Portland Community College
PO Box 19000
Portland, OR 97280-0990
Computer Information Systems Department Syllabus
CIS 120 - Computer Concepts I - Fall 2009
1. Course Information
Course Title:CIS 120 - Computer Concepts I
Credits:4 Credit hours
Location/Time/Date:
CASCADE - Section CRN #42460
BLDG TEB Room 218 - Monday/Wednesday - 11:00 AM-12:50 PM
September 21 to December 7, 2009

SYLVANIA - Section CRN #40055
BLDG SS Room 114 - Thursday - 6:00 PM-8:50 PM
September 24 to December 10, 2009

Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills:
Completion of WR90 or equivalent (placement at WR115) or instructor permission
Completion of MTH65 or equivalent (placement at MTH95) or instructor permission
Completion of CAS133 or equivalent or instructor permission

This class is NOT a computer literacy class and applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Web browsing and email will NOT be taught. However, it is expected that you already know how to use these applications; assignments will require them. It is also expected that the user comes into the class with some basic computer skills (understands the GUI environment, can browse the Internet, can send and receive emails and can use office applications including word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics and database). If you have no experience with the office applications, it is recommended that you take either CAS133 or BA131 first.
2. Instructor Information
Name:Russ Erdman
Office:Sylvania - Bldg. TCB Room 312 - Please use email
Phone:Virtual - Please use email
Office Hours:Via email, during scheduled lab times or by appointment.
e-mail:rerdman@pcc.edu
Web site:http://spot.pcc.edu/~rerdman/

3. Required Text and Materials
   Text: Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World Discovering Computers 2010: Living in a Digital World, Complete
Gary B. Shelly
Misty E. Vermaat

ISBN-13: 978-0-324-78645-3 © 2010 Course Technology

Folders:Two (2) folders, with pockets in them, to be used when turning in
assignments. Be sure that your name, CIS 120 and the campus are visible and readable in the upper right hand corner
on the outside of the folders.

Storage Disks:Minimum of 3 - 3½ inch HD disks or a USB Jump drive (recommended best choice for storage).
(These should be brought to class each time)

Lab Pass:Students must go through CRC orientation and obtain a lab pass so they can
easily enter the lab during class lab times. Up to three additional hours of lab are required outside of class.

E-mail:Students MUST have an e-mail account for communication to and from the instructor, as well as, other students. Accounts can be opened through the campus CRC, through your Internet Service Provider or from free services available on the Internet such as, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.  Beginning with Fall 2004, all students will have a PCC email through MyPCC. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements the instructor will use only PCC email during class. Be sure to check it regularly. All questions regarding the class will be replied to from PCC email even if you send them from another email address.You may have your PCC email forwarded to another address, if desired, for your convinience, but remember to look at your PCC email for any replies or postings from your instructor.

NOTE: All emails must have CIS 120 - Your Campus: and then the question topic in the SUBJECT LINE or they will not be received. For example, if you have a question on the file management home work the subjct line should read as follow: CIS 120 - Cascade: File Management. Please also identify yourself by first and last name. Hey Erdman with no signature won't get you a reply.

Software Requirements:

The Following Software is Availble on Classroom and Student Lab PCs:
  MS Office 2003 and 2007 with:

Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Access

  Internet Explorer V7, Firefox V2  
  File Transfer Program: IE FTP or WS_FTP is used in classroom  
  Zip Program: WinZip is used in classroom  
  Java  
The Following Software will be Downloaded from the Internet:
 
  • GanttProject
  • Audacity
  • CutePDF for creating PDF files.

 

  
  NOTE: Microsoft Works WILL NOT work for all of the class assignments; it does not have the ability to create a database with tables. The database function of Works only creates a database with one table which is essentially a flat file. It is not a true relational database management system. Check your software; make sure that you have MS Office instead of MS Works.  
 
Acceptable Alternative Software:
  MS Visio  

Hardware Required:

A modern computer.
Access to the Internet; Broadband Access Would be Preferred.

