 

Web Page Design

Create your own web site on the CSUN server using Netscape Composer or any other tool (FrontPage or Dreamweaver). Create text, links, graphics, backgrounds etc. Learn to upload and download from the Internet.

 

Electronic Devices In Class Policy

 

Cellular phones, pagers, CD players, radios, and similar devices are prohibited in the classroom and laboratory facilities. Calculators and computers are prohibited during examinations and quizzes, unless specified. Reasonable laptop-size computers may be used in lecture for the purpose of taking notes.

 

Required Textbooks:

  1. Discovering Computers Fundamentals Second Edition- Shelly, Cashman, and Vermaat.  Course Technology.   © 2005; ISBN 0-619-25490-4
  2. Word 2003 New Perspectives Introductory – Zimmerman, Zimmerman and Shaffer.  Course Technology. 
  3. Excel 2003 New Perspectives Introductory– Parsons, Oja Ageloff and Carey.  Course Technology
  4. PowerPoint 2003 New Perspectives - Introductory.  Zimmerman & Zimmerman, Course Technology
  5. Access 2003 New Perspectives – Brief. 
  6. SAM CD Assessment and Training

 

Other Materials:

  1. A USB Jump drive  or
  2. Zip Disk (100 or 250mb) or
  3. At least 10 blank diskettes (3 ˝” high density IBM Formatted) and
  4. Plastic container to protect diskettes

 

Method of Instruction:

  1. Lecture and discussion (approximately 30 percent of class time):  One chapter in the Discovering Computers Fundamentals textbook will be covered each week.  The chapter must be read prior to the class meeting so that a meaningful discussion can take place. 
  2. Lab work (approximately 70 percent of class time).
  3. In addition to class time, students may expect three to four hours of homework (computer and textbook work) each week. 

 

Homework:

  1. Read chapter (see class schedule).
  2. Complete written assignment from textbook (see homework assignment schedule).
  3. Complete lab assignment (see lab assignment page).
  4. Homework is due each Monday (before the beginning of class).  Late assignments will not be accepted.   No makeup work will be accepted.
  5. Homework is graded on a point basis and represents 15 percent of your grade.  Grade sheets will be distributed periodically so you can determine your grade status
  6. Please label your work correctly:  Name, Class Time, Assignments (listed vertically in order) etc. on a keyboarded cover page (you will lose points if you do not complete the cover page correctly – this must be a printed page).  Each assignment MUST have your name printed on each submitted page. 

    Please see my website for the proper format.

 

Grading:

1.      Midsemester Exam   – 20%– No makeup will be given.  Please check the class schedule for exam dates. 

2.      Final Group Project – 15%

3.      Homework  – 15%

4.      Sam Tests – 10% - You must complete one test per week minimum

5.      Weekly Quizzes – 20%

6.      Final Examination – 20% (Must be taken to pass the course – no makeup given)

 

The computer will calculate your grade based upon the above-listed weights.  The system will round up at .5%  (+’s and –‘s will not be posted)

1.      A – 90-100%

2.      B – 80 – 89%

3.      C – 70 – 79%

4.      D – 60 – 69%

 

Appeals Policy

 

To appeal a grade, send an e-mail to your instructor's e-mail address within two weeks of the grade having been received. Overdue appeals will not be considered.

 

Incomplete Policy

 

Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented evidence (i.e. medical reasons must be documented by a doctor’s note) as described in the Student Handbook. A student must be passing and must have completed a significant portion of the course.  Incomplete forms must be signed by the student. 

 

Attendance:

 

  1. Class will start “on the hour.”  It is necessary to be in class and ready-to-work “on time.” 
  2. Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students.  Absence WILL cause a drop in grade.
  3. No late homework will be accepted.  Points can be made up by completing extra work the following week. 
  4. No test makeup will be given – please see me re extreme emergencies.
  5. Periodic Quizzes will be given at the beginning of the class session on Wednesday.  There will be no make-up.  If you are not in your seat at the beginning of class, you will not be given a quiz.  Two quizzes will be dropped when your grade is calculated.

 

General Rules:

  1. You are to complete all assignments YOURSELF.  Please see school policy regarding “cheating.”  Anyone who is suspected of turning in work which is not “his or her own,” will be subject to suspension.  (This work and the work from the person who allowed his/her work to be copied will not be accepted or recorded.)
  2. All work must be submitted on time.
  3. All work MUST have a cover page with the appropriate information listed.
  4. Makeup work must be submitted according to submission rules. 
  5. Lab time is to be used to complete class assignments.  Students using this time to “play” on the Internet (or play games in general) will be asked to leave the lab. 

