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ECS 15 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (4) I,II,III

Lecture: 3 hours

Laboratory: 3 hours

Prerequisite: None

Grading: Letter; based on laboratories (40%), special project (10%), writing assignments (20%), midterm (10%), final (20%)

Catalog Description:
Computer uses in modern society. Emphasis on uses in non-scientific disciplines. Includes word processing, other applications, elementary programming concepts, overview of current/projected computer uses. Intended for L&S and other non-computer science majors. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 15AT, 30, Engineering 5 or former course 30H. Students who have completed ASE 21 may receive only 2 units of credit. GE credit: Science and Engineering, Writing.

Expanded Course Description:

  1. Introduction and Course Overview
  2. Basic Computer Components
    1. Hardware
    2. Software
  3. History of Computers
  4. Computer Operating Systems
    1. Evolution
    2. Current systems: DOS, MAC, UNIX
    3. Futures
  5. Input and Output Concepts
  6. Auxiliary Storage Systems
  7. Networks
    1. Internet Evolution
    2. Network Resources
    3. Network Utilities
  8. Programming Computers
    1. Primitive instructions
    2. Computer programs
    3. Program design
    4. Interactive programming
    5. Developing and testing programs
  9. Computer Evolution: From Mainframes to Microcomputers
  10. Computer Effects on Society
  11. Ethical Issues Affecting Computer Uses

Textbooks:

R.T. Grauer and M. Barber, Exploring Microsoft Office 2003, Prentice Hall, 1997

R.T. Grauer and G. Marx, Essentials of the Internet, Vol. 1, Enchanced edition, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006

Computer Usage:
Classroom Computer Facilities managed by the Computer Center will be used for all Laboratory Sessions in scheduled times.

Laboratory Projects:

  1. Interacting with Personal Computers; E-mail, Network Utilities
  2. Word Processing (2 exercises)
  3. Spreadsheet operation (2 exercises)
  4. Programming (4 exercises)

Writing Assignment:
A term paper on the use of computers in a field of interest to the student. This paper will go through several iterations, including submission of prospetus, progress report, final paper, and revisions of the final paper.

Examinations:
There will be one midterm and one final.

ABET Category Content:

Engineering Science: 0 unit
Engineering Design: 0 unit

Goals:
To prepare non-science majors to take advantage of computers in their respective majors by understanding their uses, limitations, and potential.

Program Outcomes:
This course is for non-majors.

Instructor: The Staff

Prepared by: R.F. Walters (November 1997)

Overlap Statement:
This course does not duplicate any existing course.

4/06