CSIT104: COURSE SYLLABUS (Sections: 01 & 02)
Introduction to Microcomputer Software (Fall 2008)

1. Introduction to Microcomputer Software is a three-credit course. An introductory course on Spreadsheet concepts using Microsoft Excel 2007, Database concepts using Microsoft Access 2007 and comprises of elementary concepts and operations of spreadsheets and database management systems; analysis of a variety of problems, their design, implementation of solutions using commercially available window-based software and may use Internet as a part of some lab work.

2. Prerequisite: Three units of high school mathematics.

3. Course Textbooks:  Exploring Microsoft Office Excel 2007 by Robert Grauer and Judy Scheeren & Exploring Microsoft Office Access 2007 by Robert Grauer and Maurie Lockley (Comprehensive Editions, Prentice Hall, Inc. 2008). Textbooks can be purchased from college bookstore or from publisher's website.

4. Materials Required: (a) One 512 MB or 1 GB USB flash/jump drive

5. CCC Standing: CSIT104 satisfies Part 2 of Core College Curriculum: Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Part I.D.b of General College Program (GCP). This course develops analytical and critical thinking skills by using computer software to build mathematical models related to the business and personal applications.

6. Course Homepage: (i) ANGEL: https://angel.fredonia.edu

                                      (ii) CS Server: http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/singh

7. Exams and Quizzes: All Exams and quizzes must be taken on the date scheduled. Failure to do so will result in a zero for that Exam or quiz grade.  An Exam or quiz missed due to absence cannot be made up unless prior arrangements have been made 24 hours before starting of an Exam/Quiz with the instructor and should be validated with a written excuse from the proper authority (e.g., doctor’s note for sickness or a copy of death certificate of a family member/friend in case of death or a written note from your coach if you are an athlete/participate in college supports) will be required before a makeup is considered.

8. Lab Assignments/Projects: All lab assignments/projects are due at the beginning of class on the dates to be set by the instructor. A 15% penalty will be assessed for each calendar day of lateness.  Lab Assignments/projects handed in more than five calendar days late will not be accepted for credit. These lab assignments and projects are to represent your own efforts at a solution. All parties involved in copying a given assignment shall get zero score. You should spend at least three hours per week outside of class to complete the assignments. Exam/Quiz dates and lab assignment/project due dates will be announced in class and posted on ANGEL.  It is your responsibility to keep a track of all course announcements including due dates of lab assignments/projects and no blame game later on whatsoever.

9. Grading: The grading will be done on the basis of the score obtained in lab assignments, projects, exams and quizzes. 

10. Letter Grades:

11. Attendance: Class attendance is highly recommended as all assignments/projects, exams and quizzes are based upon the class work and since during class time you can most easily get my help while you work through the lab activities. You are responsible for all the material presented in class and announcements. No excuses of any nature will relieve you from the responsibility of missed announcements. There will be five points for class attendance.

12. Academic Honesty: The specific actions in response to incidents of student dishonesty are inclusive of receiving a failing grade for an exam, quiz, assignment or the course, suspension or dismissal from college. I grades are given only if illness, hardship or any other extra ordinary circumstances preclude the completion of the course.  Here, again a written excuse form proper authority is required to consider your request. An I grade must be arranged before the final examination.

13. Click here for the Academic Calendar of Fall 2008

14. Class/Lab Procedures: (a) Bring your USB flash/jump drive to class daily. I recommend you use your personal storage space (U:\) on the Fredonia server mainly for backup purposes, which should be done regularly. Flash/jump is used to do lab assignments in class and occasionally for Exams/projects, but we may use the Drop Box feature in Angel server at Fredonia. 

(b) Textbooks should be brought to each class. Take time to read the required text.  We may do some parts of (or some variation thereof) the hands-on exercises together in class; otherwise it is expected that you will perform the tasks in the hands-on exercises on your own as you read the material. The completed hands-on, practice exercises and other assigned work will be handed in as indicated on the lab assignment sheets. 

(c) A large portion of our class time will be used to work on lab assignments, but you will still need to plan additional time outside of class to complete the activities. Refer to the lab assignment sheets for the lab assignments and corresponding due dates.  Remember, NO LABS WILL BE ACCEPTED MORE THAN FIVE CALENDAR DAYS LATE!

(d) Each completed assignment will consist of the lab assignment sheet as a cover sheet, printouts to be handed in from a given chapter. All printouts must be arranged chronologically, please.  Incomplete labs will not be graded.

(e) The three exams will include short answer questions plus programming questions. Short answer questions (multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank) are usually specific to a recently completed Chapter/Chapters.

15. Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability, (physical or psychological) and require reasonable assistance to enable you to participate in this course, please see me during the first two weeks of class for appropriate arrangements.

Important Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of instructor.