4. Course Description
CIS 120 Computer Concepts 1, 4 Cr. - Demystify computing and discover how computers work. Solve practical problems using computer technology. Explore the Internet and the creation of basic web pages. Discuss controversial ethical issues and their impact on society. Recommended: Completion of WR 90, MTH 65, and basic computer skills equivalent to CAS 133 or BA 131.

5. Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course the student should be able to:

6. Course Policies
Instructional Methods:

The course is primarily designed as a lecture presentation. You are responsible for BOTH the materials covered in lecture and all reading assignments that are outlined in the syllabus. Computer lab time is required outside of class. There will also be periodic lab activities during class time. Homework and Projects: Homework must be handed in on the due date during the first 10 minutes of class. Any work handed in after the first 10 minutes will receive a 20% late penalty. No work will be accepted one week after the due date class unless prior arrangements were made with the instructor.

All projects must be completed and ready for turn-in at the beginning of class on the due date(s). Students should be prepared to present their projects, where required, on the due date(s). Projects will not be accepted one week after the due date class unless prior arrangements were made with the instructor. Late projects will incur a 20% late penalty. After one week they will be recorded as zeros.

Since all students are required to have e-mail accounts, there is really no reason for work to be late. Assignments can be e-mailed to the instructor on the due date. It is the student's responsibility to check the schedule for due dates and exam dates. Any necessary changes to the schedule will be announced in class and by a class e-mail. Students should regularly check their e-mail.

 Tests: There will be a midterm and a final during the quarter graded on a percentage of possible points for each test. There may be pop quizzes in class worth up to 20 points each.

Pop quizzes CANNOT be made up. Regular exams can be made up PRIOR to the exam date, but NOT AFTER.

 Grading:
Success in this course depends on several factors, including attendance, effort, thoroughness, neatness and how well you followed instructions to all class assignments. Computers are very intolerant of syntax errors, incorrect instructions or input. You have heard the term "Garbage In, Garbage Out". Your instructor has spent considerable time preparing the instructions for the class assignments. Your carefully following the instructions will enable you to succeed in this course with relative ease.
Your grade will be calculated as a percentage of total points possible as follows:
Percentage RangeGrade
90.00 to 100A
80.00 to 89.99B
70.00 to 79.99C
60.00 to 69.99D
0 to 59.99F

The final grade for this course will be based on performance on exams, core projects, homework and the Web page design portion of
core project 2B weighted as follows:
Midterm &Final15%
Homework10%
Projects 1, 2A, 3, 4, 5, and 660%
Project 2B - Web Page Design15%

Total Projects 1, 2A, 3, 4, 5, and 6 grades will be based on the following weighting of those projects:
Project 115%
Project 2A15%
Project 315%
Project 415%
Project 525%
Project 615%

Total Web page design grade from Core Project 2B will be based on the indicated weighting of the following:
HTML Introduction5%
Web Project Site Diagram5%
HTML Practice Exercises40%
Web Page Project50%

Attendance:
Student attendance for all classes is mandatory. Original information may be provided during lecture and laboratory classes. Also, part of the instructional process is development of hands-on skills and work habit skills that can only be demonstrated through regular and responsible attendance habits. The following attendance grading policy applies:
1. Three unexcused absences will lower the student's grade by one grade level.
Example "A" to "B".
2. Three tardies will equal one unexcused absence.
3. No make-up work, such as tests or homework, will be given or accepted for unexcused
absences. Unexcused absence: An absence that is not approved by the instructor prior to the beginning of class. CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF SOMETHING PREVENTS YOU FROM ATTENDING CLASS.  USE YOUR EMAIL!
Tardy: When the student is not present and prepared to begin the assigned task at the start of class. If special circumstances caused or may cause your delay, discuss it with the instructor at the end of that class period. Outside class time commitment: Time required outside of class will vary greatly from student to student depending upon general computer knowledge, keyboarding skills, reading skills, and general aptitude to comprehend technical material. Note that this is 4 hour, "100-level" college course. A general rule of thumb is approximately 2 hours of outside work for each hour spent in class. This course also satisfies Gen Ed course requirements. For example, you could be in chemistry or biology, etc. instead of this class.

