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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CS 101-1"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Computer Science"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Stefano Gazziano
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course introduces students to the modern, state-of-the-art Information Technology, and provides them the adequate skills in basic computer science to professionally use IT in the context of a traditional liberal arts education of critical thinking and problem-solving, and in a standard business environment. 

Prospective students may question or comment on our FB page: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/CS101-Introduction-to-Computer-Science-at-JCU/484088545020165 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

1.       Computers architecture and technology

2.       Software layers: operating systems and application software

3.       How to trouble shoot basic issues on computers (plugging in laptops to overheads etc.) and  how to use a computer and do basic troubleshooting; how to move to another computer

4.       Organizing and managing your own data: file systems and file/folder management.

5.       Networks architecture and protocols. Data storage and backup Local Area Network, Intranet, Internet . Access to data at different locations

6.       Cloud computing: the new paradigm.  Local application v/s cloud suites

7.       Introduction to Microsoft Office Package and how to use it. Ms Word. MS Excel. Power point

8.       Creating multimedia documents with advanced presentation tools (e.g. Prezi, Lucidpress) and copyright issues associated with digital sources

9.       Professional  presentation of information and computer etiquette

10.   Searching with Google or gathering information from the website; being aware of the standard sources of information

11.   Databases v/s Search Engines searches

12.   Use of primary data to manipulate into usable and well-documented formats so as to be able to communicate this information to end users

13.   Privacy and personal data protection on the Internet. Mobile computing, location based services.

14.   Computer and network security : viruses, frauds, fishing, spoofing, scam, secure protocols,  safe user behaviour.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will understand how a computer works and will be able to trouble shoot basic issues. Students will learn how data, documents  and files are stored and retrieved at different locations: personal laptops, office PC, internet "cloud". 

 At the end of the course the student will possess the basic required skills to make a professional use of Information Technology in a standard modern business and college environment: writing clear, well formatted papers and presentations; use basic data manipulation; use the internet as a source of information and be able to assess its reliability; care of personal security issues. 

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class tests Multiple choices tests or practical exercises will be scheduled and are an integral part of student assessment.30
Class participationActive participation in class, contribution to teaching by sharing experiences, workgroup10
Midterm 30
Final 30

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Full credit for attendance will be given to students with three or fewer unexcused absences. Four or more absences will result in a proportional reduction of the grade. Coming late to class or leaving early will be possible only with permission of the instructor.

In spending whatever “free” absences an instructor allows, students should consider that absences owing to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews and family celebrations, may not be excused.

Absences due to a student’s own illness or hospitalization, death in the immediate family (in which  the student is attending the funeral), or other situations of similar gravity will normally be excused.

Absences due to travel plans, misunderstandings on the part of the student, or personal convenience  will not be excused.

Please be aware that Fridays are the usual days for make-ups. Students are advised NOT to plan in advance to include all Fridays in extended weekends for travel.

In the American system of higher education, the number of academic credits assigned to a course  is primarily determined by the number of weekly contact hours between students and instructor.

Students are expected to attend class regularly and to contribute through their participation to the  experience of the class. Specific requirements for attendance in any given course, except as described below, are the prerogative of the instructor and are stated above. The responsibility for meeting the instructor’s attendance requirements rests with the student. Absences exceeding those allowed by the instructor may be excused by the Dean’s Office only for serious impediments, such as a student’s own illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family, or by the instructor,  according to the instructor’s own policies.

A student absent from a class meeting in which a major examination has been scheduled will be officially excused, and thus entitled to take a make-up exam, only if the student:

1. notifies the Dean’s Office ([email protected]) of his or her inability to attend before the beginning of the class meeting in which the examination was scheduled;

2. subsequently presents the Dean’s Office with documented evidence of a serious difficulty  preventing attendance.

Instructors may, at their discretion, give makeup quizzes or other less important graded work to students absent without an official excuse. Major examinations, however, may not be re-administered  by an instructor without approval from the Dean’s Office

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

Class contents

Homework

1

Intro  - Prof presentation
Course  goal and requirements:

Program of classes, general rules in class

File systems, file and folder management. Network storage of data. Data storage, local, intranet, extranet

Google drive, Dropbox, Icloud

Google  spreadsheet common user info practice

2

Computers architecture and technology , history Moore's law.

How to trouble shoot basic issues on computers (plugging in laptops to overheads etc.) and  how to use a computer and do basic troubleshooting; how to move to another computer, compressing file tools.

Personal laptops correctly connected

3

Software Layers: operating systems and application software. Local applications

 Personal productivity software, cloud/local, Open Office, alternative suites

Other personal productivity software: image, ZIP.

 

4

MS Office intro. Word 1

 

5

MS Word 2

Class test word

6

Recap and Midterm week

 

7

MS Excel 1 - basics

 

8

MS Excel 2 – formulas and functions

 

9

MS Excel 3  - charts

Class test Excel

10

Presentation tools: Powerpoint

Powerpoint test

11

Presentation tools: Prezi, Lucidpress, multimedia documents and copyright issues

 

Multimedia doc test

12

Searching with Google or gathering information from the web; awareness of the standard sources of information

Databases v/s Search Engines searches

 

13

Use of primary data to manipulate into usable and well-documented formats so as to be able to communicate this information to end users

Privacy and personal data protection on the Internet. Mobile computing, location based services.

Computer and network security : viruses, frauds, fishing, spoofing, scam, secure protocols,  safe user behaviour.

Data presentation test

14

Recap before finals