Course Syllabus

Course Title:
 Microcomputer Applications
Online - Spring 2012

Course Number:
COSC 1401

Section: (All Sections)

Credits: 4.0

Transferable to a four-year college: Yes

Students can choose either methods:

A) Buy Bundle
 (Computers Are Your Future,12 Ed. and MyItlab)
 Author: Laberta.  Pearson Custom Publishing
ISBN: 9781256138921.

B) Buy Separate
Computers Are Your Future, 12 Ed.
By Cathy LaBerta.
Prentice Hall, 2012.  ISBN 0-13-254518-7



 MyItLab  access code (Office 10)
(online $80)

Instructor: 

James Dang, M.S., M.S., M.B.A., M.Ed.

Office Hours:
Monday:             
Tuesday:       
Wednesday:        
Thursday:       
Friday:          

Office:  ESCT 2118A
              
Phone: (817) 515-3633

Email:  James.Dang@tccd.edu

  Course Web site

  http://www.MyItLab.com

Course Prerequisite: None
*An email account is required for this course.  If you do not have an email account, the instructor can help you setup an email account with Yahoo or Hotmail.

Course Description:
Fundamental concepts of computer systems, including components, configurations, and capabilities. Use of current end-user software to solve problems. The beginning course for all majors.

Course Focus:
This course covers computer concepts and their impact in business and society.  Hands-on familiarization with microcomputer software packages will include word-processing, spreadsheet application, database and data communications.  

ü Microsoft Windows XP  
ü Microsoft Office 2007
   Microsoft Office Word
   Microsoft Office Excel
   Microsoft Office Access
   Microsoft Office PowerPoint

Course Goals:

The following list of course goals will be addressed in the course. These goals are directly related to the performance objectives (* designates a CRUCIAL goal)

*1. Define computer (A, B, F, G)

*2. Define hardware (A, B, G, H)

*3. Define software (A, B, F)

4. Identify parts of microcomputer system (A, B, G, H)

5. List peripheral devices (A, B, D, F, G)

6. Describe microcomputer history (A, B, E, F, G)

7. Describe Windows user interface (A, B, E, F, G)

8. Describe U. S. Copyright Acts (A, C)

9. Define software piracy (A, C)

10. Describe software license agreements (A, C)

*11 Categorize software as either system software or applications

software (A, B, F, G)

*12 Describe purpose of operating system software (A, B, F, G)

13. Differentiate Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 (A, B, F, G)

14. Identify hardware needed for multimedia (A, B, G, H)

15. Explain file extensions (A, B, F, G, H)

*16 identify valid filenames (A, B, F, G, H)

*17. Demonstrate saving, retrieving, revising, deleting and copying files

(A, B, D, G)

*18. Discuss directory structure (A, B, D, G, H)

19. Differentiate executable and data files (A, B, F)

20. Describe main circuit board components (A, B, G, H)

*21. Define RAM (A, B, F, G)

22. Discuss implications of insufficient amounts of RAM (A, B, C, G)

23. Different RAM and ROM (A, B, F, G)

24. Explain instruction cycle (A, B, F, G)

25. List CPU performance factors (A, B, F, G)

*26. Describe boot process (A, B, F, G, H)

27, define computer program (A, B, F, G)

28. Contrast algorithm, Pseudocode and program (A, B, D, F, G, H)

29. Describe role of computer programmer (A, B, F, G)

*30. Identify components of typical microcomputer system (A, B, D, G, H)

31. Describe local area network (A, B, D, F, G, H)

32. List advantages of local area network (A, B, D, F, G, H)

33. Send network E-mail (A, B, F, G)

34. Receive network E-mail (A, B, F, G)

*35. Retrieve files from local area network (A, B, C, F, G)

36. Differentiate LAN and WAN (A, B, F, G)

*37. Define network server (A, B, F, G)

38. Define workstation (A, B, F, G)

*39. Define Internet (A, B, F, G)

40. Contrast information service provider and Intermit provider (A, B, F)

41. Download Internet file (A, B, F, G)

*42. Explain elements of Internet address (A, B)

43. List hardware and software needed for Internet access (A, B, F, G, H)

44. List causes of lost data (A, C, F)

45. List causes of inaccurate data (A, C, F)

*46. Define computer virus (A, C, F, G)

*47. Identify data security techniques (A, B, C, F, G)

48. List virus symptoms (A, C, F)

49. Describe virus protection (A, C, F)

*50. Describe data representation (A, B, D, F)

*51. Define bit (A, B, G, H)

*52. Define byte (A, B, G, H)

