Midlands Technical College
Information Systems Technology Syllabus

Course Name: Introduction to Computers

Course   CPT 101

Credit:  3.0

Prerequisite:  ESL 100 or RDG 100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a survey course which covers computer architecture, basic networking, fundamentals of operating systems, Internet concepts, and relevant contemporary topics. This course also provides an introduction to office productivity applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.

 

TEXT:

Office 2007 XP, Brief Edition, by: Rutkosky/ Seguin/Rutkosky. 2008. Paradigm Publishers. ISBN#: 978-0-76383-356-5.
 

Computers Understanding Technology Brief, 3rd ed., by: Fuller/Larson. 2008. Paradigm Publishers. ISBN#: 978-0-76382-937-7.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will

be able to perform the following tasks:

 

  1. Explain the difference between hardware and software.
  2. Explain how computers store and manipulate information.
  3. Use system utilities to perform file management functions.
  4. Understand what an operating system does, and give some examples of operating systems.
  5. Discuss basic networking concepts.
  6. Use the Internet to search for information.
  7. Discuss business uses of the Internet and be familiar with Internet terminology.
  8. Use e-mail.
  9. Discuss the importance of technology to future careers, lifelong learning, and daily living for individuals of all ages.
  10. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of application software such word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to produce documents.

 

Materials Needed:    Textbooks

                                    Microsoft Office Suite 2007

                                    Storage medium (USB drive)

                                                           

 

 

General Education Core Competency Statement

 

This course is designed to meet the college’s general education core competency for:

 

Computer Literacy-graduates should possess the computer skills to locate, retrieve, and synthesize data to create a document or presentation appropriate to the area of study.

 

Course Outcomes and Competencies

 

Intended Outcome 1:  CPT 101 students will demonstrate knowledge of computer literacy core competency.

 

Course Competency: Students will complete an Internet research project assigned by the instructor in which they will research a topic related to the area of study and prepare a written document or PowerPoint presentation upon completion of the project.

 

Measurement Instrument and Success Criteria: An assessment rubric developed by the instructor will be used to evaluate the project. The average rating of student achievement in each performance area will be 3 or higher on a scale of 1-4.

 

Intended Outcome 2:  CPT 101 students will demonstrate overall knowledge of Introduction to Computers course objectives.

 

Course Competency 2a: Students taking Introduction to Computers during the will complete a final examination, in which questions related to course objectives have been embedded.

 

Measurement Instrument and Success Criteria: The instructor will evaluate students’ answers to the embedded questions.  At least 70% of students will answer each embedded question correctly on the final examination.

 

Course Competency 2b: Students taking Introduction to Computers will be given a computer applications proficiency test to demonstrate their ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to prepare documents.

 

Measurement Instrument and Success Criteria: The instructor will evaluate students’ performance on this test.  The average student rating will be 70 or above.

 

GRADING SCALE

 

A                     90-100

B                      80-89

C                     70-79

D                     60-69

F                        0-59

 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  Academic integrity questions should be resolved by consulting the Student Code as documented in the Midlands Technical College Student Handbook. All issues of academic dishonesty will be referred to the director of Campus Life.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students may not miss more than 15% of scheduled classes, regardless of the reason for the absence. After exceeding this limit, a student will be withdrawn from the class by the instructor.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact a counselor in the Disability Resource Center, 822-3510 and 738-7678. TTY telephone (Airport 822-3401, Beltline 738-7800)

CAMPUS EMERGENCY PROTOCOL:  Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Security at 7199 (on campus), or    738-7199 (cell phone and off campus). In the event of an emergency, student and employee protocol is to immediately call Campus Security or local 911.  If an emergency occurs, employees and students may seek additional information and instructions via MTC Information Centers, email, college Intranet, the MTC website, campus voice mail and loud speakers.

The College may be closed because of inclement weather. This news should be available on the website at www.midlandstech.edu, at the main phone number at 738-1400, and announced on WIS-TV and radio. Please check frequently in changeable weather for closings and re-openings. If the College closing or reopening means that you will have at least 30 minutes of a class, you should come to class. Please do not call the IST Department office or the President’s office with closure questions.