Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers

Instructor: Judy Richards

Phone: 303 719 6662
Instructor Email: Use SIMNET email except for emergencies then use
richjudy@msudenver.edu
Office Hours: Office hours, AD 580 – Monday/Wednesday - 10:00 A.M.
By appointment only.

Introduction to Computers - CIS 1010 009 CRN: 31390

Duration: Jan 16, 2018 - May 12, 2018 - MW 12:30 - KC 111

Course Description:
This course is designed for students who wish to use a microcomputer in their academic pursuits
and their career. The student will learn how to use a personal computer with application software
featuring word processing, spreadsheets, file management, graphics, electronic communications,
and thesaurus/spelling checker. This course also reviews the historical, societal, ethical, and
technological aspects of computers.

Prerequisites:
There are NO prerequisite courses for CIS 1010, however you should possess the following
personal skills:

• Start a computer and related equipment (printer, scanner, etc.)

• Shut down and restart the computer;
• Use a mouse: point, click, double-click, drag and drop; right-click and left-click; scroll
• Insert and eject/remove diskettes, CD-ROMs, flash drives from ports or drives
• Initialize disks, drives and other media; name/re-name
• Know/Determine storage capacity of floppy/hard disks, CD-ROMs, and flash drives
• Identify and use icons and menus: click and double-click on icons; use pull-down menus;
use pop-up menus; move an icon
• Identify and use windows: select, open, and move a window; resize a window; scroll in a
window; activate and de-activate a window
• Create, name and save files/documents and folders
• Know where to find the Start Menu and how to start an application
• Open and move among more than one application at a time
• Start a browser and recognize the popular browsers in use now
• How to save to a USB thumb drive or your MSUD One Drive Account
• How to send and receive basic email messages
• How to upload and download files
• Be able to pull up the help menus in Windows and Blackboard and then search for the
answer to a question.
Page 1 of 8
JLR 1/18
 Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers
Corequisites: None

Requirements:
Text:

CIS 1010 - bundle which includes Computing Essentials 2017 with SIMNET access.
CIS 1010 ESSENTIALS 2017 W/OFFICE 2016 SIMNET, ISBN:9781260240139,
Author: OLEARY - REQUIRED

Alternate: CIS 1010 OFFICE 2016 SIMNET ACCESS, ISBN:9781260235586,

Author: OLEARY

DO NOT purchase any USED item offered by the bookstore! It will not have your
SIMNET access code.

Note- once classes begin, you can purchase directly from McGraw Hill when you are
setting up your SIMNET access.

Also, plan to have the course materials WHEN CLASSES BEGIN. These materials contain a
textbook/workbook, e-book and online access to SIMNET simulation software. You CANNOT
complete this class without the proper course materials.

To complete ALL of the computer assignments from home, you need a computer running
Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 10 or a Macintosh with MS software. You will need
access to the Internet, and you will need the Firefox or Google Chrome browser (NOT Safari or
Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge)

Memory Stick: On campus students will also need a memory stick/flash drive AND a headset
or ear buds. You can save your homework files here or use your MSUD One Drive Account.

Readings:
There are 10 chapters in the Computing Essentials 2017 paper textbook. The e-book has more
chapters and you will have access to this online. You will be reading chapters 2-9 (although not
in this order). You will be tested over these chapters with closed-book in-class or proctored
exams at the test center.

Page 2 of 8
JLR 1/18
 Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers
Resources: Blackboard:
• Auraria Campus Bookstore • Blackboard Privacy Statement
• Auraria Library • Blackboard Accessibility Statement
• Amazon Books • Blackboard Support – Embanet
• Google Books
• Free ebooks - Project Gutenberg

Course Goals or Outcomes:

Introduction to Computers is a beginning microcomputer course which emphasizes basic
information about micro computers and their uses in the personal, educational and business
worlds. Hands-on experience with word processing, spreadsheets, database, and business
presentations software on IBM/Compatible microcomputers is included.

Specific (Measurable) Student Behavioral Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Perform file management operations using a preferred operating system and user
interface.
2. Identify and describe typical personal computer hardware configurations.
3. Identify and describe the hardware, software, and concepts required for data
communications.
4. Create, format and save word processing documents that include tabs, tables, citations
and a table of contents.
5. Use a spreadsheet program to create spreadsheets that include basic functions, and
useful formulas and charts.
6. Use a database program to create basic tables, relational tables, reports and queries.
7. Use a presentation program to create slideshows that include text, graphics, animation
and audio/video.

Special things you need to know:

Your grade is an accumulation of points earned for completing lessons, projects, quizzes
and exams. There are three examinations scheduled for this class. Exam 3 (Final) is an
optional examination. Plan to take it if you have missed exam one or two (90 pts) OR you
earned a bad score on exam one or two (90 pts) and are attempting to get a better scoring
exam; I use the highest two score from these three examinations to compute your grade.
HOWEVER, YOU MUST COMPLETE TWO OF THE THREE EXAMS in this course or you will
automatically lose one letter grade despite however many points you earn. Students take
the exam(s) in the classroom per the assignment schedule; you can take an exam early with
the professor’s permission, but you cannot take it late.

Page 3 of 8
JLR 1/18
 Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers
1. Examination 1 covering Chapters 3 through 7
2. Examination 2 covering Chapters 2, 8 and 9
3. Examination 3 covering Chapters 1 through 9

On campus students will take the exam(s) in the classroom as per the assignment schedule.

 Special Note for SIMPATHS - You will take a pre-test and the results of the pre-test
will be used to create a customized lesson. Then you will take a post-test. The results of
the post-test will be your grade for the SIMPATH. The post-test MUST be taken in
ONE sitting, so plan accordingly.

 Special Note for lessons - You can start a lesson in SIMNET, close it using the button
in the lower left corner of the lesson and return later to complete the lesson. If you do
not close the lesson properly, SIMNET will not record your scores. Each lesson will
vary in the time it takes to complete it.

 Special Note for quizzes - You can only attempt each quiz ONE time. Do not open the
quiz until you are fully prepared to take it!

 Special Note for projects - You can attempt each project TWO times. Plan to watch the
videos in the links provided as Resources inside your SIMNET course to learn how to
submit, and how to review your project grade after your first submission.

Check your grade book in SIMNET WEEKLY. You will find the GRADES link at the top
of the SIMNET course page. If you wish to dispute a score, or lack of score, you have
five days from the original due date to do so. There are NO ACCEPTABLE excuses for
waiting for weeks to ask me why you did not get credit for some item you completed.

Grading Time-lines:
Quizzes and exams in SIMNET are graded immediately upon submission since you only have
ONE submission attempt for each quiz or exam.

• Projects will be graded on each attempt. You will have two attempts per project. It is your
responsibility to review the grading comments after your first submission so you know
what to correct before you submit a second time.
• Lessons are graded as you complete them. If you start a 20 point lesson today and
complete 3 activities, you will see 3 points in your grade book. You can return to lessons
over and over until the end date to submit.
• You have one attempt for each SIMPATH POST TEST. You CANNOT return to a
SIMPATH post test so plan to have un-interrupted time to complete each test.

Page 4 of 8
JLR 1/18
 Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers

This is a very objective course - Do the work - earn the points. Letter grades are arrived at by
taking total points earned and dividing by the total points in the course to arrive at a percentage.

Letter Grade Points or Percentage

A 90-100% Note: The CIS
B 80-89% department assigns
C 70-79% whole letter grades
only - no plus or
D 60-69%
minus grades.
F below 60%

Assessments:
All assignments including SIMPATHS, lessons, projects, quizzes and exams are located inside
SIMNET. The details of each assessment item in this course are listed on the assignment
schedule directly below the syllabus in Blackboard. This information is repeated in SIMNET.
There is no excuse for not knowing what is due and when it is due.

Outline of Course Content/Topics:

The details of the course content, due dates, points values, and how each assessment fits into the
overall course objectives this course are listed on the assignment schedule directly below the
syllabus in Blackboard. This information is repeated in SIMNET.

Types of Interaction:
Students in the classroom will have face to face lectures over the chapters in Computing
Essentials. There will times when you will be asked to take an active role in your learning by
looking up terms or completing other activities online. There will be additional lectures with
hands-on activities on special features in Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint as the professor
deems necessary.

