CGS 2100 Microcomputer Applications for Buiness and Economics
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Director: Randolph Langley
Fall 2013

Course Description

Course Objectives

• use a current operating system to run applications and efficiently manage computer files
• demonstrate skills related to email use
• use a current word processing application to create useful documents
• use a current spreadsheet application to analyze numeric data, generate charts, and perform more advanced spreadsheet operations
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic computer concepts such as computer hardware, software, architecture, and networking
• demonstrate an understanding of how digital technology, various general purpose and special purpose computers, and software are applied to solve problems and provide services
• demonstrate an understanding of how telecommunications, wired and wireless networks, and the internet, web and cloud are used to provide people with anywhere, anytime access to communications and information, for a variety of environments and applications
• demonstrate an understanding of how computer-based information systems are used to support the goals of business, organizations, and the general public
• demonstrate an understanding of how digital technologies assist people in creating, using, and enjoying music and other audio, graphic artwork, photographs, video, and games
• demonstrate an understanding of information security and vulnerabilities as well as actions to take to secure digital information systems
• demonstrate an understanding of the impact of digital technologies on the lives of individuals, society, and the world including related ethical and professional issues

Course Options

Online: Students registered for sections of this course designated as "online" will have no scheduled weekly meetings in a classroom. However, online students are still welcome to attend lectures if they choose. Online students need to be physically present on the FSU campus in Tallahassee to take all exams.

Classroom: Students registered for sections not designated as "online" are enrolled in a classroom section of the course. Classroom students have weekly lecture class meetings on campus where lessons are provided and course topics are discussed. Classroom lectures may also include discussions concerning the homework and review for exams.

Recitation Sections: There are no pre-scheduled recitation or lab meetings for this course.

ALL STUDENTS will have access to instructors at the online Help Desk, and on campus in a classroom Help Desk. ALL students must sign up to take their exams in on-campus exam sessions offered during the semester. All exams are held in the FSU Testing Center.

Conditions for Course Credit for CGS 2100

Students who have taken CGS 2060, Computer Fluency, are not eligible for credit in CGS 2100 and should not sign up for this class.

If both CGS 2060 and CGS 2100 are taken in the same semester, the student will receive credit for only one of the two courses.

Instructional Staff

Course Director:
Randolph Langley
Office Hours: see course website (Teaching Staff Information)
Office: MCH 103

Course Teaching Assistants:
Names and contact information to be announced; see course Blackboard site

Administrative TAs:
Every student will be assigned an Administrative TA who will be their primary contact for administrative situations, such as grading questions and extension requests. Administrative TA assignments will be posted on the course web site.

Online Email Help Desk:
Send mail to: 2100help AT cs.fsu.edu

In Person Help Desk:
Location: MCH 302; hours will be posted on the course web site.

Communicate ALL course questions and concerns to the email helpdesk 2100help@cs.fsu.edu or to Teaching Assistants in the help desk lab, or in certain cases to your Administrative TA. Teaching assistants will refer cases which they are not authorized to handle to the Course Director.

Course Materials

Required Course Textbooks:

• Textbook 1 (hard copy or eBook) : Technology in Action, Introductory, 9 Edition, Evans, Martin, Poatsy, Prentice Hall, ISBN 9780132838733
• Textbook 2 (hard copy or eBook): Go! With Microsoft Office 2010 Volume 1, Gaskin, Ferrett, Vargas, McLellan, Custom PHIT for Florida State University CGS 2100
• Purchasing at university bookstores: use ISBN 1256837512 for bundled package, sold at a much reduced rate compared to buying these two books alone
• Purchasing bundled eBook: go to course web site link for Book Publisher Content

A personal computer is not required, but it is recommended for anyone wishing to do assignment work from home; Windows PC or MAC computer with the latest version of Microsoft Office.

• Regardless of what personal computer you may have, public computer labs on campus (accessible by all FSU students) have the most current version of MS Office both for PCs and MACs. FSU site computers can be found in MCH 315, Strozier Library, and the Student Union.
• The version you need is Office 2010 for Windows, or Office 2011 for Mac

Grading/Evaluation

Use the table below to calculate your letter grade based upon the number of points earned.

Lower Bound Pts	Upper Bound Pts	Grade
602	650	A
585	601	A-
569	584	B+
537	568	B
520	536	B-
504	519	C+
472	503	C
455	471	C-
439	454	D+
407	438	D
390	406	D-
0	389	F

Final Letter Grade: The points you earn over the duration of the semester determine your final letter grade. No additional point earning activities will be provided for students who, at the end of the semester, realize that they have fallen short of their desired grade. This is university policy. Students in any course must have exactly the same opportunities to earn points towards a final grade. Grades will reflect how well students read and follow course directions and meet course deadlines. Grades are final unless an error was made in grading or point calculations.

