CIS 105

The course is an introduction to computers, computing, information systems and their use. It is designed to make students immediately effective and launch them on the path of lifelong learning in Information Technology. This course will teach three types of knowledge: Skills, Concepts, and Capabilities. Skills refer to proficiency with computer applications and will consist of areas such as: word processing, e-mail, internet tools, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, external database retrieval, statistical software; computer programming; computer hardware capabilities. Concepts refers to the fundamental knowledge underpinning Information Technology and will consist of areas such as human-computer interaction; problem solving and collaborative technologies; social issues (ethics, privacy, security); relationship of data, information, knowledge; information storage and retrieval. Capabilities refers to higher-level thinking processes such as problem solving and reasoning and will consist of programming concepts; linguistic, mathematical and psychological foundations.

The course consists of two parts. One is the lecture, which discusses the material in the textbook, and the second is laboratory sessions using the labs created to go with the textbook and math problems. The course makes extensive use of Blackboard. The lecture section uses Blackboard to present powerpoint slides for the lecture and for grading. The laboratory section uses Blackboard to present the labs and the problems.

The course is also taught in an online format. The lecture, the labs and a discussion element make up this course. It is taught entirely in Blackboard with no face to face meetings.

Link to Blackboard