Course Syllabus

Contact Information

Note - CISE Majors will not receive credit for this course. This course may NOT be taken with the S/U option.

Textbooks

• Exploring Office 2007 (Custom Program for - CGS2531) Authors:R. Grauer, Michelle Hulett, Keith Muberrry, Judy Scheeren, Published by Prentice Hall.
  content: Windows, Word and Excel; resource text

• NOTE: This Text is also available in electronic format at Prentice Hall - details:http://www.pearsoncustom.com/fl/ufl_cgs2531/

• ANTHOLOGY BOX "Problem Solving Using Computer Software, which contains:

Problem Solving Using Computer Software By R. De Simone, and C. Hammer, Faulkner Press, 2008.
The Text contains required tutorials, instructions, summaries, review files, assigned readings, tutorial aids, support tools, and help files.
The CD contains quizzes,presentations,and readings.
Also included are a library of other assigned readings, various course aids,and other pertinent information for the semester.




Course Description

This course is designed to teach students to organize and manipulate information and data through the use of integrated software applications. Students will be able to apply this knowledge to schoolwork, personal tasks, and eventually, their professional endeavors.

The primary objective of the course is to assist the students in developing the needed knowledge and skills to effectively use popular software tools in solving common school, personal, and professional problems.

The course provides the students with the means to build a solid foundation for the continued learning needed (in future careers) to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology industry.

CGS2531 implements a unique approach to learning varied and diverse software tools. It merges software tool operations, business/professional concepts, and information systems concepts with problem solving techniques and critical thinking tenets.

The problem solving approach of this course provides the students with a strong reinforcement for learning how and why software tools are used. This learning strategy instructs the students how to select and apply the appropriate tool in different decision making situations.

By the end of this course the students will recognize their ability to become more creative, resolute, and productive while producing more effective results.

Course Web Site

The following is a sample of the information available at the Web site www.cise.ufl.edu/~cgs2531/

• Course materials, such as class files needed to complete tutorials

• A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), such as Instructor locations and office hours

• Important Information file explaining Tutorial submission - see download page

• Test locations and other pertinent information

• Links to Web sites discussed in class and other interesting sites

• Grades can be accessed online

• MAX - Virtual Office for aid and assistance

Computer Equipment

The University of Florida requires all new students entering the university to have access to a computer. Please note that the software must be consistent with this course. Students who do not own a computer will be expected to spend time in the computer labs on campus.

Bonus Credit

At your option you may complete the Bonus Tutorial. Details will follow later in the semester.

The Bonus Tutorial is worth 30 points. It's purpose is to replace a missed quiz. It is an optional tutorial, and if you choose to submit it, all 4 parts must be completed. The due date will be announced in class, e-mailed, or mentioned on our Web site. The 30 points will be added to both your Quiz and Tutorial scores for a total of 800 points. Any points over 800 are discarded. Suggestion: Take all 4 quizzes and submit the bonus tutorial as well.

Exams and Exam Dates

Test	Topic	Points	%	Dates
Test 1	Windows	300	15%	See Calendar
Test 2	Word	300	15%	See Calendar
Test 3	Excel - Spreadsheet	300	15%	See Calendar
Test 4	Excel - Database	300	15%	See Calendar

Tutorials and Quizzes

4 Tutorials	150 pts each	600 pts	30%
4 Quizzes - In class	30 pts each	120 pts	6%
4 Quizzes - CD Assessments are to be sent electronically.	20 pts each	80 pts	4%

Grading Scale

The following grading scale will be used to determine the final grade. Note: A total of 2000 points may be earned during the semester.

Grade	Min. Pts.
A	1800 pts
B+	1720 pts
B	1600 pts
C+	1520 pts
C	1400 pts
D+	1320 pts
D	1200 pts
E	< 1200 pts

Tests

• If you have a discrepancy about items on individual tests, submit your concern, via e-mail, to your instructor by 8 AM the day after the test.

• A crib sheet is permitted at all tests and quizzes unless otherwise specified. The crib sheet must be an 8 1/2x 11", signed and hand-written. Copies are not permitted.

• One make-up test will be given at the end of the semester, and will only be available for documented illness or emergencies. It must be cleared within 2 days of the original test. A firm date will be announced in class. The make-up test will cover material from the entire semester.

• All grading discrepancies must be addressed within 1 week of the given test.

• There will be no curved grading.

• Graduate students with classifications of 7, 8, or 9 are not required to take the last test, but must complete the last Tutorial with a score of 90% or better.

Quizzes

• Quizzes are given in class.

• Quizzes are graded on a scale of 0 - 30.

• There will be NO make-up quizzes. The Bonus Tutorial will be substituted for the misssed quiz.

• CD Quizzes may ONLY be submitted electronically - hard copies will NOT be accepted.

• All grading discrepancies or missing grades must be addressed by the next class following the given quiz or within the week of a recorded grade.

Tutorials

• Tutorial due dates are posted on your calendar. Changes, if any, will be posted on the Web or e-mailed

• Make backups of your files, and SAVE often.

• Hard copies, i.e. printed copies, of each tutorial must be submitted before class begins on the due date.

• Do NOT submit a disk.

• Keep all files on disk and all graded material for the ENTIRE semester.

• Tutorials are graded on a scale of 0 - 150. NO LATE tutorials will be accepted for Tutorial #4.

• A Bonus Tutorial will be scheduled for completion by mid semester. The date will be announced.

There will be a 40% penalty per calendar day for late tutorials. If a grading error occurs, you may resubmit your tutorial for corrections up to 1 class day following the day the tutorials were first returned in class. If your tutorial is not picked up when distributed in class, it will be in a marked box in the consultant's area. All tutorials must be picked up. Tutorials will be thrown out 2 weeks after they are returned.

NOTE: The labs gets quite busy when tutorials are due. Open computers are not always available. Networks have been known to crash. Please plan ahead.
Resource texts and reader in Marston library on reserve.

Graders/Consultants

Consultants have been assigned to assist you in learning how to use the software. For comprehension problems, see the Consultants before seeing your instructor. The consultants' office hours will be announced or posted. Hours will be held in the PIT inside 211.

Honor Code

All students are required to read and then to abide by the Academic Honesty Guidelines which have been accepted by the University. Students not adhering strictly to this code will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and will receive an "E" for the course.

Students With Disabilities

Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office for Student Services, P205 Peabody Hall, http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drp/.

Copyright Protected

The information taught in CGS2531 is the property of Rory J. De Simone and is copyright protected. This property may NOT be duplicated or used in any manner for profit. It is illegal for anyone to violate any of the rights provided by the copyright law to the owner of copyright. .

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This page was last updated on 8/20/08 ©2008 Rory J. De Simone