Syllabus for CSI 216-01
Computer Concepts – CSI 216-01 with Prof. Russ Peck, Jr., MBA
Contact : 781-356-5319 or by email at Rpeck356@aol.com
Visit and do research and print your syllabus out at : www.peckservices.com/education.html
Class time:
MWF 9:00 A.M. to 9:50 A.M. – please prepare and do the reading ahead of the class.
Grading : 25% Attendance and Homework, Quizzes 25% MID-TERM 25% FINAL EXAM
AND Remaining 25% Case Study on computer issues (5 to 8 pages long double spaced)
Attendance Policy : you can miss up to 3 classes with no penalty and any absences after that must have a note from a doctor or employer to be excused. You will lose 4pts of your grade for each unexcused absence.
Lessons:
Class 1 M - Read about the definition of what is a computer. Is a calculator a computer? Is a chip in a car engine a computer? How are they different from the computers you use?
Class 2 W - Assignment - Who was John Von Neumann and I would like you to use the library and look up information on him. You will be asked this as an essay question on the mid-term. Did he believe that the proper use of computers was word processing? Also read A-1 through A-8.
Class 3 F - Categorizing computers – what is meant by the term mini-frame? How is it different from a super computer? What is an AS400? What is meant by the term parallel processing? Can humans do that without thinking about it? Why? And How? Look up at the library IBM computers and write a two page document on their different uses and sizes.
Class 4 M - Read A8 through A12 - Why are Apple’s different from IBM’s? Are they known as being on different platforms? Are all computer keyboards the same? What features do some keyboards allow?
Class 5 W - Memorize the chart on A13 and review it for the mid-term as well. You will be quizzed on the parts of the keyboard on Friday this week. What is the function of the scroll lock key? And What does Ctrl, Alt, Del do when pressed all at the same time?
Class 6 F – What is meant by the term resolution in relation to video monitors? What is a pixel? Is a a 15” monitor really 15 viewable inches? And how does the computer monitor quality affect your readability of documents on it? Can it cause eye strain? IN CLASS QUIZ on keyboards and this quiz can not be taken after Friday. NO MAKE-UPS unless you have a doctor’s signed note.
Class 7 M - Communicating with computers - What is the model of communications? In the model we have the sender, the receiver, the message, the media and feedback. Who sends the message with computers? What is the message or what can it be? What is the media of the message? When you hook up a computer to a telephone modem or direct link what form of communication is taking place? How does a computer receive feedback?
Class 8 W - What is a Microsoft wizard? What does it help you do? Why are simple steps and a graphic user interface preferable to just having a blinking cursor like the old DOS systems had? What does DOS stand for anyway? Read p. a-19 over again.
Class 9 F - What is a Graphic User Interface? What is meant by GUI? Do you always double click icons? What is an icon? Can you switch work between one window and another window? What is a mouse (not the rodent type)? Is it the only way to move the cursor on the screen? What is a trackball?
Class 10 M - What is computer memory? How much does it cost for 64 megs of memory? How much memory do you need to run a word processor? EXCEL spreadsheet? The internet? Why is extra memory needed? Does file size have an effect on the need for memory?
Class 11 W - Do Independent Challenge number 2 on p. A-29 and pass in this Friday questions one through five completed.
Class 12 F - Pass in your neat and completed homework Read B-3 in the text. What is a computer program? How many languages are there? You may have to look that up in the computer section of your library. What in mathematics is a constant? In Pascal or C how do you set it up in the program? What is the difference between the terms algorithm and program ? Please look this information up, it is for your benefit and I will randomly call on you in class so BE PREPARED!
Class 13 M - The mid-term is coming up soon and you need to start reviewing. It will be held on the 18th class on a Friday. There is NO MAKEUP FOR THE MIDTERM. What is a variable in mathematics? How do you signal or communicate to the computer that the actual program is about to begin? See p. B-3. How do you signal to the computer the program is ended?
Class 14 W - What is meant by the term intellectual property? What is the difference between a singld user license and a multi-user license. Why should you be concerned? What is a site license? Read B-3 through B-9 and study the issues.
Class 15 F - What pieces of hardware do you INPUT data into the computer with? What is input? How do you verify that the data is correct? If you put bad data into a good working computer what will happen? Should the data be accurate before entering the computer? How can you guarantee that fact? What should you require before people enter customer information into a computer?
Class 16 M - What is meant by the term network. Pass in one page that gives the dictionary and encyclopedia definitions of networks. What is a server computer? Is it a lot different than a regular PC? What is its function in the network?
Class 17 W - REVIEW DAY before Mid-Term: do not miss this class. We will discuss the type of exam questions and how to take the exam and how to prepare for the 2 essays on the exam. Also read B-10 through B-13. What is an operating system? Why have different operating systems evolved? Is Windows the best operating system out there? Why or why not? What is UNIX? Please look up information and print it out from the web computers in the Crane library.
