Course Description: Overview of computer systems—hardware, operating systems, and microcomputer application software, including the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and databases.  Current issues such as the effect of computers on society, and the history and use of computers in business, educational, and other modern settings are also studied. This course provides the required computer literacy core competencies that all students need to attain by graduation.

Pre-requisite:  Reading – R.

Keyboarding and mouse operation skills recommended.

Course Rationale:  This course meets the Computer Literacy course requirements as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This course is included in several degree plans and certificates including:

·    Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming

·    Associate of Applied Science – Web Programming

·    Associate of Applied Science – Local Area Network Administration

·    Associate of Applied Science – User and Computer Support

·    Associate of Applied Science – Game and Visualization Programming

·    Associate of Applied Science – Information Technology Application

·    Associate of Applied Science – Security Administration

·    Associate of Applied Science – Software Testing

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

The students will learn to “use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information”. Students will have an “understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and acquire the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available”.  After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.         Define and describe the hardware used in information technology (IT).

2.         Define and describe the types of software used in IT.

3.         Delineate and discuss societal issues involving the use of IT and networks.

4.       Demonstrate the ability to create and use documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases in order to communicate and store information as well as to support problem solving.

5.         Use IT to acquire, differentiate and evaluate information and technology.

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdf for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, and lab projects will be a part of the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:
 

Course Requirements

 Each student’s grade for this course consists of non-comprehensive exams on concepts, Lab exams, and chapter homework on Microsoft office 2019 applications.

Each Microsoft Office 2019 Lab is due no later than midnight of the Sunday following the assignment date. Late assignments will be accepted for 24 hours, after assignment date, with a late penalty of 10%. No credit will be given for exercises received after 24 hours from assignment date. Scheduling of computer time outside of regular lab time is the student’s responsibility. Availability of computers is NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment.

The concepts exams are based on the lectures for chapters 1-6. The lab exams are SAM based and cover Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access.

There are no makeup EXAMS in this course. If you miss an exam you will receive a grade of ZERO for that exam.

Students are expected to read and study the assigned material, per course schedule, BEFORE each class.

Course/Class Policies:

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. 

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decides to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The last date to withdraw for this semester is April 26th, 2021. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course. State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Incompletes

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

1.      The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.

2.      The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.

3.      The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.

4.      To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.

See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process.

For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ for the course.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Students Accessibility Service & Assistive Technology Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student. Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.

Safety Statement Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Testing Center Policy

http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Freedom of Expression Policy

It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Tutoring

Free tutoring is provided for this course both online and face-to-face.  For online schedules and details please refer to

 http://acctutor.org/

Student Files – Privacy

Their instructor for educational and academic reasons may view the information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs.

Concealed Handgun Policy

ACC faculty may notify students in their classes or learning environment about the Texas Campus Carry law taking effect at Austin Community College (and other Texas community colleges) on August 1, 2017. The following is recommended syllabus language, approved by legal counsel and the college. For courses including ACC-sponsored field activities, language is still being drafted.

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

Refer to the concealed handgun policy online.

Facts

·         All public Texas colleges and universities must abide by the law.

·         Private institutions may opt out of implementing the law.

·         The concealed campus carry law does not allow open carry on campus.

·         A person must have a License to Carry a Handgun (LTC).

·         A person must be at least 21 to obtain a LTC, unless he/she is active duty military or a police officer.

·         Faculty and staff do not have authority to ban handguns from classrooms.

·         Campus carry laws exist in eight states (Texas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Mississippi, Kansas, Oregon, and Wisconsin).

·         Licensed gun owners have been allowed to carry concealed handguns on public campuses (but not in buildings) for 20 years.

·         While Texas is currently in a legislative session, there are no indications lawmakers will change the law.

                    Proposed 16 Week Schedule for COSC 1301 (January 19 – May 17 2021)

The official schedule for this course is maintained under "Syllabus" on the official Blackboard site for this course.

All Labs are due before midnight on the scheduled due date. Labs may be submitted up to 24 hours late with a 10% penalty
 

Note: The instructor has the prerogative to change the course schedule as required.

Students are expected to read and study the assigned material, per the course schedule, BEFORE each class, this includes the lab assignments!!