• Credit Hours: 3
• Classroom Contact Hours per week: 5hrs 30mins
• Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 1hrr 30mins

Blackboard course access 1st week of class: Students must access the course in Blackboard (Bb) during the 1st week of class and complete the Orientation Exam. If a student does not access the course in Blackboard and does not take the Orientation Exam during the 1st week of class s/he will be classified as "Never Attended" and will be dropped from the class.

Course Description: Utilization of current application software to solve advanced problems and generate customized solutions involving projects and software specific to a specific curricular area. Installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of desktop applications to solve user support issues with those applications. Configuration of the operating system and resolution of issues related to usability and customization to enable those applications. Configuration and troubleshooting of connectivity and issues related to security to enhance usage and support of those applications.

Pre-requisite: ITSC 1309 Integrated Software Applications I, COSC 1301 Introduction to Computing, or instructional program approval.

Course Rationale: This is a required course for the following programs:

• Information Technology – User and Computer Support Specialization – Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Information Technology – User and Computer Support Level 1 – Certificate
• Application Development – Coding and Design Specialization – Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Application Development – Coding and Design Specialization Level 2 – Certificate
• Digital Fluency – Occupational Skills Award

Course Learning Objectives: Students completing this course will be able to:

• CLO1: Identify how to approach problems from a systems perspective and make use of computational thinking skills.
• CLO2: Integrate innovative problem-solving strategies, critical thinking, collaboration, and computer technology to develop solutions to real-world problems.
• CLO3: Apply project management strategies to define goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives for a real-world project scenario.
• CLO4: Creative Thinking: Synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways to develop innovative concepts utilizing digital media.
• CLO5: Oral Communication: Create an oral presentation designed to increase knowledge, foster understanding, or promote change in the listeners' attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors utilizing digital media.
• CLO6: Problem-Solving: Design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to achieve the desired goal utilizing digital media.
• CLO7: Teamwork: Demonstrate the ability to interact and contribute to team tasks utilizing digital media.
• CLO8: Written Communication: Demonstrate the ability to develop and express ideas in writing using digital media.

Module Level Objectives

After completing ITSC 2335, students should be able to:

Module 1: Systems Thinking:

1. Identify how to approach problems from a systems perspective in technical environments.
2. Define the fundamental concepts of system thinking.
3. Apply the DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives) method.
4. Use mapping to visualize system thinking.
5. Develop emotional intelligence with systems thinking.

Module 2: Problem-Solving with AI:

1. Review Artificial Intelligence core concepts related to problem-solving.
2. Describe searching techniques by which Artificial Intelligence systems approach problem solutions including uninformed and informed search.
3. Apply problem-solving strategies to different problem scenarios based on search methodologies within the Artificial Intelligence framework.
4. Explain the impact of Artificial Intelligence on our society.

Module 3: Project Management:

1. Demonstrate the ability to establish project management goals and planning tasks.
   1. Create a plan to solve a real-world problem in collaboration with other students.
   2. Identify customer needs and schedule data requirements.
   3. Describe how to create a project management plan.
   4. Describe how to manage scope, change requests, and risk in a project.
   5. Explain methods for planning and controlling project costs.
   6. Describe effective communication strategies in project management

       2. Describe how to create and develop product specifications.

       3. Describe a product launch in the context of a project management framework.

No textbook is required to be purchased. All learning material used in this course is freely available to students, and links can be found under each learning module on the course’s Blackboard site.

Grade Policy

The final course grade will be assigned based on concepts and practical application. Exams, assignments, and the final project will be a part of the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

Orientation Exam (3%)

1. The orientation Exam is available on the first day of the semester.
2. You may take the orientation exam as many times as necessary until you get 100%.
3. After you get 100%, you will be able to see and start working on the class.

Assignments (50%)

1. All the assignments must be submitted in Blackboard.
2. If the assignment has more than one (1) file, set all of them in one (1) folder with the assignment name and compress the folder (in Windows File Manager | R-click | Send to | Compressed (.zipped) folder), then upload that .zip file to Blackboard.
3. Must be submitted in Blackboard by 11:59 pm of the due date indicated in the course schedule.
4. You will find the Modules section on Blackboard.
5. Note: Assignment links are automatically/programmatically removed from Blackboard at 11:59 pm of the due date.  Therefore, assignments cannot be submitted after the due date.
6. Again, assignments cannot be submitted after the due date since the submission links are automatically/programmatically removed from Blackboard.
7. To receive credit, assignments must completely meet requirements exactly as specified.

Quizzes (27%)

1. Quizzes are electronically administered via Blackboard. Paper versions are not supplied.
2. Links to the Quizzes appear in the Modules section on Blackboard.
3. Quizzes are available and can be taken at any time.
4. Quizzes will have a 20-minute time frame.

Final Project (20%)

1. Create a plan to solve a real-world problem in collaboration with other students.
2. Use all the learning from all the modules in the course.
3. Use all the documentation attached to your LMS (Blackboard).

AI Policy & Responsible Use of AI

Permitted Use

• Assignment Assistance: Students may use AI tools like BoodleBox, and CHatGPT for brainstorming, outlining, studying, and during any assignments when explicitly instructed to do so.
• Research Aid: AI can be used to summarize complex texts, find relevant sources, and generate research questions.
• Learning Support: Students are encouraged to use AI for self-study, clarification of concepts, and practice exercises.
• Collaborative Learning: AI tools may be used in group projects to facilitate idea generation and project planning.

Prohibited Uses

• Submitting AI-generated content as your own without substantial modification or critical input.
• Using AI to complete closed-book exams or quizzes.
• Using AI in ways that violate the university’s academic integrity policy.

Best Practices

• Keep a record of your AI use in your work process and share your work along with final assignment deliverables.
• Use AI as a starting point, not an endpoint, for your assignments.
• Seek clarification from the instructor if unsure about appropriate AI use for a specific task.
• Develop skills in prompt engineering to effectively communicate with AI tools.
• Reflect on the strengths and limitations of AI in your learning process.
• Always verify the content from the AI tools; do not believe that it is always correct.

Consequences

Violation of this policy may result in:

• Reduced grades on assignments.
• Mandatory resubmission of work.
• Referral to the academic integrity committee.
• Additional consequences as outlined in the university’s academic policies.

The responsible use of AI throughout this course is designed to enhance your learning experience and prepare you for a future where AI is increasingly prevalent. By adhering to these guidelines, you will develop valuable skills in leveraging AI tools ethically and effectively, while maintaining the integrity of your academic work.

Systems Thinking:

1. Systems thinking fundamentals (Module 1.1).
2. DSRP method (Module 1.2).
3. Systems practice (Module 1.3).

Problem Solving with AI:

1. AI fundamentals (Module 2.1).
2. AI problem-solving process (Module 2.2).
3. Impact of AI on our society (Module 2.3).
4. AI Effects on You - Ethics and Authenticity (Module 2.4).

Project Management:

1. Proposing and initiating a project management plan (Module 3.1).
2. Defining scope and roles, developing tasks, and monitoring/controlling a project management plan (Module 3.2).
3. Communicating, testing, and implementing a project management plan (Module 3.3).

(*) This syllabus is intended to give the student guidance on what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the professor reserves the right to modify, supplement, and make changes as the course needs to arise.

College Policies & Student Support Services