53. Discuss bitmap graphics (A, B, D, E)

54. Describe file compression (A, B, D, F)

55. Discuss waveform audio (A, B, D, F)

56. Define bandwidth (A, B, D, F, G)

*57. Describe modem (A, B, D, F)

58. Describe popular communications links (A, B, D, F, G, H)

59. Describe information needs of managers (A, B, D, F, G)

60. List examples of office automation (A, B, F)

61. Contrast detail, summary and exception reports (A, B, F)

62. Differentiate database and flat file (A, B, F)

63. Demonstrate database sorting (A, B, D, F)

64. Define query (A, B, D, F)

*65. Define word processing (A, B)

*66. Create word processing document (A, B, C)

*67. Define spreadsheet (A, B)

*68. Create electronic spreadsheet document (A, B, C)

*69. Define database (A, B)

*70. Create database document (A, B, C)

71. Differentiate Internet from World Wide Web (A, B, D, F)

72. Use WWW Browser user-interface (A, B, F)

Instructional Methodologies: 

ü       Classroom lectures, demonstrations, class discussions, handouts, reading assignments, lab assignments, and question-and-answer sessions.  Students are advised to visit the course web site regularly.  This class is taught with the assumption that you have never used these applications before and are not familiar with the concepts. 
 

  Grade Scale: 

Quizzes and Exams: 

Quizzes
Quizzes consist of objective multiple-choice questions.  There will be 20 questions on each quiz.  Five questions with the answers will be posted to the class web site.   All quizzes will be on-line unless otherwise noted by the instructor.   Attendance on quiz dates is MANDATORY.  If for any reason the student must miss a quiz, the student may notify the instructor in advance. (THIS MUST BE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION ONLY).   If you are late to class and there is a quiz in progress, you will NOT be given additional time to complete the quiz.  Quizzes will be given during the last (30) minutes of class.  NO EXCEPTION! 

Exams
Exam I and II will consist of 50 objective multiple-choice questions and a hands-on skill assessment test.  The exam questions will come directly from the quizzes.  Attendance on exam dates is MANDATORY.  If for any reason the student must miss an exam, the student may notify the instructor in advance. (THIS MUST BE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION ONLY).   If you are late to class and there is an exam in progress, you will NOT be given additional time to complete the exam.  There will be no additional class work on days when exams are given.  

Final Exam
The final examination is not optional, nor can this grade be dropped. The final exam will consist of 100 objective multiple-choice questions

Extra Credit:
This course already involves a substantial workload, and it is the instructor's philosophy that students need to focus on the work already assigned rather than taking on additional work. 
Students will have the opportunity to earn additional points to be added to their final grade by completing in-class activities. 
In-class activities are unannounced and you MUST be present to obtain these points.

Class Policies: 

A.       Attendance: 

Regular attendance is an important factor in your success in this class. You are expected to attend all classes, complete all quizzes and examinations as scheduled. However, illnesses, family and work emergencies happen. As a matter of fact, it is the instructor’s strong belief that students with contagious illnesses (cold, flu, etc.) should not be present at class meetings. If you know that you will have to miss the class, please notify the instructor either by e-mail or by phone before the class. If you have to miss the class, you are still expected to study the material covered in class and turn in your lab assignment on time.  The student that quits coming to class and fails to drop the course will probably fail the class. 

B.       Plagiarism: 

q       Work that is submitted for credit must be the original work of the student.  Assignments that are not the original work of the student are considered plagiarized and in violation of the TCC Code of Student Conduct and Academic Responsibility.

q       Plagiarism occurs when another person’s work, words, or ideas are represented as one’s own without the use of an TCC-recognized method of citation, such as the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (e.g., the work, words, or ideas are copied from another source, such as an author’s, or another student’s, work without properly acknowledging the actual writer/author). 

q       Plagiarism also occurs when giving or allowing one’s own work to be copied or otherwise duplicated. 

Class Conduct:

Students enrolling in course at Tarrant County College assume the obligation of conducting themselves in a manner compatible with the college’s function as an educational institution. Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline may be divided into the following categories:

1.       Classroom disruption. Behavior occurring within the academic arena, including but not limited to classroom disruption or obstruction of teaching, is within the jurisdiction of Academic Affairs.

2.   In cases of alleged campus and/or classroom disruption or obstruction, a faculty member and/or administrator may take immediate action to restore order and/or to prevent further disruption (e.g., removal of student(s) from class or other setting).

