Introduction to Computers and Applications
CSCI 109
Lecture
Course Syllabus

Credit Hours: 3 Credits

Academic Term: Term: 2228, 12 Aug 2013 – 13 Oct 2013
Meetings: 5:15pm to 10:00pm; Thursday; San Diego
Location: 8799 Balboa Avenue, Suite 160. Classroom #1, San Diego, CA 92123
Instructor: Daryl Eisner
Office Hours: Before and after class and by appointment.
Telephone: (858) 761-3560
E-mail: [email protected]
 
 
Course Description:  
 
Students are required to already have an understanding of traditional computer-based
applications before beginning CSCI 109. These applications include word processing, basic
spreadsheet use, basic database use, basic presentation software use, electronic mail, and
accessing web resources via the Internet. The purpose of this course is to build on students’
existing knowledge of using computer systems and pertinent applications. Students will increase
their skills with the most popular computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet,
electronic mail, presentation software, and internet. Computer literacy is presented through
lectures, discussions, and readings on the computer process, the impact of computers on society,
emerging technologies, and hardware and software purchasing decisions. Lecture hours per week
(4: 45 hours). Prerequisite(s): None.
 
Course Goals:  
 
In CSCI 109, students will examine the basics of computer system design and applications for
workplace activities, which may stem from business, research lab, and project-based directives.
Emphasis is placed on understanding the fundamentals that are presented in the course, so that
students are able to apply these techniques in the workplace. This course also provides
additional experience in the conceptualizing and presenting of solutions to various business
requirements. CSCI 109 supports the development of individual creativity and provides a means
for adding to students’ computer and application-based skill-set..

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Learning Outcomes:  
 
Upon course completion, students should be able to:

1. Utilize word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software to plan, create,

and edit documents and generate reports.

2. Identify the basic elements of a window, explain windows terminology, explain

how information is passed between and shared among various applications, and
demonstrate basic file management techniques.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of computer security/vulnerability/privacy issues.

Explain reasons for backing up files and demonstrate back-up methods.

4. Identify key components of computer systems including data storage, input,

output, primary memory, and secondary storage devices. Explain the use of each
and how they function together to enable the system to operate.

5. Discuss the importance of computer system connectivity and accessibility.

Identify the various methods for networking multiple computer systems, show a
basic understanding of how each operates, and demonstrate knowledge of
client/server computing. Explain the logic of using the Internet as the backbone
for a computer network.

6. Explain the role of ethics in computer systems development and operations.

Discuss the impact that viruses, spyware, and malicious activities have had on
computer software development.

7. Demonstrate competency in using internet search techniques. Use the internet to

locate research materials and judge the relevancy and authority of the internet
material.

8. Discuss the impact computers have on society today and the impact that emerging
technologies could have on society in the future.

Required Course Materials:  

Ferner, J. (2012). CSCI 109 course texbook. (1st Ed.),  

 
ISBN: None available (free, provided in class)  
 

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Grading:
 
Midterm 15%
Final 15%
PowerPoint Presentation 30%
News Article 1 5%
News Article 2 5%
In-Class Computer Projects (QTY: 5) 30%
Total 100%

UNDERGRADUATE
Grade Grade
90 - 100 A (Superior)
80 - 89 B (Above Average)
70 - 79 C (Average)
60 - 69 D (Below Average)
Below 60 F (Failure)

Library:

The Jack R. Hunt Library, located on the Daytona Beach Campus, is the primary library for all
Worldwide Campus students.

Web: http://library.erau.edu
Phone: (800) 678-9428 (ext. 6947) or (386) 226-7656
(Voicemail is available after hours)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST
Email: [email protected]

Assignments, Discussion Board Participation (If required for Blended Delivery), and/or
special administrative:

All assignments will be completed in a professional manner and on time, unless prior
arrangements have been made with the professor. Blackboard assignments (if required) are
graded with class participation. This course includes weekly activities, each of which may have
grade points associated with them. Unless prior arrangements have been made with the
instructor, you are expected to participate each week, according to the course schedule. This is
especially important with regards to discussion activities. Weekly discussions typically include
both an initial posting and one or more substantive replies.

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Course Website:
The course website contains detailed course information, requirements, assignments, and other
resources. Project scores and course grades will be posted on the course website. To access the
scores each student is provided with a unique username and password. Please see instructor to
obtain a personal PIN for monitoring or viewing online grades.
Course Web Site:
http://webfac.db.erau.edu/~eisne102/CSCI-109/

01 PIN: 0000

Account: Student_01  

Password:
* Do not ERAU_01
share your PIN with fellow students. The PIN should remain private between student and
instructor

Course Policies:

Embry-Riddle is committed to maintaining and upholding intellectual integrity. All students,

faculty, and staff have obligations to prevent violations of academic integrity and take corrective
action when they occur. The adjudication process will include the sanction imposed on students
who commit the following academic violations, which may include a failing grade on the
assignment, a failing grade for the course, suspension, or dismissal from the University:

1. Plagiarism: Presenting as one’s own the ideas, words, or products of another.

Plagiarism includes use of any source to complete academic assignments without proper
acknowledgement of the source. All papers submitted for grading in this course will be
submitted to safeassign.com - http://www.safeassign.com/ where the text of the paper is
compared against information contained in the safeassign.com database. Papers
submitted will be included in the safeassign.com database and become source documents
for the purpose of detecting plagiarism.

2. Cheating: A broad term that includes the following:

a. Giving or receiving help from unauthorized persons or materials during
examinations.
b. The unauthorized communication of examination questions prior to, during, or
following administration of the examination.
c. Collaboration on examinations or assignments expected to be individual work.
d. Fraud and deceit, that include knowingly furnishing false or misleading
information or failing to furnish appropriate information when requested, such as
when applying for admission to the University.
3. APA 6 is the ERAU Worldwide standard for all research projects.

