Harrisburg Area Community College

Business, Hospitality, Engineering, & Technologies Division

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

      The course provides a hands-on understanding of the underlying concepts, terminology, and operations of hardware components and software associated with computer information systems in industry and for personal use.  The Internet and its component parts are covered through in-class activities and extended class assignments.  The course serves as a foundation for further study through topics including systems design, data input/output processing, hardware basics, software integration, and associated technologies.

PREREQUISITE/COREQUISITE:  CIS 105 and eligibility for ENG 101

REQUIRED MATERIALS:         Technology in Action, Complete by Evans, Martin, Poatsy, (ISBN 0132346168) and MyITLab-web based learning site.  

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:       Pentium III or above, 256MB of Ram, sound card, Modem, SVGA Monitor, CD Rom Drive, ISP service –Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, or XP and Office 97, 2000,  XP or Vista.  Microsoft WORD or Open Office software . Internet connection-Broadband preferred. Jump Drive and headphones recommended for class.

COLLATERAL READING:   Textbook, e-mail articles, web assignments, bulletin board postings, newspaper and text website.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:  Lecture, MyITLab interaction, Internet research, activities and project completion. This is a MyITLab “enhanced” course and the student will be spending quite a bit of time online.  Access to a computer and an Internet service provider is critical.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  

·         Read all materials as assigned.

·         Complete all assignments and projects by dates and times indicated.   

·         Respond to posted or written assignments.

·         Communicate with Professor and other students via e-mail, message board and class participation.

·         Complete exams as indicated.

OBJECTIVES:

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

·         Understand basic terminology associated with computer information systems.

·         Explain the evolution and development of computer information systems.

·         Understand the basic concepts and devices associated with the hardware of computer information systems.

·         Understand the concepts of both operating and application software associated with the computer information systems.

·         Identify the role of computer information systems in business and industry today.

·         Explain and understand the distinctions between the Internet and its component parts.

·         Explore, search and evaluate World Wide Web resources.

·         Use e-mail as a means of communication between students and instructor.

CLASS POLICIES:     

            Academic Dishonesty is defined in Administrative Procedure 594.  A partial description of this procedure is given below.

“Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person, or uses unauthorized material or fabricated information in any academic work.”  It includes, but is not limited to:  

A.        Cheating - giving or receiving answers on assigned material, using materials or aids forbidden by the instructor ... unauthorized possession of examinations....

B.        Plagiarism - offering someone else's work, words, or ideas as one's own or using material from another source without acknowledgement.

C.        Interference – interfering without permission with the work of another student, either by obtaining, changing or destroying the work of another student.

D.        Buying or selling of term papers, homework, examinations, laboratory assignments, computer programs, etc.

E.        Falsifying of one's own or another's records

F.        Knowingly assisting someone who engages in A - E above.

Penalties for students found to have committed academic dishonesty include, but may not be limited to, the following:

A.        Lowering of a grade or failure for a particular assignment,

B.        Lowering of a grade, failure, and/or dismissal from the course.

C.        Disciplinary probation-may include a limitation on credits, mandatory repeat of a course, etc.

D.        Suspension from a curriculum.

E.        Suspension from the College

BHET DIVISION ATTENDANCE POLICY:

The faculty of the Business, Hospitality, Engineering, and Technologies Division is concerned with the total education of the individual and his/her future opportunities in business careers. Conceptual knowledge, skill, and proficiency are essential for successful business employment and effective citizenship. Equally important are the qualities of dependability and responsibility. Unless advised otherwise by their instructor, students should treat their BHET Division classes as they would a career-oriented job they want to keep. Therefore, students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and are responsible for all class-related work and assignments.  Students are also expected to contact the instructor when they are absent from class, prior to or on the day of absence if possible. 

The determination of the attendance policy for each course is the prerogative of the instructor, as stated in the instructor's printed course syllabus, subject to the approval of the Division Administrator, which will be distributed to students during the FIRST class meeting. Circumstances may cause a student to be absent from a class on occasion, for example; illness, bad weather, accident, etc. The definitions of absence from the College attendance policy are as follows:

Excused absence - An absence that occurred for reasons that were: a) beyond the student's control to prevent, and b) significant enough to prohibit attendance in class. Additionally, for the absence to be excused, the student also must also have contacted the instructor prior to or on the day of the absence.  It’s important to note that, depending on the number or pattern of prior absences, an absence explained as simply ‘personal’ and ‘family emergency’ may not be considered as excused unless sufficient detail is provided to the instructor.

Unexcused absence - An absence that occurred for reasons that were: a) within the student's control to prevent, and b) not significant enough to prohibit attendance in class, even if uncontrollable. Additionally, an absence may be considered unexcused if the student does not contact the instructor about the absence within a reasonable period of time. Typically within 24 hours.

Students shall not be penalized for absence in regularly scheduled classes, except as indicated below:

1. Students are subject to policies and procedures approved in Administrative Procedure 661.  Instructors requiring physical presence and participation may reduce course grades after the student has unexcused absence of 10% of the total class hours (four unexcused class hours for a three-credit course).

2. The student is responsible for ALL class work and assignments. Instructors will provide students who have an excused absence the opportunity to make up missed assignments and exams, and if feasible, participation, if an absence has been excused. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor regarding missed work and assignments.  Instructors may require a student to furnish documentation substantiating that an absence should be considered "excused" if absences become excessive or occur at questionable times (for example, on the day of an exam).

3. The student is responsible for attendance on the day of examinations, unless otherwise excused.

4. Instructors have the right to recommend to the Division Administrator that a student be dropped for an excessive excused or unexcused absence that precludes the possibility of passing the class whereupon the student will be given a grade of "F" or "W". Excessive absence is more than 15% of the class hours (six unexcused class hours for a three-credit course).

Professor Bowers-Miller's Policy:

Students are expected to attend all classes & engage in attentive participation through-out the class time. Cell phones, pagers, IM’s and unauthorized computer usage are prohibited. Students violating this policy will be requested to leave the classroom. Continued violation may result is being dropped from the course. For an absence to be considered excused, the student must notify the professor prior to the class they will not be attending. If prior notification is not possible due to the nature of the situation, notify the professor within 24 hours.  If a student will not be present for an announced quiz or exam, the professor must be consulted prior to the absence for approval of a make-up exam. Make-ups will not be scheduled for unexcused absences. Students are expected submit all assignments by the deadline. 5 points per DAY are deducted for any work submitted after deadline.

The College is required by law to make attendance reports to the relevant agencies of students who are funded by veterans' benefits, social security payments, and various other federal, state, or private scholarship programs. Students in programs that are accredited/approved by external agencies must observe these special attendance policies delineated by the external agencies and contained in the printed course syllabus.  Revised 05/03/05. 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

            The instructor upon request of the student will grant a "W" grade from the end of the refund period until the midpoint of the course as defined in the College calendar.  The student must be attending class in a manner consistent with the instructor's attendance policy, have completed the required graded material, and have not been dishonest in completing the course work in order to be eligible for the "W" grade.

            From the midpoint of the course through the conclusion of the course, which is the last class period, the student will receive a "W" or "F" depending upon the instructor's assessment of the student's performance, which may take into account extenuating circumstances.  A grade will be assigned based on the student's performance in the following manner:  "W": - If passing at time of withdrawal    "F":   - If failing at time of withdrawal

If you stop attending, I will NOT drop you, you must do that! 

Refund Dates- This information is printed on the reverse side of your class schedule.     

Email Messages:

In the Subject line, type in CIS 110,  your name, and the purpose of the message. Be sure to sign off with your full name. When appropriate, all emails will be answered within 48 hours during school weekdays.

Delayed Start:  This class is from 12:00 – 12:50

EXPECTATIONS AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

1.        Read every assignment before attending class.

2.       Attend every class session and be on time- participation is important!

3.       Use the learning tools available in MyITLab and on the textbook website.

4.       Adhere to deadlines!  5 points per DAY are deducted for any work submitted after deadline.

5.       Unannounced quizzes and assignments will be given. These may not be made up unless you have an excused absence.

6.       Re-read the text and notes within 24 hours after class. Start at page one each time- repetition is a key tool for helping you learn the material.

7.       Familiarize yourself with the Computer Lab hours.

8.       Identify 2 class ‘buddies” that you can call when you need assistance.

9.       If you do not understand a topic, ask the instructor or your “buddy”.

10.    Make up exams will only be permitted for excused absences.                  

EXAMINATIONS:

All material covered in the text, classroom discussions, student presentations or related web sites may be included in the examinations.  Examinations will consist of objective (multiple choice, T/F, and matching) and essay questions.    There will be three (3) exams, consisting of the following chapters.  Each exam is worth 100 points.  All exams will be completed using MyITLab, our course management system.  

EXAM 1

Chapter 1 – Why Computers Matter to You: Becoming Computer Fluent

Chapter 2 – Looking at Computers: Understanding the parts

         Technology In Focus: History of the PC

Chapter 3 – Using the Internet: Making the Most of the Web’s Resources

Chapter 4- Application Software: Programs that Let You Work and Play

        Technology In Focus: Digital Entertainment

EXAM 2

Chapter 5 – Using System Software: OS, Utilities and File Management

Chapter 6 – Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System

                         Technology In Focus: Computing Alternatives

Chapter 7 – Networking & Security: Connecting and Keeping Computers Safe

Chapter 8 – Mobile Computing: Keeping your Data on Hand

                         Technology In Focus: Protecting your Computers & Backing up Data

EXAM 3

Chapter 9- Behind the Scenes: A Closer Look at System Hardware

Chapter 10- Behind the Scenes: Software Programming

Chapter 11- Behind the Scenes: Databases and Information Systems

Chapter 12- Behind the Scenes: Networking and Security

Chapter 13- Behind the Scenes: The Internet: How it works

             PROJECTS:                                                               Group Project – 125 Points

            You will be assigned to a workgroup and will be given a project to complete.  Each project will involve creating a computer configuration for a particular type of office environment and will encompass materials covered in one or more chapters from the textbook.  Grading will be based on individual contribution, group presentation, assessment of scenario, quality of writing, creativity, use of outside sources, quality of Internet resources, grammar, and incorporation of textbook topics into project.   The presentation should include handouts and a PowerPoint (or other multimedia) slide show to better communicate the topic to your classmates.  Each group member is responsible for some part of the oral presentation.

Project steps: creating your own company, purchasing software for the office, deciding what hardware system is best for your company, office design, and computer security and privacy issues. Progress Reports of the project completion will be required throughout the semester. See MyITLab for more details and specific due dates for this project.

Web Page – 25 Points

Using HTML tags and NotePad, you will create a simple web page document with the help of the links contained in the assignment document. Further details are available in MyITLab.

Class Participation/Quizzes – 75 Points

Class attendance, attentiveness, participation in discussions and appropriate use of email. Quizzes for each chapter will be posted and must be completed BEFORE we begin the discussion for that chapter. 13 quizzes*5 points= 65 plus 10 points for class participation  = 75 points

                        Homework Assignments – 75 Points

Other quizzes or exercises as assigned.

    Homework Assignments:

1. _________________                       4. ________________                        7.  _______________

2. _________________                      5. ________________                        8.  _______________

3. _________________                      6. ________________                        9.  _______________   

CIS 110: Introduction to Computer Information Systems

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE