IFSM 201: Introduction to Computer-Based Systems

Term 3, 2007/2008

University of Maryland University College - Asia

Distance Education

 

Lecturer: Christine Kikuchi

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: By Appointment

Prerequisite: None

Course Materials:

Author	Book	ISBN
Shelly, G., Cashman, T., & Vermaat, M.	Discovering Computers 2008: A Gateway to Information, Complete, Thompson Course Technology, 2008.	1418843709
Beskeen, D., et al.	Microsoft Office XP-Illustrated Introductory, Thompson Course Technology, 2003.	0619111860
These books come as one bundled package - ISBN# 9781423995425
The Book's Web Site	http://login.course.com/

• Textbooks can be ordered online at the Asia DE Web site, http://de.asia.umuc.edu/textbooks/index.cfm. Books ordered from any other source will be at the students own risk. UMUC Asia DE cannot be responsible for problems encountered when textbooks are ordered from sources outside of the Asia DE Web site.
• Other requirements: Microsoft 95 or higher versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. There is no requirement for you to own the programs that you will need for your assignments; you may use the MLC (Maryland computer lab) at your local site. Microsoft Works is not an alternative. You should have a portable storage medium, i.e., floppy disk, smart card, USB card, optical disk.

Course Description:

An overview of computer information systems in which hardware, software, procedures, systems, and human resources are explored in relation to their integration and application in business and other segments of society. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BMGT 301, CAPP 101, CAPP 300, CMST 300, IFSM 201, or TMGT 201.

Course Content:

What is it? It is a lecture-based course. You will learn computer vocabulary and concepts. You will feel comfortable reading computer ads and know how to buy a computer. You will learn about the wide variety of careers in the field. You will be comfortable discussing computers and have an understanding, not a fear of them. You will learn how to use the basic features of applications. You will create your (possibly) first web page.

What is it not? It is not a hands-on application course. If you need to learn how to use Word or Excel, I suggest that you take a class from base training or another school. I will teach you the introduction of programs, but this course is not meant to be a software training class.

Methodology: Classes will assume that you have read the required materials and prepared the assignments. Classes will include lecture, discussion, and some chances to use software applications.

Course Goals/Objectives: On successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Discuss the evolution of computers, including societal events leading to increased demands and technological developments (historical perspective)

• Create a specification for purchasing a personal computer (effective writing, information literacy)
• Identify the basic parts and functions of computer systems (competence in information technology)
• Differentiate between the roles and functions of application and systems software, both nationally and internationally (competence in information technology, international perspective)
• Make effective use of the Internet (information literacy, competence in information technology)
• Create simple word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, and Web pages (competence in information technology)
• Describe how several basic national and international data communication systems function (competence in information technology, international perspective)
• Analyze issues faced by information system professionals, including security, ethical, and privacy problems (civic responsibility)

 

Grading Information:

 

The First Grading Choice			The Second Grading Choice
(4) projects (10% each)	40%		(5) projects (8% each)	40%
(3) quizzes (10% each)	30%		(3) quizzes (10% each)	30%
Proctored Exam	30%		Proctored Exam	30%
TOTAL	100%		TOTAL	100%

The following mapping is used:

A	90-100 points
B	80-89 points
C	70-79 points
D	60-69 points
F	0-59 points

Assignments may not be turned in late. Arrangements for make-ups of quizzes are made only for official emergencies and must be made prior to the particular examination. The proctored exam may not be made up. You must be able to be at a UMUC site to take the proctored exam during week 10. If a homework assignment or test is missed, documentation must be provided showing the reason for the student's absence. No makeup test or assignment will be given without sufficient written documentation. The proctored exam may not be made up.

Proctored Exams:

All quizzes and tests that you will take in this course will be closed book, closed notes exams.

All Web courses have a required proctored examination. Students are responsible for scheduling their appointment to test with the UMUC Field Rep office where they registered for their classes, normally two weeks prior to Proctored Exam Week. For complete instructions regarding proctored exam procedures go to the Asia DE Web site at http://de.asia.umuc.edu, and select the "Proctored Exams" link.

Computer-Based Proctored Exams are available only for students testing at designated UMUC Asia Computer Labs (ask your local UMUC Asia Field Rep or Computer Lab Monitor if their location is participating), and only during the scheduled Proctored Exam period. All other students must be administered paper exams.

Extra Credit: There is no such thing as Extra Credit.

Attendance:

Regular class attendance is expected; that is reviewing the class site at least two or three times a week. It remains your responsibility to obtain information concerning the material covered and upcoming assignments. Also, note that this includes reviewing material presented in the various sections of our on line classroom (hint: read and understand the various postings under the syllabus, course content, conferences, and Webliography. Excessive absences may result in the assignment of the grade F--failure for nonattendance.

Homework Project Descriptions:

Projects will be posted in the Assignments area during the week that they are scheduled. The projects are designed to give the student practical experience with the theory presented. Students having trouble with the projects are encouraged to seek help from a classmate, the instructor, or other person. Do not wait until the last minute to begin work on your projects.