 

COMP 100 DISCOVERING COMPUTERS OBJECTIVES

CHAPTER 1

  1. Recognize the importance of computer literacy
  2. Identify the components of a computer
  3. Discuss the uses of the Internet and World Wide Web
  4. Identify the types of software
  5. Describe the categories of computers
  6. Identify the types of computer users
  7. Discuss various computer applications in society

 

CHAPTER 2

  1. Explain how to access and connect to the Internet
  2. Explain how to view pages and search for information on the Web
  3. Describe the types of Web sites
  4. Describe the types of e-commerce
  5. Explain how e-mail, FTP, newsgroups and message boards, mailing lists, chat rooms, and instant messaging work
  6. Identify the rules of netiquette
  7. Identify the steps required for Web publishing

 

CHAPTER 3

  1. Identify the categories of application software
  2. Explain how to start and interact with application software
  3. Identify the key features of widely used business programs
  4. Identify the key features of widely used graphics and multimedia programs
  5. Identify the key features of widely used home, personal, and educational programs
  6. Identify the types of application software used in communications
  7. Describe the learning aids available for application software

 

CHAPTER 4

  1. Differentiate among various styles of system units
  2. Describe the components of a processor and how they complete a machine cycle
  3. Define a bit and describe how a series of bits represents data
  4. Differentiate among the various types of memory
  5. Describe the types of expansion slots and adapter cards
  6. Explain the differences among a serial port, a parallel port, a USB port, and other ports
  7. Describe how buses contribute to a computer’s processing speed
  8. Identify components in mobile computers and mobile devices

 

CHAPTER 5

  1. List the characteristics of a keyboard
  2. Summarize how these pointing devices work: mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, joystick, wheel, light pen, touch screen, stylus, and digital pen
  3. Describe other types of input, including voice input; input devices for PDAs, Tablet PCs, and smart phones; digital cameras; video input; scanners and reading devices; terminals; and biometric input
  4. Describe the characteristics of CRT monitors, LCD monitors, and LCD screens
  5. Summarize the various types of printers
  6. Explain the characteristics of speakers and headsets, fax machines and fax modems, multifunction peripherals, and data projectors
  7. Identify input and output options for physically challenged users

 

CHAPTER 6

  1. Describe the characteristics of a floppy disk drive
  2. Identify the uses of Zip disks
  3. Describe the characteristics of a hard disk
  4. Identify the advantages of using an Internet hard drive
  5. Describe the characteristics of CDs and DVDs
  6. Identify the uses of tape
  7. Discuss PC Cards and the various types of miniature storage media
  8. Identify uses of microfilm and microfiche

 

CHAPTER 7

  1. Identify the types of system software
  2. Describe the functions of an operating system
  3. Explain the purpose of the utilities included with most operating systems
  4. Summarize the features of several stand-alone operating systems
  5. Identify devices that use embedded operating systems
  6. Explain the purpose of several stand-alone utility programs

 

CHAPTER 8

  1. Discuss the components required for successful communications
  2. Describe uses of computer communications
  3. Differentiate among types of networks
  4. Explain the purpose of communications software
  5. Describe various types of lines for communications over the telephone network
  6. Describe commonly used communications devices
  7. Discuss different ways to set up a home network
  8. Identify various physical and wireless transmission media

 

CHAPTER 9

1.      Identify the qualities of valuable information

2.      Discuss the terms character, field, record, and file

3.      Identify file maintenance techniques

4.      Differentiate between a file processing system approach and the database approach

5.      Discuss the functions common to most DBMSs

6.      Describe characteristics of relational, object-oriented, and multidimensional databases

7.      Explain how Web databases work

8.      Discuss the responsibilities of database analysts and administrators

 

CHAPTER 10

1.      Identify ways to safeguard against computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses

2.      Discuss techniques to prevent unauthorized computer access and use

3.      Identify safeguards against hardware theft and vandalism

4.      Explain the ways to protect against software theft and information theft

5.      Discuss the types of devices available that protect from system failure

6.      Identify safeguards that protect against Internet security risks

7.      Discuss issues surrounding information privacy

8.      Discuss ways to prevent health-related disorders and injuries due to computer use