IS101.WC1 Introduction to Information Systems
Online Section

Spring 2007

Instructor:  S.M. Week, MBA

IMPORTANT: 
Due dates are found on the WebCT Calendar.
What you should accomplish each week is found on the WebCT Week by Week link.

IS 101 Introduction to Information Systems (3 credits)

Introductions to microcomputers, computers in business and microcomputer software tools including word processors, spreadsheets and database management systems.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is intended to give the student an introduction to computers, computer applications, and technology in contemporary society.  The three main objectives of this course are:

1. To provide students with the knowledge of computer-related concepts.  Topics that will be covered include: computer technology (hardware and software), applications of this technology, its impact on society, careers in computing, local area networks, the Internet, computer security and controls, personal privacy, intellectual property and ethical issues.

2. To provide students with basic skills in using microcomputers to solve problems.  The student will be introduced to the following applications and operating systems: Windows operating systems, email, and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.)

3. To prepare the student with the information and skills needed to be successful in the upper division business core.   To provide the student with the tools and knowledge necessary to increase personal productivity in study and/or work environments.

Materials Required

You will need:
Book: Succeeding With Technology, 2nd Edition,  by Stair and Bauldauf ISBN 1418839280

Software: Sam 2003 Training V3.1, With 'A/T' CD ISBN 1423912578 
From the ASUN bookstore, you can get the book and SAM bundled together with the ISBN of 619228202

You will also need:
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access

A few notes about the materials needed:
* You CAN share the Succeeding with Technology book with other students.
* You DO need your own new SAM CD because each student needs to have his/her own account to do the applications training.
*  If you are in the Reno area and do not have any or all of the Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and/or Access,) you can use the COBA Lab computers in AB301 or AB309 at the University of Nevada.  You will automatically have an account there by signing up for this course.  It is suggested that you check with the Computer Den at the ASUN bookstore at UNR if you wish to buy these programs.  You can buy the Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition of the Microsoft Office Professional suite at a reduced price.  See http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/howtobuy/compare.mspx
http://www.asunbookstore.unr.edu/computerden/Software/software1.htm
for more information on this software suite.

Student Accounts

 

The student will use two computer accounts.

  1. NetID for WebCT 
  2. SAM 

 

SAM Account

Your SAM account is created for you.  You use the number found in your SAM packet to validate the login.  See the SAM Instructions link on WebCT for information on how to log on to SAM.

 

COBA Lab Account

This account is for your optional use.  The COBA Lab is located in AB301 and AB309 in the Ansari Business Building on the University of Nevada Campus.  The COBA Lab has all of the programs you need for this class – including SAM.  Your NetID will be your COBA Lab login.

Student’s Role and Responsibilities

STUDENT’S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Students must take responsibility for their own learning. Students also share with the instructor the responsibility for providing an environment conducive to learning. Students should personally:

  • be actively engaged with the material and with the process of education;
  • build their own knowledge and skills (faculty guide students to materials and methods, but the learning is up to the student);
  • participate in discussions on WebCT;
  • adhere to the dates set forth on the WebCT calendar;
  • be punctual in completing assignments;
  • share responsibility for the flow of communication concerning a course (this involves regularly checking WebCT and responding to email from the instructor;)
  • be familiar with and adhere to matters of academic integrity as identified by the University;
  • participate in objective and constructive evaluations of the instructor and of the course (this helps to clarify problems and strengths that will help the instructor to improve the course in subsequent semesters).

COURSE POLICIES
1. University policy specifies that in cases of academic dishonesty, students may either receive an “F” for the assignment or exam, receive an “F” for the course or be expelled from the University.  Please see the University of Nevada's Academic Standards

2. A one-week time period is allotted for each exam.  If a student is unable to take an exam during the allotted time period; he/she should contact the instructor BEFORE the time period commences.  In conditions of extreme illness or duress; the student should contact the instructor immediately. 

3.  Exams must be set up through Independent Learning at least two weeks before the beginning of the exam's one-week time period.  Use the link on the WebCT main page for contact information.

3. All exams are closed-book, closed-note.  Each student must complete the exam without assistance and adhere to proctoring guidelines set forth by the Independent Learning Office. 