Participation Expectations:
Students taking this course on campus are expected to be present for every scheduled class time.
Students are expected to check the course OR their email at least one time a day Monday
through Friday. The instructor will post announcements and/or send emails about things you
need to know.

Page 5 of 8
JLR 1/18
 Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers
NOTE: ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS WHO MISS 3 OR MORE CLASS SESSIONS
WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOSE ONE LETTER GRADE REGARDLESS OF
POINTS EARNED. This rule is the result of detailed study into past student fail rates-80%
of the students who miss 3 or more classes end up failing the course. We do not want to fail
you and you are encouraged to attend each class meeting!

Also - WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT- You are at university and you are expected to read
your university email. Failure to do this could severely hamper your success as you could miss
very important information from your professors, your college or Student Services.

Students may address me as Professor or Professor Richards.

Citation Information:
Students will learn how to use the Citation Manager in this course.

Policies for Students:

Accessibility Policies:

• ADA Policies and Procedures

Academic Policies:

• Academic Policies for Students

Academic Support Services:

Access Center and Testing Services

The Access Center leads MSU Denver in maximizing ability and opportunity for equal access by
individuals with disabilities.

Office of Testing Services

The Office of Testing Services offers placement testing services to the Metropolitan State
University of Denver student body. The Testing Center offers a variety of other testing services
in addition to placement exams, our exam services include:

• Test proctoring service for "mostly on-line" courses

• American College Testing (ACT) National and Residual testing programs
• Departmental Testing (MFT, ISA, Senior Exit Exams, etc.)
• Make-Up Examination Service

Page 6 of 8
JLR 1/18
 Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers
Writing Center

Writing Center can help you with:

• essays and research papers for any class

• senior capstone projects and portfolios
• Honors theses
• Individualized Degree Program rationales
• scholarship essays
• graduate school application essays
• creative writing, including poetry and fiction
• resumes and cover letters

Tutoring Center

SAS Tutoring Center promotes an environment that is welcoming to the diverse student body of
Metropolitan State University of Denver by providing professionally trained tutors who are
competent in subject material and areas such as diversity, learning styles, and communication.

Student Academic Success Center

The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) is a learning assistance center comprised of a
collaboration of academic support services, which provide a holistic approach to student
development, learning, and persistence towards academic and personal goal attainment.

Auraria Library

The Auraria Library fosters intellectual growth, academic success, and life‐long learning for the
students, faculty, and staff of the diverse urban campus of Auraria.

Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense at the college because it diminishes the quality of
scholarship and the learning experience for everyone on campus. An act of academic
dishonesty may lead to such penalties as reduction of grade, probation, suspension or
expulsion. Examples of academic dishonesty include:

• Cheating: the term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to:

o use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests or examinations,
o dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor
in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other
assignments,
o the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material
belonging to a member of the College faculty, staff or other students;
• Fabrication: intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any
Page 7 of 8
JLR 1/18
 Syllabus – CIS 1010 Introduction to Computers
information, data, or citation in an academic exercise;
• Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: intentionally or knowingly helping or
attempting to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty;
• Plagiarism: the term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to, the use by paraphrase
or direct quotations, of the published or unpublished work of another person without
full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials
prepared by another person or agency that may or may not be engaged in the selling of
term papers or other academic materials.

Severe disciplinary action will be taken for any of these offenses.

Getting Technical Assistance:

There may be times when you may need technical assistance, because your network
connection, your computer, or your browser may not be working correctly. The recommended
way to obtain day-to-day technical assistance and help for non-Blackboard issues is to
contact the MSU Denver IT Help Desk at 303-352-7548.

For 24-hour/7days a week/365 days a year online customer service and support with your
Blackboard courses, contact Embanet at 1-888-915-9535

For SimNet support call 1-800-331-5094.

SPECIAL NOTE - if you have an issue with a SimNet code, please retain both
the code and the purchase receipt, call McGraw-Hill technical support, and
provide that information. This will help us identify the root cause and see if it
is a wider issue than just for you. Also, if you are repeating this class, tell your
instructor IMMEDIATELY!

Page 8 of 8
JLR 1/18