General Course Information:                   12-Weeks session: March 8 – June 4, 2010

Online CIS 1 – Section 1369
3 Units – Transfer: UC*, CSU

Instructor Information:

Craig Hammond
Phone Message: (310) 434-8685
E-mail: hammond_craig@smc.edu

Prerequisites: 

Advisory:

Keyboarding skills of 25 wpm or enrollment in OIS 1A or 9 are recommended for computer application classes.

Course Description

This beginning course covers the broad use of personal computers. Topics include a description of microcomputer components, input and output devices, networking, and microprocessing concepts. Beginning word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, Windows, and programming concepts are introduced. Hands-on experience is provided in a microcomputer lab.   Arrange 2 – hours to work on the lab.

This course uses Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Word 2007.
Note: Programming, computer science or engineering students should enroll in Computer Science 3.
*No UC credit will be granted if taken after CS3. 
Arrange 1 Hour

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Identify the various hardware components including displays, keyboards, processors, and storage.
• Identify, explain, and contrast a variety of peripherals, including printers, scanners, and several secondary storage devices.
• Explain how the CPU represents data and describe factors that affect its speed.
• Describe different types of operating systems and have a basic knowledge of Windows.
• Use Windows Explorer and other Windows features.
• Describe communication and networking concepts such as email, bulletin board systems, modems, LANs and WANs.
• Practice different searching techniques to get information on the Web.
• Practice different searching techniques to find free images, clip arts, and multimedia on the Web.
• Explain concepts relating to hypertext and multimedia.
• Discuss the history of the Internet, how it works, and its uses such as the Word Wide Web and FTP.
• Describe the social implications of computer use such as computer crime, software piracy, privacy issues and health-related concerns.
• Identify various types of graphics.
• Describe features used in paint and draw programs to create and manipulate graphics.
• Identify and explain various computer software programs.
• Demonstrate the use of the Windows operating system, word processing, database, spreadsheets, and Internet.

Note:  The final exam has been scheduled for the week of Thursday July 30, 2009 or  Friday July 31, 2009.  Be advised that NO ONE can take the final exam outside the schedule date.

Required Textbook and Software: 

Books:   ISB No.:  0495956619 ( (Bundle) Textbooks come together in a package w/ SAM Training at SMC bookstore.

Testing Software:  SAM2007 Assessment & Training, 2007 (Course Technology)  ISBN: 978-1423-99793-1

Minimum Skills Requirements:   Before beginning this course you must possess the ability to:

• use a browser to navigate the Internet
• download and install programs and files 
• use email and send and open email attachments
• open files from a CD ROM
• save files to your hard drive or a flash drive

Technical Requirements: In order to complete this course off-campus you must have:

• a computer running the Windows operating system on a PC (Win 98/2000/ME/NT/XP/Vista are all acceptable, however you will be instructed in and tested on Windows XP Professional).  No MACs, no exceptions.
• the minimum hardware configuration listed at the web site, www.smconline.org.
• a working email address.
• an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• a modem with a connection to a cable or phone line (56k minimum, but DSL or cable modem strongly recommended).
• a CD Rom drive.

The following software is also required:

• Microsoft Word2007, Professional (or Office 2007, the MS suite of Office software that includes Word 2007) - No other word processing software is acceptable.  The Word assignments and exam use Word2007. You can not use Word2003/XP, the features that the book reviews and are required for assignments cannot be performed in previous versions of Word. You will not be excused from any part of an assignment or exam because you are using an earlier version of Word.  Unfortunately, SMC is not able to provide the software at a discounted price.  The Foundation for California Community Colleges offers software discounts for students; go to http://www.collegesoftware.org.
• a web browser--Internet Explorer 7 (ie6 or higher is acceptable, however you will be instructed in and tested on ie7).  To upgrade your Internet Explorer version, go to:  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads and download the latest version of ie6.
• email software that works with your email provider.
• SAM 2007 testing software (earlier versions of SAM will not work)

Software:
Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Vista, Internet Explorer 7, and Microsoft Word 2007

Course Requirements:

1.       Students are responsible to drop the class if they are not planning to finish the 12 week session.   Failure to submit a withdrawal notice to the Admissions Office could result in a grade of "F" in that class and be responsible for enrollment fee.  

2.        All textbook sections must be read prior to assignment.

3.       Students are responsible for material covered in the course.  This includes changes in class schedule, assignment deadlines, or test dates. 

4.        Students are responsible to have their email account updated with admissions and records and within the eCollege Web site.  It is the student responsibility to take care of any email problems.

5.       Students are responsible to follow the deadline schedule from the website including any change made by the instructor at any time.  No excuses will be accepted from any students failing to compliance with the exams, homework and other assignments deadlines.

6.       Students are responsible for each weekly material covered in the class.  

7.        All students are required to check the website on a daily basis for updates and homework postings.

Method of Instruction:

Lectures: Lectures will be available  in PowerPoint.  You will still be responsible to read the chapter in the textbook. 