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Help and Special Needs:

Any student who has a disabling condition that requires special arrangements in order to meet
course requirements should consult with the instructor.

Disability Support Services

ERAU is committed to the success of all students. It is a University policy to provide reasonable
accommodations to students with disabilities who qualify for services. If you would like to
request accommodations due to a physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the
Worldwide Campus Disability Support Service Office at (888) 292-5727 or via email
[email protected] or [email protected].

Attendance and Absences:

The faculty of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University affirms the importance of prompt and
regular attendance on the part of all students. Quality instruction clearly depends upon active
student participation in the classroom or its equivalent learning environment. Your participation
is particularly important in this course, since each class constitutes a significant percentage of the
total course. All absences, regardless of reason, require a make-up assignment, mutually
arranged between the instructor and the student. If an absence is anticipated, the student should
notify the instructor, preferably in advance.

Students are encouraged to assist each other with access to class notes for missed classes. Note
that part of the grade performance is class participation. Even where make-up assignments are
completed satisfactorily, the instructor reserves the right to assign appropriate credit for
attendance in class. Students not attending all class periods may receive less than full credit,
even where make-up assignments are completed.

Assignments:

Assignments will be due and completed prior to the next scheduled class session or as assigned
by instructor and will not be accepted beyond that date without prior approval.
If the student makes prior arrangements with the instructor to turn in late assignments, a
deduction for late work will be applied to include a minus 5% per day grade reduction on the
completed assignment.

Assignments constitute minimum coverage of the required lessons and the student is encouraged
to complete additional study/research of related material to promote mastery of the objectives.
Course content may vary from this syllabus to meet the needs of this particular class
composition.

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Make-Up of Classes/Examinations:

The faculty of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University affirms the importance of prompt and
regular attendance on the part of all students. Quality instruction clearly depends upon active
student participation in the classroom or its equivalent learning environment. Your participation
is particularly important in this course, since each class constitutes a significant percentage of the
total course. All absences, regardless of reason, require a make-up assignment, mutually
arranged between the instructor and the student. If an absence is anticipated, the student should
notify the instructor in advance. Students are encouraged to assist each other with access to class
notes for missed classes. If an exam is taken late, the instructor reserves the right to substitute an
alternate exam.

Guidelines for the Project Presentation:

The Project Presentations will be done in assigned groups. Each student will select a problem or
project from suggested topics list posted on the class website. By the third weekend of class, an
assigned group leader will deliver the Project Outline, a one-page outline (bullets) of the Project
Presentation. It is a formative exercise, preferably delivered by E-Mail, so the student can obtain
early feedback on the expectations for the group presentation. The final one-page Project Report
and 20-minute Oral Presentation are due the last week of class (presentation slides must be
provided to the instructor prior to the in-class presentation).

Proprietary Information:

While the University's teaching/learning model emphasizes the sharing of professional

experiences in the context of analyzing relevant course materials, it is against the policy of
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for students and/or faculty members to share information
about present or past employers that would be considered to be "proprietary," "confidential,"
"company sensitive," or "trade secret."

Student Preparation and Participation:

As a minimum, all students are expected to have read and thought about the information
provided in the assigned chapters before class commences! This is a professional responsibility
to yourself and your classmates. Active participation in class discussions is an important element
of a collegiate program; it is evaluated by instructors and is reflected in the assignment of course
grades. Participation includes the quantity and quality of comments and class discussions, lively
fellowship, positive contributions to group assignments, ability to respond to questions by
classmates and the instructor and ability to work as a member of a group. Students are expected
to synthesize, analyze and integrate all reading assignments. Consistent attendance and being on
time is an essential ingredient of participation.

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Course Schedule:

Date Topic/prep Learning Assignments/outcomes

Outcome
Session 1 Introduction / Syllabus Overview 2, 4, 5, 7 Read/Review: Syllabus
Discussion: Historical Development of Read/Review: Chapter 2
15 Aug Computers in Business, Computer Terms HW: Draft Website Design
& Computer Literacy
Session 2 Discussion: HTML & Website Design 2, 3, 10 Review: Chapter 1 & 6 (part)
Class Project: Creating a Personal Web Web Design Handout
22 Aug Page

Session 3 Discussion: Database Systems in Industry 5 Read/Review: Chapter 2 (part)

Class Project: Databases & SQL
29 Aug

Session 4 Discussion: Word Processing & MS Word 1, 2, 8 Read/Review: Chapter 4

Class Project: Word Processing Project
05 Sep

Session 5 Discussion: Spreadsheets with MS Excel 1, 2 Read/Review: Chapter 5

Class Project: Using Data & Creating
12 Sep Charts in MS Excel
Course Midterm Exam
Session 6 Discussion: Presentations with MS 1, 2 Read/Review: Chapter 7
PowerPoint Homework: Contact/Meet in
19 Sep Class Project: Working with Graphics & Groups
Presentation Designs (MS PowerPoint)
Session 7 Discussion: Computer Hardware, 3, 4, 5 Read/Review: Chapter 3
Purchasing a Computer System Homework: Group
26 Sep Class: Present News Articles Presentation Prep.

Session 8 Discussion: Computer Software, Ethics, 2, 3, 6 Read/Review: Chapter 4 & 8

Spam Viruses, Computer Security Homework: Group
03 Oct Project: Work on Project Presentations Presentation Prep.
Course Final Exam
Projects: Meet in Groups
Session 9 Navigating the World Wide Web, 7, 8 Chapter: 6 & 9
Electronic Mail, ERAU Hunt Library
10 Oct
Presentations
 

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