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Instructor Information

Robert Arens (
rarens@cs.uiowa.edu)
201N MacLean Hall
Office Hours: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm MWF

Class Information

Lectures: Labs: NOTE: Lab WILL NOT MEET on January 19 (in class instead) or March 2 (cancelled) Syllabus: Section 2, Section 3
Class notes, grades, assignments, announcements: ICON
Course Textbook Webpage: Book link
For lab you can use the Office 2003 link.

Course Description

This course provides a balanced introduction to computer technology and its applications, for the student wishing a rapid overview. Topics include computer literacy; computer system organization; history of computing; the impact of computer technology on society; issues of privacy, ethics, and security; networks and the Internet; artificial intelligence and robotics. The course also provides a variety of useful projects using applications, including communications, word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, graphics, databases, and the World Wide Web. This course is not part of the computer science major or minor curriculum.

Schedule

Computer Literacy Monday Wednesday Friday
Jan 15 - Jan 19 MLK Day Syllabus/Introduction Ch 1. Introduction to Computers
NO LAB - IN CLASS
Hwk 1
Jan 22 - 26 Ch 2. The Internet and WWW Ch 2. The Internet and WWW
Quiz 1
Windows XP
Jan 29 - Feb 2 Ch 3. Application Software
Hwk 1 Due
Ch 3. Application Software
Quiz 2
Hwk 2
Word
Feb 5 - Feb 9 Ch 4. The Components of the System Unit Ch 4. The Components of the System Unit
Quiz 3
Word
Feb 12 - Feb 16 Ch 5. Input
Hwk 2 due
Ch 5. Input
Quiz 4
Hwk 3
Excel
Feb 19 - Feb 23 Ch 6 Output Ch 6 Output
Quiz 5
Excel
Feb 26 - Mar 2 Ch 7 Storage Ch 7 Storage
Quiz 6
No Class
Mar 5 - Mar 9 Ch 8 Operating Systems
Hwk 3 due
Hwk 4
Ch 8 Operating Systems and Utility Programs
Quiz 7
Access
Mar 12 - Mar 16
Spring Break
Mar 19 - Mar 23 Ch 9 Networks Ch 9 Networks
Quiz 8
Access
Mar 26 - Mar 30 Ch 10 Database Management
Hwk 4 Due
Ch 10 Database Management
Quiz 9
Access
Apr 2 - Apr 6 Ch 11 Computer Security
Hwk 5 and 6
Ch 11 Computer Security
Quiz 10
Frontpage
Apr 9 - Apr 13 Ch 13 Programming Languages Ch 13 Programming Languages
Quiz 11
Powerpoint
Apr 16 - Apr 20 Ch 12 Information System Development
Hwk 5 Due
Ch 14 Enterprise Computing
Quiz 12 (On Chapter 13)
Powerpoint
Apr 23 - Apr 27 Ch 15 Computer Careers and Certifications
Hwk 6 Due
Artificial Intelligence/Robotics
Hwk 6 Presentations
Outlook
Apr 30 - May 4 Peer-to-Peer Networks
Hwk 6 Presentations
Hwk 6 Presentations Exam Review
Finals Week
FINAL EXAM Thursday, May 10, 12:00 PM