Anoka-Ramsey Community College
                     Fall 2007

BUS 1112.02/03 Computer Concepts and Applications                 
Fall Semester 2007, 3 credits
Class meets: MWF, 10-10:50 a.m. (.02 section), Room T210

                       MWF, 11-11:50 a.m. (.03 section), Room T210

Professor:                   Robbie McDonald
Campus email:            roberta.mcdonald@anokaramsey.edu
                                    (please put BUS1112 in subject line)
Web site:                     http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/mcdonald
Phone:                         763.433.1373
Fax:                             763.576.4637
Office:                         Suite B, Business/Nursing Building, Coon Rapids campus
Campus address:        11200 Mississippi Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Office hours:               M, W, & F 9:00-9:50 a.m.

TEXT /Course Materials

The textbooks and course materials are packaged together and need to be purchased at the Anoka-Ramsey Coon Rapids campus bookstore.

Microsoft Office 2007, Introductory Concepts and Techniques, Windows XP Edition by Shelly, Cashman, Vermaat. (Published by THOMSON Course Technology). You must use Windows XP operating system and Microsoft Office 2007 Professional (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).

Discovering Computers 2008, Brief edition, by Shelly, Cashman, and Vermaat. (Published by THOMPSON Course Technology).

 

SAM 2007 testing software

Course description

Computer literacy course including information on computer hardware, software, operating systems, communications, security, ethics, and conducting research via the Internet. This course includes lab experience using Windows, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and the Internet. Prerequisite: BUS 1153 or keyboarding experience.

LEARNER OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. 

Understand the concepts of computer architecture; data storage; Internet and World Wide Web; operating systems; utility programs; applications software; data security, ethics, and privacy; and health concerns for computer workers.

2.

Use system software (MS Windows XP) to manage files.

3. 

Use the Internet to access information, communicate, and research topics

4. 

Create, format, and edit documents using Word 2007, Excel 2007, Access 2007, and PowerPoint 2007 software

5.

Integrate documents between Microsoft programs.

Technology requirements For This Course

You will need:

1.

Access to a computer outside of class. The brand, make, and model of computer do not matter. For best results, it should have a dual core processor with one gigabyte of memory (Random Access Memory).

2.

Windows XP operating system.

3.

Microsoft Office 2007 (professional version with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).

3.

Internet access--a DSL or cable modem access is highly recommended.

4.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6+.

5.

MetNet email account.

EVALUATION/GRADING

Course grades are based on points earned in the course. The approximate number of points is noted in brackets for each type of assessment activity:

Discovering Computers 2008 tests: Chapters 1-3 [30], Chapter 4 [15]; Chapters 4-6 [[30]; Chapters 7-8 [20].

In-class assignments: Focused assignments that reinforce computer concepts and software applications that are completed in class--with a partner or individually [5-15 points per week].

Assignments and quizzes: Focused assignments that reinforce computer concepts and software applications are assigned during the semester [5-10]. SAM software quizzes will be given after most MS Office projects [10-15]. There may be times when assignments are not graded and therefore do not impact your overall course grade.

Course grades are based on the percentage of points earned:

90-100% - A          80-89% - B         70-79% - C         60-69% - D         Below 60% - F

Students who select the Pass/Fail grading option must earn 70 percent or more for a “Pass.” If you prefer this grading option, please let me know by the tenth week of the semester.

ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES

In-class assignments must be completed on the day they are scheduled. If you miss class, in-class assignments cannot be made up.

If you have an emergency and miss a scheduled Discovering Computers test, you should call me to arrange an alternative testing time—the test must be scheduled with me before the next class meeting.

If you will miss class, you can turn in your assignments early, fax them to me, have someone drop them off in my office, or email them to me as an attachment. All assignments must be sent by the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments are not accepted. Please bring a printed copy to the next class of all electronically submitted work.

EMAIL

Students will use their metnet email address for all email communications. If you have not activated your metnet email account, please activate it this week. ARCC assigns email accounts for all students registered in credit-based courses through MetNet. There is information about the metnet email accounts on the Anoka-Ramsey (ARCC) Web site.

TIME COMMITMENT

For a 3-credit class, the assignment load is based on your spending approximately six hours a week outside of class. Most of the time our class sessions are used to reinforce concepts and complete evaluation activities and are not used to complete homework assignments.

ARCC COMPUTER LABS

If you prefer, you may use the computing facilities on campus. The open lab on the Coon Rapids campus is on the first floor of the Technology Building and is open from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, the lab closes at 3:30 p.m. The lab is open from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The lab is closed on official college holidays and holiday weekends. Lab aides are available to answer software questions but are not expected to know individual instructors' assignments or requirements. Hours for the Cambridge campus open lab are slightly different; check the Anoka-Ramsey Web page.

STUDENT CONCERNS

Academic honesty: The policies of Anoka-Ramsey Community College are strictly enforced in the case of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism and cheating on tests or assignments are not tolerated. The consequences of academic dishonesty vary from receiving a zero on an assignment to being dropped from the course.

