NORTHERN CARIBBEAN UNIVERSITY

College of Natural & Applied Sciences

Department of Computer & Information Sciences

Spring 2025

BACHELOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

SCIENCE COMPUTER INFORMATION SCIENCE

MAJOR: Computer Science & Computer Information Science

COURSE NAME: Seminar in Computer and Information Science

COURSE CODE: CPTR401 | SECTION - A

NUMBER OF CREDITS: 1

NUMBER OF HOURS: 15 Hours

CLASS SCHEDULE: Wednesdays @ 5:00 pm Online

NAME OF LECTURER: Melvin Mekala

EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

CONTACT NUMBER: 963-7379 OR 7276

PREREQUISITES: CPTR230: Systems Analysis & Design;

CPTR252: Data Structures & Algorithms;
CPTR300: Colloquium
COMM251: Oral Communication

COURSE WEB ADDRESS: Aeorion Student Management System

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course seeks to prepare senior students to meet the demands of the job market. Professional oral presentations
are made by students, faculty, and guest speakers on issues relevant to the field of computing and the world of
employment. Each student will prepare a portfolio, and make several presentations about new technologies in the IT
field. Note: This course is open only to seniors.

OBJECTIVES
▪ To integrate content of previously taught courses.
▪ Prepare a suitable résumé and cover letter to be sent to potential employers
▪ To keep abreast of current technologies and new trends in the computing field.
▪ Create an awareness of the requirements of certain jobs in the computing field.
▪ To encourage students to read and keep themselves up to date.
▪ To allow students to gain experience with making presentations in the computing field.
▪ To promote proper research, analysis and reporting skills.

Note: This course is open only to seniors.

NCU VALUES AND ATTITUDES: FOCUS

1. Christlikeness
2. Integrity
3. Justice

Christlikeness:
I, Melvin Narayana and all the students of CPTR401: Seminar in Computer Information Science class, commit to
exercising the highest levels of Christlikeness in all actions during this semester in relation to the following:

1. Handling student issues in a fair and equitable manner

2. Displaying honesty with submitted work
3. Displaying kindness to each other
4. Displaying humility, compassion and unselfishness to each other
5. Showing confidence in all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Integrity:
The facilitator and students will undertake learning experiences that exercise the highest levels of integrity such
as:
• Honouring deadlines in submission of assignments
• Practising academic honesty with respect to the use of published works and other intellectual property
• Participating equally in group work and activities
• Good stewardship of tools, equipment and other resources in the teaching learning environment
• Give fair evaluation to student work
• Display proper deportment and conduct.

Justice:
The facilitator and all students will exercise the highest level of justice and fairness in all actions related to this
course in the areas of:
• Fair grading for tasks submitted for evaluation
• Timely feedback and redress of inquiries, challenges, issues, grouses
• Impartial treatment of all students regardless of race, age, religious affiliation, nationality or ethnicity.

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Access to Computer and Internet Resources: Completing these course requirements necessitates regular access to
computer technology and the Internet. If a student does not have a personal computer with Internet access, computers
on the University’s Main Campus and Extension Sites are available for student use.

Civility, Courtesy and Respect: As professionals, mutual respect is required; the instructor expects all class members to
communicate in a professional and courteous manner. While everyone may feel passionate about a particular subject
and is entitled to his/her opinions, classroom discourse must always be conducted in a respectful and civil tone. No
disrespectful or disparaging comments about gender, ethnicity, religion, et cetera will be tolerated.

Honour Code: Regulations on plagiarism and other forms of cheating are strictly enforced. Since engaging in
either activity may result in very serious penalties, including failing grades, or dismissal from the University, you
should endeavour to avoid such activities. Any assignment or work submitted for this course must not have
been submitted for any other course. No written or digitally authored work may be submitted for academic
credit more than once. If you have questions about how this may apply to an assignment you are considering
for this course, please ask the facilitator for clarification.

Students with a Disabling Condition: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some
special arrangements in order to meet course requirements, should communicate with the instructor in a timely
manner, to seek such special considerations. Students should present appropriate verification from the relevant
administrative office at the University. There is no guideline indicating that special considerations be given prior
to completion of the existing university verification process.

COURSE POLICIES

Course Procedures
1. Impromptu speech: Students will be required to do a short presentation on a randomly selected topic from a pool of
instructor-created topics.

2. Pair presentation: Students will work in pairs to give a short presentation (10 minutes) about a new technology or
improvement to a software or device. Approval MUST be given by the instructor and you will be approved on a
first-come-first-serve basis.

3. Online Discussion: Discussion questions will be posted online on Aeorion. It is the responsibility of the student to
visit the forum and comment on the issues being discussed.

