COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

 

COSC 1401 (4:3:2)

 

 

 

 

Introduction to Computers and Information Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT

 

 

 

 

Technical Education Division

 

 

 

 

LEVELLAND CAMPUS

 

 

 

SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE

 

 

 

 

2008 – 2009

 


S C A N S   C O M P E T E N C I E S

RESOURCES:  Identifies, organizes, plans and allocates resources.

C-1      TIME--Selects goal--relevant activities, ranks them, allocates time, and prepares and follows schedules.

C-2      MONEY--Uses or prepares budgets, makes forecasts, keeps records, and makes adjustments to meet objectives

C-3      MATERIALS & FACILITIES- Acquires, stores, allocates, and uses materials or space efficiently.

C-4      HUMAN RESOURCES--Assesses skills and distributes work accordingly, evaluates performances and provides feedback.

INFORMATION--Acquires and Uses Information

C-5      Acquires and evaluates information.

C-6      Organizes and maintains information.

C-7      Interprets and communicates information.

C-8      Uses computers to Process information.

INTERPERSONAL--Works With Others

C-9      Participates as members of a team and contributes to group effort.

C-10    Teaches others new skills.

C-11    Serves clients/customers--works to satisfy customer's expectations.

C-12    Exercises leadership--communicates ideas to justify position, persuades and convinces others, responsibly challenges existing procedures and policies.

C-13    Negotiates-Works toward agreements involving exchanges of resources resolves divergent interests.

C-14    Works with Diversity-Works well with men and women from diverse backgrounds.

SYSTEMS--Understands Complex Interrelationships

C-15    Understands Systems--Knows how social, organizational, and technological systems work and operates effectively with them

C-16    Monitors and Correct Performance-Distinguishes trends, predicts impacts on system operations, diagnoses systems' performance and corrects malfunctions.

C-17    Improves or Designs Systems-Suggests modifications to existing systems and develops new or alternative systems to improve performance.

TECHNOLOGY--Works with a variety of technologies

C-18    Selects Technology--Chooses procedures, tools, or equipment including computers and related technologies.

C-19    Applies Technology to Task-Understands overall intent and proper procedures for setup and operation of equipment.

C-20    Maintains and Troubleshoots Equipment-Prevents, identifies, or solves problems with equipment, including computers and other technologies.

F O U N D A T I O N   S K I L L S

BASIC SKILLS--Reads, writes, performs arithmetic and mathematical operations, listens and speaks

F-1       Reading--locates, understands, and interprets written information in prose and in documents such as manuals, graphs, and schedules.

F-2       Writing-Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing, and creates documents such as letters, directions, manuals, reports, graphs, and flow charts.

F-3       Arithmetic--Performs basic computations; uses basic numerical concepts such as whole numbers, etc.

F-4       Mathematics--Approaches practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical techniques.

F-5       Listening--Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages and other cues.

F-6       Speaking--Organizes ideas and communicates orally.

THINKING SKILLS--Thinks creatively, makes decisions, solves problems, visualizes, and knows how to learn and reason

F-7       Creative Thinking--Generates new ideas.

F-8       Decision-Making--Specifies goals and constraints, generates alternatives, considers risks, and evaluates and chooses best alternative.

F-9       Problem Solving--Recognizes problems and devises and implements plan of action.

F-10     Seeing Things in the Mind's Eye--Organizes and processes symbols, pictures, graphs, objects, and other information.

F-11     Knowing How to Learn--Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills.

F-12     Reasoning--Discovers a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or more objects and applies it when solving a problem.

PERSONAL QUALITIES--Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity and honesty

F-13     Responsibility--Exerts a high level of effort and preservers towards goal attainment.

F-14     Self-Esteem--Believes in own self-worth and maintains a positive view of self.

F-15     Sociability--Demonstrates understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness in-group settings.

F-16     Self-Management--Assesses self accurately, sets personal goals, monitors progress, and exhibits self-control.

F-17     Integrity/Honesty--Chooses ethical courses of action.


Campuses Listed as Appropriate to Class:

Levelland

 

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE TITLE:                Introduction to Computers and Information Sciences

 

INSTRUCTOR:                    Jesse Day

 

OFFICE LOCATION:         TC 207

PHONE:                                 894-9611 ext 2255

E-MAIL:                                jday@southplainscollege.edu

WEBSITE:                            www.southplainscollege.edu/cis/jday/jday.htm

 

OFFICE HOURS:                Tuesday: 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Wednesday: 11:00am – 12:00, Thursday: 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Friday: 9:00 am – 12:00

 

 

SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE IMPROVES EACH STUDENT'S LIFE

 

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I.            GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

 

A.                 This course is an overview of computer information systems.  It introduces computer hardware, software, procedures, systems, and human resources.  It explores their integration and application in business and other segments in society.  The fundamentals of computer problem solving and programming in a higher level programming language may be discussed and applied.

