MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
CIS 1103 COURSE SYLLABUS

revised 8/21/2003

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: CIS 1103
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Fall, August 25 - December 12, 2003
Course title: Introduction to Microcomputers
College website: http://www.mansfield.edu/

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 205 A
Instructor office hours: online at http://www.mnsfld.edu/~jphillip/
Instructor telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to computer concepts, operating systems, and applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Prerequisite: none

Textbook

Parsons, J. J., Oja, D. (2003) Computer Concepts, 4th ed. - Illustrated Introductory, Enhanced. Thomson/Course Technology. ISBN: 0-619-11039-2.

Course Websites

http://www.programbetter.com/ for the syllabus and course information.

http://www.coursenotebook.com/ for the class discussion board.

Course Outline

1. Computer and Internet Basics
2. Computer Hardware
3. Computer Software
4. Digital Electronics and File Management
5. Network Technology and the Internet
6. Data Security
7. The Web and E-commerce
8. Digital Media
9. Trends in Technology

Class Schedule

Section 01 meets MWF 12:00 - 12:50 PM in Elliott 110. In class attendance is required.

Section 190 meets online at coursenotebook.com. Online participation is required. An on campus or proctored off-site final exam is required as well.

Equipment and Supplies

Access to the Internet is required either using your own computer or by using a computer in the school's computer lab. You should keep a backup copy of all work you do on one or more diskettes. Actually, multiple backups on different disks is a good idea as each semester several student's disks will go bad. Then they have to redo the work to get credit. Do not trust computers! Hard drives and floppy disks will fail. Backups are essential.

Grading Scale and Policy

For essays and other subjectively graded work the following guidelines will apply. Work that meets the stated requirements will in general earn a C or C+ grade. Work that goes beyond the basic requirements or that seems to be well done will in general earn anywhere from a B- to a B grade. Work that is very good and exceeds the instructor's expectations will in general earn a B+ or A- grade. Only the most outstanding work will earn an A grade.

(Refer to the Mansfield University Catalog for grades that can be awarded.)

A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%

In addition, the instructor may or may not choose to further differentiate grades with plus and minus subdivisions as outlined in the catalog.

The final exam will be closed book and closed notes. The exam will be comprehensive. In addition, it will be a proctored exam. This means you will need to make arrangements to take the exam on campus if at all possible during finals week. The 01 section has a fixed exam time shown in the course timeline below. For the online 190 section several exam times will be offered to suit your schedule. If it is impossible for you to take the exam on campus (perhaps you are taking the course from a distance, etc.) then email the instructor to discuss alternative arrangements.

Late Work Policy

Any work that is late will lose one letter grade for each day late unless otherwise specified. No excuses. Computer, server, ftp, disk, and Internet problems will happen, therefore, make it a point to complete your work at least one day before the deadline.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all courses and course activities for which they are registered. Any class meeting missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity of learning and may adversely affect a student's achievement in the course. Attending the 01 section means showing up for class on time, prepared, with your book and materials, and participating fully in that day's activity. Attending the online 190 section means logging into coursenotebook.com every couple of days and participating in the online discussions and activities.

Bad Weather Policy

On days that we have icy or snowy weather, the instructor may choose to hold all sections of the course on-line. This will be announced on coursenotebook.com

Academic Integrity

It may be tempting to cheat in this class. Do not do it! You will be posting some of your work for all to view. Feel free to browse other students' posted work, on-line web sites, and other books for ideas. However, if you copy that work and you do not give credit for it, that is plagiarism. Likewise, if you discuss a quiz or exam you have taken with another student before they take it, that is cheating. You may not do anything that gives you or another student an unfair advantage. If you are in doubt then discuss the situation with your instructor. Additional information concerning academic honesty can be found in the Password.

Exceptionalities

Any students with documented psychological or learning disorders or other significant medical conditions, please work through Mr. William Chabala (South Hall 216) to provide me with the appropriate letter so that I may serve your particular needs better.

Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses

The last day to withdraw from a College course with a "W" grade is published in the Academic Calendar. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course.

Syllabus Change Policy

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE