CSCI1000-01, Spring, 2025

(Jan. 13, 2025 – May 05, 2025)

Introduction to Computer Science Applications

Course Syllabus

 

Professor:        Dr. Yao
Email:              jf.yao@gcsu.edu

Phone:             (478) 445-5483
URL:               http://abacus2.gcsu.edu (Ignore the security warning.)

Lab: MyLab IT (Use a web browser to get access to it.  Computers in Atk307, computer labs in the GCSU library, and GCSU Thundercloud (under Unify) are available to all students)

Classroom: Atk 309 (all course material can be accessed via GeorgiaView, a.k.a D2L, at https://gcsu.view.usg.edu/ (8:00AM – 9:15AM)

 

Office Hours:  Office Hours: Tuesday:  12:15PM - 3:15PM

Thursday: 12:15PM - 2:15PM

and by appointment (face-to-face or online)

·      Emails that are not urgent will be answered during the office hours 

 

REQUIRED TEXTS: etextbooks in MyLab IT, an optional Python textbook and a free online Python Tutorial:

·      GO! 2021 with Technology in Action -- MyLab IT with Pearson eText Access Code

By  alan evans; kendall martin; mary anne poatsy

Edition : 18TH 24

Publisher : PEARSON CO

ISBN 13 : 8220144724378

·       

o   There are two ways to purchase MyLab IT access code:

1.     They could be purchased from a link in D2L.  When you go to MyLab IT on D2L, the system will prompt you to purchase the access code. This is the easiest way.

2.     MyLab IT access code is also available at the GCSU bookstore.  The link here: https://gcsu.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TBListView?catalogId=10001&storeId=83736&langId=-1&courseXml=<textbookorder><courses><course dept="CSCI" num="1000" sect="21659" term="W25"/></courses></textbookorder>  

o   Do not purchase the 14-day trial version, because it would not be enough and may cause problems if you later purchase full access.

·      The optional Python textbook can be purchased at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Programming-Brief-Impatient-Python/dp/B09XZMPRV2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3Q452R4MOX85X&keywords=Gongbing+Hong&qid=1704209454&s=books&sprefix=gongbing+hong%2Cstripbooks%2C98&sr=1-1

·      Python Tutorial could be accessed at https://www.w3schools.com/python/default.asp for free.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES:

·      This Core IMPACTS course is part of the Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences (STEM) area. Core IMPACTS is the University System of Georgia (USG) and GCSU core curriculum, which is designed to ensure that students acquire essential knowledge in foundational academic areas and develop career-ready competencies to support their broad academic and career goals.

·      This course should direct students toward this broad Orienting Question: How do I ask scientific questions or use data, mathematics, or technology to understand the universe?

·      Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies: Inquiry and Analysis, Problem-Solving, Teamwork

·      Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following USG Core Learning Outcome: Students will use the scientific method and laboratory procedures or mathematical and computational methods to analyze data, solve problems, and explain natural phenomena.

·      Completion of this course will also enable students to meet the following GCSU Core Learning Outcomes:

a.     Students will be able to use technology to facilitate problem-solving.

b.     Students will be able to use critical observation and analysis to model and/or predict natural phenomena.

c.     Students will be able to evaluate mathematical and/or quantitatively based arguments.

·      Basic concepts in the areas of software applications, basic programming, equipment, information representation, and contemporary computing issues.

·      Excel Spreadsheets, Access Database Systems.

·      Python Programming

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GRADE DISTRIBUTION:

    Technology in Action         30% (Pieces of Training and Quizzes)

    Excel                                   35% (Pieces of Training and Assessments) 

    Python                                 35% (Quiz on GeorgiaView/D2L, will take place 8:00AM Friday, May 9, 2025)

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        Total                               100%

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FINAL GRADES:
      Grade           Points
        A             90 or up
        B             80 – 89.99
        C             70 – 79.99
        D             60 – 69.99
        F              59.99 or less

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COURSE POLICY:

·      Keep up with the “Announcements” on D2L (https://gcsu.view.usg.edu/ ) is a requirement. Important announcements including, but not limited to, instructions for training, assessments, and quizzes will be posted on D2L.

·      All training, assignments, and quizzes are essential in obtaining a good grade.  It is your responsibility to attend the lab (MyLab IT on D2L and Python Tutorial at https://www.w3schools.com/python/default.asp ) to achieve good learning, therefore obtain a good grade.

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

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IMPORTANT INFO:

·      Spring starts on Jan 3, 2025.  You need to get to work as soon as the class begins. The first thing you need to do is to go to D2L to create a MyLab IT account and sign up for my class, CSCI1000-01 Spring 2025, DrYao. You may do this step ASAP. In the process of creating your MyLab IT account, you need the MyLab IT access key code.

