Last Updated January 6, 2009

ITSC1301 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS 

PALO ALTO COLLEGE SYLLABUS

PART 1: COURSE GOALS AND METHODS

COURSE NUMBER: ITSC1301

COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Computers (3 credit hours with an embedded 1-hour lab)

PREREQUISITE/COREQUISITE: None

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Overview of computer information systems. Introduces computer hardware, software, procedures, and human resources. Explores integration and application in business and other segments in society. Fundamentals of computer problem-solving and programming may be discussed and applied.  Examines applications and software relating to a specific curricular area. Exact topics may be varied to reflect emerging technological changes. Provides a foundation for further study in computer science or computer information systems.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The primary goal of this course is to develop in the student an understanding of computer systems in sufficient depth so that he/she begins to see a computer system as it is seen by a professional rather than by a casual user.  The student will acquire an understanding not merely of what a computer system can do for the user and how the user operates the system, but also of how the system was designed and developed and why it interacts with the user as it does. In the process of achieving the primary goal, two secondary goals will also be achieved as follows.
(1)  Hands-on computer exercises will be used to illustrate and reinforce the course concepts; therefore the student will gain additional exposure and practice with currently popular software such as productivity software tools and an Internet browser.
(2)  The student will also acquire or practice certain fundamental skills generally needed for success in the workplace. The U. S. Government's SCANS Commission (Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) has identified these and numbered them for reference (F1...F17 and C1...C20.) These codes are used below to show how the SCANS skills are incorporated into ITSC1301.

STUDENT COMPETENCIES:
As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if an accommodation is needed, contact Palo Alto Disability Support Services at 486-3020.

As our grading scale indicates (see below), success in achieving the course goals can be a matter of degree. A student who completely achieves the course goals will be able to exhibit a working knowledge of all of the following "core" competencies:

(1) Understand basic hardware components of computer systems (F1, F2, F5, F7, F12, C15)
a. CPU and memory
b. Secondary storage
c. Input and output equipment

(2) Understand basic software components of computer systems (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F7, F9, F11, F12, C8, C15)
a. Applications software
b. Software tools, e.g. programming languages, "productivity" packages
c. Systems software
d. Program development

(3) Understand basic data components of computer systems (F1, F11, C6, C15)
a. Simple file (table) structure
b. Databases

(4) Understand integration of above components into working systems (F1, F5, F7, F11, F12, C15)
a. Networks (to include Internet/ WWW)
b. Telecommunications
c. Business Systems
d. Systems Development

In addition to the "core" competencies listed above, the instructor is encouraged to explore other competencies within the overall scope of the course, as permitted by constraints of scheduling and lab facilities and as suggested by the departmentally adopted textbook.  In this course, for example, some instructors might want to discuss the computer's impact on society and career opportunities within the computer field.  In particular, exploration of network communications is encouraged.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT:
For purposes of formally assessing and recording the student's level of success in the above competencies, examinations will be given and various assignments will be made. Other factors may also influence the course grade, as explained below. There will be unit exams at intervals through the semester (each covering some unit of the course material), as well as a final exam during finals week. The number of unit exams given, amount of material covered in each, type or types of questions employed on exams, number of assignments made, and type of assignments made, are at the individual instructor's discretion (some departmental restrictions may apply). Note: for this course, some use of hands-on testing is suggested. See Part II of this syllabus for details.

EVALUATION:
The evaluation of individual graded items is at the discretion of the instructor. (The only departmental requirement is that every grade the student receives must be based on the familiar scale of 0 to 100, unless the instructor explains some different system on part II of the syllabus.) The weighing of various graded items in the final course grade, however, is done according to a policy developed by the instructor within certain limits imposed by college and department regulations. The instructor must publish his/her policy on Part II of this syllabus so determination of a grade equivalent may be determined; please consult that section for details. Part II must also include the following: instructor's name, office hours, phone number, classroom number, class meeting time, course requirements, and textbook used. The following department and college regulations for ITSC1301 are published here for reference:

1. Category 1: Assignments (prepared out-of-class) 30-50%
Restriction: Not less than 30% hands-on computer assignments.

3. Category 3: Final examination (at least partially comprehensive): 15-25%

Within this framework, the individual instructor will determine what weight each factor is to receive. Please notice that "assignment", as in Category I above, ordinarily means something prepared outside of class. If lab scheduling permits ITSC1301 to meet in the lab room, then a limited amount of class time may be used, at the instructor's discretion, to allow the student to work on assignments. However, the student should plan to do the assignments primarily on his/her own time.

GRADING SCALE:
The grading scale used to determine the course letter grade will be the traditional one. Thus:

90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
0 - 59 F