Student Conduct: Safety and professionalism are qualities of behavior that are expected of all computer support technicians. Professionalism includes reliable attendance, punctuality, use of safe procedures, care and respect for equipment and supplies, ability to follow instructions, and respect for other workers, supervisors, and customers. Safety requires care and caution with yourself and with others around you.

Students are responsible for ensuring that their personal conduct is in accordance with the following guidelines:

Cheating or plagiarism or aiding cheating or plagiarism is NOT permitted. If a student is observed cheating or assisting someone else to cheat, the student will be given a zero grade for that assignment. If the student is observed cheating a second time, they will be given an "F" grade for the course and the violation will be filed with the Dean of Students. If the instructor judges that the possibility of cheating has occurred, the instructor will retest the student's competencies.  The above guidelines do not preclude students studying and working together.  Just don't do someone else's work for them.

Copying Software: Software in use by the College is copyrighted; students must not attempt to copy any software. Such infringement of copyright is a federal offense for which the student may be prosecuted by law.

Withdrawals and Incompletes:

See college policies as listed under Admissions and Registration in the PCC class schedule. If circumstances prevent you from completing the course, be sure you follow the appropriate withdrawal policies to avoid a possible failing grade. It is your responsibility!

CIS Majors:

Students must take the class for a grade if seeking the CIS Associate Degree.

Non Participation/Dropping of Class:

Regular participation in the class and submission of assignments is mandatory to success and mastery of a subject.

After two weeks of non-attendance/non-participation without advance notice or verifiable legal, medical, or military reasons, instructor may exercise their right to withdraw the student without warning.

If you need to drop the course, you must complete the college's withdrawal process. If you fail to complete the requirements for the course and stop communicating with the instructor without formally withdrawing, you may end up failing the class.

 ADA Accommodations: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of disability, if you have emergency medical information which should be shared, or if you require assistance in case the building should be evacuated, please make an appointment to see your instructor as soon as possible.

 Support Services: If you are having difficulties in this class, you should make an appointment to see your instructor. Students are encouraged to form study groups. If you need help finding other students to form a group, contact your instructor. Lab assistants will help you with general problems in the computer labs, but are not expected to act as tutors. If you need a tutor, you should see one of your instructors for help in making that contact.

 Computer Lab Requirements: Laboratory time outside of class is required.  Open (unscheduled) lab is available in the Computer Resource Centers (CRCs) in CC 206, Sylvania Campus, and in TEB 125, Cascade Campus or use your own personal IBM compatible computer.

There is also a CIS/CS students only lab at Sylvania in the TCB building. Lab monitors can offer some tutoring assistance and all MS Office programs are installed. For lab schedule and additional information see: http://spot.pcc.edu/computers/tutors.htm

The computers on campus have sufficient software to complete the course. The student is not required to purchase or download any software to complete the course.

Your instructor will be available in the CRC for questions and assistance according to the following schedule or BY APPOINTMENT:

  • Cascade CRC on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM
  • Sylvania CRC on Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM

Please inform your insturctor, in class or by email, if you plan to attend the lab times or to make an appointment for help.

You must complete a CRC orientation and obtain a user login name and password to use the CRC.  It is highly recommend that you complete an orientation your first week, even if you plan to do all your assignments on a home or work computer.  Occasionally, we may go to the CRC as a class and you will not be prepared to work if you have not completed to orientation process.  Also, if you need assistance during my open lab hours that require "hands on" work on your part, you must have your own account.

 Computer Resource Centers (CRC) http://www.pcc.edu/resources/computer-labs/CRC and other Labs have floppy drives and USB ports.
Location/Hours: FALL TERM 2008
CASCADESYLVANIA
BLDG TEB Room 125BLDG CC Room 206
M-Th 8:00 AM - 9:45 PMM-Th 8:00 AM - 9:45 PM
Fri/Sat 9:00 AM - 4:45 PMFri/Sat 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Sundays 9 AM - 4:45 PMSundays 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM

Students are required to have an orientation to the CRC once each quarter. Students may be required to have a picture ID and proof of registration, from the Business Office, to obtain a lab pass.

Information contained in this document is subject to change at the discretion of the College or the instructor.
Back to CIS 120 Home Page