Course Description:

Introduces problem solving through computer applications and via a programming language. Examines the development of computers, their social and ethical implications, and properties of programming languages. Covers input, storage, data manipulation, software and hardware.

Prerequisites:

None

Instructor:
Rick Miller, MS Computer Science
California State University Long Beach
Phone: 703-207-0532
email: rick@warrenworks.com
web site: www.warrenworks.com

Text:

	Buy or borrow a book on Microsoft Office 2007. The rest of the material will come from web resources and class lectures.

Class Hours:
Time: Saturday, 9am - 11:50am
Room: AA - 0156
Dates: 28 August - 18 December 2010

Office Hours:
You can talk to me before, during or after class. You can also call me but I prefer email.

Important Dates To Remember:

• First day of class: 28 August 2010
• Last day to drop with tuition refund or change to Audit: 9 September 2010
• Last day to withdraw without grade penalty: 1 November 2010 (Note: The award of 'W' after the last day to withdraw without grade penalty REQUIRES official documentation and the Dean's signature.)
• Holidays/Non Instructional Days: 27 November 2010 (Thanksgiving)
• Last day of class: 18 December 2010

Course Objectives:
Upon the completion of this course you will be able to:

• Identify and explain the basic use of the hardware components of a personal computer.
• Identify the purpose and use of an operating system.
• Utilize operating system utilities to create, copy, and manipulate files.
• Understand the difference between system software and application software.
• Learn how to use the following applications: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access.
• Use an internet browser to connect to web sites and retrieve information.
• Understand the purpose and use of elementary program control structures
• Solve a problem using a programming language
• Cite at least two ways computers are changing society.
• State at least two malicious activities against which a user must protect himself when using the internet.

Major Topics:

• Introduction to computers
  • History
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Internal representation
  • Role in society
  • Ethical use
• Operating System
  • Environment
  • Files
    • Creation
    • Management
  • Graphical User Interfaces
• Word Processing
  • Document creation
  • Editing
  • Formatting
• Spreadsheet
  • Creation
  • Editing
  • Formatting
  • Formulas
• Database
  • Relational database fundamentals
  • Creatio
  • Querying
  • Simple forms and reports
• Computer Communication
  • email
  • internet
• Programming
  • Problem Solving
  • Programming methodologies
  • Algorithms
  • Programmng Constructs
    • Simple data types
    • Input/Output
    • Sequence
    • Iteration
    • Selection
  • Coding and syntax
  • Testing and debugging
• blah, blah, blah,...

Grades:
Your grade for this class will be derived from your performance on tests and projects.

Date	Description	Weight
27 Feb 2010	Computer Basics Exam (Study Guide) Word version	20%
8 May 2010	Final Exam (Study Guide) (Study Guide Word Doc)	80%
Notes:

Class Schedule:

Week	Topics Covered	Notes
Week 1	Course Introduction & Ice Breaker Review Syllabus Web Site Text review Recommended References History of computing Ethics of computing A discussion of hardware and software Computer components How a processor works How bits are translated into action	All students send me an email so I can add you to the class email list. I will use the list to notify you of updates to this website and other class business.   History of Computing History of Computing (Wikipedia) The History of Computing Project Computer Architecture Tutorial Microsoft Terms Glossary Intel Museum
Week 2	Computer Basics
Week 3	Computer Basics	Online Computer Course Windows XP Architecture Presentation Command Prompt Commands Command Prompt Tricks
Week 4	Computer Basics
Week 5	Computer Basics Exam Microsoft Word Introduction Three Pillars of Word Sections Styles Outliner Creating documents Editing documents Setting page properties Using the outliner Document design creating multiple sections Creating and applying styles	Exam 1 - Computer Basics   "Grasshopper, separate text from its style and you will go far." "I use Microsoft Office all the time!" (Rediculously highly paid programmer)
Week 6	Microsoft Word Mail Merge
Week 7	Microsoft Excel More Excel stuf	"Knowledge of relational database design is a critical employment skill for software developers." (Rediculously highly paid programmer.)
Week 8	Microsoft Excel More Excel stuf
Week 9	Integrating Microsoft Office Products Creating mail merge document Using spreadsheet as a datasource Using database query as a datasource	"You'll never do your holiday cards the same way again!"
Week 10	Microsoft Access Introduction Relational database fundamentals Tables Rows Columns Linking tables Primary keys Foriegn key	"Hang in there..."
Week 11	Microsoft Access
Week 12	Microsoft Access
Week 13	Microsoft Access
Week 14	Microsoft Access
Week 15	Microsoft Access
Week 16	Final Exam	Final Exam Study Guide

Inclement Weather Policy

Check the NOVA website for inclement weather announcements. http://www.nvcc.edu/depts/homepage/closing.htm#faq

Also, check BlackBoard for any special announcement pertaining to this class.

