This course is organized in 3 discrete units with exams at the end of each unit. No makeup exams are possible. Unit I: Electronic Documents and Presentation. Unit II: Spreadsheets and the Visualization of Information. Unit III: Database Management Systems. Plan to spend 15 hours per week on the course. We are collapsing an entire semester into 1 month. If you don't have the time to spend or are planning a vacation this month, please drop the class.
COURSE MATERIALS AND GETTING HELP:
Web CT http://webct.gmu.edu
DESCRIPTION:
An introduction, using both lecture and laboratory practice, to the
nature and uses of computers. Widely used applications including word processing,
spreadsheets, databases, graphics, and computer communications and networking
are studied. Laboratory projects are required in these areas. Additional
lectures address computer systems organization, legal and ethical considerations,
programming languages, security, artificial intelligence, and the Internet.
Software: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Netscape, MS Access. Students
will be exposed to the Unix operating system. They will learn the Unix
editor pico. Students will make simple web pages and learn basic html.
Students who think they already know the material in IT 103 should read the information on Credit By Examination. Click here for information on Credit By Examination.
Note:Students who already have credit for INFT 103 or CS 103 will not receive credit for IT 103.
GRADING POLICY:
Each of the 3 Unit Exam is worth 15%. Each of the 2 Lab Exams
is worth 10% each.
Online chat sessions are worth 10%. Assignments are worth 25%.
These are general guidelines. Scores may be curved at
the instructor's discretion at the end of the term. The "A" student
completes all units, submit all assignments, and earns an A on all exams. Due to the fast pace
of the summer course work will not be accepted late without *prior* approval.
Contact the instructor in advance if you have a serious
problem that prevents you from meeting course requirements.
Labs: For help using the Mason Computing environment, see: http://irc.gmu.edu/docs/
or
http://mason.gmu.edu/~montecin/how-to.htm
HONOR CODE:
Each student is expected to do his/her own work.
Any student caught cheating on exams, plagiarising or copying assignments will
be turned in to the Honor Committee. Help is always available. See the
instructor if you have any problems or concerns. We want everyone
to learn a lot and do well!
GMU
Honor Code
GMU
Responsible Use of Computing Policy
TEXTBOOKS AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Note: These are different books than the other sections of 103!
Shelly, Cashman, Vermaat, Discovering Computers 2003. Course Technology, 2002.
Shelly, Cashman, Vermaat, Office XP: Introductory.
You need to have access to a computer running MS 2000, NT or XP with MS Office XP. You can use the computers in the open computer labs at either the Fairfax or Prince William Campuses if you do not have access to a compatible system.
SCHEDULE:
Unit I
Reading: chapters 1-5, 15.22-15.39
Module 1: Introduction to Hardware and Software Fundamentals
Assignment 1: Do Word Unit 3, turn in the resume on p. 3.64 and the cover letter on p. 3.65
(If you are a beginner, you may want to do Word Units 1 and 2)
Module 2: Information Storage and Intermediate Word Processing Concepts: templates, macros, mail merge
Assignment 2: on WebCT
Module 3: Principles of Effective Information Presentation
Assignment 3: Powerpoint p. 2.64. Follow instructions carefully.
Bring the specified printouts to class to turn in on 7/8.
(Powerpoint beginners will need to do Units 1 and 2.)
Module 4: Networking Concepts
Assignment 4: Create a basic web page, instructions on WebCT
Assignments 1-4 are due by the time of the first exam on 7/8.
Module 5: Unix, FTP, Markup Languages and basic HTML
Assignment 5: Make a web page with a table and frames,
instructions on WebCT
Module 6: Electronic Communications and Ethics: netiquette, free speech, and intellectual property issues
Online Discussion
Assignment 5 and the Online Discussion are due by 7/10 midnight.
Unit II
Reading: chapters 6-11
Module1: Introduction to Storage Media
Module2: Introduction to Spreadsheets I: workbooks/worksheets, formatting, cell addressing
Assignment 1: Do Excel Units 1-2, turn in Excel p. 2.69-2.70
Module 3: Introduction to Spreadsheets II: functions and formulas, what-if analysis, goal-seeking
Assignment 2: Do Excel Unit 3, turn in p. E 3.68, #1, 3, 8, p E 3.69-3.70
Module 4: Charting and the Visualization of Quantitative Information
Assignment 3: on WebCT
Assignments 1-3 are due by 7/17 midnight.
Module 5: Importing and Exporting Data, Publishing to the Web
Assignment 4: Do EW Unit I (completely) and email the dynamic web page you create
Module 6: Computer Fraud and Security
Online Discussion
Assignment 4 and online discussion are due by start of the second exam on 7/22.
Unit III
Reading: chapters 12-14
Module 1: Introduction to Information Security Principles
Module 2: Introduction to Database Management Systems, tables, fields and records
Assignment 1: Do Unit 1, turn in p. A 1.56-7
Module 3: Creating Databases: forms, validation rules, combo boxes
Assignment 2: Do Unit 2, turn in p. A 2.44
Module 4: Internet Search Engines, Databases in Action: queries, sorts, reports
Assignment 3: Do Unit 3, turn in p. A 3.51
Assignments 1-3 are due by 7/31 midnight.
Module 5: Modeling Relations, E-R diagrams. and Linking Tables
Assignment 4: Use Powerpoint to create an E-R diagram for the Client and Custodian Tables you used in Assignments 1-3
Module 6: Information privacy, appropriate use and destruction of data, and data integrity.
Online Discussion
Assignment 4 and online discussion due by the start of the final exam 8/5.
Exam Schedule
Exam I: 7/8 4:30-7:10pm
Exam II: 7/22 4:30-7:10pm
Exam III: 8/5 4:30-7:10pm