Introduction To Computing: Business
Applications
Course Outline
CSCI 1302
Dr. Thomas E. Hicks
Computer Science Department
Trinity University
Overview
Introduction To Computing: Business
Applications is Trinity University's attempt to prepare graduates to (1) utilize
the computer efficiently and effectively in the "academic world" and (2) be
productive in the "real world" of business, and and (3) be productive in the
education of others. This class is a three hour computer science course whose
major topics are described below.
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Introduction To Computing
Hardware, Software, Files, Formats |
Hardware Terminology
Window 95/NT Operating System UNIX Operating System |
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Computers & Text
Word Processing Software |
Microsoft Word 97
Power Point 97 Text Editors vs Word Processors |
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Computers and Numbers
Quantitative Analysis Using Spreadsheet Software |
Microsoft Excel 97 |
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Computers and Information Retrieval
Structuring & Retrieving Data Using Database Software |
Microsoft FoxPro (Version 5) or Access
Create Database, Screens, Reports, Update, & Query Database |
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Computers and Graphics
Visualizing & Illustrating Data Using Graphics Software |
Paint Shop Pro
Graphical Image Construction Graphical Image Formats Using Digital Cameras & Scanners Multimedia - PowerPoint Multimedia - Web Pages |
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Computer Communications
Using Local Area Networks, E-Mail, & WWW |
Electronic Mail
Netscape & Explorer Browsers Decompression Software - WinZip Data Communications Local Area Networks FTP - Using WS_FTP HTML & Web Page Construction WWW Editors Internet Search Engines Download & Install Applications |
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Computer Ethics
Issues of Privacy and the Legal Use of Software & Data |
Computer Ethics
Software Usage Shareware/Freeware Copyright & the Law |
Required Textbooks
Easy Microsoft Access 97
The Computer Continuum
Grade Breakdown
There will be two exams this semester.
There will be unannounced 15 point quizzes given as needed.
There will be no make-up quizzes given! Questions on the quiz will pertain
to reading assignments, labs, and lecture during the previous two weeks.
I will often place a quiz warning on the class schedule page.
Laboratory assignments will be assigned regularly throughout
the semester. These labs will be collected in wire-band binders. The wire-band
binders will generally be kept 1 - 2 weeks for grading and then returned.
Projects and Labs generally total 400-600 points. Computer
Science is a "participant sport". A sizable portion of your grade
is related to your usage of computers! In order to do well in this course,
most of you should plan on using the computer about eight-nine hours a
week.
Grading Scale
by Jeff Bryne (QUE ISBN# 0789710277)
by Kurt Lauckner (QUE ISBN#
1-58076-059-7)
Exam 1 - 200 points - 2/26
Exam 2 - 300 points - 4/23
| A 93% - 100%
A- 90% - 92.9% |
B+ 87% - 89.9%
B 83% - 86.9% B- 80% - 82.9% |
C+ 77% - 79.9%
C 73% - 76.9% C- 70% - 72.9% |
D+ 67% - 69.9%
D 63% - 66.9% D- 60% - 62.9% |
F 0% - 59.9% |
Materials Required
Lab Assignments & Projects In Wire-Band
Report Covers Only
All assignments must be in wire-band report covers. No
assignments will be accepted unless they are punched and inserted
into the wire band report covers. Make sure that all disks are in a plastic
pouch; do not tape them in the binder or insert them loose. All loose disks
and loose paper assignments will be discarded!
Where To Submit Lab Assignments For Grading
All labs are to by 2:35 P.M. on the date scheduled. Labs submitted after 2:35 are late! Do not come to class late or skip class in order to complete your assignments, this will put you behind on the new material!
On top of the table, outside my office [Halsell 201 J] door, will be one basket marked To Grade - CSCI 1300 - 11:30 and another basket marked To Grade - CSCI 1300 - 1:30; place your assignments in the basket associated with your class.
All assignments are to be left in the "to grade" baskets
on top of the table outside my office. Do not give them to Dr. Hicks
in a lab. Do not slide them under the department or office doors. Do not
give them to a secretary. Do not give them to Dr. Hicks in his office.
Where To Pick Up Graded Lab Assignments
Beneath the table, outside my office [Halsell 201 J] door,
will be one basket marked Graded Labs - CSCI 1300 - 11:30
and another basket marked Graded Labs - CSCI 1300 - 1:30; pick up
graded assignments from the proper basket. They will generally be graded
and returned to the baskets in 7-10 days; often in one week!
Late Lab Assignments Will Be Accepted Three days Late!!
Late Labs will be accepted. The penalty for 1 day late shall not exceed 15%. The penalty for two days late shall not exceed 30%. The penalty for three days late shall not exceed 50%. Labs turned in more than three day late will generally receive very little credit!
There will often be several assignments due on the same
date. In order to avoid late penalties on all labs, students may submit
a portion of the labs, in one binder, on time and submit the remaining
late labs in a separate binder later.
What if the Lab is Down For A Period Of Time?
Should university access to computer facilities significantly effect your ability to complete an assignment, due dates will be appropriately adjusted; these dates will not be altered if a lab is down for only part of an evening. It is not necessary to call Dr. Hicks if the network goes down. Labs should be done as scheduled!
Wire-Band Report Requirements
All assignments will be professional in appearance and professional in quality! No assignments will be accepted unless they are bound in the wire-band binders. Each assignment will be punched and properly inserted into the wire-band binder. Do not submit a pocket folder! Do not submit a three ring notebook! Think ahead; you have one week to get this together!
Can you send me email?
Yes! I try to check my e-mail M-F but I am sometimes detained by students. I do answer many short questions. I do not debug programs mailed to me!
thicks@trinity.eduHome Page For Dr. Thomas E. Hicks
http://www.cs.trinity.edu/~thicksWhen seeking a letter of reference or a job recommendation
Some assignments will be team assignments. Most assignments will be individual assignments. With the exception of fellow team members, working on a team assignment, each student is to complete his/her own work. All exams shall be done individually by each student. It is this professor's feelings that those students who sacrifice their own integrity by falsely representing their work, or who knowingly aide others in doing so, have no place in higher education.
The general policy for cheating is an automatic "F" in the course, a letter submitted to student affairs, and the proper following of Trinity University academic integrity policy.
Take great care to erase all labs from university computers so that others may not submit your work as their own! Do not loan any lab or project to a fellow student! Do your own work!
Before you resort to turning in someone else's work as
your own, let's talk. If you are under undue pressure to aide other students
in such a way that your own security is threatened, let's talk.It is not
worth failing a three hour course and risking your entire academic future!
Office Hours:- Halsell 201J & Halsell 201K [First Come- First Serve]
Monday
8:00-11:15 AM
Tuesday
8:00 - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
8:00-11:15 AM
I am almost always in my office or helping a student in
a lab during office hours; if I must miss my office hours, I generally
post a note on the door and/or send mail to my students and/or notify students
in lecture. If I am not physically in the office, I will have most
often gone to one of the Halsell Labs to help one of my students. If
I am not in my office, check the CS Majors Lab [Halsell 340], check the
UNIX lab [Halsell 228], the Virtual Reality Lab [Halsell 200] or the University
Lab [Halsell 226]. Please let me know that you are waiting to see me.