CSCI1000-W13: Introduction to Computer Science Applications

Course Syllabus

Spring 2019

 

Professor:        Dr. Yao
Email:              jf.yao@gcsu.edu
URL:               http://abacus.gcsu.edu/  or http://abacus2.gcsu.edu

Office Hours: via Webex (https://gcsu.webex.com/join/jf.yaogcsu.edu ):  8:20a.m.-9:20a.m., 10:50a.m.-12:20p.m. on Tu. and Th. or by appointments (email: jf.yao@gcsu.edu)

Classroom: online (all course material can be accessed via GeorgiaView, a.k.a D2L, at https://gcsu.view.usg.edu/ )

Lab: SAM (Use a web browser to get access to it via D2L, on D2L under “Content Browser”, then “SAM Lab Learning”, then “CSCI1000-Spring-2019-DrYao”.  In addition to your own computer, computer labs in GCSU library are available to all students as well)

REQUIRED TEXT: There are two textbooks for this course:

·      SAM. Could be purchased from Cengage at <http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9781305442788> that contains SAM access code which you will need it to access SAM.

·      An Introduction to Programming Using Alice 2.2, 2nd Edition, ISBN-13: 9780538478663 (new or used).  Could be purchased from Amazon at <https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Programming-Using-Alice-Second/dp/B007534YKM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1496630685&sr=1-1&keywords=An+Introduction+to+Programming+Using+Alice+2.2+2nd+Edition>  

REQUIRED MATERIAL: SAM 14-digits access code, and SAM can be accessed from D2L. (on D2L under “SAM Lab Learning” and then “CSCI1000-Summer-II-2018-DrYao”)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1.      To teach students basic concepts in the areas of software applications, Alice programming, equipment, information representation, and contemporary computing issues.

2.      To teach students in lab, PowerPoint Presentation, Excel Spreadsheets, Access Database Systems.  

GRADING POLICY:

                                               Percentage
    PowerPoint exam               25% (hands-on exam on SAM; Feb. 7-8, 2019)

    Excel exam                         25% (hands-on exam on SAM; March 7-8, 2019)

    Access exam                       25% (hands-on exam on SAM; April 4-5, 2019)

    Alice exam                          25% (multiple-choice questions on GeorgiaView/D2L;

                                                          May 2-3, 2019)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                                100% 

 

Alternative option:         

                                                Percentage
    PowerPoint exam               20% (hands-on exam on SAM; Feb. 7-8, 2019)

    Excel exam                         20% (hands-on exam on SAM; March 7-8, 2019)

    Access exam                       20% (hands-on exam on SAM; April 4-5, 2019)

    Alice exam                          20% (multiple-choice questions on GeorgiaView/D2L;

                                                          May 2-3, 2019)

    Final Exam                          20% (comprehensive multiple-choice exam over Discovering

                                                          Computers and Microsoft Office on SAM; May. 7-8,                 

                                                          2019)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                                100% 

Prior to the final exam, students could decide to take the alternative option, namely taking the final exam.  In that case, the final exam will be counted in the overall grade.  However, if you take the final exam, the exam will be counted toward the overall grade.  You cannot take the final exam and ask for not count the final exam grade.

FINAL GRADES:
      Grade              Percentage
        A                90% and up
        B                80% - 89.99%
        C                70% - 79.99%
        D                60% - 69.99%
        F                59.99% or less

COURSE POLICY:

Ø   Reading “Discussions” on D2L (https://gcsu.view.usg.edu/) daily is a requirement. All important announcements including, but not limited to, instructions for trainings and practice will be posted on D2L.

Ø   Lab software trainings and Alice exam exercise are essential in obtaining a good grade.  It is your responsibility to attend the lab (SAM on D2L) in order to achieve good learning, therefore obtain a good grade.  Note that the trainings and exercise have not counted toward the overall grade.

Ø   The Alice exam practice on D2L and the MS-Office trainings on SAM are imperative in obtaining a good grade from your exams. I strongly encourage you to do these trainings and practice prior to exams.

Ø   You must NOT miss any exam unless you have a verifiable written excuse.  An unexcused absence from an exam will result in a numerical grade of zero.

Ø   Your overall grades are updated on the regular basis on D2L throughout the term.

 

IMPORTANT INFO:

·      The first thing you need to do is to go to D2L to create a SAM account and sign up to my class, CSCI1000-Spring-2019-DrYao. You may do this step ASAP. In the process of creating your SAM account, you need the 14-digits SAM access key code. You may purchase the textbooks that include the access key code from the websites stated above under “REQUIRED TEXT”.

·      The help for SAM can be found on SAM. You need to read this manual on SAM carefully.

·      Online CSCI1000 class will have 4 components (PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Alice), and each of the first three components (Powerpoint, Excel, and Access) includes a training and an exam on SAM, which is an online software that can emulate Office.

·      How long will a person take to finish a training depends on individual differences.  The good thing about the training is that you don't have to finish it at one time.  Some people split a training into several portions and finish them in different times.  You may do them according to your own pace at the choice of your time, therefore it’s very flexible.  

·      The exams for PowerPoint, Excel, and Access will be taking place on the day specified on SAM. Each Microsoft Office Exam will be taking place on the exam day starting at 12:00 a.m., and you have 48-hour period to start your exam. Once you start it, you have to finish it in a time limit (typically it’s about 100 minutes per exam) without a break. Keep in mind that the Alice exercise and each MS-Office training will be turned off once the exam starts. The details will be on D2L quizzes and SAM exams.

·      As to Alice, it involves studying the book about Alice and taking an exam on GeorgiaView. I will provide PowerPoint slides for Alice in PDF format on D2L.

·      Keeping up with everything is very important. If you must go on a vacation, making sure the Internet connection is good. I would not accept any excuse about poor Internet connection.

·      Any newest info will be post on D2L under “Announcements”.

 ACADEMIC HONESTY:

The integrity of students is a critical component of the academic process.  All written work submitted in this course must be individual work. The submission of another’s work as one’s own is plagiarism, and will be dealt with using the procedures outlined on the Undergraduate Catalog. You may view the GCSU code of conduct online.

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:

Session One (Jan. 14, 2019-Feb. 8, 2019)      MS-PowerPoint (Training and exam)

Session Two (Feb. 9, 2019-Mar. 8, 2019)      MS-Excel (Training and exam)

Session Three (Mar. 9, 2019-Apr. 5, 2019)    MS-Access (Training and exam)

Session Four (Apr. 6, 2019-May 3, 2019)      Alice (exercise and exam)

Final Week (May 7-8, 2019)                          Final Exam