INSTRUCTOR:

Gary Parker Office: E-109 Phone: 541-278-5772 Email: gparker@bluecc.edu Website: http://cs.bluecc.edu/parker/

CLASS WEB SITE: http://cs.bluecc.edu/cs120

Parker's CS 120 Schedule

CREDITS: 4

TERMS: Spring 2006

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

Students in this course will study computers and their applications (note: this is not a "first" or "beginning" computer course). Student will develop an understanding of concepts and terminology related to computer systems and develop skills and understanding in the use of software. Concepts include an overview of computer systems, system & applications software, networks, the Internet, and societal & ethical issues. Hands-on experience will include intermediate to advanced word processing, spreadsheets, database, graphics, presentation graphics, and web publishing.

CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE:

The student's progress will be graded in this course using the following criteria:

1. Reading: The student will be expected to read chapters 1-10 of the textbook. There will be no lectures on this material. Chapter 0 contains introductory material that students are expected to already know.
   
   
2. Quizzes (15% of the final grade (30 points each)): Quizzes for each chapter will be posted on the CS 120 Web Site. Quizzes are due as indicated on the class schedule. Quiz scores below 75% will NOT be accepted (i.e. anything below 75% will be recorded as a 5%). Each quiz may be taken as many as 5 times (highest score will be recorded).
   
   
3. Chapter Tests (30% of the final grade (150 points each)): There will be four closed book and closed notes written test on the textbook material (chapters 1-3, chapters 4-5, chapters 6-7, and chapters 8-10). Distance learning students will take tests at their nearest BMCC center. Tests are due as indicated on the class schedule.
   
   
4. Reading/Writing Assignments (15% of the final grade (30 1/3 points each)): The Case of the Killer Robot is a series of 9 articles by Richard G. Epstein of West Chester University of Pennsylvania that chronicles the fictitious events of a industrial accident involving a robot. Each week a new article will be posted on the CS120 Web Site. Included will be questions concerning the article. Your answers to these questions are to be submitted by email. These answers are due as indicated on the class schedule. Your grade on these articles will be based on the number of assignments completed on time (note: each article is worth 11.1% of this portion of your final grade).
   
   
5. Application Projects (30% of the final grade (50 points each)): There will be 12 projects using the applications studied in this course. See the projects page for descriptions. See the class schedule for DUE dates.
   
   
6. Final (10% of the final grade (100 points each)): The final exam will be a closed book and closed notes written test (distance learning students will take it at their nearest BMCC center). The first half will be on computing concepts from the textbook and the second half will be on general principles of the applications used in this course.

The grading scale that will be used for this course will be:

• 90%+ = A
• 80%-89% = B
• 70%-79% = C
• 60%-69% = D
• below 60% = F.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

• CS 80 or equivalent (basic word processing, email, Internet research, and file management skills are expected).
• Students must be able to read and follow directions, and use a keyboard and mouse (or other pointing device).

REQUIRED TEXT FOR THE COURSE:

Computer Confluence (Introductory), Seventh Edition        by: George Beekman & Michael J. Quinn        ISBN: 0-13-152530-1 Textbook Companion Web Site (supplementary: use as needed) Other Materials Needed: Removable storage device/media. Examples include: USB Flash Memory (recommended), CD-R, ZIP disk, or 3.5" floppy disks (not recommended).

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

Blue Mountain Community College operates as an educational institution and expects its students and patrons to exhibit personal behavior appropriate to an educational setting. The following policy is intended to restrict students or others from campus facilities due to inappropriate behavior within the classroom or on the campus.

Student Classroom Behavior

• Disruptive behavior would be defined as any type of activity that would interrupt, in a negative manner, the normal flow of information exchange in the classroom. Such conduct will not be tolerated because it interferes with the financial and educational investments of other students. Students that exhibit such unacceptable behavior will be asked to leave the classroom setting and will only be allowed readmission with the written authorization of the Dean of Students and the Dean of Instruction.

Campus Behavior

• The college allows access of facilities to students and district patrons as long as appropriate behavior is exhibited. Disruptive behavior that infringes upon the rights of others in the use of facilities will not be tolerated.
• When inappropriate behavior is observed by an official of the college it is expected that the offensive individual will be asked to vacate the premises. Further, he/she will be required to confer with the Dean of Students before any further use of college facilities will be allowed.
• Examples of inappropriate behavior include but are not limited to:
  • Verbal or physical abuse of another person.
  • Vandalism or theft.
  • Malicious destruction, damage, or misuse of college property.
  • Indecent conduct.
  • Disorderly conduct.
  • Failure to heed warnings of inappropriate behavior by college officials.
  • Possession, consumption, or furnishing of alcoholic beverages on campus.
  • Illegal possession, use, sale, purchase of, or trafficking in narcotic or dangerous drugs.

AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT:

If you have a disability that may need accommodation or academic adjustment, special services are available. Please contact the Special Services Provider, Amy Spiegel, in Morrow Hall room M154, 278-5807, for more information.