CPSC 1105 Introduction to Information Technology (Spring 2012)

Section 05 – CRN 24666 – 50% Online

Instructor: Rojin Aliehyaei (Ms. Ali) under the supervision of Dr. A. Kongmunvattana

Class Web Site: CougarView at

Class Hours and Location: 3pm to 4:15pm on Monday inCCT – 405

Lab Hours and Location: 4:30pm to 5:45pm on Monday and Thursday inCCT – 407

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to computer and information technologies. It discusses the nature of information, computer hardware, software, communications technology, and computer-based information systems. The theory is complemented by practical work aimed at gaining basic proficiency with different types of widely used application software.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate an appreciation of the role of information technology in modern society as follows:

  • Familiar with the principal components of computer hardware and the functions of different types of software that make computers useful in daily life.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the processes involved in the development of software.
  • Understand modern data communication technology such as the Internet.
  • Aware of various issues related to e-commerce, computer ethics, and privacy.
  • Obtain basic practical skills necessary for manipulating and presenting information in a productive way. This includes the use ofsoftware packages for word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and databases.

Expected Course Outcomes

The following are this course's outcomes:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the role of information technology.

  • Strategies and Actions used to produce the outcome:
  • Study the application of information technology in everyday life.
  • Class lectureon what an information system is, and aspects of information technology.
  • Assessment Methods: Quizzes and Exams (CougarView).

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the main components of a computer system.

  • Strategies and Actions used to produce the outcome:
  • Study types of hardware components such as the CPU, memory and I/O devices.
  • Class lectureon how hardware components work together with system software, making a computer system operational.
  • Assessment Methods: Quizzes, and Exams (CougarView).

 Students will demonstrate familiarity with and basic proficiency in popular application packages such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access.

  • Strategies and Actions used to produce the outcome:
  • Study the application of different types of software applications.
  • Online trainingto gain hands-on experience with using common application packages.
  • Assessment Methods: Online Practical Assignments and Exams (SAM).

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the use of computer scripting languages and the process of software development.

  • Strategies and Actions used to produce the outcome:
  • Study of the concepts of computer programming and the use of programming languages, algorithms, and compilers.
  • Classroom lecture and hands-on experience oncomputer scripting/programming using a user-friendly coding environment.
  • Assessment Methods: Practical Assignments (CougarView).

Students will be familiar with the concepts and technology used in modern computer networks including the Internet.

  • Strategies and Actions used to produce the outcome:
  • Study concepts of data communication technology.
  • Classroom lectureon how computer networks are constructed and how they enable communication of information.
  • Assessment Methods: Quizzes and Exams (CougarView).

Students will demonstrate awareness of electronic commerce, computer ethics, and privacy.

  • Strategies and Actions used to produce the outcome:
  • Study concepts of e-commerce.
  • Classroom discussion of issues related to computer ethics and privacy.
  • Assessment Methods: Quizzes, and Exams (CougarView).

Assessment Methods

Grades in this course are based on the following assessments:

  • Class Attendance - 4%
  • Assignments(4) - 16%
  • SAM MicrosoftWindows and Office Exams (5)- 30%
  • Midterm -25%
  • Final Exam -25%

Final grades will be assigned according to the following schedule:

Percentage / Grade
90-100 / A
80-89 / B
70-79 / C
60-69 / D
<60 / F

Tentative Class Schedule

Weeks / Lecture Topics / Homework Assigned and Due Dates
1 (January 9 – 15 ) / Course Introduction
2 (January 16 – 22) / MLK Day (no class)
3 (January 23 – 29) / Ch1: Digital Technology
4 (January 30 – February 5) / Ch2: Hardware & Blogs / HW1: Blogging Assigned (January 30th)
5 (February 6 – 12) / Ch2: Hardware / HW1: Blogging Due Date (February 12th)
6 (February 13 – 19) / Ch3: Software & Picasa / HW2: Web Album Assigned (February 13th)
7(February. 20 – 26) / Ch3: Software / HW2: Web Album Due Date (February 26th)
8 (February 27 – March 4) / Midterm Exam (Feb. 27)
9 (March 5 – 11) / Spring Break (no class)
10 (March 12 – 18) / Ch4: Internet
11 (March 19 – 25) / Ch5: Telecommunication / HW3: Internet Assigned (March 19th)
12 (March 26 – April 1) / Ch6: Information Security / HW3: Internet Due Date (April 1st)
13(April 2 – 8) / Ch7: Digital Media & Alice / HW4: Alice Assigned (April 2nd)
14(April 9 – 15) / Ch7: Digital Media / HW4: Alice Due Date (April 15th)
15(April 16 – 22) / Ch9: E-commerce
16(April 23 – 29) / ISS4&5: Privacy and Ethics
17(April 30) / Review for Final Exam / Due Date of All SAM2010 Exams (April 30th)

To keep pace with the class, on a weekly basis, you should:

  1. Attend the lecture on campus and complete non-grade in-class quiz every Monday
  2. Read online textbook contents that are related to the lecture
  3. Complete and submit the homework (if one is assigned that week)
  4. Complete MS Office Training on SAM2010 website (non-grade)
  5. Take and/or retake MS Office Exam on SAM2010 website

Attendance Policy

An attendance check is carried out through the non-grade in-class quiz given at the end of each chapter.

