CSIS 110 Syllabus

1. Course Goals

a. Students will understand, conceptually, how a computer system operates and how peripheral equipment is utilized to make a complete "system".

b. Students will understand and appreciate the advantages and the problems inherent in business data/information processing in our society.

c. Students will appreciate the differences between large, medium, and personal computer systems, as well as what computer systems can and cannot do.

d. Students will learn to use a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, a data base program and the fundamentals of using presentation software.

2. Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

- Describe and discuss the evolution of computers in terms of a series of steps that meet the needs of society and its organizations for computational and data processing capabilities.

- Describe and discuss the importance of data as a business asset and the place of computer information systems capabilities within the modern business organization.

- Identify the basic parts and functions of information systems, without concern about whether processing is done manually or electronically.

- Identify the devices that comprise a computer system and describe the functions of each as well as the interrelationships.

- Describe the need for and functions of a formal "systems development" methodology.

- Describe and discuss the role and functions of systems software.

- Describe and discuss the principles of organization and management for an Information Systems department in a large business organization.

- Identify and be able to discuss some issues faced by the information systems profession, including the topics of security and privacy of data resources.

- Demonstrate ability to use (a) a word processing program to produce a multi-page document, (b) a spreadsheet to solve an analysis problem of some degree, as well as delve into the topic of creating advanced formulas and macros, (c) a database program to create a table, input data into the table and query the table to retrieve specified records from the table, and (d) presentation software to create a multi-page presentation.

3. Course Contents

- An Introduction to Computers
- Processing Data Into Information
- Input to the Computer
- The Processor Unit
- Output from the Computer
- File Organization and Databases
- Data Communications
- Operating Systems and Systems Software
- The Information System Development Life Cycle
- Computer Programming
- Career Opportunities
- Trends and Issues in the Information Age

"Applications" content: - Using Microsoft Office 2007

- Introduction to Windows

- Word Processing Using Microsoft Word

- Spreadsheets Using Excel

- Database Management Using Microsoft Access

- Presentations with PowerPoint

4. Evaluation

a. The student will be expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of the course objectives by obtaining a passing grade on text quizzes, lab assignments, exercises and examinations. Reading quizzes may be given after each text chapter is completed; one quiz per week. Special exercises and small projects will be given on a regular basis to assist student understanding of key concepts.

b. The course grade will be based upon the distribution of total points earned on examinations, quizzes, lab assignments, and exercises.

c. Grading distribution will consist of:

CSIS 110 Grade scale
Three Exams	30%
Final Exam	15%
Hands-on Exams (Office)	15%
Quizzes/Participation	15%
Take-home Assignments	25%
Total	100%

d. The grading scale will be:

A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = 0 - 59%

e. There will be a brief oral presentation during the semester required, counted the same weight as one quiz (not dropped).

f. Final exam date: As stated in Course Schedule.

5. Attendance Requirements & Drop Policy

a. As required by the administration of Grossmont College, attendance will be taken during each class. Attendance is not explicitly considered in determining a student's grade. However, since material covered in each class often builds on subjects treated in previous classes, students missing a class early in the semester may have trouble catching up in the course.

b. It is the responsibility of the student desiring to drop the course to turn in the necessary drop forms, BY THE PUBLISHED DROP DATE. The instructor will not necessarily drop students who are no longer attending class, but reserves the right to drop students who have missed the equivalent of two weeks of class (4 class meetings).

c. If students know that they might have to miss a class, they should notify the instructor in advance and make arrangements to find out the nature of future lecture material and assignments. In any case, it is the student's responsibility to study lecture or lab material covered in missed classes as obtained from a fellow student and complete all assignments. The instructor should be consulted immediately if particular problems ensue.

d. There will be no make-up exams. Late homework will not be accepted. If you must miss an exam, let me know in advance. The scoring for any late exams, if approved and with immediate notification, subject to 10% penalty.

6. Methods of Instruction

a. Classes will consist of interactive lectures, hardware and software demonstrations, in-class microcomputer application exercises and projects, quizzes and examinations. Students will get "hands-on" experience in the usage of using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software applications, as they relate to "real world" tasks as well as an introduction to accessing data on the Internet. Students will become thoroughly familiar with relevant hardware and software systems available in the microcomputer labs. Students should expect to work hard, concentrate seriously, and participate regularly during class.

b. In this course, it will be assumed that the student has no significant background in computer science and data processing. As a result, a strong foundation based on fundamental concepts must be developed during the first few weeks of the course.

c. The amount of material and number of subject areas to be covered in a course of this nature is significant. As a result, the amount of class time allocated for this course will be fully utilized and the student should endeavor to participate fully.

d. The instructor will be available to answer student questions, help with individual problems, and cover troublesome material throughout each class and during office hours. Students having problems should not hesitate to consult the instructor as soon as possible. Many times a few moments of consultation will help a student get quickly moving forward in the course.

e. It has been found that one best learns how to use a computer by sitting down, committing one's body and mind, and using the computer, not simply by reading and taking exams. Since it is the objective of this course to develop in a student the ability to utilize the computer in a business environment, the student may reasonably expect to be assigned meaningful projects progressing from relatively simple to more complex.

f. Because of the nature of using a micro-computer application, a sizable amount of lab time working with a PC will be required of each student (average of 3 to 6 hours per week). Actual student lab time will depend on such factors as prior computing experience, typing speed, and regular study at home.

** Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Student Services & Programs (DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in room 110 or by phone at (619) 644-7112 (7119 is TTY for deaf).

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