CSCI 105 - Introduction To Computers

The following, is general information concerning CSCI 105.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the student to the basics of computers. Today, the majority of college and post-secondary students are already familiar with computers, the Internet and the World Wide Wed. Thus, in this course we go beyond click-here-click-there: we teach the student to be confident, in-control users of Information Technology (IT). Students are taught to use IT to solve problems on their own and apply the power of IT to their everyday lives. The goal of this course is to help students become effective users of IT. This goal is accomplished by teaching skills, concepts and capabilities; not technologies.

Topics include: computer components, human-computer interfaces, basic networking, the Internet and the World Wide Web, digital data representation, computer operation, algorithms and programming concepts.

COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES

As stated, the goal of this course is to help students become effective users of IT. Specifically, the goals of this course are to improve competency in communication, reasoned judgment and social & personnel responsibility. To improve competency in communication, this class will use reading and writing assignments to enhance literacy. To improve competency in reasoned judgment, this class will use assignments that apply logic and reasoning to problem solving as well as assignments that encourage a scientific method for understanding and applying. Finally, to improve competency in social & personnel responsibility, teamwork will be used in a laboratory setting to enhance a student’s ability to work effectively with others.

By the conclusion of this course, students will have learned:

1. Skills: proficiency with contemporary computer applications such as email, word processors, Web browsers and Web searches.
2. Concepts: learned the fundamental underpinnings of IT such as how a computer works, the digital representation of information and information authenticity.
3. Capabilities: developed high-level thinking processes such as problem solving, reasoning, complexity management and trouble shooting.

DESIRE 2 LEARN

This course uses Desire 2 Learn (D2L) as a course management tool and as the main course communication tool. Items found on D2L include:

• Class announcements
• Course Syllabus
• A tentative schedule
• Current grades
• Course handouts

Graders: link to student Web pages here

If you have any comments about this page or CSCI 105, drop me an email: knautz at uwp dot edu.

Updated: Sept 2006 by THK.