CS172 Introduction to Computer
Modeling
(Sections 00, 01, 02)
Course Syllabus
Spring 2007
Instructor: Daniel Lande
Office: SS 423
Office Phone: 243-4985
E-Mail: daniel.lande@grizmail.umt.edu
Office hours: Tuesday: 1:40 2:40 and Thursday: 2:00
3:00
Other times available by appointment
Classroom:
Tuesday Lecture:
Class hours: Tuesday: 12:40 pm 1:30 pm
(Everyone attends this lecture)
Lab Room:
Liberal Arts 206 (LA206)
Lab hours: Wednesday and Thursday: 12:10 1:00 (Section
01)
Wednesday
and Thursday: 1:10 2:00 (Section 02)
CRN: 32674 (Section
00), 32495 (Section 01), 30774 (Section 02)
Course Description: This class will cover problem solving with spreadsheets and databases using the computer to analyze a set of data and create a presentation of the results of analysis. This will be accomplished using the Microsoft Office 2003 versions of Excel and Access. We will also cover a small section on statistics using Excel. This class should further your general computer knowledge as well.
Prerequisites: 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, if the student does not have the prerequisites; the instructor is not responsible for helping the student acquire this material.
Required Texts: Microsoft Office 2003 Plus Edition
with additional Excel & Access Coverage
Robert T. Grauer/Maryann Barber, Prentice Hall
ISBN: 0-13-237036-0
CS 172 FacPac (will also be made available in a downloadable PDF file)
* A USB Flash drive is highly
recommended for saving your homework assignments
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all classes and
labs. If you miss any classes or labs, it
is your responsibility to find out what we covered, including all material and
assignments. Lectures and assignments
will be posted to Blackboard, so make sure you check there first if missing
class. During the semester, there will be several random attendance checks
which will be worth extra credit on your final grade.
Homework: Homework should be submitted during
class on the due date specified on the homework assignment. If homework is handed in late, it will be
submitted into the Digital Dropbox on Blackboard. The link to Blackboard is http://umonline.umt.edu. An overview of how this is done will be
performed in class. I do not want to
receive late homework as a hard copy.
Blackboard Quizzes:
Each week, there will be an online Blackboard quiz.
Late Homework Policy: Late homework will be accepted through the Digital Dropbox on Blackboard at a penalty of 10% per day for the five days following the due date. Homework received after this point will receive no credit. Students will be able to drop their lowest homework assignment grade and their lowest Blackboard quiz.
Collaboration Policy: Students are encouraged to
collaborate to enhance their learning experience. Ideas for homework assignments may be shared,
but the assignments must be completed individually. The online Blackboard quizzes are to be
completed by ones self without the assistance of others. Anyone caught violating the collaboration
policy will be handled according to University policy. A discussion board will be setup within Blackboard
to facilitate discussion outside of class.
This will be the first place you should go with questions and comments
about the class.
Academic Honesty: All students must practice academic
honesty. Academic misconduct is subject
to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction
by the University. All students need to
be familiar with the Student Conduct Code.
The Code is available for review online a http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/page/1321.
Policy on Incompletes: It is assumed that students have the responsibility for completing the requirements of the courses in which they are enrolled within the time framework of the semester. Incompletes may be given when, in the opinion of the instructor, there is a reasonable probability that students can complete the course without retaking it. The incomplete is not an option to be exercised at the discretion of students. In all cases it is given at the discretion of the instructor within the following guidelines:
1. A mark of incomplete may be assigned students when:
a. They have been in attendance and doing passing work up to three weeks before the end of the semester, and
b. For reasons beyond their control and which are acceptable to the instructor, they have been unable to complete the requirements of the course on time. Negligence and indifference are not acceptable reasons.
2. The instructor sets the conditions for the completion of the course work and notes these conditions on the final grade report.
3. When a student has met the conditions for making up the incomplete, the instructor will assign a grade based upon an evaluation of the total work done by the student in the course.
4. An incomplete which is not made up within one calendar year automatically will revert to the alternate grade which was assigned by the instructor at the time the incomplete was submitted.
5. An incomplete remains on the permanent record and is accompanied by the final grade, for example, IA, IB, IC, etc.
Exams: We will have one midterm exam and a final exam. The final time will be announced in class. The scheduled final time cannot be changed.
Missing Exams: If
you must miss an exam, arrangements must be made with me before the exam. Excuses after missing the exam will not be
sufficient.
Grading: Grades will be given based on the following scale:
Homework:
55%
Blackboard quizzes: 10%
Mid-Term: 15%
Final: 20%
We will use a traditional grading system:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F
Credit/No Credit option (P/NP): A student must earn at least a letter grade of C for Credit. A No Credit grade will be equivalent to a D or F.
Important Dates:
Last day to drop
the class:
on Cyberbear with refund: February 9, 2007
with drop/add without refund: March 5, 2007
Dropping after March 5, 2007 requires documented justification of a very unusual circumstance before even being considered by the department.
Other: Profanity
and obscenity will not be tolerated, either in class or on assignments.
Disabilities: Please notify me at the beginning of the course of any disabilities I need to be aware of. Disabilities must be certified through DSS.