Introduction to Computer Applications:
Being Fluent with Information Technology
CMPT 109-11 (Call # 10650)

Fall 2006

Instructor: Anna Feldman

Office: Dickson Hall, Room 126
Phone: (973) 655-7500
E-mail: feldmana@mail.montclair.edu
Website: http://www.purl.org/net/af
Office hours: Wednesday 2:00PM--5:30PM.

Course meets: Monday 11:30AM--12:45PM (Richardson 108) and Wednesday 11:30AM--12:45PM (Richardson 117).

Course website: http://montclair.blackboard.com

Contents: Computer basics, operating systems (Windows), applications (Netscape, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Internet

Course objective: Fluency with modern computers, application programs, and the Internet

Text/Materials:

J. J. Parsons and D. Oja. 2007. New Perspectives on Computer Concepts -– Comprehensive, 9th Edition, Course Technology.

Recommended Supplies: Some external storage media (A memory stick is preferred, a floppy is okay, but you will need at least five) to store your lab work (MUST bring to every class!).

Grading:

Labs	15%
Homework	15%
Midterm Exam	20%
Project	30%
Final Exam	20%

I encourage group work on the homework assignments, but each of you should write out your own answers. Note that group work means that everyone in the group contributes and fully understands what you turn in---where in doubt, I may ask you individually to explain to me in person what you turned in.
Grading scale (scores in percentages):

B+ 87--89 C+ 77--79 D+ 67--69 E 0--59

A 93--100 B 83--86 C 73--76 D 60--66

A- 90--92 B- 80--82 C- 70--72

Challenge Exam:

Students have the option to challenge the course. By challenging the course the student declares that s/he already masters the material presented in the course. In order to challenge the course, a student must take and pass the challenge examination. This examination is administered by request only during the first weeks of the semester. In order to take the challenge exam, a student must pay a non-refundable exam fee of $100. If the student passes the challenge exam, s/he will be excused from the General Education Computer Science requirement. Course fees already paid will be refunded by the registrar.

In order to take the challenge exam, you must contact the Computer Science Undergraduate Advisor Dr. Ángel Gutiérrez at (973) 655-5161 for more information before the end of the second week of the semester.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is mandatory and will be taken only once at the beginning of class. Only three unexcused absences are allowed. In this case, it is your responsibility to obtain information on any classroom activity that you may have missed. A fourth absence will result in the lowering of your grade (for example, from an A- to a B+). A fifth absence will further lower your grade (so an A- would become a B). If you have more than five unexcused absences, you will fail the course. Excused absences are limited to illness (a doctor's note is needed) or a serious personal crisis (a letter from the Dean of Students is required). Travel time, sporting events, sleeping late, the notorious Montclair Parking situation, work, traffic, etc. are not excused absences. A missed test will be considered an unexcused absence.

Assignments:

Lab assignments are usually due by the end of the lab session.
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date due. Late submission of assignments will be assessed a penalty of 10% per day. No exceptions are made.
No make-up exams will be allowed for the Midterm and Final exam.
No project related phase will be accepted after the due date, unless a doctor's note is presented. Without a note, a letter from the Dean of Students is required.

Policy on Academic Misconduct:

As with any class at this university, students are not allowed to, among other things, submit plagiarized (copied but unacknowledged) work for credit. If any violation occurs, it will be severely penalized.

Class Etiquette

I expect you to respect one another, to respect me, and to respect yourself. To that end, I expect you to obey the following rules:

Participate: share experiences, ask questions, express your opinions. Ask me to provide more information, send me emails or see me during office hours for help, clarification, or recommendations for further research.
Do not read newspapers, materials from other classes, etc. in class. Do not pack up early. Switch off your cell phone. If for some reason, you must leave early or you have an important call coming in, notify me before class.

Disclaimer:

This syllabus is subject to change. All important changes will be made in writing (email/Blackboard), with ample time for adjustment.

Tentative Schedule (A = Assigned; D = Due)

Week	Monday (LAB) RI 108	Wednesday RI 117
Week 1: 9/6	--	Introduction
Week 2: 9/11, 9/13	MS Word, HW1-A	Basics, Ch.1
Week 3: 9/18, 9/20	Netscape Composer, HW1-D, HW2-A	Hardware, Ch.2
Week 4: 9/25, 9/27	MS Excel, HW2-D, HW3-A	Software, Ch.3
Week 5: 10/2, 10/4	No Class!	Files, Ch.4
Week 6: 10/9, 10/11	MS Access, HW3-D, HW4-A	still Ch. 4
Week 7: 10/16, 10/18	HW4-D, PRJ-A	Review
Week 8: 10/23, 10/25	Project Discussion	MIDTERM
Week 9: 10/30, 11/1	Working on the project (Access)	still Ch. 4
Week 10: 11/6, 11/9	Working on the project (Access)	canceled
Week 11: 11/13, 11/15	Working on the project (Access, PP)	E-commerce, Ch. 6
Week 12: 11/20, 11/22	Working on the project	Language Technology
Week 13: 11/27, 11/29	PRJ-D, Project presentations	Project present's, Ch. 8
Week 14: 12/4, 12/6	Project Presentations	Project present's, Ch.9
Week 15: 12/11	Final Review
	FINAL EXAM: 12/18
	AT 1:00PM-3:00PM
	LOCATION: RI 108

This document was translated from L^AT_EX by H^EV^EA.

		B+	87--89	C+	77--79	D+	67--69	E	0--59
A	93--100	B	83--86	C	73--76	D	60--66
A-	90--92	B-	80--82	C-	70--72