COURSE SYLLABUS

Middlesex Community College

Course Information
Semester
Number
Title
CRN
Credit Hours
Prerequisites
Deliver Format

Spring 2015
CSC* 101
Introduction to Computers
1111
3
None
On-Line

Instructor Information
Name
Division
Office Location
E-Mail
Office Hours
Office Phone

Lin Lin
Allied Health, Business & STEM
Wheaton 313/Snow 512
[email protected]
12:30 2 pm on Tuesday & Thursday
(860) 343 5763

Required Textbook/Material
1. New Perspectives on Microsoft Windows 7, Brief, 1st Edition
ISBN-10: 0-538-74602-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-538-74602-1
Type: Book
2. MindLink SAM 2013 ATP with MindTap Reader for New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2013,
First Course
Printed Access Code: 9781305442757 Instant Access Code: 9781305442740
Type: Access Code
3. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2013, First Course, 1st Edition
ISBN-10: 1-285-16764-3
ISBN-13: 978-1-285-16764-0
Type: Book
MxCC bookstore sells a bundle version of the textbooks & SAM Access Code with a unique ISBN,
please check with the bookstore staff (860-346-4490).
Required Computer Settings
In order to complete this course properly, you need a PC with Windows (preferably Windows 7/8)
Operating System and Microsoft Office Professional 2013* (or similar product, such as Microsoft Office
365 ProPlus*) which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. If you dont have these settings at
home or at other convenient locations, you should plan on coming to MxCC Library (first floor in
Chapman Hall) or Computer Lab (Wheaton 305) in Middletown campus to complete your assignments.
*Please note that the textbook is designed to fully correspond to the Office 2013 professional software (which
includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access). Although students may use other versions of the Office product,
such as Office 2007, Office 2010, or Office 2011, all features and functions will NOT exist in these versions.
Students who do not have Office 2013 will notice differences between the textbook and the product interface. The

SAM2013 product also maps to Office 2013. For details on the system requirements for SAM2013 and the help for
Mac users, please refer to the documents posted on Blackboard.

Course Description
This introductory course presents the business uses of computer hardware and software. It will teach
the fundamentals of the Windows environment and use of popular business software for word
processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation applications. E-mail communication skills will be
developed, and the use of the Internet as a communication and research tool will be explored. An
overview of web page design will be covered.
Course Scope
This is a comprehensive introductory course. It explains essential computer concepts including system
unit, input and output, secondary storage, communications and networks, and privacy and security. It
also discusses computer software including operating systems, browsers and emails, and Microsoft
Office suites. This course provides in depth training on the Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and
PowerPoint. Projects are completed in each application and popular features are fully explored.
Students also learn how to create a personal web site.
Course Objectives
The goal is to provide each student with a basic level of computer proficiency. The following list
describes the learning outcomes that support this overall goal:

Understand the basics of the Personal Computer, the Internet, the

World Wide Web, and the E-Mails.
Explore personal computer and Local Area Network hardware
components
Differentiate between application software and operating systems
Examine Internet resources
Demonstrate knowledge of the following Microsoft Office software
o Word
o Excel
o Access
o PowerPoint
Develop vocabulary of technical terms
Explore digital media

Program/Discipline Learning Outcomes Contained in Course

Written and oral communication skills
Critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills
Interpersonal skills and awareness
Teamwork, team-building, and project focus
Knowledge of ethical and legal business behavior
Awareness and respect for other perspectives
Global awareness and diversity
Flexibility and adaptive to change
Personal productivity and organizational skills
Ability to understand your customer
Understand process management
Importance of Course in Program/Discipline

This fundamental Computer Science course is a required course for many programs and disciplines.
In todays highly competitive and technologically advanced society, good computer skills are an
imperative. Students in this course are able to acquire and/or refine their computer skills. The ability
to efficiently research and extract information from the Internet, resolve technical issues, and use
software to enhance productivity are skills that will serve the students in both academic and
professional careers. Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite of software application is highly
desirable in todays workplace. This course gives a very practical technical foundation on which
students can build more advanced expertise.
Course Requirements/Grading
A

