ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE

SYLLABUS 

CIS120 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Credit Hours:   3    Lecture   3  Lab  1  

PREREQUISITES AND COREQUISITES: NONE

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Includes description of computer hardware and software, computer terminology, the data processing cycle, and characteristics of programming languages, with emphasis on the use of applications software in processing business data.

1. COURSE GOALS:

This course prepares successful learners to:

1.1          describe computer software and hardware, in both historic and current contexts

1.2          use appropriate computer terminology

1.3          explain the Input Processing Output Storage (IPOS) cycle

1.4          relate the characteristics of some programming languages

1.5 use a web browser, word processor, electronic spreadsheet, database, and graphics presentation program in simple business processing.

2. COMPETENCIES:

Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:

2.1          describe basic computer software and hardware

2.2          outline significant events in computer history

2.3          define elementary computer terms

2.4          distinguish between computer and information literacy

2.5          list and define several categories of computers

2.6          catalog software into standard groups

2.7          detail how data is represented by digital computer systems

2.8          relate the hierarchy of data components

2.9          profile the manufacturing of a computer chip

2.10       enumerate the types of data communication channels and their uses

2.11       diagram several network configurations

2.12       specify types of operating systems and their functions

2.13       recount the three database categories and their characteristics

2.14       identify types of and uses for information systems

2.15       explain the system development cycle

2.16       encapsulate the program cycle

2.17       summarize various job opportunities in the field of computer systems

2.18       understand some social implications of computer use

2.19       differentiate between multimedia and virtual reality

2.20       grasp future predictions and developments

2.21       reiterate the IPOS cycle and the hardware used during each phase

2.22       recapitulate the characteristics, weaknesses, and strengths of several programming languages

2.23       find and evaluate information on the World Wide Web

2.24       create and edit a document in word processing software

2.25       produce a spreadsheet that uses formulas and functions

2.26       construct, add data to, and query a database

2.27       originate a graphic presentation.

3.   STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

3.1          Attendance Policy: Under AWC Policy, students are expected to attend every session of class in which they are enrolled.

3.2          Withdrawal Policy: If a student is unable to attend the course or must drop the course for any reason, it will be the responsibility of the student to withdraw from the course before the withdrawal deadline (see current AWC Schedule of Classes for deadline).

         3.3          Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations:  Arizona Western College provides academic accommodations to students with disabilities through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).  SSD provides reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations to students who have documented disabilities.  It is the responsibility of the student to make the Coordinator of SSD aware of the need for accommodations in the classroom prior to the beginning of the semester.  Students should follow up with their instructors once the semester begins. Please contact the Coordinator of SSD at (928) 344-7629, (928) 317-6007 (TDD), in the Student Services building, Counseling area.

3.4          Academic Integrity: Any student participating in acts of academic dishonesty—including, but not limited to, copying the work of other students, using unauthorized “crib notes”, plagiarism, stealing tests, or forging an instructor’s signature—will be subject to the procedures and consequences outlined in AWC’s Student Code of Conduct.

3.5 Texts and Notebooks: Students are required to obtain the class materials for the course.

4.   METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

4.1          lectures

4.2          facilitate class and group exercises

4.3          provide appropriate hands-on labwork and exercises

4.4          moderate class discussions

4.5          render individualized instruction

4.6          afford feedback on written and oral assignments.

5. LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

5.1          take notes during lectures

5.2          participate in class and group exercises

5.3          complete hands-on labwork and exercises

5.4          review incorrect answers to questions on quizzes and exams

5.5          take part in class discussions

5.6          read assigned chapters and do tutorials

5.7          analyze feedback and apply to future learning situations

5.8          ask questions if concepts are not understood

6.         EVALUATION:

6.1          exams

6.2          assigned projects and/or papers

6.3          quizzes and/or class exercises

6.4          written essays