4. Reading Report: Students will be given an article which they will be required to read and prepare a report.

5. Group Presentation: Students will form groups comprising of 4 persons. Each group will be required to make up a
product (hardware or software) and set up an exhibition to showcase that product. The group will be responsible
for making brochures, fliers, banners, slideshow, and any other necessary item(s) to demonstrate the product – how
it works, uses, importance etc. The group will be required to set up a display area that will host the exhibition.
Product must be approved by the Instructor before the presentation date.
• Slideshow presentations should be between 5 and 10 minutes.
• Having the actual product on display will attract bonus points (as the audience will be able to see the product
and better understand how it works).
• All the members of the group must participate in the preparation and management of the exhibition and the
delivery of the product information.
• Be prepared to answer questions posed by the audience about the product.
• A copy of the materials used in the exhibition (hand-outs, slideshow, etc.) must be submitted at the time of the
presentation.
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6. Students will create an e-portfolio with the following:
a. A personal application letter and résumé for a specific job.
b. At least 10 job advertisements for computing-related careers
i. ONE can be from the Internet, while the others should be from printed sources such as newspapers
(local or overseas), fliers, magazines, etc.
ii. Two of the ads must be related to your interest, and/or you are qualified for the position.
c. A personal assessment sheet stating the IT-related field in which you are most interested, what specific
area/position/role you want to enter, why you want to venture into that area, what characteristics or
skills do you have that will enable you to fit into that job, and what do you see as the major functions of the
position. (See the last page of this course outline for the format)
d. Check for spelling or grammatical errors
e. Must have proper alignment, layout and neatness.
f. Cover page is required

How to Succeed in the Course

▪ Complete and submit all assignments by the due date.
▪ Organize your presentations. Know the contents of the information you present, be fully knowledgeable and
able to answer whatever questions may be posed in regards to your presentation.
▪ Choose a topic that is useful, and is of importance to persons in the computing field.
▪ Progressively work on your assignments; DO NOT procrastinate.
▪ Keep abreast of current events and new happenings in the computer field.
▪ Attend classes regularly as material covered will be beneficial to your success.

Attendance
Attendance at class and other specially arranged seminars is very important. This is a 1 credit course, and our class will
last for 1½ hours each session, therefore missing a class may severely impact on the knowledge you gain from this
course. For this reason and more, any student with more than 2 unexcused absences will receive a grade reduction at
the teacher’s discretion. Students must also be in class on time. Two unexcused late will be counted as one unexcused
absence. If you incur 20% excused or non-excused absences you may withdraw from the course or be given a failing
grade (FA) for the course. Entering or leaving the classroom or talking to classmates during the class session is extremely
disruptive to the instructor, guest presenters, and to fellow students. Please do not enter or leave the classroom during
the class without informing the instructor in advance of your need to do so.

Not all sessions will be held at the scheduled time as stated on the timetable

Cell Phones
While in class all cellular phones MUST be turned off or put on silent.

Cheating, Dishonesty, and Plagiarism

Any form of cheating is sufficient for an automatic “F” for the course. Reports should not come directly from the
Internet or any other source. You must make reference and give credit to all your sources, but copying and pasting
content directly from the Internet and/or other sources is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Additionally, persons who do not
contribute or participate in the group activities should not be tolerated and must be reported to the instructor so that
the delinquent person(s) can be dealt with appropriately.

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Grading

Scores for this course will be determined by:

Impromptu Speech 5%
Pair Presentation 5%
Online Discussion 5%
Reading Report 10%
Report Writing 10%
Portfolio: 40%
Application letter [15]
Résumé [10]
Advertisements [15]
Personal Assessment Form [10]
Group Presentation: Hardware / Software [25] 25%
TOTAL 100%

The grade, based on weighted score:

A = 90-100% A- = 85-89% B+ = 80-84% B = 75-79% B- = 70-74%

C+ = 65-69% C = 60-64% C- = 55-59% D = 50-54% F = 0-49%

A minimum grade of C+ is required for Computer Science and Computer Information Science majors.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Dates Activities / Presentations

January 08 Welcome, Introduction
15 Impromptu Speeches
22 Impromptu Speeches
29 Pair Presentation
February 05 Pair Presentation/ Online discussion-1
12 Professionalism, Work Ethic & Motivation
19 IT Careers Presentation / Reading Report - Content Distribution
26 Graduate Studies
March 05 Ash Wednesday
12 Resume Writing Presentation/ Online discussion-2
19 Reading Report Presentations
26 Reading Report Presentations
April 02 Group Presentations
09 Group Presentations
16 E-portfolios Due

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 PERSONAL ASSESSMENT SHEET

NAME

FIELD OF INTEREST

SPECIFIC POSITION

WHY ARE YOU

INTERESTED IN THE
FIELD/POSITION

YOUR SKILL SET/

CHARACTERISTICS
RELEVANT TO THE
POSITION

MAJOR
RESPONSIBILITIES OF
THE POSITION

CERTIFICATIONS /
SPECIAL TRAINING
RELEVANT TO THE
POSITION

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