NOVA      Alexandria                          Fall 2008

                                                                Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Greg Grinberg

PHONE: h:(240) 683-5509

Email:     ggrinberg@nvcc.edu

Web site: www.nvcc.edu/home/ggrinberg

OFFICE HOURS:  Friday: 5:00pm - 6:00pm                             

COURSE SUMMARY:  Introduces problem solving through computer applications via a programming language.  Examines development of computers, social and ethical implications of computers, and properties of programming languages.  Covers input, output, storage, data manipulation, software and hardware.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE
The general purpose of this course is to give the computer novice a hands-on introduction to an operating system, commonly used application software, and elementary high-level programming language concepts, and also, to examine some of the social and ethical implications of computers in our society. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify, explain the purpose of, and use the basic hardware components of a personal, desktop computer system.
• Identify several tasks for which an operating system is responsible.
• Use a file utility program to copy, move, and delete files and make and delete subdirectories.
• Understand the basic difference between system software and application software.
• Application Software – use application programs at the basic/introductory level for the following applications: Word processing, Spreadsheets, Database manipulation, Email, Network browsing.
• Send and receive email.
• Use an Internet browser program to connect to web sites and retrieve information
• Use elementary control structures and/or elementary event-handling constructs of a programming language to write an elementary computer program.
• Solve an elementary problem by use of a computer and a programming language.
• Cite several ways that computers are changing the way we do things in our society.
• State at least two malicious activities against which a user must protect him/herself when using a computer in conjunction with the Internet.

Major Topics

• Introduction to Computers
  • History
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Internal representation
  • Role in society
  • Ethical use of computers
• Operating System
  • Environment
  • Files
    • Creation
    • Management
  • Graphical User Interfaces
• Word Processing
  • Document creation
  • Editing
  • Formatting
• Spreadsheet
  • Creation
  • Modification
  • Graphs
• Database
  • Creation
  • Querying
  • Simple Forms and Reports
• Computer Communication
  • E-mail
  • Internet
• Programming
  • Problem Solving
  • Programming Methodologies
  • Algorithms
  • Programming Constructs
    • Simple data types
    • Input/Output
    • Sequence
    • Iteration
    • Selection
  • Coding and Syntax
  • Testing and Debugging
• Other Topics (optional)
  • Integration of software applications
  • Presentation graphics
  • Creation of a simple web page

 TEXTBOOKS :

1. Go! with Microsoft Office 2007 :Getting Started/ Shelley Gaskin...[et al.]

ISBN: 0-13-157250-4 , http://vig.prenhall.com/catalog/academic/product/0,1144,0131572504-TOC,00.html
 

 2. Web Development and Design Foundations With XHTML, 3/e
by Terry Felke-Morris,  ISBN-10: 032143675X | ISBN-13: 9780321436757

3. (Optional) Small Java How To Program, Sixth Edition, Deitel / Deitel,

ISBN 0-13-148660-8, www.prenhall.com/deitel

Course Requirements:

3 Tests and Quizzes                                               300 points

 Final Exam                                                                           200 points

Assignments                                                                         400 points

 Attendance                                                                             50 points

Participation                                                                            50 points

Total                                                                                     1000 points

Grading Scale:           

              900 - 1000 points                                 A

            800 - 890 points                                   B

            700 - 790  points                                  C

            600 - 690 points                                   D

            Below 600                                             F

All tests must be taken on time unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.  There will be no scheduled make-up tests.

 Comments:

Attendance – is required.  Tests will cover material presented in class, and some of the material presented is not covered in the text.  Each student is responsible for all material during a missed class. 

Drop Policy – Students who do not attend will not be automatically withdrawn from the class.  This is the student’s responsibility.

 Academic Integrity Policy – the college does not tolerate cheating or plagiarism on tests, examinations, papers or any other assignments.  Violators may receive a failing grade or be expelled from the college. No drink or no food  is permitted in any Nova College Computer classroom.

SPECIAL NEEDS AND ACCOMMODATIONS:
Please address with the instructor any special problems or needs at the beginning of the semester. If you are seeking accommodations based on a disability, you must provide a disability data sheet, which can be obtained from the counselor for special needs, who is located in Room 148 of the Bisdorf Building, telephone number 703- 845-6301.

Important Fall 2008 Session Dates

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