·      You may purchase the textbooks that include the access key code from the GCSU bookstore or the websites stated above under “REQUIRED TEXT”.

• Note that you always need to access MyLab IT from D2L.  You must not access it from the Mylab IT website directly. See the section of GET ACCESS TO PEARSON MYLAB IT FROM D2L for details.
• The help for MyLab IT can be found on MyLab IT.   It's under "Getting Started" and then "Student User Guide".

·      The class will have 4 components (Technology in Action, Excel, Access, and Python), and each of the first three components (Technology in Action, Excel, and Access) are on MyLab IT, which is online software that can emulate Office 2021.

·      You also need to install MS Office 365 on your PC (preferred) or Mac for the assignments.  Using the online version of MS Office would not work for some of the components.  You may download Office 365 from the GCSU Unify website for free.  The steps to obtain Office 365 follow:

o   Login into Unify at https://unify.gcsu.edu

o   Click on the “Office 365” tab at the middle top position

o    Click on the “Access Office 365” button

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·      You may also use Office 365 via a web browser by going to Unify (https://unify.gcsu.edu ) and click on Thundercloud, then select GCSU Student.  Then use unify credentials to log in. The Windows environment will show up.  Search for Word, Excel, or Access, they will show.  Thundercloud is a remote server that provides a Windows environment.  You may use Thundercloud to do your Access (and/or Word, Excel) assignments.

·      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 the training into several portions and finish them at different times.  You may do them according to your own pace at the choice of your time, therefore it’s very flexible.

·      Each component on MyLab IT is set up with a due day.  You need to keep up with the due day because you will have a lot of material to go through.  My recommendation is to do all components as soon as possible, when you have time.  Don’t do them at the last minute.

·      The Python tutorial is on https://www.w3schools.com/python/default.asp; the Python quiz, on D2L.

·      As to Python, it involves studying the tutorial about Python programming and taking a quiz on GeorgiaView/D2L. on D2L.

·      All in all, the class only lasts about 15 weeks and there are a lot of materials. Therefore keeping up with everything is very important.  I would not recommend any vacation during the class session (Except the Spring Break). If you must go on a vacation, making sure the Internet connection is good. I would not accept any excuse for a poor Internet connection.

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

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 ACADEMIC HONESTY:

MyLab IT has the capabilities of identifing cheating with all the detail evidences. 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.

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TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:

The introduction                                             Thundercloud, OneDrive, Windows operations and file structures

The 1st trimester                                             Technology in Action (Pieces of Training and quizzes)

The 2nd trimester                                            MS-Excel (Pieces of Training and assessments)

The 3rd trimester                                            Python (Tutorial and quiz)

 

CLASS ENDS ON May 5, 2025 (Nothing will be accepted after the end of the term on 5/5/2025)

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GET ACCESS TO PEARSON MYLAB IT FROM D2L

Here’s how to register (or access) a MyLab IT course integrated with Brightspace by D2L.

Watch a video: Get Started with MyLab and Mastering with Brightspace

 

Steps: (Make sure you don’t use the private mode of a web browser, and you have set up the web browser correctly see https://mlm.pearson.com/northamerica/myitlab/system-requirements/index.html )

1.     Sign into D2L and select the course “Intro to Computer Sci Appl Section 01, Spring 2025”.

2.     Next, do the following:

·      Select Pearson module and link (MyLab IT) under Content Browser, then

·      Select Pearson MyLab IT, and then

·      Follow the prompt.

3.     If you're new to MyLab and Mastering products, select create and complete the required fields to create an account.

4.     If you've used MyLab or Mastering before, enter your existing Pearson account username and password to sign in.

5.     If you've used Pearson Revel before you may still need to create a new account.

6.     Select one of the available access options:

·      Enter a prepaid access code from the bookstore.

·      Use a credit card or PayPal to purchase instant access.

7.     Select Go to My Courses to view your MyLab or Mastering course.

 

We recommend you always enter your MyLab IT through D2L.

 

Need Help? Go to Pearson Support

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REQUIRED SYLLABUS STATEMENTS

·      https://www.gcsu.edu/required-syllabus-statements-registrar

 

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IMPORTANT DATES

Ø   

Ø  3/7/2025, Last day to drop a course or withdraw from all courses with a W grade (unless previously assigned an F by instructor or if the maximum number of dropped courses has been exceeded)

Ø  3/17/2025 - 3/21/2025, Spring Break

Ø  05/05/2025, Last Day of Classes

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