GRADING QUESTIONS

Any request to your Administrative TA to review the grade for a particular item must be made within 7 days after the date that the given assignment/exam grade is posted, or it will not be considered. You must notify your Administrative TA that you wish to make a grade inquiry via email in order to meet this deadline. Note that in all of the above discussion, email to and from your Administrative TA is a valid substitute for the printed materials. All grade inquiries must then be resolved and the grade finalized within 7 days of the grade inquiry being initiated.

FSU COMPUTER SKILLS COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT

The successful completion of this course satisfies the FSU Computer Competency Requirement for many majors. Students must check with their academic advisor to confirm that this course will meet the requirement for their specific major. The first MS Word assignment functions as the computer competency capstone activity of this course. The following policy is a university requirement: In order to fulfill FSU's Computer Competency Requirement, the student must earn a "C-" or better in the course.

General Policies

To insure successful completion of this course, students must understand and comply with the following:

• ALL students must be able to attend 2 scheduled exam sessions on the FSU campus in Tallahassee.
• Students should be comfortable with email, the web, and computers in general upon beginning this course.
• Students must have a functional FSU email account and check email on that account regularly and often.
• For classroom students, cell phone use is prohibited in the classroom during class time.
• PLEASE DO NOT BRING FOOD OR DRINK TO THE LECTURE.

NO INCOMPLETES WILL BE GIVEN FOR THIS COURSE UNLESS THE STUDENT CAN SHOW DOCUMENTATION OF SEVERE AND UNANTICIPATED EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES FOR WHY HE/SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE WORK, AND HAS ALREADY COMPLETED NEARLY ALL OF THE COURSE WORK WITH PASSING SCORES. INCOMPLETES ARE NEVER GIVEN DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE IN A COURSE.

Where to Work

On Your Own PC

If you have a Windows PC with MS Office 2010 and a high speed Internet connection, or if you have Office applications that can save in the latest verion compatible with MS Office 2010, you can do much of your class work on your own PC. Assignments will be graded with Microsoft Office 2010 on a Windows PC, so make sure that the files you submit work the way they are required to, in MS Office 2010 on a Windows PC.

In the 315 MCH Computing Site (or similar campus sites)

Students who don't have a Windows PC, or the latest version of MS Office, can do some or all of their coursework on a PC in the 315 MCH computer lab which has all the software. When working in the lab, students must save all their work on a portable flash drive.

All students are responsible for properly maintaining multiple, backup copies of their files and work for this course.

Microsoft Office

In this class we teach the latest and most commonly used software. Students who do their work on older versions of Microsoft Office run the risk of losing points on their assignments, or even getting a zero score in some cases. Submitted homework files that are not submitted in accordance with the assignment directions will typically receive a zero.

The current versions of Microsoft Office are Office 2010 for Windows and Office 2011 for Mac.

Again, all assignments are graded using MS Office 2010 on Windows so all files must work correctly on that specific platform to receive full points. Generally speaking you can do most of your work on the Mac system, but be sure and verify that your files work correctly on a Windows platform before you turn them in for grading.

Students can also find all the software necessary for this class installed on computers in any of the three general purpose labs on campus: MCH 315, the Student Union, or the basement of Strozier Library.

Students that opt to do their work on their own computer accept the responsibility for their computer's proper functioning. "Computer problems" will not be accepted as an excuse for late assignment submissions. If problems occur at home, students will need to complete their work in any of the three general purpose labs on campus mentioned above.

Exams (Concepts Assessment)

Administering exams to very large numbers of students each semester is no small task. We have a testing staff that attends to this task and several procedures and policies to help the testing procedure run as smoothly as possible. It is imperative that students follow the following procedures and policies regarding the examination process. All exams are Concepts exams.

