CS101 is my Windows-97 and Microsoft Office 97 course.

Here is the syllabus:

There is more value in initiative than virtually anything else.

Franklin Pierce College

Computer Science

Overview:
This is the introductory course into computer hardware and software. Hardware topics include study of basic Windows compatible hardware. Software studies center on Windows 95, Microsoft Office-97, and other commonly used software packages, this course is required before taking other computer courses.

The fundamentals of hardware, software, and application skills: word processing, spreadsheet, data base management, communication, including Internet and Worldwide Web, technological trends, and related social issues. Note: A grade of C (or better) in CS101 is required before taking other CS courses.

Outcomes:
- Working knowledge of a PC compatible computer;
- The ability to used Microsoft Windows 95, the most common micro-computer operating system;
- Skills in using Microsoft Office-97 components including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access;
- An understanding of networking, the Internet, and intranets;
- Sufficient skills to be able to utilize computers productively;
- An understanding of some social aspects that computers are involved in.

Methodology:
We will always meet in the lab, but you will not always be at the machines. We will spend much of our time discussing the class topic for the day. I will be putting some concepts, etc., on the blackboard, and you will be taking some notes. We will work very closely with the textbook, so you must always have your copy with you in class. You will have to spend time outside of class reading the text, thinking through problems, and working on your projects.

Project Assignments:
You will be working on projects in this course. This effort is very important—it will account for a substantial portion of your grade. You will work on these assignments partly in class in a lab setting; but you must also work on them out of class on your own. At least 50% of the time you spend on projects will have to be spent out of class. Please be aware of this and plan your semester accordingly.
Sometimes the project assignments will take the form of quick assignments and sometimes they will take the form of ‘homework’ to be handed in and graded. Assignments will usually be quickly graded at the machine (with a system of +, check, - (zap), and absent), whereas "homework handed in" means that you will print out your project and it will be graded according to the usual scheme of A, B, etc. Late homework will never be accepted, under any circumstances
The final project, which will consist of a larger project that integrates each of the three main Office-97 components that we cover in this class. It is worth (roughly) three homework assignments.

Reading Assignments:
You cannot just bang away at the machine and expect it to work. You have to read about the topic as well as work with it, and it is a very good idea to read about computers away from the machine, before and after trying actually to do it. Reading assignments are given below, by Lab number, and others will be announced in class; they should all be finished before the date given. Care has been taken to assign only those sections of the approximately 1,000-page textbook that you really need to read - so really read them! Your knowledge will be assumed.

Attendance:
In the most important sense, all absences, for whatever reason, are equal: you have missed valuable course material, which is always difficult to make up. If you do miss class, for whatever reason, making up the work is your responsibility. All absences, with rare exceptions, will be recorded. A phone call explaining why you are absent will not change this. Most everyone has a problem or two during the semester that causes absence. Therefore, avoid frivolous reasons for absence, as real reasons will be coming along.
It is clearly very important for you to come to class. An excessive number of absences will result in lowering your final grade. If your number of absences becomes serious enough, you will be given warning in writing, and if the problem persists, you will be withdrawn from the course with a grade of 'WF' (withdraw fail.)
No requests for withdraw fail will be allowed after December 9.

Final Exam:
You are obligated to take the final exam at the specified time, period. Exceptions to this rule will be very rare. For example, a student who has an A average, and fewer than two absences will be exempted from the final exam. Other exceptions will usually be given only to students who have done exceptionally well, and each will be granted on a case-by-case basis, precipitating no 'you-do-it-for-one-you-do-it-for-all' avalanche.
Best idea - put the exam date on your calendar now.

Final Grade:
Your final grade is based on homework and assignments (30%), quizzes (30%), the final project and final exam (30%), and attendance, participation, etc. (10%).

Prerequisite: none

Text: Microsoft Office-97 Professional, Timothy O’Leary and Linda O’Leary, McGraw-Hill, 1998.

Comment: This book is divided into five main sections each of which can be considered separately.

Classes Tuesday/Thursday

* Complete reading assignment before the class!

Sat., Sun., Mon., Tues., Wed. Dec. 18 - 22 - Final exams

Final Exam - 

This class will not cover Microsoft PowerPoint. Once you have completed this course, you will have no difficulty learning PowerPoint on your own. 

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible. If possible, requests for accommodations should be made through Academic Services at least one week prior to when you will need them.

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

The version of this syllabus that appears on the Internet is the final word.

Plagiarism… is the unauthorized use by you of the ideas or works of another. This includes copying from others without their permission or consent, using other’s work without crediting the source, or submitting work that is not your original work. This applies for assignments, projects and exams.

Cheating… including plagiarism, and other unethical acts, will not be condoned.