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ECS 15AT INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (4) I

Cancelled effective Fall 2008

Lecture: None, independent study course

Laboratory: None, independent study course

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Grading: Letter; laboratories exercises(40%); term paper (25%); midterm (15%), final (20%)

Catalog Description:
Computer uses in modern society. Includes word processing, spreadsheet, DOS, networks and programming concepts. Independent study course paralleling course 15 lectures. Not open to students who have completed course 15, 30, or Engineering 5. 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. Concurrent 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: Mainframes to Microcomputers
10. Computer Effects on Society
11. Ethical Issues Affecting Computer Users

Textbooks:
R.T. Grauer and M. Barber, Exploring Microsoft Office 2003, Vol. 1, Enhanced edition, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006

Computer Usage:
The course will make extensive use of computers. Computer classrooms will be scheduled for a fixed number of hours during which students will get priority on their use; home computers will also be provided with software to enable students to complete the laboratory exercises. The RTA software will also be provided for classroom and home computers.

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 prospectus, progress report, final paper and revisions of the final paper.

Examinations:
There will be one midterm and one final. Students will schedule their exams with the instructor before the scheduled deadlines.

ABET Category Content:
Engineering Science: 0 unit
Engineering Design: 0 unit

Goals:
To prepare non-computer science majors to make effective use 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