 

B.                 Course Learning Outcomes:

1.      Describe and discuss the basic hardware and software components of a computer system.

2.      Describe the computer system development cycle.

3.      Explain the role that an integrated software package plays in a business computer information system.

4.      Solve business problems using word processing, spreadsheet, and database software to create business applications.

5.      Access useful information on the Internet

6.      Discuss computer ethics, security, and privacy.

 

C.                 Academic Integrity

It is the aim of South Plains College to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity.  The attempt of any student to present assignments, which he or she has not honestly performed, is regarded as a serious offense.  The offender is liable to the consequences for cheating and plagiarism as described in the SPC catalog in sections, “Academic Integrity and “Student Conduct.”

 

D.                 SCANS and Foundation Skills

The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) was appointed by the Secretary of Labor to determine the skills that are needed to succeed in the world business.  Eleven skill areas were identified.  Three of these are identified as foundation skills involving reading, writing and mathematics.  The other eight areas refer to workplace skills, such as working with clients and co-workers.  SCANS and Foundation Skills covered in this course:  C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10, C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-17, C-18, C-19, C-20, F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5, F-6, F-7, F-8, F-9, F-10, F-11, F-12, F-13, F-14, F-15, F-16, F-17.


II.       COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A.     Textbook:
      Microsoft Office 2007 Volume 1, Grauer and Barber, Prentice Hall 2007,
      Bundled at SPC Levelland and Reese Bookstores (Look for COSC1401)

B.     Required Material:
      1 – 2” Ringed Binder
       1 –Flash Drive (32MB or more, IBM formatted)

C.     Attendance Policy:  Whenever absences become excessive and, in the instructor’s opinion, minimum course objectives cannot be met due to absences, the student should be withdrawn from the course.1 The student is expected to be in class on time and participating until dismissal.  Points are deducted from the Class Participation grade each time the student is absent for any reason.  Records of student’s attendance will be maintained throughout the semester.  A student can be dropped from this class on the fifth absence.

D.     Assignment Policy:  Assignments will be given over each topic of discussion and are due as assigned.   The student is responsible for keeping up to date and prepared.  A lost flash drive are not a valid excuse for missing work.

E.      Homework:  This course requires a lab of two hours outside of class.  The student will not be able to complete all assignments during scheduled class hours.  The student is responsible for completing assignments either by working in the open lab, a computer at home, or other means.

F.      Examination Policy:  There will be a major exam and a final after each chapter.  There will be NO makeup exam given after it is given to the class.

G.     Grading Policy:  The student’s grade will consist of daily assignments, class participation, chapter exams and a final.  Below is the manner of computing the average:

 

                                                                                 30%  - Daily Assignments

                                                                                 15%  - Exam I

                                                                                 15%  - Exam II

                                                                                 15%  - Exam III

                                                                                 15%  - Final

                                                                                 10%  - Class Participation

                                                                                100% - Final Grade

 

III.     ACCOMMODATIONS

A.     Electronic Assignments: This class will involve the use of the Internet and some access to discussion groups, forums, bulletin boards, and e-mail programs and/or chat rooms in order to complete the objectives for this class.  Topics assigned by the instructor will be relevant to the objectives of this course.

B.     Disclaimer: “This is to notify you that the materials you may be accessing in chat rooms, bulletin boards or unofficial web pages are not officially sponsored by South Plains College.  The United States Constitution rights of free speech apply to all members of our community regardless of the medium used.  We disclaim all liability for data, information or opinions expressed in these forums.”

C.     Diversity Statement: In this class, the teacher will establish and support an environment that values and nurtures individual and group differences and encourages engagement and interaction. Understanding and respecting multiple experiences and perspectives will serve to challenge and stimulate all of us to learn about others, about the larger world and about ourselves. By promoting diversity and intellectual exchange, we will not only mirror society as it is, but also model society as it should and can be.

D.     Disabilities Statement:  Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made.  In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of his/her disability to the Special Services Coordinator.  For more information, call or visit the Special Services Office in the Student Services Building, 894-9611 ext 2529.

1.  South Plains College General Catalog – “Class Attendance”