• Exams are scheduled online, and taken on campus under the supervision of a test supervisor. This term, all concept exams will be administered at the University Testing Center located on the first floor of the University Center "C" complex.
• The exam reservation system is accessed from the class Web site and used to reserve, change, and check reservations.
  • Students who reserve their test times early will have the best selection of available times.
  • Note: The exam dates that you reserve dictate the speed at which you'll need to complete the assignments and readings.
• There are two exam sessions, with specific exams given in each session — specifically multiple-choice concepts exams.
  • Exam Session 1
  • Exam Session 2
• Exam sessions are timed. Students must be able to complete all tests within the 50 minute exam session.
• It is the student's responsibility to ensure that their exam is SUBMITTED properly before leaving the exam session.
• All exams are taken on PCs running Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, or Version 7.
• Tests are delivered in electronic format over a computer network in the FSU University Center Testing Center. If there is power, network, or server failure during an exam, the student may need to reschedule for another time. In this event, consult with Testing Center staff to see when they can accommodate you.
• Students who miss an exam with a documented excuse (note from a physician or FSU administrator) may change their exam time to a makeup session, using the same on-line reservation form, without penalty. Students must present valid, original supporting documentation to their course Administrative TA. Makeup sessions will be added once testing starts and will be announced on the Blackboard course site.
• There is a 20 point penalty for students who make or change exam reservations after the posted reservation deadline without an acceptable documented excuse from a physician or FSU administrator.
• Any concerns regarding missed exams and makeups, and any supporting documentation, MUST be presented to the appropriate course teaching staff before the exam sessions for that specific exam are over.
• Students must present their FSU Identification Card at the time of the exam. Students who do not show their FSU-issued ID card will not be allowed to take the exam. Students must arrive and check into the Testing Center prior to their scheduled exam time. Students arriving late to an exam will not be allowed to sit for the exam and will have to schedule a makeup exam with penalty.
• Cell phones, computers, tablets, and other portable electronic devices are not allowed in the testing center. Students who are removed from the Testing Center in violation of this policy will not be allowed to sit for that particular exam again. Students must contact the Course Director to schedule an alternative exam.
• Students who are removed from the Testing Center for whatever reason will be assessed a 20 point penalty for that exam.
• Test scores should be posted immediately by Blackboard for each Concepts Exam upon completion. Concerns or questions regarding test grades must be presented within one week of the time at which the test grade was posted.
• Questions regarding exams should be addressed to the online Help Desk or instructors in the on campus Help Lab. See course web site for more information on help schedules.
• Exams can only be taken one time.

Exam Penalties

You will incur a 20 point penalty if you:

• fail to reserve test times prior to required deadlines
• change an exam time after the deadline without a documented excuse
• miss a scheduled exam without an acceptable, documented excuse
• arrive more than ten minutes late to an exam
• are removed from the testing center for violation of one of their policies
• show up for an exam without an FSU-issued Identification Card and then have to take it at another time (note that another time, may not even be available!)

Assignments (Skills Assessment)

• Assignments are accessed from the course web site linked from http://campus.fsu.edu.
• Assignments are written in a manner that supports the latest versions of Microsoft Office.
• All assignments must be submitted electronically according to instructions provided in the assignments section of the course web site. Assignment files submitted to the wrong assignment portal will not be graded and will have a zero score.
• Word, Excel, and PowerPoint assignments require students to submit files using the latest version of Microsoft Office applications. See assignment instructions for exact details.
• Assignment scores are posted in the online grade book within 14 days of the due date or the day of submission, whichever is later. Click on a score to read detailed comments. Concerns and questions regarding assignment grading must be presented within one week of when the assignment grade is posted.
• Assignment help is available from the online email Help Desk and the on-campus, in-person Help Desk. See the course web site for more information.
• Be sure to enter your full name, course number and section number into every MS Office file's document panel.

Late Policy for Assignments

Any late assignment is automatically assessed a 50 point penalty.

No late assignment will be accepted after the date indicated in the class calendar.

No late assignment will be accepted more than 3 days after its due date.

Other Assignment Policies

• Students are responsible for keeping ALL copies of submitted assignments until the final grade for the semester has been posted. Whether an assignment was completed on a PC in a public lab or on a personal PC, it is the student's responsibility to keep a valid backup copy of the submitted file (e.g. on a flash drive, or other personal storage) in case there is some problem with the original submission.
• We recommend that you e-mail a copy of your completed file to your own FSU address before the due date. This way, you have a backup that is independent of your own computer, and the e-mail has a time stamp on the FSU mail system showing when the completed file was sent to your inbox.
• Important: Students are responsible for confirming that their own assignment file is submitted successfully, with the submitted file in working order, to the correct assignment portal. YOU NEED TO DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR OWN SUBMISSIONS!
• Refer to the course handout, Instructions for Submitting and Storing Assignment Files, found under the Assignments menu on your course web site.
• Once an assignment is submitted students cannot take the assignment back or cancel it — even if it is submitted early. Make sure that the work you submit is your final version and ready for grading. Note that as of Blackboard 9, you will have the capability to check a submission and then re-submit if needed, within deadlines. Only your last submission will be graded.
• Submitted assignment files found to be corrupt and/or cannot be opened will require re- submission within deadlines; late penalties always apply.
• Assignments will NOT be accepted if submitted on disk, digital drop box, safe assignment, on CD/DVD, hard copy printout, or as an email attachment.
• Submitted homework files that cannot be opened with the latest version of Microsoft Office or do not conform to assignment instructions will receive a zero.
• The last assignment of the semester will require special, shorter deadlines for both late submissions and for grading questions. Dates will be announced in class.
• In some very limited circumstances a student may possibly be contacted by a course grader via FSU email and/or via Blackboard grade center feedback, and informed that they may be allowed to resubmit a particular file. If this occurs, all late penalties do always apply. The grader may also notify the student of more specific required deadlines for resubmission as needed. The student is responsible for reading any such emails or Blackboard feedback in a timely manner and missing either emails or Blackboard feedback for ANY reason will not be taken into account.
• Late submission penalties ALWAYS apply unless an "extension" has been officially granted and recorded by a member of the course teaching staff who is authorized to do so.
• Assignments that contain content that anyone would find offensive (including profanity, vulgarity, insults, violence, or sexually explicit language) will receive a zero and the student responsible may be brought up on charges of violation of FSU's Student Conduct Code.

