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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CS 110-4"
COURSE NAME: "Microcomputer Applications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Scaramastra Marco
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 14:30-15:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: TBA

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course will introduce students to the fundamentals of microcomputer systems’ software and hardware and provide them with a sound knowledge of the most commonly used office applications with a particular focus on integrating word-processing, information management, and multimedia projects’ development and presentation. 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Brief h
istory of Computers. Elements of Microcomputer Systems. Operating systems. File system and management. Office productivity software: basic and advanced features of Word Processing:, Data management, and Presentation software. Integration between software packages.

 Material: Students must have a pen-drive where they will save all their work.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1      To feel comfortable using the most important features of Operating Systems.

2      To understand the basic concepts of file management.

3      Ability to produce professionally formatted word documents that use tables and hypertextually indexed navigation.

4      Ability to produce spreadsheets that require calculations and provide dynamic outputs.

5      To build up expertise in the use of functions and statistical analysis.

6      Ability to produce hypertextual presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.

7      To know how to produce professional reports integrating different office applications.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and class participation 10%
5 practical class assignments 20%
Midterm examThe midterm exam will require students to answer a number of theoretical and practical questions about computers in general (operating and file system) and produce a professionally formatted word document20%
Individual Project to be completed by the end of courseThe guidelines for the computer project will be provided 2 weeks before the end of the course30%
Final examThe final exam will require students to produce a purposeful excel worksheet containing data and formulas developed with the help of a set of instructions20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Outstanding A           95-100
A-                            90-95
Above Average B+   85-90
B                              80-85
B-                            75-80
Average C+              70-75
C                              65-70
C-                            60-65
Below Average D     55-60
Failure F                   0-55

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance is mandatory as all lessons will be held in the computer laboratory and will be a combination of theory and practice. Students spending most of the class time using smart-phones or the like will be marked absent.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

 ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Week

Topic

Assignment

1

Orientation

Outlines of computer architecture

Computer Terminology

Operating systems

 

2

Windows OS environment

File system

Control Panel

Class assignment 1

3

MS Word

Mastering the essentials

Basic formatting

 

4

Advanced formatting

Documents reviewing

Class assignment 2

5

Tables and graphical elements Desktop publishing

Class assignment 3

6

MS Excel

Getting Started

 

7

Midterm exam

 

8

Entering data into Cells

Formatting Cells

 

9

Understanding and using Formulas

Using the power of Ranges

Class assignment 4

9

Understanding and using Functions

Creating Embedded Charts

 

10

Creating Pivot Tables and Charts

Using Database Functions

Class assignment 5

11

Statistical analysis

 

12

MS PowerPoint

Preparing slides

Special effects and presentation timing.

Project review

13

Structuring and running a presentation

Project work

14

Project Q&A session

Project work

15

Final exam