Practical Computer Fluency
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| Instructor | Dave Rogers |
| ycdaverogers@gmail.com | |
| Office Hours | Before class (in the lab), or by appointment |
| Class Hours | Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00pm to 6:00pm |
| Class Location | A2704 computer lab |
| Course Website | http://sites.google.com/site/yccpsc100/ |
Course Description
The goal of CPSC100 is to teach you to become an independent and effective computer user, in both your current studies and future career. It is not a training course in specific software packages or technologies. Software, and the hardware upon which it runs, evolves far too quickly for such detailed learning to be of long-term value. Instead, the course explains the concepts that underlie computer hardware, software, and services, that are then illustrated through hands-on interaction with common applications.
CPSC100 is not intended for students pursuing a career in computer science, and it cannot be counted for credit towards a computer science or computer studies degree or diploma.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Describe the basic components of a personal computer;
- Edit text, HTML, and image files using simple tools;
- Use various Internet services safely and effectively; and
- Maximize your efficient use of office productivity applications.
Or, put another way, you will be able to:
- Confidently solve everyday computer problems and quickly find the appropriate help for more difficult problems; and
- Identify the tasks that a computer can perform on your behalf so that you may concentrate on the creative aspects of your work.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites, but students should be comfortable using a mouse, keyboard and have some exposure to Microsoft Windows, common computer applications, and Internet services such as e-mail and the web. Students without these skills may wish to first take the College's COMP040 or COMP050 introductory computer courses. Admission to the course may also be granted at the instructor's discretion.Attendance and Conduct
Attendance is mandatory. A student may be dismissed from the course if more than 10% of the scheduled contact hours are missed. Dismissal from a course may result in loss of full-time status and loss of sponsorship funding.Missing a quiz or examination (either by absence or arriving too late to write) will normally mean forfeiture of the mark. An opportunity to write a missed quiz will be granted only for documented medical illness or similar emergency. Vacation scheduling is not an acceptable excuse for missing or re-scheduling a quiz or examination.
In the interest of minimizing distractions during class, students are asked not to perform the following activities during a scheduled class:
- Sending or receiving e-mail,
- Surfing the Internet,
- Downloading or transferring files from the Internet, or
- Playing computer games.
There are instances where your instructor may ask you to do the above during class, in which case these activities would be acceptable. Students will be given a verbal warning the first time they are caught doing the above. The second time, a written warning will be given. A third offence will result in being compelled to leave the class.
Dishonesty and Plagiarism
The assignments are individual assignments and group submissions are not permitted. All submissions should be original work prepared for that specific assignment. To copy another person's work or present it as your own will result in penalties. Note that plagiarism is defined not only as submitting someone else's work as yours, but also includes submitting the same assignment for more than one course without the explicit permission of the instructor. The penalties for plagiarism include receiving a mark of 0 for the assignment, a mark of F for the course and expulsion from the College.
Evaluation
A variety of assignments will be given out during the term. The marks associated with each assignment will vary depending on the degree of difficulty. The content of assignments will serve to reinforce the exercises performed during the lab sessions. Late submissions will be penalized 20% per working day, and due dates may not be rescheduled, except in exceptional circumstances and only where prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
Six quizzes will be held on specific dates throughout the term. The one quiz with the lowest mark will be discarded from the term evaluation. Quizzes may not be rescheduled, except in exceptional circumstances and only where prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.
The final exam will cover all aspects of the course. The exam will be divided into two sections: a take-home assignment to be completed on a computer, and a written examination paper to be completed during the scheduled exam session. The take-home portion is due no later than the beginning of the written exam session.
| Evaluation | Weight |
| Assignments | 50% |
| Quizzes (best 5 of 6) | 25% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Letter grading will follow the College's standard, which can be found in the Letter Grading section of Academic Regulations in the College Calendar.
Required Textbooks/Materials
There is no textbook for this course. Regular readings will be assigned from various Internet sites to supplement the lecture material. All course notes, handouts, readings, and links to online resources will be posted on the course website.
Equivalency/Transferability
Credit for taking CPSC100 may be transferable to the universities listed below. Counselling Services will be able to help you with the details of transferring a course.
- Simon Fraser University: CMPT 001 (3 credits)
- University of Alaska Fairbanks: CS 101 (3 credits)
- University of Alaska Southeast: In Progress
- University of British Columbia: CPSC100
- University of Northern British Columbia: CPSC 150 (Anticipated)
- University of Regina: CS 100 (3 credits)
- University of Victoria: CS 100 (1.5 credits)
For more information about transferability contact the School of Science, Trades, and Technology.
Syllabus
The precise schedule of topics will be posted on the course website. This schedule may change to accommodate new material of interest to the class, or to spend additional time on the more difficult and complex topics.- Course Introduction
- Fundamental Computer Concepts
- Document Storage
- Editing Techniques
- The Internet: What it is and how it works
- The Internet: Security & Privacy
- HTML
- Multimedia
- Online Services
- Word Processing: Styles
- Word Processing: Objects
- Word Processing: Numbering
- Spreadsheets: Formulas
- Spreadsheets: Functions
- Spreadsheets: Charts
- Databases: Mail Merge
- Review