Extra Credits

There is NO provision for extra credits in this class.

Midterm and Final Exams

All exams are in-class during the designated time. They are open-book and open-note.

Software and Technology Requirements

To participate in this course, you must have (or have access to) a computer that meets CSU's online course minimum computer hardware requirements as outlined at:

Required Class Materials

All required class materials are delivered online. Each student needs to purchase two access codes. The first access code allows you to access online textbook whereas the second access code allows you to access SAM Microsoft Training and Exam website.

Title: BNDL: PAC EMERGE WITH COMPUTERS V 3.0 VIA GATEWAY (ePack: Instant Access Code for Emerge with Computer Version 3.0 + SAM 2010 Assessment, Training, and Projects v2.0 Instant Access Code , 2nd Edition)

ISBN-10: 1-4283-8788-9OR

ISBN-13: 978-1-4283-8788-1

Prices: $111.75 from CSU bookstore OR

$90.00 from

Registering Access Code for Online Textbook:

  • Login to YOURCougarView account and select “Intro to Information Technology” link.
  • Click “SCORM” tab on the left-side menu.
  • Click “Emerge 3.0” link and when there is a pop-up window asking you a question, you MUST select “No” as an answer. If you failed to do this, you must close the pop-up window and repeat this step over.
  • Click “1.1 Emerge with Computer …” link on the left-side menu of the pop-up window.
  • At this point you should see another small pop-up window asking you to enter an access code for online textbook. Enter the code that you purchased and click “SUBMIT” button.

Registering Accessing Code for SAM2010:

  • Go to SAM2010 website through a link in CougarView or directly at
  • Click on “New User” button.
  • Enter “T2019811” as Institution Key. This is a key number for CSU.
  • When a confirmation window pop-up, Click OK.
  • Enter an access code for SAM and click on “Save” button.
  • Enter your information (only the fields with asterisk (*) are required) and click “Save” button.
  • Check that your information is accurate and click “Confirm” button.
  • Next, on the “Terms & Conditions” page, click “I Agree” button.
  • Click on “Sections” tab on the left-side menu.
  • Select “Spring 2011 CPSC 1105 Aliehyaei CRN 24666” from the list of sections in the bottom-left box labeled “All Sections.”
  • Click on the “>” button to add it to the bottom-right box labeled “My Sections.”
  • Once “Spring 2011 CPSC 1105 Aliehyaei CRN 24666” appears in the bottom-right box, click “Join a Section” button at the top-right corner and you will be added to the waiting list of my section.

Getting Help

Student assistants in the ComputerCenter and in the open lab on campus can help you with basic computer-related problems (such as logging onto the network, saving your work, etc.), but they are not obligated and may not possess the necessary skills to help you with your assignments. Tutors in the School of Computer Science tutoring lab (CCT 450) can help you with the assignments. Their schedule is typically posted in the School of Computer Science office. Do not ask the tutors to do assignments for you. They are instructed to assist you in understanding concepts only.

For other general computer related problems or questions, please contact the CINS computer help desk at 706-507-2910 or email .

Academic Honesty

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, activities such as cheating and plagiarism.

Plagiarism Policy(

It is a basis for disciplinary action. Any work turned in for individual credit must be entirely the work of the student submitting the work. All work must be your own. You may share ideas but submitting identical assignments (for example) will be considered cheating. You may discuss the material in the course and help one another.However, any work you hand in for a grade must be your own. A simple way to avoid inadvertent plagiarism is to talk about the assignments, but don't read each other's work or write solutions together. All work that is not your own, MUST be properly cited. This includes any material found on the Internet. Stealing or giving or receiving any code, diagrams, drawings, text or designs from another person (CSU or non-CSU, including the Internet) is not allowed. Having access to another person’s work on the computer system or giving access to your work to another person is not allowed. It is your responsibility to prevent others from having unauthorized access to your work.

No cheating in any form will be tolerated. Penalties for academic dishonesty may include a zero grade on the assignment or exam, a failing grade for the course, and/or suspension from CSU. For more details see the Student Handbook:

Confidentially of Information Shared by Students

CSU does not guarantee the confidentiality of information shared by students in the course environment. Therefore, students should not share any confidential information from employers unless explicitly released for public use.

ADA Accommodation Notice

If you have a documented disability as described by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 933-112 Section 504) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and would like to request academic and/or physical accommodations please contact Joy Norman at the Office of Disability Services in the Center for Academic Support and Student Retention as soon as possible. Course requirements will not be waived but reasonable accommodations may be provided as appropriate.