3.    Faculty members have original jurisdiction to address the immediacy of a situation, as they deem appropriate. When necessary and appropriate, Public Safety and/or the local (or military) police may be contacted to assist with restoring peace and order.

Disability Support Services: 

Disability Support Services offers accommodations to students with disabilities as outlined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Services may include note takers, readers, tutors, arranged testing accommodations, closed circuit television, tape recorders, adaptive computers, and interpreters for the hearing impaired.  Adaptive equipment varies by campus.  Appropriate documentation of a student’s disability must be submitted prior to receiving services.  It is recommended that students contact the DSS Office prior to registering for classes. 

Chapter 1:  Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Literate.

Chapter 2:  Looking at Computer: Understanding the Parts

1) Technology in Action: Setting Up Your System

2) Your Computer's Hardware

3) Input Devices

4) Output Devices

5) The System Unit

6)Setting It All Up: Ergonomics

Chapter 3:  Using the Internet: Making the Most of the Web's Resources

1) Technology in Action: Interacting with the Internet

2) Internet Basics

3) Finding an Internet Service Provider

4) Navigating the Web: Web Browsers

5) Getting Around the Web: URLs, Hyperlinks, and Other Tools

6) Searching the Web: Search Engines and Subject Directories

7) Communicating Through the Internet: E-Mail and other Technologies

8) Conducting Business Over the Internet: E-Commerce

9) Web Entertainment: Multimedia and Beyond

10) The Future of the Internet

Chapter 4: Application Software: Programs That Let You Work and Play

1) Technology in Action: Using Application Software

2) The Nuts and Bolts of Software

3) Productivity Software

4) Financial and Business-Related Software

5) Graphics and Multimedia Software

6) Educational and Reference Software

7) Entertainment Software

8) Communications Software

9) Getting Help with Software

10) Buying Software

11) Installing/Uninstalling and Opening Software

Chapter 5:  Using System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management

1) Technology in Action: Working with System Software

2) System Software Basics

3) Operating System Categories

4) Desktop Operating Systems

5) What the Operating System Does

6) The Boot Process: Starting Your Computer

7) The Desktop and Windows Feature

8) Organizing Your Computer: File Management

9) Utility Programs

Chapter 6:  Evaluating Your System: Understanding and Assessing Hardware

1) Technology in Action: To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade

2) To Buy or To Upgrade: That is the Question

3) What is Your Ideal Computer?

4) Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System

5) Evaluating the CPU Subsystem

6) Evaluating RAM: The Memory Subsystem

7) Evaluating the Storage Subsystem

8) Evaluating the Video Subsystem

9) Evaluating the Audio Subsystem

10) Evaluating Port Connectivity

11) Evaluating System Reliability

12) Making the Final Decision

Chapter 7:  Network and Security: Connecting Computers and Keeping Them Safe from Hackers and Viruses

1) Technology in Action: The Problems of Sharing
2) Networking Fundamentals

3) Network Architectures

4) Network Components

5) Types of Peer-to- Peer Networks

6) Choosing a Peer-to-Peer Network

7) Configuring Software for Your Home Network

8) Keeping Your Home Computer Safe

9) Computer Threats: Hackers

10) Computer Safeguards: Firewalls

11) Computer Threats: Computer Viruses

12) Computer Safeguards: Antivirus Software
 

Chapter 8: Mobile Computing: Keeping Your Data on Hand

1) Technology in Action: Using Mobile Computing Devices

2) Mobile Computing: Is is Right for you?

3) Mobile Computing Devices

4) Paging Devices

5) Cellular Phones

6) MP3 Players

7) Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)

8) Tablet PCs

9) Laptops

Chapter 9:  Behind the Scenes: Insides the System Unit

1) Technology in Action: Taking a Closer Look

2) Digital Data: Switches and Bits

3) The CPU: Processing Digital Information

4) RAM: The Next Level of Temporary Storage

5) Buses: The CPU's Data Highway

6) Making Computers Even Faster: Advanced CPU Designs

Chapter 10:  Behind the Scenes: Software Programming

1) Technology in Action: Understanding Software Programming

2) The Life Cycle of an Informing System

3) The Life Cycle of a Program

4) Describing the Problem: The Problem Statement

5) Making a Plan: Algorithm Development

6) Coding: Speaking the Language of the Computer

7) Debugging: Getting Rid of Errors

8) Finishing the Project: Testing the Documentation

9) Programming Languages: Many Languages for Many Projects
 

Windows XP Basic Skills

• Start Windows XP
• Use a mouse.
• Use menus.
• Size and move windows.
• Maximize, minimize, and restore windows.
• Use Windows Help.
• Work with multiple open windows.
• Use My Computer.
• Print a Help tip.
• Close all open windows.
• Shut down Windows XP.
• Use Windows Explorer.
• Create, name, and delete folders,
• Select, move, copy and delete files.
• Run applications.
• Open, edit, save and print files.

