COMP 100:

Introduction to Computers

Spring 2008

 

 
Instructor: Chris Sales                                                   

Day and time:  Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:45 p.m.

Office:      Oviatt 34                                                        

Phone:      677-2204 
                                                      
Classroom: JD 1105

Instructor E-mail: csales@csun.edu
                            
Office Hours: By appointment

COMP 100 Web Page:   http:://www.csun.edu/~csales/comp100.html

Spring  2008 Syllabus

 

Course Description

 

Understand the fundamentals of computer nomenclature, particularly with respect to personal computer hardware and software and the World Wide Web; make use of the World Wide Web as a repository of the latest information and an integrated learning tool; develop an in-depth understanding of why computers are essential components in the business world and society in general; focus on the computer as a valuable productivity tool; recognize the personal computer's position as the backbone of the computer industry and emphasize its use a stand-alone and networked device; present strategies for purchasing, installing, and maintaining a personal computer system; and, assist students in planning a career in the computer field

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

 

TextbookS

• New Perspectives Computer Concepts, 10th Edition
  
• New Perspectives on Office 2007
  

Media

• SAM 2007, Assessment and Training Software

SUPPLIES

• Thumb drive
  

 

GRADING

 

Course Grade                                          Percentage         

Chapter Exams (4)                                 40                                           

Lab Projects                                           50
Participation/Attendance                        10                              
Extra Credit                                            10        (possible 110 %)                                           

 

Point System: 

 

A   >= 90 to 100

B   >= 80 to 90

C   >=70 to 80

D   >= 60 to 70

 

 

COURSE POLICIES

 

Student Conduct In Class Policy

 

Any acts of classroom disruption that go beyond the normal rights of students to question and discuss with instructors the educational process relative to subject content will not be tolerated, in accordance with the Academic Code of Conduct described in the Student Handbook.

 

Children In Class Policy

 

Only in extreme cases are children allowed in classroom or laboratory facilities, and then only with approval of the instructor prior to class.

 

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.

 

Examination and Quiz Policy

 

Four examinations will be given. No make-up exams will be allowed without prior arrangements being made. Make-up exams must be taken when scheduled.

Preparing for Examinations: Attend lecture and read the chapters. At least 90% of the questions are taken directly from the reading material. Review the Chapter Review and Key Terms sections at the end of the chapters on which you are being tested.

 

In Case You Are Late or Absent: It is your responsibility to get the course notes, handouts, and laboratory assignments should you miss class or be late.

 

Incomplete Policy

 

Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented evidence as described in the Student Handbook. In any case, for a student to receive an incomplete, he or she must be passing and must have completed a significant portion of the course.

 

Cheating Policy

 

Students are expected to uphold the school's standard of conduct relating to academic honesty. Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student's submitted work, examinations, reports, and projects must be that of the student's own work. Students shall be guilty of violating the honor code if they:

 

1.     Represent the work of others as their own.

2.     Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work.

3.     Give unauthorized assistance to other students.

4.     Modify, without instructor approval, an examination, paper, record, or report for the purpose of obtaining additional credit.

5.     Misrepresent the content of submitted work.

 

The penalty for violating the honor code is severe. Any student violating the honor code is subject to receive a failing grade for the course and will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. If a student is unclear about whether a particular situation may constitute an honor code violation, the student should meet with the instructor to discuss the situation.

For this class, it is permissible to assist classmates in general discussions of computing techniques. General advice and interaction are encouraged. Each person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the laboratory exercises. Students may not "work together" on graded assignments. Such collaboration constitutes cheating, unless it is a grouped assignment. A student may not use or copy (by any means) another's work (or portions of it) and represent it as his/her own. If you need help on an assignment, contact your instructor or the TA, not other classmates.

 

Disabilities Policy

 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodations needed for the course.

 

 

EXTRA CREDIT

 

Extra credit may be accepted at the discretion of the instructor, and require the approval of the instructor as regards to topic.

LECTURE, LABORATORY, AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

 

You are expected to read each assigned chapter prior to the lecture.

 

Lab assignments should be handed in according to the syllabus schedule. Assignments not handed in that day are considered late.

 

Make sure your name, student ID, and exercise number appear in the upper-left corner. If an exercise has multiple sheets, then staple them together. Do not staple different assignments together. If there are multiple sheets are to be handed in, then sequence them according to the order you were told to print them in the exercise.