4. If English is not the student’s native language, a word for word translation device may be used during exams with the following stipulations: such device will be approved by the instructor and will be used by an individual student.  Dictionaries are not permitted.

5. Students are expected to complete homework individually.  Each student must create his or her own files and must physically input each command into these files.  The student should note that the instructor is able to verify file integrity.  Students that violate this policy will receive a failing grade for the course for the first incidence of cheating.

6. The Independent Learning Office has mandated that no Incompletes can be given in this course.  Please discuss this issue with the instructor and with Extended Studies in the event of an emergency.

7. Students will show respect to others when posting messages to the course discussion board.  Students will refrain from using language and or graphics that might offend others.

8.  Students will use proper punctuation, and complete words and sentences when emailing the instructor, teaching assistant, other students in the course and when posting to the discussion boards.

9. Students are responsible for assignments and quiz due dates regardless of technical difficulties.  Plan ahead!  

10. Students having class and/or work schedule conflicts with all posted office hours should make appointments with the instructor or well in advance of need. 

12. Assignments are accepted only once.  If you turn in a partially completed assignment, you may not turn in the remaining portion at a later date.

SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS
Based on my own experience as a student and those of my students from previous semesters, I offer these suggestions for success in this class:
· Although many prefer Mozilla and FireFox, use the latest version of Internet Explorer to view the web sites.
· Download the latest version of QuickTime and Adobe Acrobat to view the PDF files and for use with SAM.
· Get very familiar with the WebCT site for this course and check WebCT at least twice a week.
· Read assigned chapter material prior to the viewing the PowerPoint presentations.  (Most are in PDF format.)
-Complete the WebCT quizzes before the due date as they are not accessible after that date and time.
- Schedule exams well in advance.
· Allow time to deal with “technical difficulties”.  Accept that sometimes working with a computer is very frustrating and it’s better to turn it off and come back at a later time rather than continuing to frustrate yourself.  This, of course, requires you to not wait until the last minute to do your assignments and quizzes.
· Keep backup copies of all materials created until after your final grade is posted on ePaws..
· Turn in assignments when they are due even if they aren't complete. Partial credit is better than no credit.
· Actively participate in the WebCT discussion board.  If you know the answer to a classmate's question - answer it!
· Communicate with your instructor at the first sign of trouble.  Waiting until the end of the semester limits the options that are available to you.
· Be honest with yourself about the amount of time you can or will give to this course.  If you are “too busy” to do the assigned work, you cannot be successful in the course. 
· This course is time consuming as you are developing a skill as well and learning vocabulary and concepts.   To learn a skill takes practice.  Practice takes time.
· Read and understand the syllabus and clarify any questions you have with your instructor as early in the semester as possible.
· Trade contact information with others early in the course.
- Use all technology possible to develop study relationships with your peers.  The phone, chat, email, discussion board are excellent conduits to support your success in this course.

A Note on Academic Dishonesty:  Almost every semester the instructor is forced to charge students with academic dishonesty.  The instructor’s policy is to fail the student for the entire class on any one act of dishonesty.  It is the instructor’s opinion that a student that cheats on one assignment has probably done so on others.  UNR policy is that a student may not withdraw from a class in order to avoid receiving an “F” for academic dishonesty.  Even though creating the case and writing the letters necessary to charge a student with dishonesty is distasteful and time-consuming, the instructor will do so.  Please do not take the chance of being charged with dishonesty – it is not worth it!

Course Grading

 

The course is based on 1,000 points:

 

Quizzes (1 @ 20  points, 8 @ 10 points)

100

Discussions (10 @ 10 points each)

100

Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2 & 3

130

Exam 2: Chapters 3, 4 & 6

130

Exam 3: Chapters 5, 7 & Appendix

130

SAM XP (.5 point for each task)

15

SAM Word (1 point for each task)

45

SAM Excel (1 point for each task)

60

SAM PowerPoint (1 point for each task)

40

SAM Access (1 point for each task)

45

Word Assignment

30

Excel Assignment

60

PowerPoint Assignment

35

Access Assignment

70

Personal Background Assignment

10

Total Points

      1,000

 

There are 30 points possible in Extra Credit.  See the Week by Week link in WebCT.

