TEXTS:

1. Computers - Tools for an Information Age, 5^th Edition, H. L. Capron, Addison Wesley
2. Windows 95 Brief Edition, Select Lab Series, Brent and Thurrott, Addison Wesley
3. Projects for Netscape Communicator 4.0, Select Lab Series, Gillian Hall, Addison Wesley
4. Projects for Microsoft Word 97, Select Lab Series, Toliver & Johnson, Addison Wesley
5. Projects for Microsoft Excel 97, Select Lab Series, Toliver & Johnson, Addison Wesley

EQUIPMENT:

You will need at least three blank diskettes (3 ½ inch double-sided, high density) on which to save your work, backup your work on a regular basis, and on which to submit lab exercises or exams. You will keep your work disk and your backup disk and submit the third disk with your work to me. I am not responsible for any work lost due to your not having backups. All students must have a Rowan computer account A student account will provide you with a folder on a network drive and an email account.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the software and hardware systems found in the current computer environment and to make the student an informed consumer.

Topics include an introduction to hardware components, various types of computers and their peripherals, applications in word processing and spreadsheets, and an introduction to the Internet.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Lab projects will be submitted on a 3½" floppy disk. Each disk must be labeled with your name and the class section. Each assignment must be in a separate folder anmed for the assignment. No disks without a proper label or folders will be accepted. Projects or homework not submitted on time will receive zero as a grade unless you make prior arrangements with me to hand in your work at a later date.

EXAMS/Quizzes:

All exams are to be taken on the specified date. If you need to take the final exam earlier than scheduled you must tell me at least two weeks ahead of time. If you want to know your final grade for the course prior to its being posted, hand in a self-addressed, stamped postcard or envelope when you turn in your final exam or provide me with your home email address requesting your grade on the exam sheet itself.

ATTENDANCE and WITHDRAWAL:

Students are expected to attend all classes. The class participation grade is based on your active contribution in the class and labs. Students must read the assigned material before each class. (Check the syllabus for the assignments.) You may have up to 3 unexcused absences without affecting your participation grade. A late arrivals to class is the same as an absence. Each unexcused absence thereafter will lower your participation grade by one- third-letter grade (e.g. from A to A- for the fourth unexcused absence, A- to B+ for the fifth, etc).

Students can easily withdraw up to the early withdrawal date set by the University. If you are interested in early withdrawal check the date at the office. After that, withdrawals must be approved by the instructor (W), and beyond this date by the instructor (who will specify WP or WF) and the department chair. Therefore, I strongly recommend that students who are considering dropping this course talk with me (if necessary) and make a decision as soon as possible.