Academic Dishonesty:

I expect the work you do in this class to be your own. I encourage the free exchange of ideas between students, however, the work you ultimately hand in to fulfill course requirements must not be simply copied from another student or other sources. It's easy to be honest; here are a few rules to help guide you:

• Cite all references used to write code.
• You may look at another student's programming code but give them credit for helping you.
• If you use stuff from the Internet to help you on a class project list the source.
• When in doubt...list the source and give credit.
• You may use code I provide in class in your projects but give me credit for the code I provide.

From the NVCC Catalog 2008 - 2009

When College officials award credit, degrees, and certificates, they must assume the absolute integrity of the work you have done; therefore, it is important that you maintain the highest standard of honor in your scholastic work. The College does not tolerate academic dishonesty.Ê Students who are not honest in their academic work will face disciplinary action along with any grade penalty the instructor imposes. Procedures for disciplinary measures and appeals are outlined in the Student Handbook. In extreme cases, academic dishonesty may result in dismissal from the College. Academic dishonesty, as a general rule, involves one of the following acts:

• 1 Cheating on an examination or quiz, including the giving, receiving, or soliciting of information and the unauthorized use of notes or other materials during the examination or quiz.
• 2 Buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting any material purported to be the unreleased contents of a forthcoming examination, or the use of such material.
• 3 Substituting for another person during an examination or allowing another person to take your place.
• 4 Plagiarizing means taking credit for another personÕs work or ideas. This includes copying another personsÕs work either word for word or in substance without acknowledging the source.
• 5 Accepting help from or giving help to another person to complete an assignment, unless the instructor has approved such collaboration in advance.
• 6 Knowingly furnishing false information to the College; forgery and alteration or use of College documents or instruments of identification with the intent to defraud.

Attendance Policy:

You should only miss class when you have a genuine emergency. I prefer advance notification via email. It goes without saying that you are responsible for course and assignments due, and for information covered, on the day(s) you miss. If you miss too many classes, and too many is entirely at my discretion, I will have to drop you from the class.

The Attendence Policy from the NVCC Catalog 2008 - 2009:

"Education is a cooperative endeavor between a student and his or her instructor. Instructors plan a variety of learning activities to help their students master the course content. Your contribution is to participate in these activities within the framework established in the class syllabus. Faculty will identify specific class attendence policies in the class syllabus that is distributed at the beginning of each term. Successful learning requires good communication between students and instructors; therefore, in most cases, regular classroom attendance, or regular participation in the case of a non-traditional course format, is essential.

It is your responsibility to inform your instructor prior to an absense from class if this requested by the instructor in the class syllabus. You are responsible for making up all course work missed during an absence. In the event of unexplained absences, especially if you miss the first three weeks of class, your instructor will withdraw you administratively from the course."

Learning and Growth Policy

“NOVA is a place for learning and growing.  You should feel safe and comfortable anywhere on this campus.  In order to meet this objective, you should: a) let your instructor, his/her supervisor, the Dean of Students or Provost know if any unsafe, unwelcome or uncomfortable situation arises that interferes with the learning process; b) inform the instructor within the first two weeks of classes if you have special needs or a disability that may affect your performance in this course.”

Emergency Evacuation Procedures:

Should the need to evacuate the room in a hurry arise, the procedures to do so are posted in the class. We'll discuss these on the first day and hope we never have to use them!!!

Fun Policy

Most importantly...I want you to enjoy the class. I will learn as much from you as I hope you'll learn from me. To this end, I sincerely appreciate any comments you may have about course content and welcome your suggestions on ways to improve this course for future classes. Welcome to class...have fun!