Syllabus for CIS-107
COMPUTER CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS
This course provides an overview of computers, focusing on: historical development; hardware; application software; communications; Internet use; how to purchase, install, and maintain a computer; information systems; system analysis and design; programming; careers in the computer field; security, ethics, and privacy issues; and multimedia. The "laboratory" portion of the course features the use of Microsoft Office and Windows.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
CO1 Demonstrate basic competency using Microsoft Office 2013 applications and Windows 8.
CO2 Evaluate how computers are used within the business environment.
CO3 Distinguish the differences between application and system software.
CO4 Assess the ethical considerations pertaining to both communication networks and
databases.
CO5 Explain how the Internet can be used to solve business problems.
CO6 Differentiate between system development and program development.
CO7 Describe essential security, privacy, and ethical concerns pertaining to information
technology.
CO8 Explain the uses of input and output devices within a business environment.
You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.
Vermaat, M. E. (2015). Discovering computers, enhanced: Technology in a world of computers, mobile devices, and the Internet (1st ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
ISBN-13: 978-1285845500
Vermaat, M. E. (2014). Microsoft Office 2013: Essential (1st ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
ISBN-13: 978-1285166117
Microsoft Office 2013, with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Computer Concepts and Applications is a three-credit, online course consisting of six modules. It relies on both reading and practical applications for its content. Modules include objectives, study materials, and activities.
Study materials include studying chapters in the textbook, Discovering Computers, Enhanced, and completing “In the Lab" exercises from the text, Microsoft Office 2013. The course also has six class discussion forums, a proctored midterm, and a final project.
Please Note: Microsoft Access 2013 is not a requirement for this course.
For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete laboratory assignments, take a proctored online midterm examination, and produce a Final Project. See below for more details.
Consult the Course Calendar for assignment due dates.
One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.
In addition to an ungraded but required Introductions Forum in Module 1, Computer Concepts and Applications has six graded online discussion forums. The discussion topics cover a wide range of issues concerning computers in contemporary society.
Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct assignments: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and at least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses.
Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.
The laboratory assignments in this course draw on chapters and In the Lab exercises from the text, Microsoft Office 2013. The chapters and In the Lab exercises correspond to the four computer applications covered in the course:
At the end of the semester you are required to submit a final project designed to test your ability to apply the knowledge you have gained by doing your coursework. Your final project will be in the form of a written recommendation to a medium-sized manufacturing company for a complete information system and will count for 30 percent of your final grade for the course.
For full details and requirements regarding this project, please consult the Final Project section of the course website.
For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam(s), refer to the study guide(s) available in the Examinations section of the course Web site.
You are required to take a proctored a midterm which is delivered online. For the midterm, you are required to use the University's Online Proctor Service. Please refer to the Examinations and Proctors section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course Web site) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester.
The midterm is a closed-book, proctored online exam. It is two hours long and covers all reading and assignments from Modules 1 through 3 of the course. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions based directly on the reading assignments and laboratory material. A good way to review and prepare for the exam is to go over your assignments and use the Chapter Review and Key Terms sections at the end of each chapter of Discovering Computers, Enhanced.
Online exams are administered through the course website. Consult the Course Calendar for the official dates of exam weeks.
You are on your honor not to cheat during an exam. Cheating means:
If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in an exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:
A | = | 93–100 | C+ | = | 78–79 | |
A– | = | 90–92 | C | = | 73–77 | |
B+ | = | 88–89 | C– | = | 70–72 | |
B | = | 83–87 | D | = | 60–69 | |
B– | = | 80–82 | F | = | Below 60 |
To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:
Consider the following study tips for success:
To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.
For more, see:
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