Grading Policies:  

1. See the FAQs page regarding course Drops.
2. Incompletes will not be issued except for a documented hospitalization, and the instructor must be contacted prior to the date of the Final exam.
3. Any cheating on assignments or exams will result in an automatic Failure for the course.  This includes any shared or copied files, documents and/or HW content material.
4. In order to track your grade in the course, add up your total points to date and divide it by the number of points possible to date.  I do not send points-to-date throughout the semester.  

Assignments:

1.  A significant portion of your grade is based on homework assignments.  Please look under each Week heading at the beginning of the week to review your assignment instructions for that week and the due dates.  Then proceed to each item underneath the Weekly heading.  The Weekly content only becomes available at the beginning of each week. 

2.  All assignments are due by 11:00pm of the night they are due.  No late assignments will be considered for any reason.  Do not wait until Monday night to attempt an assignment so that you have adequate time to review the material and remedy any possible technical difficulties. 

3.  No cheating of any kind will be tolerated with homework assignment files.  This includes sharing work or copying sections of another student's work.  Regardless of the circumstances, both students involved will be considered at fault.  So, do NOT offer your files to any student, even if they "only want to see what the finished assignment looks like".  It is much easier to identify cheating with files than with paper printouts.

4.  Because this is a fast-paced course, if you do not complete the Week 1 assignments by the due date or if you have incomplete work for two consecutive weeks, you may be dropped from the course.  If you wish to receive a refund or a W, you must drop by the refund deadline or the W deadline (see the Syllabus - Dates and Deadlines).  It is not my responsibility to drop you by these deadlines.  

Exams:

1. There will be 3 tests.  The exams will have two parts, part objective (i.e. multiple choice and true/false) and part practical.  These will be given on specific days (usually Sunday and Monday) so that you can schedule your weekends or workdays accordingly.  You must take these exams during the period that they are scheduled.  No exceptions. 

Exam 1 - Sunday and Monday, To be Announced
Exam 2 - Sunday and Monday, To be Announced
Exam 3- Sunday,  Monday and Tuesday, To be Announced

2.   Students are required to take all exams.  No exam scores will be dropped from your grade.  You must attempt the practical exams before 8:00pm on the last scheduled date so that you can call the Course Tech helpdesk (see FAQs) in the event of SAM related technical difficulties, if needed.  Exams will NOT be rescheduled, and if you are unable to complete an exam due to technical issues after this deadline, you will receive a zero.   Student hospitalization (a hospital bill will be required as proof) is the only acceptable reason for missing an exam, however a family member should contact me immediately.

3.  Although you will receive your score immediately, the solutions will be available after you have taken the exams.   

Participation:

1.  You will receive participation credit for contributions to the threaded discussions by the assigned due date. I will provide you with the topic. Click on the threaded discussion to see the topic.  Then, click Respond to enter your comment.

2.  To receive credit, you must participate in the threaded discussion by 11:00pm of the night it is due. You also must discuss the topic given.  If you contribute and follow the instructions for the topic, you receive the full 5 points per threaded discussion.  General questions should be submitted under the weekly Homework Questions discussion area, as they will not be considered relevant contributions to the topic, and you will not receive your 5 points.  

Method of Evaluation:

Letter grades will be determined using a standard percentage point evaluation as outlined below. 
A  90%-100%
B  80%-89%
C  70%-79%
D  60%-69%
F  59% and under

Total points will be computed as follows.  The total points for quizzes, assignments, exams, and participation may vary.
   10 Threaded Discussion
 100 Lab Assignments (10 @ 10 points each)
 160 Theory Assignments (8 Chapter Terms @ 20 points each)
  40  Test 1 Concepts Exam 40pts
  50  Test 2  SAM2007Word Exam(Practical) 50pts
  75  Test 3 Concepts Exam 40pts  SAM2007 Internet Exam (Practical) 35pts
435 Total Points 

Withdrawal form Class:

The Student is responsible to drop the class. Should the student fail to drop the class and the student’s name is on the Grade Roster, the student will get an “F” for the class

Academic Conduct Defined – Cheating Policy:

According to the Santa Monica College's Code of Academic Conduct and Reporting Policy defines academic dishonesty as the act of or assistance in deceiving, including fraud or deception, in any academic exercise.  The instructor may assign a failing grade to the examination or assignment in which the alleged cheating or plagiarism occurred. 

1. Allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade in any of the following: testing, field trips, or attendance.
2. Falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and / or grade rosters.
3. Representing the words, ideas or work of another as one’s own in any academic exercise (plagiarism), including the use of commercial term paper companies.
4. Changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment, or experiment with the intent to defraud.
5. Copying or allowing another student to copy from one’s paper (disk).
6. Inventing information for the purpose of completing a laboratory experiment or case study analysis with the intent to defraud.

In addition, it is considered cheating:

Ø  Giving a copy of your homework assignment to a classmate for the purpose of enhancing your classmate’s grade.  (Both students will be given zero and may be subject to disciplinary action);

Ø   Looking at the dictionary to find the computer concepts definitions.

Ø  Taking exams and quizzes for someone else or with someone else.

Ø  Sending emails to any other individuals asking for questions while they are taking the exams, doing their homework assignment, etc.

Students with Disabilities:

Special accommodations will be made for students with disabled student center verification for related students needs.  If you have a medical problem, which might interfere with your class, you need to tell your instructor about your situation.