CS 172: Syllabus
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER MODELING
Spring 2005

Prerequisite:

Previous computer experience and MATH 100 or equivalent score on math placement test, or consent of instructor is expected. It is expected that the student will have a basic knowledge of the use of a microcomputer and a basic understanding of the windows interface. In particular the student should know how to save, copy, delete, move, etc. files and should be familiar with a browser (this will be reviewed in class) and e-mail (also reviewed in class).  No prior knowledge or experience in the use of a database or spreadsheet is required. Be advised, if the student does not have the prerequisites, the instructor is not responsible for helping the student acquire this material.

Text/Materials:

1.      Exploring Excel 2002, Robert T. Grauer/Maryann Barber, Prentice Hall, ISBN:  0-13-092435-0

2.      Exploring Access 2002, Robert T. Grauer/Maryann Barber, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0-13-092430-X

At least 2 floppy disks may be needed and a floppy carrying case is suggested.  Memory sticks may also be used .Students using the campus computer labs should save their data to a floppy or memory stick and not the computer you are working on. Someone using the same computer may remove, change, delete or copy it (see cheating). It is also advisable to back up ALL WORK on a separate floppy or memory stick.

Topics:

·        Microsoft Excel

·        Microsoft Access

·        Some BASIC Microsoft Word

·        Some BASIC Microsoft Powerpoint

Course Purpose/Objectives for Modeling:

Students will be presented with an overview of what modeling represents, its basic aspects, demonstrate how modeling is a symbolic representation of something in another medium and how Word, Excel and Access are used as model representations.

Course Purpose/Objectives for Microsoft Excel:

Students will learn the most important topics of Microsoft Excel and many advanced topics.  Topics will include the purpose of and the ability to create, edit, and format spreadsheets.  For assignments, students will create formulas, use functions, create charts, analyze business data, work with data lists, create and edit macros, create pivot tables and charts, and display worksheets on the Web.

Course Purpose/Objectives for Microsoft Access:

1.       Demonstrate the value of using a Database Management System to store and retrieve information.

2.       Understand the basic design and implementation strategies for the development of online databases.

3.       Develop a working knowledge of a particular Database Management System (in this case, Access).

4.       Develop sophisticated queries and reports based on the database. 

5.       Learn how queries and reports can support the business decision-making processes.

6.       Develop Data Access Pages providing Internet access to databases.

7.       Learn how to export data from the database to an HTML file accessible over the Internet (WWW) or Intranet (local).

8.       Use the database to integrate with other programs such as Word Processing and Spreadsheet.

Advice:

Don’t fall behind in your work. It is much more difficult to do a lot more later than a little now. Schedule your time wisely to do your work but allow time for fun and relaxation. Life is short, so enjoy it, but don’t waste it.

Attendance Policy:

You are expected to attend all classes on time. If you do not attend a lecture, you are responsible to learn what you missed. This includes any changes regarding assignments, exams or any other course related material. Information disseminated in class may not be in the texts books. The instructor is not responsible for helping the student acquire material missed due to cutting class. So, miss classes at your own risk. Exceptions are illness (documented by a doctor), death in the family, unforeseen work conflict, or some other unforeseen disaster.

Campus computer lab schedule:

   FA – Fine Arts 210

   LA – Liberal Arts 206

Cell Phones:

Turn them off or put them on vibrate so you don’t disturb others. If you need to take a call, take it outside the classroom.

Class Conduct:

Profanity, obscenity, racial slurs and hate related remarks will not be tolerated in class or on assignments. You will be expected and required to act as good, responsible, respecting adults by this society’s standards.

You will remain quiet during class time other than questions, answers, or class group work. Visiting in class is inconsiderate to others. Anyone who does not abide by this rule will be asked to leave. If this behavior persists over a period of time or for more than one class, the student may be removed from class permanently, which may result in failure of the course. Read “The Student Conduct Code” for more details.

Class Website and Blackboard:

The class website will contain the syllabus and any changes to the syllabus.  Blackboard will contain all  assignments for the course.  You should visit Blackboard on a regular basis.  Grades will be posted on Blackboard so you can keep track of your progress.

Collaborating /Cheating:

You may work together on assignments, and use the web as a resource, (in fact, you are encouraged to do so!) but you must submit your own work.  To quote Mike O’Conner, syllabus from CS 131-132:

“The ability to work together is a valuable tool for learning, and is the most likely scenario you will encounter in the workplace. Thus, you are encouraged to discuss assignments with other students and to seek outside help when you don't understand something.  However, when it comes to doing an assignment - "when the fingers hit the keyboard" - you are required to do it on your own and in your own words. Further, you are responsible for understanding what you submit. A copy of someone else's assignment is not acceptable.”