The First Grading Choice : (4) projects (10% each)

There will one project using Word, one using Excel, one using Access, and one using NotePad to create an HTML document. You will need to use Microsoft 95 or higher versions of Word, Excel, and Access. If you do not have the Microsoft Office Professional, you do not have Access. There is no requirement for you to own the programs that you will need for assignments; you may use the MLC (Maryland computer lab) at your local site to any work for this class. You may not use Microsoft Works for these assignments.

The Second Grading Choice: (5) projects (8% each)

You will do all of the above, plus a fifth assignment that will use Microsoft PowerPoint. You will need to use Microsoft 95 or higher versions of PowerPoint. This assignment will require you to save your work onto a floppy disk, optical disk, or smart card.

Additional Information:

TIME REQUIREMENTS: Students will be spending considerable amount of non-classroom time researching, reading, and preparing class assignments. A rough estimate, based on the mythical average student, would be 10-12 hours per week in outside class time.

 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: The last day to withdraw without academic penalty is 04/04/08. Ceasing to attend class or oral notice thereof DOES NOT constitute official withdrawal from the course. Students who simply stop attending classes without officially withdrawing usually are assigned failing grades. Students wishing to withdraw must obtain and complete a withdrawal form from http://www.asia.umuc.edu/studentservices/withdrawal.cfm.

 

WRITING AND RESEARCH: Effective writing is critical to the intellectual life of university students and graduates within the workplace. Effective managers are usually effective communicators. Your work in this course must demonstrate your ability to master and effectively communicate course content. Effective writing

Meets the needs of the reader

Adequately covers the subject

Uses expected conventions of format and organizations

Demonstrates use of credible reasoning and evidence

Satisfies standards of style and grammatical correctness

Requires 100% compliance with UMUC's zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism.

 

Web Sites of Interest:

 

UMUC Library - Citing APA Style. Learn how to cite references in APA style. http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html

UMUC Databases The University subscribes to several on-line library databases that students, faculty, and staff may access via the WWW. The address to the UMUC libraries: http://www.umuc.edu/library/library.html. Log in with your Social Security number. Some databases contain full text articles. Those articles that are not full text may be ordered on-line. As a student of UMUC Asian Division you may order up to ten free articles per term. Please refer any questions about the Web Databases/MdUSA FAQ or a UMUC reference librarian at [email protected].

Academic Policies:

UMUC – Asian Division Student Resources include the Catalog, the Student Handbook, and Library Resources. The URL is http://www.ad.umuc.edu/student/index.html. Students are advised to look through this site to see UMUC policies and procedures. The catalog http://www.ad.umuc.edu/student/resources/publications/index.html#catalog has important information for all UMUC students.

Students who violate UMUC's policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism will receive a zero on the assignment in question; further violations of the policy will result in referral to the Associate Dean's office for further administrative action. You should read all of the UMUC's policies as they discuss your rights and responsibilities as students. You may find them by going to http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml

The grade of I (Incomplete) is only given in extraordinary circumstances. Students requesting an I must have completed at least 60 percent of the course work and hold a C average.

You will be expected to write things in the process of taking college courses. I would expect college level grammar and writing structure. I refer you to the UMUC Effective Writing Center: http://www.umuc.edu/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/wc_home.html and the Guide to Research and Writing: http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/writinggde/welcome.shtml.

Course Schedule: (This syllabus is tentative and subject to change, if necessary. Changes will be announced with as much notice as possible)

 

Contact Information:

For administrative assistance: contact [email protected]

SDES students should contact: [email protected]

For WebTycho assistance: contact [email protected].

For WebTycho assistance on Saturdays and Sundays: [email protected]

For proctored exam information, please visit the DE Asia Website at http://de.asia.umuc.edu and click on 'Proctored Exams'.

For textbook information contact [email protected]

Support for Asian Division Students is also available by phone at 225-3696 (DSN) or 81-42-552-2510 Ext. 5-3696 (international comm.), Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (JST).

Guidance on how to avoid plagiarism can be found at the following sites:

• UMUC's Effective Writing Program Helping Students Avoid Plagiarism - http://www.umuc.edu/ugp/ewp/plagiarism.html
• UMUC's Online Writing Center How to Avoid Plagiarism - http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/modules/plagiarism/start.html
• Indiana University's Writing Tutorial Service Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It - http://www.indiana.edu/%7Ewts/pamphlets.shtml

Online Etiquette and Conduct:

• Be polite
• Do not write anything you would be embarrassed to have printed in the newspaper. Computer messages are not private.
• Keep in mind that any message you write can and may be forwarded to others. Again, be careful what you write.
• Do not forward personal notes or messages to others or a group unless you are certain the content is appropriate and you have asked the author. Do NOT forward chain letters to anyone who is enrolled in a UMUC course.
• Be aware of how your words may affect others. Since you have no body language cues, you must be more careful.
• When using quoted material or someone else's idea, include the citation just as you would in a hard-copy version.
• Reread your message before sending it; edit if necessary.
• NO CHAIN LETTERS.

Academic Policies:

Academic Policies are not course specific and are therefore created and housed separately from this syllabus. You may access and print Academic Policies from the Syllabus sub-menu in your classroom.

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