BTM 200

Fundamentals of Information Technology

Section X
Fall 2016
This syllabus is subject to change and any changes will be posted in the Announcements
section of your eConcordia portal.

Disclaimer: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's control, the
content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.

About the Course

Disclaimer: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's control, the content and/or
evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.

About the Course

Instructor

The instructor for this course is Dr. Bo Yu (Bo.Yu@concordia.ca)

The course coordinator is Dr. Raafat Saadé

Teaching Assistants

The Teaching Assistants for this course are Elizabeth Ann Dulgar, Joe Abou Joude, Elana Amanatidis, Andrew
Olders, and Amanda Leone.

Course Description

Today, everyone needs to have a strong understanding of the fundamentals of information technology (IT), in order to
be productive in society. This course addresses the fundamental aspects of information technology that drive our
businesses and lives alike. The course does NOT deal with innovations but rather with the foundational aspects of IT
by which those innovations are built upon. Some of the concepts the course deals with includes software, hardware,
tele-communications, the Internet, ethics in IT, security, and personal productivity. The course will strengthen your
fundamental knowledge related to IT and on its different facets and will prepare you not only for courses to come but
also for today's industry expectations.

The course entails fundamental subject matters: the basics of information technology, the social issues resulting from
these information technologies, and business productivity. As such, the course does not deal with versions of
operating systems, or state-of-the art in technologies but focuses on the basic knowledge that all information
technologies are built upon.
This course is designed to provide you with the opportunity to deal with information technology from different
perspectives and focuses on practice rather than theory. To that effect, you are required to be an active participant by
engaging in a number of interactive activities.

From a pedagogical perspective, the design of the course is based on cognitivism and inquiry-based learning.
Cognitivism focuses on the use and development of cognitive skills (as they relate to IT in this case) while 'inquiry' is
derived from learning by exploration. Additionally, web-based support activities are provided by means of a series of
virtual tutorials. The format provides an opportunity to further develop self-directed learning, encompassing up to 40
hours of hands-on experience in a virtual laboratory.

Obtaining Required Material

 The text required for this course is available through the course website and is included in the
eConcordia fee.
 3rd Party Task Based Microsoft Excel and Access Learning Simulations: Cengage Learning: SAM - not
included in eConcordia cost. (See instructions in eConcordia announcement section)
 3rd Party access to Learning Lab website; learninglab.newgraph.com (DO NOT TYPE WWW before the
link) - not included in eConcordia cost. (See instructions in eConcordia announcement section)

Communication

Communication & Question Center

 In this course, you MUST use the Question Center found on Learning Lab for all communication.
o IF your communication is private then select the “Private” option before you submit.
o Do not post your telephone number, student ID, or any other personal information.
o Read first the other questions/posts to verify that the answer you are seeking is already
posted.
 Expect a response within 24 hours during the week (Monday-Friday).
 Teaching Assistants check their messages once over the 48-hour weekend period and are not available
on statutory or university holidays.
 If your communication with the TA is delayed by more than 24 hours, please re-send your message.
 For any technical issues with eConcordia, please contact helpdesk@econcordia.com.
 For any technical issues with SAM, please contact their Tech Support.
o Email: nelson.brain@nelson.com
o Nelson Phone Support: 1-800-268-2222 - Monday through Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm (EST)
o Online: http://support.cengage.com/magellanweb/TechSupport/login.aspx
 For any technical issues with Learning Lab, please contact learninglab.helpdesk@gmail.com
 You are required to be polite at all time.

NOTE: Your first name, last name and e-mail address must be the same as for all websites (eConcordia,
SAM, Learning Lab) as the one registered in your Student Profile on your My Concordia Portal.

Announcements

 Important information regarding the course will be communicated to you via the Announcements
Section of the eConcordia course website.
 The Announcements are located in the centre of the main page upon logging in to your eConcordia
account.
 You are required to check the announcement postings for updates at least three (3) times per
week.

Teaching Assistants Office Hours

If you need to meet your TA face to face you can do so during their office hours. Their office hours will be posted in
the announcement section of the course.
Course Evaluation

Approximately one week prior to the end of the term, you will receive an e-mail message asking you to complete a
course evaluation. Click on the link in the e-mail and follow the instructions. Please note that all responses are
completely anonymous and will be kept confidential. We value your opinion; your feedback regarding your experience
with eConcordia is greatly appreciated.

Graded Assessments

Graded Assessments

ASSIGNMENTS Weight Date Due

Questionnaires (Participation Points)
Online Readiness Questionnaire 1% September 30
Pre-Test IT Knowledge 0.5% September 30
Post-Test IT Knowledge 0.5% December 5
Final Survey 1 0.5% December 5
Final Survey 2 0.5% December 5

SAM
SAM Excel Exam A 5% October 31
SAM Excel Exam B 5% October 31
SAM Access Exam A 5% November 30
SAM Access Exam B 5% November 30

Quizzes
Quiz 1 1%

A to E: September 28

F to N: September 29

O to Z: September 30

Quiz 2 1%

A to E: October 26

F to N: October 27

O to Z: October 28
Quiz 3 1%

A to E: November 2

F to N: November 3

O to Z: November 4

Mini Case (Individual Work) 14% December 5

Summative Exam 60% To be Announced

NOT with examination’s office.