Communication:

Communication is vital to solve class-related problems or personal problems that affect your scholastic performance. Talk to the instructor before problems become insurmountable or lead to failing the course. If the instructor can’t help you, he may be able to direct you to someone who can, or to a University service.

Disabilities:    

Students with disabilities should notify the instructor at the beginning of the course. Disabilities should be “certified” by DSS.

Tentative course schedule:                          Read by end of week

   Week 1   – syllabus, intro to computers, modeling, assign. 1, 2

   Week 2   – Word, Excel, assign. 3, 4                             Chapters 1, 2 Excel & Access

   Week 3   – Excel, Access; assign. 5,6                              Chapter 3 Excel & Access

   Week 4   – Excel, Access; assign. 7,             

   Week 5   – Excel, Access; assign. 8                    Chapter 4 Excel & Access

   Week 6   – Excel, Access; assign. 9,10                        

   Week 7   – Excel, Access; assign. 11 - midterm 1             Chapter 5 Excel & Access

   Week 8   – PowerPoint; assign.12 - Project                             

   Week 9   – Excel, Access; assign.13,14; PC Security      Chapter 6 Excel & Access

   Week 10 – Excel, Access; assign. 15 - Project              

   Week 11 – Excel, Access; assign. 16- midterm 2             Chapter 7 Excel & Access

Week 12 – Excel, Access; assign. 17 - Project                       

   Week 13 – Excel, Access; assign. 18                  Chapter 8 Excel & Access

      Project presentations

   Week 14 – Project presentations

   Week 15 – Final and any Project presentations remaining

NOTE: the worst grade of all assignments will be dropped.  In other words, you can miss or do poorly on one assignment and it will not hurt your grade. Any others missed for any reason will result in a zero for that assignment. This includes any assignments missed for any reason, illness, death in the family, unforeseen work conflict, or some other unforeseen disaster.

Final exam day and time:

172-10          10:00 – 12:10  Monday, May 9

Grades:

   Homework and Project:         50%

   Midterm 1                                15%

   Midterm 2                                15%

   Final                                         20%

   Grade percentage range:

        A – 90 - 100

        B – 80 -   89

        C – 70 -   79

        D – 60 -   69

        F – 59 or less

     P/NP – pass/no pass, 70 or greater is passing, which is a C or better.

*Note: The grade may be changed, positively or negatively, by a performance assessment by the instructor.  This assessment will be an objective and subjective determination of a student’s work performance, work ethic and diligence to perform to the best of their ability.

Important dates:

Jan. 19-21 (Wed-Fri) - Semester Begins; Orientation & Registration
Jan. 24 (Monday) - Classes Begin
February 21 (Monday) - Washington-Lincoln Day, Holiday
March 21-25 (Monday-Friday) - Spring Vacation
April 18-29 - Autumn 2005 Registration Begins
May 7-8 (Saturday-Sunday) - Study Days
May 9-13 (Monday-Friday) - Final Examinations
May 14 (Saturday) – Commencement

 Incompletes:

Again, see the catalog for details. “Incomplete for the course is not an option to be exercised at the discretion of students. In all cases it is given at the discretion of the instructor….” Some guidelines for receiving an incomplete are listed in the catalog which include having a passing grade up to three weeks before the end of the semester and being in attendance. “Negligence and indifference are not acceptable reasons.” Also note that there may be financial aid implications.

Late assignment policy:

Late assignments will not be accepted. The answers may be posted, or discussed in class. All assignments will state due date and time for clarity. This information will also be posted on Blackboard. Assignment due times are subject to change which will be set during class. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get information about changes

Late drop from class policy: 

You should read “Academic Policies and Procedures” in the University of Montana 2004- 2005 Catalog for full details on dropping and adding courses. Note:

 Beginning the thirty-first (31) instructional day of the semester through the last day of instruction before scheduled final examinations, students must petition to drop, add, and make changes of section, grading option, credit or audit status. The petition form must be signed by the instructor of the course and the student’s advisor and in the case of drops only, by the dean of the student’s major…. There are no refunds or deductions in fees for courses dropped, and the instructor assigns a grade of WP (withdrew/passing) if the student’s course work has been passing or a WF (withdrew/failing) if the course work has been failing…. Documented justification is required for dropping courses by petition….

A “recommended” and “not recommended” check box is located on the Drop/Add from. Any drops requested by a student with a failing grade will have the not recommended check box checked if the instructor feels the drop is used as a means of protecting grade point average and the student did not perform adequately. Also note that there may be financial aid implications.

Missing exams:

Well, don’t.  In the event of a family emergency or illness, please see or email me PRIOR to the exam to re-schedule the exam.  Documentation of the emergency or illness will be required. It won’t be the same exam.