CS 172:
Computer Modeling
Sections 20, 21, 22
Instructor: Jonathan Adams
Email: jonathan.adams@umontana.edu
Website: http://www.cs.umt.edu/u/jadams
Office: Social Science, Room 423
Office Hours: Monday: 9:00 – 10:00am
Class: Mon 8:10 – 9:00am HS 207 *Lecture for all sections
Wed/Fri 8:10 – 9:00am LA 206 Sec. 21
Wed/Fri 9:10 – 10:00am LA 206 Sec. 22
Text/Materials: Microsoft Office 2003 Plus Edition w/ Excel & Access Coverage
Robert T. Grauer/Maryann Barber, Prentice Hall
ISBN: 0-13-237036-0
*A USB thumb drive
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 computer. A basic understanding of the Windows interface is also expected. In particular, the student should know how to save, copy, delete, move, etc. files and should be familiar with an Internet browser and email. No prior knowledge or experience in the use of a database or spreadsheet is required. Be advised, it the student does not have the prerequisites; the instructor is not responsible for helping the student acquire this material.
Course Description:
This course will teach you to solve problems using spreadsheet and database software as well as improve your ability to solve problems using computer and mathematical models. It will also help you become a proficient user of a personal computer.
This course should help you not only be proficient with the current versions of Microsoft Excel and Access, but also help you with other software that uses tables, such as statistical software and other database software. Solving problems is a critical thinking skill, and thus, this course is designed to help you learn critical thinking.
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 discussed in class may not be in the textbook. 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 reasonable disaster.
Professionalism:
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.
Cell phones must be turned off or put on silent so others are not disturbed. If you need to take a call, take it outside the classroom.
With 50 students in a small room, noise may be a problem. Students will remain quiet during class time other than questions or class group work. Visiting in class is inconsiderate to others. Anyone who does not abide by this rule will be asked to leave and may lose points from their grade. If this behavior persists over a period of time (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.
Students are encouraged (under most circumstances) to help each other, study together, and get assistance from the instructor. This type of collaboration is acceptable in this class. However, any and all work handed in by a student must be the unique work of that student. The exception to this rule would be team projects (assigned by the instructor). Any assignments copied (plagiarized) from other students or published sources (including the Internet) will receive a zero and be dealt with according to the Student Conduct booklet. Any further attempts at cheating may result in failing the course. Watching someone do an assignment and making a copy for you is not the same as doing the assignment yourself and is considered cheating.
Communication:
Communication is vital to solve class-related problems or personal problems that affect you scholastic performance. Talk to the instructor before problems become insurmountable or lead to failing the course.
Disabilities:
Students with disabilities should notify the instructor at the beginning of the course. Disabilities should be “certified” by DSS.
Grading:
Evaluation percentages:
Assignments – 20%
Quizzes – 20%
Midterm – 30%
Final – 30%
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 or less
· A hard copy is also required to be turned in at the beginning of class. This way I will be able to have something to hand back to you pointing out any things that may be wrong.
· The lowest grade of the assignments will be dropped at the end of the semester. This does not count quizzes. The dropped assignment will be given a 100%. You can miss or do poorly on one assignment. Any other missed assignments, for any reason, beyond the first will be given zeros.
· Late assignments will be accepted up to 24 hours after the assignment is originally due. The assignment will receive a 10% grade deduction.
Late Drops and Incomplete
Policy:
My policy on late drops and incompletes will strictly follow university policies as specified at http://www2.umt.edu/catalog/acpolpro.htm. Petitions for late drops will only be approved for the reasons specified in the catalog.
Missing midterm and final exams:
If you miss a midterm or exam because of illness (documented by a doctor), death in the family, unforeseen work conflict, or some other unforeseen reasonable disaster, a make-up will be scheduled. It may be of a different type than the original. Instead of computer based, it may be hand written or oral and consist of different questions.
Class Schedule
|
Week |
Dates |
Chapter |
Topic |
|
1 |
Jan 22, 24, 26 |
Excel: 1 |
Basic computing terms, intro to Excel |
|
2 |
Jan 29, 31, Feb 2 |
1 |
Gaining proficiency |
|
3 |
Feb 5, 7, 9 |
2, 3 |
Graphs and charts |
|
4 |
Feb 12, 14, 16 |
3, 4 |
Decision making |
|
5 |
Feb 21, 23 Feb 19 – President’s Day |
4, 5 |
Consolidating data |
|
6 |
Feb 26, 28, March 2 |
5 |
List and data management |
|
7 |
March 5, 7, 9 |
Access: 1 |
Midterm, Intro to Access |
|
8 |
March 12, 14, 16 |
1 |
Intro to Access |
|
9 |
March 19, 21, 23 |
2 |
Intro to Access |
|
10 |
March 26, 28, 30 |
NO CLASS |
Spring
Break |
|
11 |
April 2, 4, 6 |
3 |
Reports and
queries |
|
12 |
April 9, 11, 13 |
4 |
Relational
databases |
|
13 |
April 16, 18, 20 |
4 |
Relational databases |
|
14 |
April 23, 25, 27 |
5 |
1-to-many
relationships |
|
15 |
April 30, May 2, 4 |
6 |
Many-to-many
relationships |
|
16 |
May 7, 9, 11 |
|
Finals
Week |