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OTTERBEIN
COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES C SC 100 Applications Software Spring 2000 |
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| Class | MTWRF 1100AM-1150AM Towers 117 & Towers 127 (lab) | |
| Instructor | Dr. Duane Buck | |
| Office | Towers 132 | |
| Office Hours | MTWRF 10:00, or by appointment | |
| DBuck@otterbein.edu | ||
| Phone | 823-1793 | |
| Home Phone | 263-3201 (After 9 a.m. and before 9 p.m., please) | |
| Description | An introduction to microcomputers and computer software. Hands-on, in-depth experience in applications packages, including spreadsheets, word processing, and data managers. Includes introduction to algorithm development and programming. With laboratory. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites | MATH 090. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Text | Computer Confluence: Exploring Tomorrow's Technology, 3rd ed. George Beekman, Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company, 1999. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Videos | Three videos from the series The Machine That Changed The World will be viewed (Giant Brains, The Paperback Computer, and The Thinking Machine). Each video is one hour long. To make it easier for the student to view the videos, the series will be shown during class time on scheduled "video" days. The videos are on closed reserve in Instructional Media Center of the library, where you can view them by request on other days. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CBT Modules | We will utilize computer based training (CBT) modules from DPEC. We will learn how to use the modules in the lab, and also have some lab time devoted to the lessons in the modules. Work outside of scheduled lab time will be required to complete the modules. A module is considered completed when all of its screens have been viewed and all of its built-in tests have been passed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Objectives | The student will become familiar with problem solving utilizing popular application software packages, categorized as "general software." General software can be adapted to support a variety of applications by users who do not necessarily have a background in "computer ptogramming." General software traditionally included word processing, spreadsheet, and database packages, but today also includes graphics and World Wide Web software. In addition to developing skills so that the student can make immediate use of specific packages for their own applications, the student will study the broader concepts on which application software depends, the historical roots of computers and computer software, ethical issues of computer applications, and future directions in the application of information technology. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Participation | We pose and solve problems in a social context. Therefore, we need each other. This need is the reason we have classroom sessions. Attendance is required. Each student is expected to participate in the class discussions throughout the quarter. To this end, all assigned readings for each week should be completed before the class period in which they are discussed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Topics | In the classroom, we will follow the topics in more or less the order presented in our textbook. To keep up, you will need to read about 20 to 25 pages for each classroom meeting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grading | The following table
is representative of the method used to determine grades.
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| Exams | Midterm exam dates will be announced in class. The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. It will be comprehensive. If you can't make an exam, let me know in advance so we can make arrangements. Makeup's may be given in exceptional cases. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labs | More than half of the
class periods will be spent hands-on in the laboratory, learning to utilize
the software by doing assigned exercises, with the instructor present for
guidance and to answer questions. Additional lab time may be required outside
of class time to complete the exercises, depending on the individual student’s
working style. I often hear of students spending an hour or more trying
to do one step that they were confused about. Work smart by asking questions
when you get stuck. Lab reports are due as you walk in the door on the
due-date. You may not work on a previous lab during the lab period, because
this is too disruptive. Late lab reports are decreased in value 10% for
each school day or fraction thereof late.
The lab topics will be Win95, Netscape Communicator (mail), Netscape Navigator (World Wide Web browsing and searching), Paint Shop Pro (graphics), Netscape Composer (making a web page), Microsoft Word (word processing), Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet), Karel the Robot (introduction to programming), and Microsoft Access (database). No books are required for the lab because we utilize computer based training materials and handouts. This is a very full plate, but I hope to keep the labs of manageable complexity, and have some fun with them! |
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| Lab Project | Each student will complete a project using the applications software studied. The only requirements are that it be something that would be difficult to do without a computer, that the student is genuinely interested in the results, and that it be non-trivial. I estimate that it should take the average student 3 to 5 hours to develop an acceptable project, once they get the idea of what to do. A brief write-up must accompany each project. A project does not have to be totally completed to be given full credit, so go ahead and take chances! If you don't know if your project meets the criteria, don't be afraid to ask! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Submissions | All submissions must be word processed unless specifically told otherwise. Submissions should be formatted in a professional manner. Headers and/or footers should be used for identifying what the submission is for, who is submitting it, and the page number for each page. An improperly formatted submission will result in a deduction of at least 10%. I may request that certain submissions be done with e-mail. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Academic
Misconduct Policy |
All members of the Otterbein College
community of learners are expected to follow the rules and customs of proper
academic conduct. Proper conduct includes avoiding academic misconduct
as defined in the Campus
Life Handbook (see Plagiarism, Cheating and Dishonesty, page 63).
Students are encouraged to help each other learn the course material. Unless
specifically prohibited, you may discuss homework problems and lab exercises
with one another. Participants in these discussions usually enjoy the benefit
of deeper and greater learning. However, all work submitted for evaluation
that is based on discussions with others must be your own work; created
by your own hand, while thinking it through.
Any work submitted for evaluation that includes work done by another, copying of another's work, or the result of following another's step-by-step keystrokes and mouse clicks, is a case of academic misconduct. When academic misconduct is found in any assignment or examination you submit, you will receive a zero grade for that assignment or exam. The misconduct will also be reported to the Office of the Academic Dean. If a previous academic misconduct offense is on your record, you will receive a grade of F for this course and a referral to the judicial system. |