CIS/CMSC 182A
Science Applications Laboratory
Syllabus - Spring Semester 2008
TEXT:
Grauer, R.T. and Barber, M., Exploring
Microsoft Office 2003, Volume 1, Second Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall (2006),
ISBN 0-13-221070-3
CLASS MEETINGS:
Friday, 8:00-9:50 am, Birck-236
DESCRIPTION:
A laboratory experience for all students
interested in analyzing, processing, graphing, displaying, and presenting scientific
data through the use of spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) and presentation software
(Microsoft PowerPoint). Also an introduction to some discipline specific software.
Credit or co-registration in CIS/CMSC 180 is required.
CORE GOALS:
This course is intended to further
core goals 1, 2, and 5:
- Demonstrate an effective level
of cognitive, communicative and research skills
- Achieve a college level of computational
skills and an ability to understand and interpret numerical data
- Apply liberal learning in problem
solving contexts as preparation for active participation in society
GOALS:
After successfully completing this
course, students will:
- Evidence an understanding of computer
hardware, computer software, and the application of computers for problem
solving
- Evidence proficiency in the use
of software tools, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint, for
analysis of scientific data
IDEA OBJECTIVES:
Near the end of the term, students will
be asked to evaluate this course using the IDEA survey tool. The survey is designed
to measure achievement of the following objectives
- Learning to apply course material
(to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions)
- Acquiring an interest in learning
more by asking questions and seeking answers
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Weekly laboratory assignments, two exams.
GRADING:
| Laboratory assignments |
50%
|
| Mid-term exam |
25%
|
| Final exam |
25%
|
|
A
|
90-100
|
|
B
|
80-90
|
|
C
|
70-80
|
|
D
|
60-70
|
|
F
|
0-60
|
Note: It
is the responsibility of any student who is unsure of the grading scale to ask
the instructor for clarification.
TEST SCHEDULE:
| |
Mid-term
exam - Friday, 7 March |
|
Final
exam - Wednesday, 7 May |
The mid-term exam will be in class, starting at the beginning of the class period.
The final exam will be a "take-home" test, distributed in advance and
due at the time scheduled by the Registrar as announced in the course schedule
booklet and noted above. There will be no make up exams, except in documented
emergencies. Missed exams will result in a grade of zero. You are expected
to contact the instructor as soon as possible in case of an emergency, so that
alternate arrangements can be made. Do not wait until the next scheduled class
session.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
|
Week
|
Date
|
Topic
|
|
1
|
1/18
|
Grauer and Barber:
Getting Started with Microsoft Windows XP |
|
2
|
1/25
|
Grauer and Barber:
Introduction to Excel |
|
3
|
2/1
|
Grauer and Barber:
Gaining Proficiency with Excel |
|
4
|
2/8
|
Grauer and Barber:
Graphs and Charts |
|
5
|
2/15
|
Work day |
|
6
|
2/22
|
Grauer and Barber:
Introduction to PowerPoint |
|
7
|
2/29
|
Grauer and Barber:
Gaining Proficiency with PowerPoint |
|
8
|
3/7
|
Mid-term exam |
|
|
3/14
|
Spring Break,
no class |
|
9
|
3/21
|
Good Friday Holiday,
no class |
|
10
|
3/28
|
Least squares fits |
|
11
|
4/4
|
Fitting non-linear
data |
|
12
|
4/11
|
Stepwise multiple
regression analysis |
|
13
|
4/18
|
Statistical analysis
using Excel |
|
14
|
4/25
|
Statistical analysis
using SPSS |
|
15
|
5/2
|
Science applications |
|
16
|
5/7
|
Final exam due |
TECHNOLOGY:
This course will require students
to use technology in at least the following ways:
- Access course materials from the
Blackboard course management system.
- Use word processing for assignments.
- Send and receive e-mail as necessary
for course communication.
- Use spreadsheet, presentation,
and data analysis software to analyze scientific data and present results.
COMPUTER SYSTEMS:
This course uses the Blackboard course
management system to facilitate distribution of various course materials. Access
the Blackboard course site using a standard Web browser at webctce6.ben.edu:8080.