C
D

Discussions
Self-introduction (10 points)
SmartMeasure (10 points)
Computer News (10 points)
PowerPoint Presentation (10 points)
Personal Web Site (10 points)
Questions & Answers (10 bonus points)
SAM Projects
4 in Word (40 points)
3 in Excel (30 points)
2 in Access (20 points)
Questions
Questions on Computer Concepts (10 points)
Course Evaluation
Student Course Evaluation (5 bonus points)

Total

50 points
(+10 bonus points)

90 points

10 points
(+5 bonus points)
150 points
(+15 bonus points)

Letter Grade based on total points:

>= 140
130 ~ 134
115 ~ 119
100 ~ 104
< 90

A
B+
C+
D+
F

135 ~ 139
125 ~ 129
110 ~ 114
95 ~ 99

AB
C
D

120 ~ 124
105 ~ 109
90 ~ 94

BCD-

A Discussions
1. You will need to post your message to each discussion on Blackboard. For some discussions, you
are expected to respond to other students' postings. The responses to other students' postings
should add to the substance of the posting, request clarification, provide a different perspective,
or challenge the assertions made by providing real or hypothetical scenarios that the original
posting does not adequately address. Remember, the purpose of class discussions is to
stimulate academic debate. At the same time, it is also good practice to provide normal,
supportive comments.
2. You may ask all course-related questions in the Questions & Answers Discussion. This will not
only give other students a chance to answer, but also save them from asking similar questions.
By the end of the semester, bonus points will be given to those who actively and frequently post
their answers to the questions. The bonus points that you earn will be determined by the

number of answers you post and the quality of the answers. Please note that this discussion is
for information exchange among students only. If you have questions for the instructor, please
send me a message in Blackboard or email me.
B SAM Projects
SAM (Skills Assessment Manager) is a proficiency-based assessment and training environment for
Microsoft Office provided by Cengage Learning. In order to use SAM, you need to have an access code.
The procedure of completing a SAM project:
1. Click on SAM Submissions menu item on the left pane in course Blackboard, then click 1111
(Spring 2015) to navigate to SAM web site
2. Go to the Activity List Tab
3. Click on the specified assignment
4. Follow the instruction to complete the project (submit through the web)
5. Go to Reports Tab
6. Click on the icon under the column header Reports & Files and review your grade report
(If your grade is not perfect, do step 7-9)
7. Click on the icon under the column header Study Guide; if you see any step with points
deducted, do the related training by clicking the link
8. Correct any mistakes/errors on your document
9. Resubmit: Repeat steps 2-6 (and possibly 7-9). You may submit up to five times before the due
date. Only the highest grade will be recorded by the instructor
C Questions
The Review Questions need to be completed independently and submitted through Blackboard by the
due date.
D Course Evaluation
Your evaluation is very important to us. It will help improve our course design, instruction, and the type
of services we offer. Please follow the instruction on Blackboard to find out how to get bonus points.
Missed/Late Submission for a Graded Assignment
Please start your weekly assignments as early as possible during each week so that you have enough
time dealing with unexpected situations including technical difficulties with your computer, software,
internet, or unexpected health or transportation issues. Please be aware that the deadlines for graded
assignments must be strictly followed. Unless otherwise approved by the instructor, missed/late
submissions will not receive credits.
One on One with Tutor
If you have any questions regarding this course, you are welcome to email me, send me a message
through blackboard, give me a call, or stop by during my office hours. If you need one-on-one tutoring,
you may contact Ms. Landi Hou. There are three ways to contact her:
Stop by her office (Wheaton 313) or Computer Lab (Wheaton 305)
Give her a call at (860) 343-5771
Send her an email to [email protected]
Additional Syllabus Information
For information about the college's policies and procedures regarding academic honesty,
accessibility/disability services, attendance, audio-recording in the classroom, grade appeals, plagiarism,

religious accommodations, weather and emergency closings, and more, please go to the following
website: www.mxcc.edu/catalog/syllabus-policies/ or scan the QR code with your smart phone. Also,
please become familiar with the policies regarding nondiscrimination, sexual misconduct, and general
student conduct at the following website: www.mxcc.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Non-Discrimination Statement
Middlesex Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex,
national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or
physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or genetic information in its
programs and activities. In addition, the College does not discriminate in employment on the additional
basis of veteran status or criminal record.
The following people have been designated to handle inquiries or complaints regarding nondiscrimination policies and practices:
Primary Title IX Coordinator
Dr. Adrienne Maslin
Dean of Students/Title IX and Section 504/ADA Coordinator
[email protected]; 860-343-5759; Founders Hall Room 123|
Secondary Title IX Coordinator
Ms. Mary Lou Phillips
Director of Human Resources, Middlesex Community College
[email protected]; 860-343-5751; Founders Hall Room 115
Secondary Title IX Coordinator
Ms. Queen Fordham
Coordinator of the Meriden Center Welcome Desk
[email protected]; 203-608-3011