Introduction to the Internet and Web

• Enter a URL.
• Select links.
• Use frames.
• Use search services to find information.
• Search the Web by topic and keyword.
• Send and reply to e-mail.
• Save and print Web pages.

MS Word

• Develop a document as well as enter and edit text.
• Insert and delete text and blank lines.
• Display formatting marks.
• Use AutoCorrect, AutoText, and AutoComplete.
• Use automatic spelling and grammar checking.
• Save, close, and open files.
• Select text.
• Undo and redo changes.
• Change fonts and type sizes.
• Bold and color text.
• Change alignment.
• Insert, size, and move pictures.
• Preview and print a document.
• Use the Spelling and Grammar tool and the Thesaurus.
• Move, cut, and copy text and formats.
• Works with multiple documents.
• Control document paging.
• Find and replace text.
• Insert the current date.
• Change margins, line spacing, and indents.
• Create a tabbed table and an itemized list.
• Add color highlighting and underlines to text.
• Create and remove a hyperlink.
• Add AutoText and Auto shapes.
• Edit in Print Preview.
• Create and modify an outline.
• Hide spelling and grammar errors.
• Use click and type.
• Apply styles.
• Create and update a table of contents.
• Create a section break.
• Center a page vertically.
• Create a section break.
• Center a page vertically.
• Create footnotes.
• Use Document Map.
• Wrap text around graphics.
• Add captions and cross-references.
• Create and format a simple table.
• Sort a reference list.
• Add headers, footers, and page numbers.
• Print selected pages and save to a new folder.

MS Excel

• Enter, edit, and clear cell entries.
• Save, close, and open workbooks.
• Specify ranges.
• Copy and move cell entries.
• Enter formulas and functions.
• Adjust column widths.
• Change cell alignment.
• Format cells.
• Insert rows.
• Insert and size a clipart graphic.
• Enter and format a date.
• Preview and print a worksheet.
• Select a chart data range.
• Change the type of chart.
• Move the chart location.
• Format chart elements.
• Add chart titles and move the legend.
• Create a combination chart.
• Change worksheet data.
• Add data label, text boxes, and arrows.
• Create, explode, and rotate a pie chart.
• Apply patterns and color.
• Size and align a sheet on a page.
• Add predefined headers and footers.
• Document, preview, and print a workbook
• Spell-check a sheet.
• Use Paste function.
• Use absolute references.
• Copy, move, and name sheets.
• Use Autofill.
• Reference multiple sheets.
• Zoom the worksheet.
• Split windows and freeze panes.
• Use What-If analysis and Goal Seek.
• Change page orientation.
• Add custom headers and footers.
• Print selected sheets.

MS Access

• Plan and create a database.
• Create a table.
• Define field names, data types, field properties, and primary key fields.
• Save the table structure.
• Change views.
• Enter and edit data in Datasheet view and Date Entry.
• Insert a picture.
• Adjust column widths.
• Use the Best Fit feature.
• Delete records.
• Preview and print a table.
• Change page orientation.
• Close and open a table and database.
• Navigate a large table.
• Change field format properties
• Set default field values.
• Insert a field.
• Add validity checks.
• Hide and redisplay fields.
• Find and replace data.
• Use undo.
• Sort records.
• Create and enter records into a form.
• Preview, print, close, and save a form.
• Filter table records.
• Create and modify a query
• Move columns.
• Move columns.
• Query two tables.
• Create reports form tables and queries.
• Modify a report design.
• Change page margins.
• Print a selected page.
• Compact a database.

MS PowerPoint

• Use the AutoContent Wizard to create a presentation
• View and edit a presentation.
• Save and open a presentation.
• Check spelling.
• Delete, move, and insert slides.
• Size and move placeholders.
• Run a slide show.
• Change fonts and formatting.
• Insert pictures and clip art.
• Preview and print a presentation.
• Find and replace text.
• Create and enhance a table.
• Modify graphic objects and crate a text box.
• Change the presentation’s design and color scheme.
• Change and slide and title footer.
• Duplicate and hide slides.
• Create and enhance AutoShapes.
• Add animation, sound, transition, and build effects.
• Control and annotate a slide show.
• Create speaker notes.
• Check style consistency.
• Document of file.
• Print scaled and framed handouts.