Assignment Extension Policy

The staggered late deadlines are designed to cover normal expected and unexpected delays. Deadline extension requests will only be considered if you contact your Administrative TA via email before the assignment's on-time due deadline. Extensions will only be considered in case of medical or other emergency situations. In all cases, you must substantiate any request with written proof consisting of original and verifiable documents, for example, a letter from a physician or hospital emergency room documents, or written funeral home documentation.

Extensions are NEVER granted for reasons such as the following: the university computing sites were crowded, Blackboard was slow, you lost your file and you didn't have a backup copy, your computer stopped working, you lost the internet connection at your home, or you had other courses or job commitments that interfered with your work in this course.

For serious emergency or medical situations (hospitalization, death in the family, etc), it is advisable to seek assistance at the Dean of Students office. Often, if you provide the appropriate documentation there, they will send out official notice to all of your instructors at once as to your situation.

You can avoid all problems by starting work on the assignments early, working on them incrementally, and by getting help early when you need it. Also make sure you have completed all of the assigned readings and worked through relevant exercises in the required course textbooks.

Academic Honor Policy

The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the University's expectations for the integrity of students’ academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty members throughout the process. Students are responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to ". . . be honest and truthful and . . . [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University." (Florida State University Academic Honor Policy, found at http://academichonor.fsu.edu/policy/policy.html.)

Cheating

Always begin your assignments from a new, blank document file. We consider it cheating when a student starts an assignment from some other student's assignment file, or copies a portion of another student's file. All cases of cheating in this course will be dealt with using standard university policies and processes.

There are no innocent participants in cheating incidents. Students who give someone else their assignment, or leave their assignment work available for others to access either on a private or public computer, intentionally or accidentally, are considered accomplices to cheating should someone else use their work and submit it as their own.

• YOU CAN SAVE YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO THE BLACKBOARD SITE UNDER THE CORRECT ASSIGNMENT AND CONTINUE TO EDIT THE DOCUMENT AS LONG AS YOU DON'T HIT SUBMIT.
• DON'T SAVE YOUR HOMEWORK FILES ON FSU COMPUTER LAB COMPUTERS. USE A PORTABLE STORAGE DEVICE SUCH AS A USB FLASH DRIVE.
• DON'T LEAVE YOUR ASSIGNMENT FILES ON YOUR OWN COMPUTER IF SHARING YOUR COMPUTER WITH ANOTHER STUDENT IN THE CLASS.

Many assignments are designed in a manner that requires every student's files to contain unique and different data. If two or more students submit work with the same, or portions of the same data, and/or if file properties are the same, it is evidence that cheating has taken place.

Two or more students working together on an assignment is considered cheating. An assignment submission is intended to be a measure of one student's ability.

Be warned! Special software will be used that compares every electronically submitted assignment file to all other submitted files to determine if the file was copied from another student. Sometimes cheating is not detected until after students have submitted several copied assignments. In such cases the first copied assignment is considered the first offense, the second copied assignment, the second offense, and so on.

Students caught communicating during exams will be required to leave and will forfeit that exam.

Communication

Success in the course depends heavily on students reading all course related emails and all announcements posted on the course web site. Most communication between instructors and students occurs online. Students are expected to read their FSU emails and announcements on the class web site at least daily Monday through Friday. The course calendar and grade book must be checked at least once a week to stay current on what needs to be done and what has been graded. Failure to do so may result in missed opportunities and poor grades. The student is fully responsible for reading all emails, Blackboard announcements and other Blackboard communications in a timely manner and is also responsible for any grade-related consequences relating to not doing so.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should:

(1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; and

(2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the first week of class.

For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact:

FSU Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC)
874 Traditions Way
108 Student Services Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167
(850) 644-9566 (voice)
(850) 644-8504 (TDD)
sdrc@admin.fsu.edu
http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/

University Attendance Policy

Excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities.

These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious illness.

Syllabus Modifications

Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change without advance notice.

Last Update: 2013-08-26