Class 18 F - What is a device driver? Even if you have the computer connected to the printer will it work without the device driver? What happens if the device driver is corrupted or not working properly? Read B-14 to B-18. What are the major tasks that today’s PCs are used for? How is desktop publishing different from word processing? MID TERM TODAY.
Class 19 M - Read B-16 through B-25 . What is DVD? How is it different from a CD-rom? What is a sound card? Why do you need it? Is wavetable synthesis better than an analog player? Why? Why is a midi file? Is it better than a waveform analysis?
Class 20 – W - Read C-2 through C-6 for this class. What is document preparation software? What is word wrap? Should you hit the return button at the end of a sentence? Why or why not? If you cut a block of text it is known as a block operation. In class we will start to look at Microsoft Word and how it works and what you can do with it.
Class 21 – F - Read C6 through C11 and learn about automating document production and how to use mail merge. Read page c10 a couple of times on this. How does an automated mailing list help you?
Class 22 – M - What is a spreadsheet? What sort of information can you put into it? Read c-12 to c-17
Class 23 – W – continue spreadsheets
Class 24 – F - continue spreadsheets with making some in class.
Class 25 - M - What are some important fields to have in a database program? Some programs have databases already written into them others allow you to make the database. What does Access allow you to do? Does it use wizards? Does it have pre-formed databases?
Class 26 – W- Do C-28 answer all questions on that page and pass in for a quiz grade on it. How can you import and export data from a database. We will look at Access in class.
Class 27 – F – What is communications software and re-read p. 25. How have computers improved databases and what can they do today that they could not do in the past? Do the Database lab on p. C-31.
Class 28 – M - What is an executable file? What is .exe and .com ? And which files are most likely to get infected with a computer virus? What is command.com and why is it so important to the running of the computer system? Memorize the different types of files on p. D-3 for a quiz on Friday.
Class 29 – W - Read from D-1 to D - 9 and explain what a data tree structure is. It is found on all windows systems? Why is it important to understand this particular structure?
Class 30 - F - What is a data cluster on a computer disk? Why is defragmenting a disk important? When your computer is running slow is it because you don’t have a Pentium III 900 Mhz? Or is it something else? Read p. d-9 to d-15.
Class 31 – M - What is a zip disk? Why can it handle so much information? Is it as good as a hard drive? What is meant by access time? Is a zip disk to be used to run programs from? Why or why not?
Class 32 – W - Read d-15 through d-25 . What is a disc drive? What is a CD drive? What is the latest technology? Can you write on a CD disk? What is meant by RW? And DVD: is it truly faster? How do you write to a DVD drive? I want you to look up crystal technology in the library and see how it affects CD and DVD drives.
Class 33 – F – Quiz on all sections from B to D. Do Questions 1 thru 20 on pages D-28 to d-29. Re-read D-24 on using files in the computer.
Class 34 – M - What is the motherboard of the computer? What is an expansion slot? Are there different types of expansion slots? Why do they vary in size? Does having the fastest CPU guarantee having the fastest computer speeds? Why or why not? What is the data bus? If your computer is 700 Mhz and the data bus is 60 Mhz what is the problem? What will happen if you use a slow hard drive? What really determines the computer’s speed of operation?
Class 35 – W - What is RAM? Do all computers have it? How is it different from ROM? What is an Eprom? Why do some companies like insurance companies and science companies have eproms in some of their computers? Read P. e9 THROUGH E15.
Class 36 – F - What does the CPU do with data? Remember the ENIAC used telephone switchboard cable to connect different circuits for information processing. How does a Pentium III connect its circuits? Read E 14 to E e24. Why does a computer CPU use an instruction pointer? Do you think that your thinking is as sequential as a computer? Or is it more advanced? Computers “think” sequentially. Why? Is this the best approach? When could this be a problem? What is AI?
Class 37 – M - Your case study is due today and today we will have in-class discussion and reporting of your case study findings.
Class 38 – W - The final is in one week from this Friday. Start Preparing! Ask necessary questions in class. Read E 24 to E 27 and answer and pass in 1 through 25 on p. E28 and E29.
Class 39 – F - Read F2 to F13. What is a computer network? A WAN? A Lan? What is a network printer? Can anyone use it? What is a workstation? What is a user account? Do you know what the user id is ? How about the password? Is it 100% secure? Why or Why not? How can you increase network security? Does your account have access to all the other accounts? Why or why not? Should you look at hard drives accessible to the network when you have not been given verbal or written permission? What could happen? Should you load an outside computer program without asking onto the network? Why or why not?
Class 40 – M Pass in answers to questions 1 to 25 on p. F28 and 29. Ask network questions in class. Read G2 to G17 about the internet and we will discuss it on Wednesday’s class.
Class 41 - W - Final REVIEW Day and don’t miss this class or you will not know how the final is set up on Friday.
Class 42 - FINAL EXAM – no makeups unless you have a doctor’s signed note.