 

Plagiarism

The concept of plagiarism can be confusing, and there is a difference between deliberate and accidental plagiarism. However, both will be treated the same in this course.

 

Plagiarism defined:  "Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off same as one's own, original work, or attempts thereof." (from Virginia Tech Honor System Constitution, February 1998).

 

If plagiarized work is suspected and proven, the student will receive a zero for the assignment and is subject to sanctions outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

 


The following web site offers an excellent definition of both deliberate and accidental plagiarism:  <http://www.millikin.edu/wcenter/plagiarism1.html>

 

Writing tutors are available in the Academic Support Center to help you with citing sources.

 

Special needs: Let me know if you have a special need that impacts your learning, including requests to provide course materials in an alternative format. The college has an Access Services department that can help you receive services such as interpreters, note takers, special testing environments, etc.

 

Instructor and tutor help: If you have problems understanding the content, please let me know as soon as possible in class, email, or phone. Please contact me before you get frustrated or so far behind that you feel completely lost. The open lab tutors are also able to help you with questions but I am available for more detailed explanations of concepts. Tutor hours will be given in class, or you can stop by the student support center.

 

Withdrawing from the course: If you decide to withdraw from the course, please call me or send an email message letting me know. Check the colleges web site for the last day to withdraw.

Be Respectful. Respect each of your classmate’s right to a valuable class experience, free of offensive language, intolerance, or harassment of any kind. Respect these facilities and our time together by eliminating all distractions, especially cell phones, iPods, and other gadgets, and by refraining from disruptions of any kind, including sleeping in class or talking when no formal class discussion is taking place. Finally, respect yourself by participating fully in each class session and making the most of this learning opportunity.

Be Responsible. As a student in this college course, you are responsible for your own success. This includes reading and following the syllabus. It’s expected that you arrive to each class session on-time, with assigned work completed, ready to participate fully. If you miss class, you are responsible for obtaining notes, assignments, and syllabus adjustments. You are responsible for being an active participant in this class rather than a passive observer.

Rise to the Challenge. College-level courses are demanding. They require deeper thinking, more effective writing, and greater personal involvement than many students realize. In order to succeed at this level, you must be willing to accept the challenges presented by the course material, your instructors, and a rigorous schedule. One of the rewards of this challenge can be the discovery that you are capable of much more than you imagined. Therefore, expect great things from yourself, work hard to achieve them, and seek help when you need it. The other members of this community of learners are here to support you, but it’s up to you to rise to the challenge.

 

This course is a foundation course for the Metropolitan State University and Anoka-Ramsey Community College cohort group for the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.


Tentative Schedule
(No classes September 3; October 10-alternative assignment, 18-19; and November 12, 22-23)

Microsoft Office 2007 textbook is listed below as MSOffice.
Discovering Computers 2008 textbook is listed below as DC.

Week Of

Topic/Assignments

Week 1
August 27

Introduction, syllabus quiz, SAM testing software.

DC: Read Chapter 1, “Introduction to Computers.” Online Companion powered by CoursePort.

Week 2
September 3

MSOffice: Introduction to Microsoft Windows XP. Download data files for MS Office assignments. MyARCC.
DC: Introduction to computers, continue.

Week 3
September 10

MSOffice: Word Project 1.
DC: Read Chapter 2, “The Internet and World Wide Web.”

Week 4
September 17

MS Office: Word Project 2.

Research using the World Wide Web.

Week 5
September 24

MSOffice: Word Project 3.

DC: Read Chapter 3, “Application Software.”

Week 6
October 1

SAM Word test.

MSOffice: Excel Project 1.

Computer security, privacy, and ethics.

Week 7
October 8

MS Office: Excel Project 2.

DC Test, Chapters 1-3

Week 8
October 15

Excel Project 2, continue.
DC: Read Chapter 4, “The Components of the System Unit.”

Week 9
October 22

MSOffice: Excel Project 3.

 

Week 10
October 29

SAM Excel test.

Charting handout
DC: Read Chapter 5, “Input.”

Week 11
November 5

MSOffice: PowerPoint Project 1.

Upload image using a digital camera or scanner.

Week 12
November 12

MSOffice: PowerPoint Project 2.

DC: Read Chapter 6, “Output.”

Computer Topic: Health Concerns of Computer Use.

Week 13
November 19

MSOffice: Access Project 1.
DC: Read “Digital Imaging and Video Technology,” page 342.

DC Test, Chapters 4-6

Week 14
November 26

MSOffice: Access Project 2.

DC: Read Chapter 7, “Storage.”

Week 15
December 3

MSOffice: Access Project 3.

SAM Access test.

DC: Read Chapter 8, “Operating Systems and Utility Programs.”

Week 16
December 10

Integration of MS Office applications.

DC test, Chapters 7-8
Access SAM concept test

Final

Bus 1112.02 (10:00 section) Monday, December 17 @11:50 – 1:50 p.m. T210

Bus 1112.03 (11:00 section) Tuesday, December 18 @ 11:50 – 1:50 p.m. T210

Bus1112Fall2007.doc