INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(CIS 1000)
COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2016 Classroom
Instructor: Ronald Minnis
E-Mail: rominnis@irsc.edu

Office Phone: 772-462-7575

Toll-Free: 866-792-IRSC

Course Description:
This course establishes an understanding of the fundamentals required for further study in the
field through a general survey of the methods and techniques of processing data. Emphasis is on
the general purpose computer and its use in business and industry.
This course serves as an introduction to computer terminology, computer equipment, and
fundamental concepts for using PC-based software. Topics covered include computer
hardware and its operation, operating systems and application software, networks and
computer communications, the Internet and the World Wide Web, development of information
systems, programming, and career opportunities. The ways in which computers affect our lives
now and in the future are explored.
Learning Outcome Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Make use of technology to organize, acquire, and convey i n f o r m a t i o n .
Communicate with clarity and precision.
Use and define the vocabulary associated with computer technology.
Identify the components of computer systems and state their function.
Differentiate between the various operating systems and application programs that are
available for personal computers.
6. Understand the relationship between computer hardware and software.
7. Identify computer tools that may be applied to assist the various business a p p l i c a t i o n s .
8. Provide an introduction to computer communications and the Internet.
9. Use the Internet and make the most of the Webs resources.
10. Build a foundation for future course work in Information Technology, Business, and/or
Computer Science.
11. Work with a variety of application software packages at the introductory l e v e l .
12. Understand computers and their ethical, legal, societal implications making the student a
more active and aware participant in society.
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Assessment of Learning Outcomes:

Learning outcomes are determined by measuring the ability of each student to accomplish the
learning objectives of the course as measured against industry standards, job descriptions, and
state curriculum frameworks. The assessment tools used for this course include observation of
mastery of critical skills and performance-based methods, such as completion of exercises and
assigned projects, and written tests consisting of essay, multiple- choice, true/false, and/or fill-inthe-blank questions.
Prerequisites: None
Required Text: Technology in Action Complete, 10th Edition; Allen Evans, Kendall Martin,
and Mary Anne Poatsy; Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2013.
This book may be purchased at the IRSC Campus Bookstore located on the Main Campus in
Fort Pierce or through the River Shop Bookstore http://www.bookstore.irsc.edu.
Required Materials and Equipment: Course materials can be downloaded from
www.pearsonhighered.com/techinaction . The companion Web site from the publisher is an
excellent source for additional content for the class. You can access chapters to review
information such as relevant news articles, interactive study guides, exercises, Web research,
online chapter presentations, video cases, and other student resources.
Equipment: You will need access to a PC equipped with MS Office and capable of
communicating on the Internet. You may use the computers and Microsoft Office 2013 in
any of the IRSC computer labs. Call each of the campuses for computer lab times and
availability.
Recommended Materials: (a-1 GB or higher-USB Flash Drive, for saving test projects)
Attendance & Class Policies: It is imperative that you attend every class session to receive the most
benefit for this course. Attendance is required except for designated lab sessions as scheduled by the
instructor. At the instructors discretion, an absence may be excused with appropriate written
evidence. Be sure to attend your course during the first week of classes.
IRSC courses have a "drop for non-attendance" policy. Failure to attend the course during the first week
of classes may result in your being administratively withdrawn from the course.
This class uses the River Support/Reach-Out system. I will notify your Academic Advisor if you have
struggled with academic concerns, excessive absences, incomplete work, difficulty with the course
content, or other issues affecting your coursework. This warning is not an official grade, yet it indicates
concerns about your progress that need to be addressed immediately.
Since the Reach Out provides essential notices by email, a course requirement is that you check your
River Mail account frequently and respond quickly if you receive an email message regarding a Reach
Out from River Support. If you are contacted from an Advisor regarding a Reach Out, please respond to
those individuals and also visit me during my office hours so we may talk about strategies for how you
can be successful in this class.
No disruptions, disrespectful behavior, or violation of the student code will be tolerated. IRSC and
your instructor are committed to maintaining standards of academic honesty and integrity is a shared
responsibility. All are expected to know and comply with IRSC Academic Integrity Policy which

prohibits dishonesty in any form, including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and
other forms of misconduct.
No food or open drinks are permitted in the classroom. No cell phone or pager use is
allowed in the classroom, testing center, or libraries and should be turned off during lectures and
presentations.

Grading Procedures:

50% - Exercises & Projects

40% - Exams (multiple choice and true/false exams)
10% - Cumulative Final Exam

A Excellent
90% 100%
B - Above average 80% 89%
C - Average
70% 79%

D - Below average 60% - 69%

F - Failure 0% 59%

Withdrawal: Students are encouraged to contact the instructor anytime they are not achieving their
intended level of success prior to taking any other action. Students may withdraw from the course and
receive a grade of W prior to Thursday, March 23, 2016. Students who simply do not attend class and
who do not officially withdraw from the course will receive a failing grade. Withdrawal requires that you
submit an official IRSC form through an Educational Services office on any campus or through online
submission at https://esweb.irsc.edu/Mariner/navigate/student.jsp.
Labs: You are welcome to use the IRSC Computer Labs (in V214 and 3rd floor of library on the Main
Campus, Room J211 in St. Lucie West, Room 19 in Stuart, and Room V114 in Vero Beach) at times as
noted on the lab doors. The employees who supervise the labs are there to provide general guidance in
using lab equipment, but are not expected to be familiar with all software used in each course. See your
instructor during office hours for help on software and other class topics.
Additional Information: The maintenance and security of your textbook, passwords, and storage
media are your responsibility. The loss of these items does not exempt a student from his or her
class/homework responsibilities.
The American workplace has come to greatly value formal credentials. Degrees, certificates and licenses
of all sorts have been widely embraced in many industries as a "ticket to upward mobility", and their
significance will no doubt grow in the future. This course is a requirement of one or more degree or
certificate programs at IRSC. You are strongly encouraged to consider the advantages of completing a
technical certificate and an Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Associate
of Arts (A.A.) degree.
Please note: Access on Indian River State College computer equipment of materials of a sexually or
ethnically derogatory nature is in violation of the college policy on harassment, which assures a positive
learning environment. Violation may result in disciplinary action.
Services available to students with disabilities: Indian River State College strives to provide all
possible forms of assistance to students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are provided
to students with documented disabilities through the IRSC Educational Services Division /Student
Disability Services Office. For more information please call Student Disability Services at (772)4627782.

COURSE SCHEDULE
Hands-on computer assignments, reading, writing assignments and project assignments will be
used as methods of instruction. This course will make use of timely submittal of (required)
projects, assignments, and exams in student grade determinations.
Projects will involve hands-on usage of the computer. All project due dates are posted on Angel and
will be submitted via the assignment section in Angel. No assignments are to be submitted via
email. Late projects will be accepted up to one week after the due date (with a late point deduction
penalty). The last date that work will be accepted this semester for credit (with the exception of the
final) is 4/25/16; no work will be accepted after this date.

The final exam must be completed on Apr. 25th of the semester. Due Dates will be posted on the Angel
Calendar.