Location and time will be announced

in the eConcordia announcement
section by October 31.

Description of Graded Assessments

i. Online Readiness Questionnaire: Accessed from learninglab.newgraph.com (DO NOT TYPE WWW before the link)
website. You are asked to answer a few questions that will help us understand your readiness for taking courses
online. This is part of the professor’s initiative to understand how to enhance the course so students can have
optimum learning experience. This assessment is participation based, meaning you simply need to complete it to
receive full marks.

ii. IT Pre and Post Tests: Accessed from learninglab.newgraph.com (DO NOT TYPE WWW before the link) website.
This is a set of 40 questions related to the course subject matter. Please do your best without searching for answers
on the Internet. This knowledge test is to help you and the professor evaluate how much you have learned by the end
of the semester. This assessment is participation based, meaning you simply need to complete it to receive full
marks.

iii. Final Surveys 1 and 2: Accessed from learninglab.newgraph.com (DO NOT TYPE WWW before the link) website.
These are two parts of the same survey measuring your experience of the course. You will be asked to complete
them at the end of the semester. The goal is simply to help us continuously make the course better. This assessment
is participation based, meaning you simply need to complete it to receive full marks.

iv. SAM Excel and Access A & B Exams: Sam is a 3rd party program that simulates Microsoft Excel and Access.
SAM will incur an extra cost (to be announced). If you are planning on dropping the course, DO NOT purchase it
before the drop date ********More information will be posted later on about signing up for SAM in the
Announcements section on eConcordia.

v. Quizzes 1-3: Accessed from the eConcordia website. Throughout the semester you will have three small quizzes.
They will be accessible through the Assessments sections when the date comes.

vi. Mini Case: Accessed from learninglab.newgraph.com (DO NOT TYPE WWW before the link) website. Further
instructions will be released when it is open to the students. You will be asked to solve a problem using Excel. From
the knowledge gained via this course in Excel, you will be able to use the program’s functions, formulas, and graphs
to provide a solution to the problem or request. You will also need to submit a brief Word document, PowerPoint
presentation, as well as some discussion responses along with your Excel file for this Mini Case.

vii. Summative Exam: Accessed from learninglab.newgraph.com (DO NOT TYPE WWW before the link) website.
This is an exam that will cover all the course material. More details about the content of the exam will be released
later in the semester so look out in the announcements!

Grading System

90 – 100% A+ 67 – 69% C+
85 – 89% A 63 – 66% C
80 – 84% A- 60 – 62% C-
77 – 79% B+ 57 – 59% D+
73 – 76% B 53 – 56% D
70 – 72% B- 50 – 52% D-
0 – 49% F
SAM - Excel and Access Training/Tutorial

 SAM is a 3rd party program that simulates Microsoft Excel and Access.
 To purchase SAM and register your account, you will need to follow the instructions provided in a
PowerPoint we will be uploading to the eConcordia and Learning Lab. An announcement will also be
present with more details on the assignments themselves.
 Sam is NOT refundable.
 SAM will incur an extra cost (to be announced). If you are planning on dropping the course, DO
NOT purchase it before the drop date
 Once purchased, you will have access to Sam's content until you graduate - we deliberately add many
extra training exercises so that you can make your investment count in your learning experience.
 You will have various other activities on Sam that are not mandatory but are there for you to practice
your skills on Excel and Access.

More instructions will be provided in the Announcements section

Policy on Extensions and Late Submissions

 Any request for an extension or inability to complete required course work must be received before the
deadline. Extensions need to be justified and will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Please email
btm200@econcordia.com for any requests.
 It is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment is received before the deadline. We do not
tolerate late submissions as we give a great amount of time for students to complete the
assignments.
 Please note that you are responsible for the correct version of your work submitted.

Final Examination

The final examination is an in-class exam that will be done on a computer. Towards the 10th week of the
course, the location and time of the exam will be announced in the eConcordia announcement section. You
will have to register to a session through the learninglab.newgraph.com (DO NOT TYPE WWW before the link)
website.

The final exam which is sometime called summative exam/test will NOT be during the Official Exam period as
determined by Concordia University. It is the responsibility of the student to verify the date/time/location and room
assignment for the final exam posted in eConcordia announcement section and on the Learning Lab website. The
final exam date, time and location will not be posted on the myconcordia website.

Do not schedule flights or vacations until the official examination date is released. Vacations and travel plans are not
considered a valid reason for a deferral request.

