Year No. Offer Mode Description Cred. Pts 01 66001 S3 X INTRODUCTORY COMPUTING 1.00
The development and use of computers and related technologies continues to grow at a rapid pace. There are few areas of society and/or academic study where the impact of computer technology is not readily apparent. In view of this extensive growth in the use of computers, it is necessary for students to gain some basic understanding of computer use across a range of applications in both the educational and broader social context. Students require a sound base of knowledge in order to realise the potential of computers as a general support tool and to apply computers effectively to their university studies and future careers.
The unit provides students with skill and experience in using computers and the Internet. In particular, students will learn about computers and will gain experience in word processing, spreadsheets and databases to benefit both their study and their careers. Students will be expected to produce high quality integrated documents. In addition, students will learn about networking and make use of the Internet. Issues involving awareness of how computers impact upon society, such as ethics and privacy, will also be covered.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able
to:
Description Weighting(%)
- Introduction: Using the computer as a tool 5.00
- Overview of Computer Systems 5.00
- Basics of Word Processing 10.00
- Spreadsheets 20.00 Basic spreadsheet theory, applied problem solving using spreadsheet software.
- Data Base 15.00 Principles of database design, basic database theory and application.
- Communications 20.00 Basic theory of communications understanding digital services, issues of ethics, privacy and security and the use of the internet. AND EITHER TOPICS 7 AND 8 OR TOPICS 9 AND 10, AS SPECIFIED FOR THE STUDENT'S COURSE OF STUDY.
- Graphics 10.00 Basic theory of graphics, examples of graphical applications, introduction to graphics.
- Advanced word processing, use of import features in an 15.00 integrated environment, introduction of the basics of desktop publishing. OR
- Further Spreadsheets 15.00 Use of spreadsheets to record and manipulate experimental data.
- Scientific use of Spreadsheets 10.00 Use of spreadsheets to illustrate ways in which computers can be used to solve scientific problems
Microsoft Office 2000 Professional includes the database product,
Microsoft Access which will be required for this course. This product
is not available on the Macintosh platform. Microsoft Office for the
Macintosh does not include Microsoft Access.
Students choosing to use Microsoft Office 2000 Professional will also
need to purchase the book: Grauer, Robert T. and Barber, Maryann, 1999
Exploring Microsoft Office 2000 Professional, Volume 1, Prentice
Hall
Students choosing Apple Works (or Claris Works) will need to purchase
the book: Passmore and Butler Introducing Apple Works for the
Macintosh from the USQ Bookshop.
All students should also obtain a diskette which accompanies both
books. The contents of this diskette can also be obtained from the web
site for this unit by students with internet access. External students
will receive the diskette with their study package.
ACTIVITY HOURS Directed Study 56 Private Study 110 Examinations 2
No *F/S Marks Due Description Wtg(%) LBL WWW 1 S 15.00 07/12/01 ASSESSMENT 1 15.00 Y N 2 S 20.00 11/01/02 ASSESSMENT 2 20.00 Y N 3 S 15.00 25/01/02 ASSESSMENT 3 15.00 Y N 4 S 30.00 END S3 PART A&C or D(M/CHOICE) CLSD 1.5HR EXAM 30.00 N N 5 S 20.00 END S3 PT B OF ABOVE 1.5 HR CLOSED EXAM 20.00 N N
1 It is the students' responsibility to actively participate in all
classes scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to
them or required to be accessed by them to maximize their chance
of meeting the objectives of the unit and to be informed of unit-
related activities and administration.
2 Students will require constant access to an appropriate computer
either via the student's own arrangements or a USQ centre.
3 To be certain of obtaining a passing grade in the unit, a student
must:
3.1 submit all three assignments; and
3.2 obtain a satisfactory mark (at least 50% of the marks available)
for the total of the three assignments; and
3.3 obtain a satisfactory result (at least 50% of the marks available
in all sections of the exam) in the examination.
4 Final grades for students will be determined by the addition of
the marks obtained in each assessment item, weighted as in the
Assessment Details and by considering the students' level of
achievement of the objectives of the unit.
5 The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student
must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the
student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by
the Examiner. In accordance with University's Policy on
Assignments (Regulation 5.6.1), the Examiner of a unit may grant
an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating
circumstances. This policy may be found in the USQ Handbook, the
Distance Education Student Guide and the Faculty of Sciences'
Orientation Handbook for new on-campus students. All students
are advised to study and follow the guidelines associated with
this policy. Assignments submitted after the Due Date will be
penalised 1/2 mark for each day late unless the student can
convince the examiner that such a penalty is not warranted.
Assignments submitted more than two weeks late will not be
accepted.
6 Students must retain a copy of any assignment submitted. This
must be produced within 48 hours if required by the Examiner.
7 Students will be granted a deferred examination only if they
perform satisfactorily in all other assessment items.
8 Any supplementary or deferred examination for this unit will be
held in conjunction with the examination for the following
semester (Semester 1, 2002).
9 Candidates should be aware that the University has policies and
regulations (Regulation 5.6.2.2) about the use of unfair means
and electronic devices in an examination and they should refer
to them to determine whether or not actions they intend to take
are acceptable to the University.
10 Closed Examination: Candidates are allowed to bring only
writing and drawing instruments into the closed examination.