 

Grades will be assigned according to the following table:

 

Student Score

Final Grade

930

to

1,000

   A

900

to

929

   A-

870

to

899

   B+

830

to

869

   B

800

to

829

   B-

770

to

799

   C+

730

to

769

   C

700

to

729

   C-

670

to

699

   D+

630

to

669

   D

600

to

629

   D-

0

to

599

   F

 

Week by Week Page

The Week by Week page breaks down what the student should accomplish each week.  Students may get ahead, but should not get behind.  Due dates are listed on the Calendar page.

Quizzes = 100 points

The student will complete eight 10-point quizzes based on the Succeeding with Technology book.  There is an additional 20-point course orientation quiz.  Quizzes are launched from the Quiz page.  Students may have quizzes reset up to 48 hours before the availability has ended.  Students may view the quiz and exit without submitting in order to view quiz questions before answering.  There is no time limit on quizzes.  It is not possible to take a quiz after its availability has ended.

Discussions = 100 points

The student will post ten 10-point discussion threads on the discussion board.  Instructions for each discussion thread are found on the Course Content page.  Students should post discussion under the correct topic on the Discussion Board link.  Discussions must be posted by the due date/time to get full credit.  Up to three days late is 10% off.  Up to seven days late is 30% off.  After seven days discussion posts are not accepted. Extra Credit Discussion posts are not accepted late.

SAM = 205 points

SAM reviews and enhances students’ knowledge of computer applications.  The student will do SAM training on Windows XP, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.  Students should complete all SAM training in the first few weeks of the course.  A student may do the training up to seven days late.  Up to three days late is 10% off.  Up to seven days late is 30% off.  SAM Training is not accepted after seven calendar days have elapsed. 

Assignments = 205 points

Assignments shall be turned in via WebCT and are found on the Assignments page.  Instructions on how to turn in assignments are found on the Start Here link.  Late assignments are accepted up to one week after the due date.  Up to three days late is 10% off.  Up to seven days late is 20% off.  After seven days assignments are not accepted.

Students may work in the lab or at home to complete homework and assignments.  Microsoft Office XP Professional is the supported software for this course.  Office Professional includes all four of the applications used in this class, e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access.   Students working on earlier versions of Office will find that they may encounter some difficulties.  Microsoft Works does not have the functionality needed to complete assignments for this course.

Please note the difference between the Standard Office package and the Office Professional package.  The Standard Office package does not include Access software.  All software needed for this course is available at the COBA lab.  The student will work on his own to complete all assignments.  That means that students will create their own original files and each keystroke must be input by the student on his own file.   Please see Course Policies for information on Academic dishonesty.

Exams = 390 points

The student will take three proctored exams worth 130-points each during the semester.  See the Course Content or the Calendar page for times when exams may be taken.  The student should make appointments to take exams well before the exam due date.  Reminders are listed in Course Content and on the Calendar.  Students outside of the Reno area may have the exam proctored at an approved location.  Please call Independent Learning for information on this option.  Exams may be taken early with permission from the instructor, but may not be taken after the availability time has ended.

Extra Credit Opportunities = 30 possible points

Some of the discussions have opportunities for extra credit.  Chapter 2, Chapter 11, and Exam 3 discussions all have 10 point opportunities.  Extra credit must be completed by the due date/time for credit.  You cannot turn extra credit in late.  These are the only opportunities for extra credit.

EQUAL ACCESS STATEMENT

The Department of Accounting/IS supports equal access for students with disabilities.  If you are in need of special services due to a disability, please contact the instructor or the Disability Resource Center.  The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides accommodations for students with verified disabilities. When appropriate, reasonable accommodations can include the following: alternative testing, readers, note takers, interpreters, and adaptive equipment. For more information and/or to determine eligibility, please contact Independent Learning or DRC in Thompson Building, room 101.

Disability Resource Center/079 University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 (775) 784-6000

Independent Learning/050 University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 (800) 233-8928, ext. 4652 (775) 784-4652

 NOTE ON CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS & SCHEDULE 

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and the schedule anytime throughout the semester.

Your continued registration in this class after the initial drop date signifies that you have read and understand the syllabus for IS 101 Spring Session 2007 and will abide by the course policies in the syllabus.