COURSE SYLLABUS

CIS 120 - CRN 16144 Computer Concepts I 4 Cr. - RC

Winter 2006 Walter Morales  wmorales@pcc.edu

LOCATION OF CLASSES:  BLDG 2 / 248

CLASS TIME: 09:00 AM-11:50 SAT

OFFICE NUMBER: 503 614-7604 Bldg. 2 room 244  

OPEN LAB: Bldg. 2 rm 257 http://io.pcc.edu (check current open times). Visit this site for computer lab information. Complete orientation during the first week. We will need to use the computer lab, please make sure to do the orientation since you will get an ID to be able to login and use the computers in the lab.

E-MAIL: wmorales@pcc.edu , http://spot.pcc.edu/~wmorales/ (info about class, assignments)

OFFICE/LAB HOURS: (Lab hours SAT 12:00–1:00pm, Office/LAB Mo, We 11:00-1 PM Bldg. 2 room 244): Whenever needed or by making an appointment. PLEASE CALL FIRST.

REQUIRED TEXT: Discovering Computers 2005, A Gateway to Information, Web Enhanced . Shelly, Gary B., Cashman, Thomas J., Vermaat, Misty E.

SUPPLIES: 3 3 ½ disk, double sided, high density. To save you assignments and class exercises. Always bring a floppy disk with you. Two scantron forms (50 questions each side)

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course introduces the systems development life cycle as the foundation for the evaluation, selection, and application of technology to solve information systems problems.  This course will teach you the basic language you need to understand how computers work and will include the history, ethics, and effects of computer technology from both personal and global perspectives.  We will survey hardware, software, communications technology, and information storage and representation concepts.  We will cover the design and presentation of text and graphical information using technology and the Internet. This is not an applications class. It is assumed that you are familiar with computers and know how to use them. While this is a survey course, we will cover all aspects of basic computer functions. Our lab assignments (2 hours lab time per week required) can be completed at the Computer Resource Center in the Main Building, in other computer labs on campus, or on your home computer.

PREREQUISITES: CAS 133 or equivalent, MTH65 or equivalent, WR90 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

GRADING: Students will be evaluated based on their performance on in-class exams and discussions, and homework assignments. In addition to the following, your grade will depend on participation in class discussions, attendance, especially if your score falls on the borderlines.

HW assignments (50%)  | 90% - 100% = A
Midterm exam (20%)    | 80% - 89% = B
Final exam (20%)      | 70% - 79% = C
Attendance (10%)      | 55% - 69% = D
                      | 00% - 55% = F

Further grading policy, see here (MAKE SURE TO VISIT THIS SITE TO UNDERSTAND PCC GRADING POLICIES) http://www.pcc.edu/edserv/acadpol/acad20.htm

Makeup: (VERY IMPORTANT) If you are not able to turn in your assignment in time, please advise your instructor (in writing, voice mail or e-mail prior to the due date of the assignment or test, so an arrangement, if possible, can be made. Otherwise the value of the homework or test will be worth 50% of its original value. The assignment is considered LATE IF you arrive in class late and the assignment has been collected or if your turn your assignments in a later date. The test/exam is considered lat if you come to class and students have started a test. If an assignment is worth 50 points and it is turned in late, the maximum number of points that you will receive is 25. Please make sure to let your instructor know if there will be a problem with the due dates of the assignments and make an arrangement by talking to your instructor in class or leaving a message in the voice mail or e-mail. Late assignments will not be accepted two weeks after their due date. Except the last two assignments that will not be accepted late.

Attendance Policy: The student will also be expected to spend an average of 3 or more hours per week working on course projects, sometimes in the classroom or in a laboratory setting. Attendance will count towards your grade, so will participation in class discussions. Please, be sure to attend all classes, in the case of sickness or emergency please contact the instructor (writing a note, voice mail or e-mail) prior to the class meeting. Your attendance will count towards your attendance/participation grade (100 points = 10%). If you arrive late or miss a class but you have contacted your instructor prior to the class meeting it will count 50% (0.5 points). 0 points will be given if you miss a class completely and did not advise the instructor. One point when you attend the class fully. These points will be averaged for your Attendance and class participation grade. The total attendance will be worth 100 points.

Assignments: We should have approximately 7 assignments during the term, including group work and in class lab assignments. We will be working with Microsoft’s Office software and web page development tools. THE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS PERIOD. PLEASE, BE ON TIME! LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE WORTH ½ OF ITS ORIGINAL VALUE AND COLLECTED AT THE LATEST 2 WEEKS AFTER ITS DUE DATE.  NOT INCLUDING THE FINAL ASSIGNMENT THAT IS DUE THE LAST DAY OF CLASSES.

Special accommodations:  PCC encourages students who have disabilities to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities 503-977-4341 for assistance in requesting classroom accommodations.

Flexibility Statement: Assignment/exam calendars may be changed in response to institutional, weather, class problems. See Academic Calendar http://www.pcc.edu/pcc/csr/imptdates/academic_calendar.htm

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Degrees and grades are awarded on the basis of evidence that students have mastered course material and met other requirements. Homework, assignments, term papers, examinations, and other assigned work provide evidence of that mastery, as well as providing practice for the student.  Please visit http://www.pcc.edu/pcc/abt/rights/student_rights/integrity.htm and look at this document carefully.

NOTES

1) Students wanting to receive an audit must notify the instructor in a written statement by the third week of classes. If you are going to take this class for an Audit grade the requirements are that you complete at least 60% of the class work including a combination of tests and/or assignments. You need to let your instructor know about your choice of a letter grade by the 3^rd week of classes. PCC Policy http://www.pcc.edu/edserv/acadpol/acad20.htm

2) All the assignment material that you will be submitting must be typed, please include the questions with your assignments (copy from the web page and paste to your word processor), if the assignment requires it.

3) Always keep a copy of your submitted assignments and make sure you backup your work frequently.

4) Please check the schedule for our Computer Resource Center. It may be closed during certain days during finals week. http://io.pcc.edu

5) You will be responsible for the material covered in class.

6) The following course outline may slightly change. You will be notified about these changes during the lecture.

7) I will do my best to keep up with the schedule, but sometimes we may need to spend a little more time on certain subjects.

8) On the subject line of your messages ALWAYS include class name, your name, topic. i.e. CIS120 -  Your name - questions about assignment 1

9) Note about noise making gadgets: Before you enter the classroom please turn off all of your noise making gadgets, including cell phones, pagers, Boombox, Tvs, etc... It disturbs not only you, but your classmates.