Important Links

Topic Link
Communication Communication
eConcordia Information eConcordia Information
Final Exams Information Final Exams
Plagiarism Academic Integrity
Refunds Refunds
Access Centre for Students with Disabilities ACSD
Technical Issues Technical
Concordia Library Citation & Style Guides Citing - Help & How-to
BTM 200 - Fundamentals of Information Technology
Agenda Fall 2016
All deadlines indicated are on the due date listed by 11:59 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

Week 1: September 6 - September 11

*PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO DISCUSSION BOARD FOR THIS COURSE.
Navigate the course website
Review the course outline
Module 0 : About This Course
September 06 Discussion Board opens at 2 PM.
Module 1 (Textbook Chapter 2) – Looking at Computers: Understanding the
Parts
Week 2: September 12 - September 18
Module 2 (Textbook Chapter 3) – Using the Internet: Making the Most of the
Web’s Resources
Module 3 (Textbook Chapter 4) – Application Software: Programs That Let
You Work and Play
Week 3: September 19 - September 25
September 19 DNE Date: Academic withdrawal deadline (with tuition refund)
September 19 Last day to add two-term and fall-term courses.
Module 4 (Textbook Chapter 5) – Using System Software: The Operating
System, Utility Programs, and File...
Week 4: September 26 - October 2
Module 5 (Textbook Chapter 6) – Understanding and Assessing Hardware:
Evaluating Your System
September QUIZ 1: MODULES 1, 2 AND 3 (students with first letter of their last name
2September 288 starting with A to E) - eConcordia
QUIZ 1: MODULES 1, 2 AND 3 (students with first letter of their last name
September 29
starting with F to N) - eConcordia
QUIZ 1: MODULES 1, 2 AND 3 (students with first letter of their last name
September 30
starting with O to Z) - eConcordia
September 30 Online Readiness Questionnaire Due – Learninglab.newgraph.com
September 30 Pre-Test IT Knowledge Due – Learninglab.newgraph.com
Week 5: October 3 - October 9
Module 6 (Textbook Chapter 7) ‐ Networking: Connecting Computing Devices
 Module 7 (Textbook Chapter 9) ‐ Securing Your System: Protecting Your
Digital Data and Devices

Week 6: October 10 - October 16

Spreadsheet Analysis: Using Microsoft Excel (2010)
October 10 Thanksgiving Day -- University closed
Week 7: October 17 - October 23
Spreadsheet Analysis: Using Microsoft Excel (2010)

Week 8: October 24 - October 30

Spreadsheet Analysis: Using Microsoft Excel (2010)
QUIZ 2: MODULES 4 AND 5 (students with first letter of their last name
October 26
starting with A to E) - eConcordia
QUIZ 2: MODULES 4 AND 5 (students with first letter of their last name
October 27
starting with F to N) - eConcordia
QUIZ 2: MODULES 4 AND 5 (students with first letter of their last name
October 28
starting with O to Z) - eConcordia

Week 9: October 31 - November 6

Database Analysis: Using Microsoft Access (2010)
October 31 SAM Excel Exams A & B Due - SAM
QUIZ 3: MODULES 6 (students with first letter of their last name starting
November 02
with A to E) - eConcordia
QUIZ 3: MODULES 6 (students with first letter of their last name starting
November 03
with F to N) - eConcordia
QUIZ 3: MODULES 6 (students with first letter of their last name starting
November 04
with O to Z) - eConcordia
DISC Date: Academic withdrawal deadline from fall-term
November 06
courses.(without tuition refund)
Week 10: November 7 - November 13
Database Analysis: Using Microsoft Access (2010)
Week 11: November 14 - November 20
Database Analysis: Using Microsoft Access (2010)
Week 12: November 21 - November 27
November 21 Course Evaluation released
Review your course and make sure all requirements are submitted by the
deadlines
Week 13: November 28 - December 4
November 30 SAM Access Exams A & B Due - SAM
November 30 Last day for instructor-scheduled tests or examinations
Review your course and make sure all requirements are submitted by the
deadlines
Week 14: December 5 - December 11
Review your course and make sure all requirements are submitted by the
deadlines
December 05 Mini Case Due – Learninglab.newgraph.com
December 05 Final Surveys 1 & 2 Due – Learninglab.newgraph.com
December 05 Post-Test IT Knowledge Due – Learninglab.newgraph.com
December 05 Last day of classes
December 06 Deadline to complete Course Evaluation

Examinations Period: December 7 - December 21

The Summative Exam is an in-class exam that will be done on a
computer. Towards the 10th week of the course, the location and time of
the exam will be announced in the eConcordia announcement section.
You will have to register to a session through the Learning Lab
(learninglab.newgaph.com) website.

The Summative Exam will NOT be during the Official Exam period as
determined by Concordia University. It is the responsibility of the student to
verify the date/time/location and room assignment for the Summative Exam
posted in eConcordia announcement section and on the Learning Lab website.

The Summative Exam’s date, time and location will NOT be posted on the
myconcordia website.

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