Students may use personal PCs from campus residence halls or off-campus locations
and student computer laboratory PCs located in Scholl 218, in Kindlon 228, in
the University Library, in Krasa, and in many open areas throughout campus.
This course also uses Microsoft Windows
XP, Excel, and PowerPoint along with more specialized software available in
the campus computer laboratories and classrooms.
Access to the university computer
network and to the university e-mail system is gained through the use of Login
IDs. Each person's Login ID is unique and access is controlled by a password
of your choosing. Go to www.ben.edu/it/support.asp
for instructions on obtaining your login IDs and e-mail address and to download
a personal copy of the Technology Information Packet for Students (T.I.P.S.)
document.
E-mail is excellent way to interact
with me about any class-related information, as long as you check it frequently
for responses. My e-mail address is rmeeker@ben.edu.
CLASS ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend each
class meeting as class participation is an essential ingredient for success in
the course. Students are responsible
for all material covered in class, even when absent.
LATE
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments are due on the date announced
at the time assignments are made. Late assignments will be penalized 20% of
the point value for the assignment for each calendar day by which the assignment
is overdue.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
The search for truth and the dissemination
of knowledge are the central missions of a university. Benedictine University
pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman Catholic tradition
and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of
all members of the University community, including students, faculty members,
administration, and staff. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication,
forgery, falsification, destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation,
are violations of these expectations and constitute unacceptable behavior in the
University community. The penalties for such actions can range from a private
verbal warning, all the way to expulsion from the University. The University's
Academic Honesty Policy is available at www.ben.edu/ahp
and students are expected to read it.
Academic honesty and integrity will
be upheld in this course. Plagiarism or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
My responsibility is to ensure that the academic work in this course is challenging,
relevant, useful, fair and unambiguous. Your responsibility is to perform this
work to the best of your ability. Collaboration is allowed and encouraged only
on homework assignments, as discussion among peers is a useful tool for understanding
the concepts. The bottom line is that I expect that all material submitted for
grading represents the efforts of the student(s) submitting the work. I will follow
up on any suspected incidents of academic dishonesty. If academic dishonesty
is found to exist, the first offense will result in zero credit for the exam or
assignment. The second offense will result in an F grade for the course.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
The instructor’s goal is to create and maintain a classroom environment
that is conducive to learning. You must do your part to help accomplish this
goal by adhering to certain appropriate behaviors. These include: arriving to
class on time, being prepared for class, being present for the entire class
period, turning off cell phones, and using other electronic devices only when
appropriate.
OTHER INFORMATION:
If you have a documented learning, psychological,
or physical disability, you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations
or services. To request accommodations or services, please contact Tina Sonderby
in the Academic Resource Center, 249 Kindlon Hall, 630-829-6512. All students
are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The University will not
waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
ACADEMIC ACCOMODATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS
OBLIGATIONS (AAFRO):
A student whose religious obligation
conflicts with a course requirement may request an academic accommodation from
the instructor. Students must make such requests in writing by the end of the
first week of the class.
VARIOUS BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
- The last day to withdraw from
courses without penalty this semester is Sunday, 13
April.
- Students who are not enrolled
in this class cannot attend the class and cannot receive credit for the course.
- Students cannot submit additional
work after grades have been submitted to alter their grade.
- Students on academic probation
are not eligible for a grade of Incomplete.
RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENT:
If you are unsure of anything specified
in this syllabus, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor for clarification.
OFFICE HOURS:
Scholl Hall 156 except as noted
| Monday
|
2 -
4 pm (in Scholl-215) |
| Tuesday
|
5 - 6:15 pm (8 January
- 18 March) |
Wednesday
|
3 - 4 pm |
| Thursday
|
11
am - 12 noon |
| Friday
|
10 - 11 am |
|
|
Other times are available by
appointment. Contact me at 630-829-6561. Please leave a voice mail message
and phone number where you can be reached.
|
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These pages were last updated
on
3 December, 2007
by R. Meeker.