A hands-on course for the development of skills needed to use personal computer systems for business, individual, and educational applications. Learn word processing, database management, spreadsheet development, and how to use the operating system. Keyboarding skills are not required, but are helpful. May not be applied toward a Computer Science or Computer Information Technology degree.

The COSC 1301 Personal Computing  course helps you develop personal productivity skills with the use of microcomputers for the following applications:

You will learn how to integrate information across applications.  You will develop your computer literacy with an increased knowledge of computing concepts and terminology.  You also will develop skills in disk and file management using a graphical user interface (Microsoft Windows Vista).

If you plan to use your own computer to work on the assignments in this course, then you should acquire Microsoft Office 2007 Professional Edition.  If you do not have access to this software, you should use the Computer Studies computer lab to complete the assignments.

Scans Competencies:

Required Textbook

Microsoft Office 2007 - Illustrated Introductory, Premium Video Edition, Beskeen/Cram/Duffy/Friedrichsen/Reding, Course Technology, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-324-82708-8.

It is not required that you purchase a paper copy of the textbook.  There are several websites which offer an electronic copy of the textbook.

Grading Policy

Grades will be assigned based on concepts and practical application.  Exams, lab assignments, and an independent project will be part of the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

            90%  - 100%         A

            80%  -  89%          B

            70%  -  79%          C

            60%  -  69%          D

            0%    -  59%          F

Exams will be 50 multiple choice questions.  You will take the exams online through Blackboard, but you must go to an approved Testing Center.  The following campus Testing Centers are available for you to take your exam:  CYP, EVC, NRG, PIN, RGC, RVS, SAC, FBG, and RRH.  Be sure to read the Student Guidelines for Use of ACC Testing Centers.

Grades will be weighted as follows:

Academic Integrity

A student is expected to complete his or her own assignments, projects, and tests.  Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity described in the Current ACC Student Handbook, under “Student Discipline Policy, Section C”.

 “Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework”. 

The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current ACC Student Handbook policy. See http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm  for more information.

Incomplete

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.
4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

Freedom of  Expression Policy

 The department faculty expects each instructor and student to respect the right of others to express their views related to classroom discussions.

 Attendance / Withdrawal Policy

Students are expected to actively participate in the distance learning class and will be held responsible for all material assigned in class.  Regular interaction with the instructor helps ensure satisfactory progress towards completion of the course. 

It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class.  The last date to withraw for this semester is Thursday, November 18, 2010.  If the withdrawal is not completed by 5 PM on November 18, the student will receive the performance grade (A, B, C, D, or F) that they have earned at the end of the semester.  The instructor may withdraw students from this class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings.  It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

Students with Disabilities Policy

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester.  (Refer to the current ACC Student Handbook)

Posting of Grades

Final course grades will not be posted.  The final course grade is mailed to the student by the ACC Admissions and Records office.  Students may also login to their ACC Online Services account after the end of the semester and look at their grade.