(Course Schedule on Next Page)

Weeks*
(Dates)

Topics
(Textbook Chapters,
color-coding)

Assignments/Activities

Week 1
(1/21 1/29)

Introduction

Review Syllabus & FAQs

Obtain required course materials
Get familiar with using Blackboard
Do Self-introduction Discussion
Do SmartMeasure Discussion
Start Q&A Discussion (on-going)

Week 2
(1/30 2/5)

Essential Computer
Concepts
(ECC, Red)

Study Office Textbook Pages ECC 1 ECC 27

Do Review Questions on page ECC28 ECC29

Week 3
(2/6 2/12)

Windows 8/7,
Managing Your Files
(WIN, FM, Orange, or
Windows 7 textbook)

Download Data Files

If you are using Windows 8
Review content and follow steps in WIN and FM
(Microsoft Office 2013 textbook)
If you are using Windows 7
Review content and follow steps in WIN (Microsoft
Windows 7 textbook)

Week 4
(2/13 2/19)

Internet Basics and

Information Literacy
(IB, Purple)

Review content and follow steps in IB

Do Computer News Discussion

Week 5
(2/20 2/26)
Heavy!**

Word
(WD, Blue)

Review content and follow steps in WD Tutorial 1

Get Started in using SAM
Do WordProject1 in SAM

Week 6
(2/27 3/5)

Word
(WD, Blue)

Review content and follow steps in WD Tutorial 2

Do WordProject2 in SAM

Week 7
(3/6 3/12)

Word
(WD, Blue)

Review content and follow steps in WD Tutorial 3

Do WordProject3 in SAM

Week 8
(3/13 3/26,
including
Spring Break)

Word
(WD, Blue)

Review content and follow steps in WD Tutorial 4

Do WordProject4 in SAM

Week 9
(3/27 4/2)
Heavy!**

PowerPoint
(PPT, Orange-Red)

Review content and follow steps in PPT Tutorial 1

&2
Do PowerPoint Discussion

Week 10
(4/3 4/9)

Excel
(EX, Green)

Review content and follow steps in Excel Tutorial 1

Do ExcelProject1 in SAM

Week 11
(4/10 4/16)

Excel
(EX, Green)

Review content and follow steps in Excel Tutorial 2

Do ExcelProject2 in SAM

Week 12
(4/17 4/23)

Excel
(EX, Green)

Review content and follow steps in Excel Tutorial 3

Do ExcelProject3 in SAM

Week 13
(4/24 4/30)
Heavy!**

Web Site Building

Explore education.weebly.com
Create a personal web site in Weebly
Complete Course Evaluation

Week 14
(5/1 5/7)

Access
(AC, Maroon)

Review content and follow steps in Access Tutorial 1

Do AccessProject1 in SAM

Week 15
(5/8 5/14)
Heavy!**

Access
(AC, Maroon)

Review content and follow steps in Access Tutorial 2

Do AccessProject2 in SAM
Complete Q&A Discussion

* Each week starts on Friday and ends on the following Thursday except for the very first week which
starts on Wednesday, and during the Spring Break while no assignment is due. All assignments are due
at 11:59 pm on Thursday. Please start early each week to avoid last-minute questions when you might
not receive immediate responses.
** The assignments of this week may require more time to complete start early!!
Note:
Please note that this syllabus is tentative and instructor may make changes during the semester.
Web Resources:
http://my.commnet.edu/
(MyCommNet &Blackboard)
http://www.cengagebrain.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9781285167640&token
(Data Files for Office 2013)
http://www.cengagebrain.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9780538746021&token
(Data Files for Windows 7)
http://mxcc.edu/distance/take-a-smartermeasure-test/
http://education.weebly.com

(SmartMeasure Test)
(Weebly)