CLINTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTORS NAME: Bob Williams Autumn 1999

TELEPHONE: (518) 236 - 6733

OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment in office shared with Tom Mandeville Room 524

INTRODUCTION TO DATA PROCESSING (DAP 500) 3 CREDIT HOURS

3 CONTACT HOURS

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a general survey of data processing equipment, storage media and methods, system design and programming. The material covered will include a general introduction to how computers work and the language used by computer technicians. Major emphasis will be on the use of applications software on the computer to support day to day tasks found in the work environment.

 

II. COURSE PREREQUISITES AND CO-REQUISITES: None

III. TEXTBOOK - In bookstore.

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this course are to prepare students to be intelligent users of computers and to understand the basics of successful computer information systems. Upon completion of this course the students should understand the basic architecture of a computer and operating system, be capable of using a word processing program to create textual information, of using a spreadsheet to present numerical data in an organized, logical manner and to use a simple database management system to store information into a database for use in reports and other data retrieval functions.

V. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

The course will be conducted using lecture, conference and audio visual materials. A significant portion of the course will include hands-on experience with the computers. Hands-on training will include an introduction to File & Folder, Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Data Base Management Programs.

 

VI. ASSIGNMENTS:

Assignments will include reading the primary text and completing the application exercises. During the hands on phase of the instruction each student will be required to spend several hours per week completing projects in the computer laboratory. These projects will include word processing assignments, development of spreadsheets and development of data bases using a data base management system.

 

 

VII. ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE INCLUDING MAKEUP POLICY:

Failure to attend class and failure to meet deadlines for computer projects will be considered in the evaluation process. Examinations will be announced well in advance and all students will be expected to attend. Students who require special considerations must make prior arrangements with the LRC.

1) Students who miss eight (8) or more class hours will automatically be withdrawn from the course.

2 lates = 1 unexcused absence. NOTE: a Y grade can disqualify you from future financial aid.

2) Students who cannot attend the scheduled examination must contact me prior to the examination to receive full credit for the makeup.

3) Late makeup tests will be counted at 80% of the original value.

4) Late homework or other assignments will also be counted at 80% of the original value.

VIII. METHODS OF EVALUATION:

There will be 4 scheduled objective tests, two covering Computers & Word Processing, one covering Spreadsheets and one covering Data Base Management Systems. A 5 page double-spaced report about current Mars exploration and the Internet will be required by December 1, 1998. The point distribution of the tests and hands on exercises are listed blow:

TEST 1 COMPUTERS 10%

TEST 2 WORD PROCESSING 10%

TEST 3 SPREADSHEET 25%

TEST 4 DATA BASE 25%

MARS INTERNET REPORT 10%

HOMEWORK + ATTENDANCE 20%

IX. SUPPLIES

Each student will be required to purchase two 3 1/2 inch high density floppy disk from the bookstore. The disks cost about one dollar each. YOU MUST BRING DISKS TO EACH CLASS!