I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Computer Fundamentals
2. Course Prefix & Number:
COMP 1101
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
4. Course Description:
This is a beginning course for students who want to understand the basics of computer hardware, the operating system, office applications and the internet, and how they integrate together in the computer world. Topics and skills will include using and changing the Windows desktop, downloading software from the internet, the file hierarchy and saving files, using the basic functions of word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software to create and format documents, understanding the basics of a network for the office and across the internet, the use of email clients to send messages, how to attach documents and organize tasks, connecting to and using the internet, searching the web effectively, working with sounds and picture files, and understanding privacy issues and how to prevent identity theft when using computers and the internet.
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
COMP 1101 - Computer Fundamentals
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
COMP 1101 - Computer Fundamentals
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
Alexandria Technical and Community College, ITEC 1430 Introduction to Computers, 3 credits
St. Cloud Technical and Community College, CPTR1210 - Introduction to Computers, 3 credits
3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:
- Advanced Standing
- CLEP
- Written
- Oral
- Demonstration
- Portfolio
III. Course Purpose
1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
- Heavy Equipment, Diploma
- Marine and Small Engines, AAS and Diploma
3. Other - If this course does NOT meet criteria for #1 or #2 above, it may be used for the purpose(s) selected below:
Non-Transferrable General Education Course
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
Use a current release of Microsoft client operating systems as an end user and configure basic user components. |
| Utilize appropriate technology |
Use a word processor, a spreadsheet, a presentation software and a database system; navigate and search the Internet. |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
- Understand the basic hardware (input, output, and storage) components and software (operating and application) used in the Windows and Internet environment;
- Apply efficient use of computer system and operating and application software;
- Apply the ability to organize files by creating folders and managing (copy, move, rename, and delete) files;
- Understand computer security and safety, ethics, and privacy concerns related to technology;
- Understand how to access the Internet for relevant information;
- Apply proper procedures to create documents, worksheets, databases, and presentations suitable for coursework, personal, and professional purposes;
- Apply word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to solve business problems;
- Apply email software for professional, effective communication;
- Apply the ability to create, design, and maintain databases by creating tables, queries, reports, and forms while following professional design standards;
- Apply the ability to create, format, analyze, save, and print spreadsheets while following professional design standards;
- Apply the ability to create, format, save, and print word processing documents while following professional design standards; and
- Apply the ability to create, format, save, and print presentations while following professional design standards
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
- Start and Use the Windows Operating System
- What is Windows
- Editions
- The Windows desktop
- The Windows Start Screen
- Launcing a program
- Working with Apps
- Using Windows help and support
- Logging on and off the computer
- Work With and Configure the Windows Desktop
- Creating a document in WordPad
- Saving documents
- Creating a document in the documents library
- Working with the documents library
- Creating folder shortcuts
- Opening and modifying a document within a folder
- Copying a folder to a USB flash drive
- The recycle bin
- Destop gadgets
- File and Folder Management
- The computer folder window
- The pictures library
- The music library
- Backing up files and folders
- Personal Information Management and Communication
- Electronic mail
- Composing a new e-mail message
- Formatting an e-mail message
- Calendar
- Windows Live contacts
- Internet newsgroups
- Using Internet Explorer to subscribe to RSS feeds and web slices
- Other communication methods
- Cloud computing
- Personalizing the Windows work environment
- Personalizing the desktop
- Personalizing the Start Screen
- Customizing the taskbar
- Working with toolbars on the taskbar
- Customizing the notification area
- Customizing the start menu
- Changing folder options
- Customizing the computer using the control panel
- System and security
- Hardware and sound
- Programs
- User accounts and family safety
- Clock, language and region
- Ease of access center
- Creating, formatting, and editing a Word document with pictures
- Entering text
- Formatting paragraphs and characters
- Inserting and formatting pictures
- Page enhancements
- Correcting errors and revising a document
- Changing document properties
- Printing documents
- Creating and editing a PowerPoint presentation with clip art
- Document themes
- Creating a title slide
- Formatting characters in a presentation
- Adding new slides
- Creating text slides with multi-level bulleted lists
- Changing slide layouts
- PowerPoint views
- Inserting clip art and pictures
- Closing slides
- Changing slide text content
- Transitions
- Properties
- Viewing presentations
- Printing presentations and notes
- Create, format and edit an Excel worksheet and an embedded chart
- Cells and selection
- Labels, values, and formulas
- Using the fill handle
- Formatting the worksheet
- Using the name box
- Adding a chart to a worksheets
- Worksheet naming structure
- Properties
- Previewing and printing
- Autocalculate functions
- Error correction
- Create an Access database with tables, forms and reports
- Designing a database
- Creating a database
- Working with the Access window
- Creating a table
- Previewing and printing tables
- Multiple table relationships
- Importing data from other applications
- Database objects
- Database properties
- Database operations