CS 101 Lab Syllabus and General Information

Lecture, 2 hours/week; laboratory, 2 hours/week.
The lab portion of CS101 is designed to help students become more proficient computer users by learning how to use many different kinds of computer applications. Topics covered in lab include the Windows, Macintosh, and Ubuntu personal computer operating systems, word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, creating web pages, raster graphics, sound editing, video editing, and programming.
Fulfills 3 units/category B3 General Education.
Recommended for all students.
Not applicable to the CS major.

1. Understand the capabilities and limitations of computers and technology and the theoretical foundations of computing that drive future computing and technological advancements.
2. Understand the interconnected and every-changing relationships among the natural, physical, and technological sciences.
3. Critically assess the social and ethical implications of science and technology in relation to their daily life.
4. Improve problem solving and critical thinking skills through application of scientific knowledge using hands-on activities.

Needed Lecture Materials:

• iClicker
• Textbook = Technology In Action, Sixth Edition (you could also use the Fifth Edition as it is very similar to the Sixth Edition. You can also purchase an electronic version of the text book at CourseSmart.com.).

Note: In the SSU bookstore the textbook comes bundled with a coupon for a discounted iClicker and a booklet containing the MyITLab access code needed for lab as shown below:

If you can locate your own copy of the textbook you can purchase the iClicker needed for lecture and the MyITLab access code needed for lab each separately at the SSU bookstore. You can also purchase the MyITLab access code (try using the coupon code EU-23AA-PEUF) at the at the following website. (If you purchase the code from this website you will not receive a booklet, instead it will have you create a user name and password. Make sure you bring this user name and password to your third lab meeting to complete the registration process. You will not be able to enroll in a MyITLab course until your instructor gives you a course code during your third lab meeting.)

Needed Lab Materials:

• Paper for Laser Printing
• MyITLab Access Code

Each student needs an MyITLab access code for lab class. In the SSU bookstore the textbook comes bundled with a coupon for a discounted iClicker and a booklet containing the MyITLab access code needed for lab as shown below:

Lab Attendance 4% = Attendance in lab is mandatory and counts 4% toward your overall CS101 grade. Attendance will be taken during each lab. You get two excused absences that will not count against your grade. However, you must still complete any missed lab assignments by their due date to earn the missed assignment grade. Each absence after two will be counted as an unexcused absence. Each unexcused absence will lower your attendance grade two full percentage points up to a maximum of 4%. If you miss more than 4 labs you can be dropped from CS101. If you cannot regularly attended the lab section for which you are enrolled you must drop CS 101 since attendance is mandatory.

Lab Quizzes Information:

Training in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office 2007 will be explained and assigned in lab using MyITLab.
Most MyITLab training will need to be completed outside of lab. To work on MyITLab training outside of class you will need a computer that runs Internet Explorer 6 or 7 using any version of Windows XP or Windows Vista. If you do not have a Windows computer you can use the many SSU library or SSU lab computers to access the MyITLab web site at http://www.myitlab.com
Quizzes based on the assigned training will be administered only in lab using MyITLab. Any quiz not taken in Darwin 24 or 25 will be scored as a zero.
If you miss a MyITLab quiz you must makeup the quiz either prior to, or during, the next next time your lab section meets to take the next MyITLab quiz. You can attend open labs, or other lab sections taught by your instructor, to makeup quizzes (see Lab Schedule). If you wait to makeup a quiz(zes) until your lab sections next quiz session you must complete both the quiz(zes) you missed and any new quizzes.
The roughly 11 MyITLab quiz scores carry twice the weight towards your overall grade as lab projects.

Lab Projects Information:

Lab projects are when you create something on the computer to be turned in for grading.
Lab projects are assigned and completed in Darwin 24.
Lab projects are designed so that you should be able to complete the project within one lab period. You are expected to complete the project during the lab period it is assigned. To leave a lab project session early you will need to complete the following: complete your project, save your project to a portable storage device, submit your project to the appropriate folder on the server, remove project from the hard drive, empty the Trash, shut down your computer, and turn in any printouts. If you leave a lab project session early and have not finished the assignment your lab instructor in under no obligation to accept your assignment when complete, or may deduct points from your assignment. If you work on a lab project for a entire period, and did not finish the project, you earn a two week extension. If you do need to work on the lab project during the two week extension you need to return to the Darwin 24 lab to complete your assignment. You can work on your lab project during other labs periods or during open lab (see Lab Schedule).
Lab projects are due at the beginning of your next lab project lab class.
Late lab projects will not be accepted.
The roughly 4 lab projects scores carry half as much weight towards your grade as MyITLab quizzes.

You are expected to arrive on time and participate in lab. The instructor will usually start lab by going over any assignments that has been graded and will be returned later in lab. This is followed by a short presentation and/or explanation of the assignment to be worked on that day. After the presentation you are expected to work on your assignment in lab.

The lab environment is more informal than lecture, but it is a work environment nonetheless. No emailing, game playing, web surfing, CD players or work on other courses is allowed during scheduled lab sessions. Make sure that you read and understand the posted lab rules (no food or drink please). In general, use common sense and respect the rights of others. When working in the lab it is a good idea to take short breaks to stretch and move around a bit.

You will be encouraged to use other students for advice and support during completion of lab assignments. However, you must independently complete any work you turn in. Any work that is copied from another and turned in as a student's own will result in disciplinary consequences ranging from an F on the assignment to an F for the course and expulsion from the University. There are many ways to tell if an assignment has been copied. Please do your own assignments since the knowledge gained is useful and the consequences of copying can be severe.