Faculty Syllabus
COSC-1301 Introduction to Computing
Joshua Rock
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
COSC-1301-017 (15930)
LEC MW 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC2 2220.00
LAB MW 10:20am - 10:45am RRC RRC2 2220.00
Course Requirements
Grade Policy:
Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, and lab projects will be a part of the grade. An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:
| Min | Max | Grade |
| 1440 | 1600 | A |
| 1280 | 1439 | B |
| 1120 | 1279 | C |
| 960 | 1119 | D |
| 0 | 959 | F |
Course Requirements
Each student’s grade for this course consists of non-comprehensive exams on concepts, Lab exams, and chapter homework on Microsoft office 2021 applications.
Each Microsoft Office 2021 Lab is due no later than midnight of the Sunday following the assignment date. Late assignments will be accepted for 24 hours, after assignment date, with a late penalty of 20%. No credit will be given for exercises received after 24 hours from assignment date. Scheduling of computer time outside of regular lab time is the student’s responsibility. Availability of computers is NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment.
| Assignment | Points |
| 1 - Orientation Quiz | 50 |
| 2 - Concept Exams | 400 |
| 4 - LAB Exams | 400 |
| 13 - Chapter Homework Assignments | 650 |
| Participation/Professionalism | 100 |
| Total Possible Points | 1600 |
The concepts exams are based on the lectures for chapters 1-6. The lab exams are SAM based and cover Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access.
There are no makeup EXAMS in this course. If you miss an exam you will receive a grade of ZERO for that exam.
Students are expected to read and study the assigned material, per course schedule, BEFORE each class.
Course Subjects
The information posted on this site addresses the syllabus information required by Texas House Bill 2504. The syllabus handed out in class will contain more information than is noted here. The entire syllabus is posted on the Blackboard site for this course.
|
Wk |
Week Start |
Readings |
Deliverable |
|
1 |
Mon 01/19 |
Lab Orientation/SAM |
Course Orientation Quiz due Sun 01/25 |
|
2 |
Mon 01/26 |
Concepts Module 1 |
Word Module 1 SAM Project due Sun 02/01 |
|
3 |
Mon 02/02 |
Word Module 2 – Formatting a Long Document |
Word Module 2 SAM Project due Sun 02/08 |
|
4 |
Mon 02/09 |
Concepts Module 2 |
Word Module 3 SAM Project due Sun 02/15 |
|
5 |
Mon 02/16 |
PowerPoint Module 1 – Creating a Presentation |
Word Modules 1-3 Sam Capstone Project Exam due Sun 02/22 |
|
6 |
Mon 02/23 |
Concepts Module 3 |
PowerPoint Module 2 Sam Project due Sun 03/01 |
|
7 |
Mon 03/02 |
PowerPoint Module 3 – Inserting Word Art, Charts, & Tables |
PowerPoint Module 3 Sam Project due Sun 03/08 |
|
8 |
Mon 03/09 |
Concepts Module 4 |
Concept Exam 1 due Wed 03/11 |
|
9 |
Mon 03/16 |
SPRING BREAK |
|
|
10 |
Mon 03/23 |
Excel Module 1 – Creating a Workbook |
Excel Module 1 SAM Project due Sun 03/29 |
|
11 |
Mon 03/30 |
Concepts Module 5 |
Excel Module 2 SAM Project due Sun 04/05 |
|
12 |
Mon 04/06 |
Excel Module 3 – Working with Formulas and Functions |
Excel Module 3 SAM Project due Sun 04/12 |
|
13 |
Mon 04/13 |
Concepts Module 6 |
Excel Module 4 SAM Project due Sun 04/19 |
|
14 |
Mon 04/20 |
Access Module 1 – Creating a Database |
Excel Modules 1-4 Sam Capstone Project Exam due Sun 04/26 |
|
15 |
Mon 04/27 |
Access Module 2 – Maintaining and Querying a Database |
Access Module 2 SAM Project due Sun 05/03 |
|
16 |
Mon 05/04 |
Access Module 3 – Creating Forms and Reports |
Access Module 3 SAM Project due Sun 05/10 |
|
17 |
Mon 05/11 |
Topic Survey |
Concept Exam 2 due Wed 05/13 |
Note: The instructor has the prerogative to change the course schedule as required.
Students are expected to read and study the assigned material, per the course schedule, BEFORE each class, this includes the lab assignments!
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
The students will learn to “use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information”. Students will have an “understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and acquire the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available”. After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Define and describe the hardware used in information technology (IT).
2. Define and describe the types of software used in IT.
3. Delineate and discuss societal issues involving the use of IT and networks.
4. Demonstrate the ability to create and use documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases in order to communicate and store information as well as to support problem solving.
5. Use IT to acquire, differentiate and evaluate information and technology.
SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):
Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdffor a complete definition and explanation of SCANS. The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:
|
RESOURCES 1.1 Manages Time |
INTERPERSONAL |
INFORMATION 3.1 Acquires and Evaluates Information 3.2 Organizes and Maintains Information 3.3 Uses Computers to Process Information |
SYSTEMS 4.1 Understands Systems 4.2 Monitors and Corrects Performance |
|
TECHNOLOGY 5.1 Selects Technology 5.2 Applies Technology to Task |
BASIC SKILLS 6.1 Reading 6.5 Listening |
THINKING SKILLS 7.2 Decision Making 7.3 Problem Solving 7.4 Mental Visualization 7.5 Knowing How to Learn 7.6 Reasoning |
PERSONAL SKILLS 8.1 Responsibility 8.2 Self-Esteem 8.3 Sociability 8.4 Self-Management 8.5 Integrity/Honesty |
Office Hours
M W 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Zoom By Appointment
NOTEPublished: 01/20/2026 05:55:52