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CSA 141 Personal Computer Applications (2 credits)

Catalog description:

Survey course for students who have not taken a computer course and wish to become computer literate. Includes description of hardware and operating characteristics of computers, and an introduction to the use of commercial software packages such as word processing, database management, graphics, and spreadsheet programs. Extensive hands-on use of microcomputers. Not open to baccalaureate CSA majors and students with regular business standing. Credit/No Credit.

Prerequisite: None.

Course Objectives:

  • Describe the internal and external hardware organization of a personal computer system.
  • Describe and use the fundamental capabilities of an operating system in a Windows environment.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use the following on a PC-compatible personal computer:
    • a word processor
    • a spreadsheet for basic computations
    • presentation graphics
    • Internet applications
  • Describe the process of selecting the appropriate software for applications in the following:
    • word processing
    • spreadsheet computations
    • presentation graphics
    • Internet applications
  • Demonstrate understanding of basic computer terms and concepts.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use e-mail and the Internet.

Learning Outcomes:

CSA141.1: To provide students with the foundations necessary to use personal productivity software.
CSA141.1.1.    The student can navigate, copy, and move files on the local and network file system.
CSA141.1.2.    The student can effectively use Miami software resources including email, web browsers, Blackboard, Acrobat Reader, wireless connectivity, VPN tools, and virus protection.
CSA141.1.3.    The student can create, edit, format, and print word processing documents including lists, tables, multi-column formatting, mail-merge and graphic images.
CSA141.1.4.    The student can describe the common security threats to local networks and personal computers and understand alternatives to protect against those threats.
CSA141.1.5.    The student can explain the difference among pasting, embedding, and linking content between Office tools.  The student can effectively use all three methods to integrate information between Office tools.

CSA141.2:  To provide students with the skills needed to effectively use spreadsheet software.
CSA141.2.1.    The student can create, edit, format, and print spreadsheet documents including formulas relating cells in the spreadsheet.
CSA141.2.2.    The student can effectively use relative and absolute addressing to efficiently copy formulas in a spreadsheet.
CSA141.2.3.    The student can create, edit, format, and print graphs and charts to represent the data in a spreadsheet.
CSA141.2.4.    The student can use basic spreadsheet functions (e.g. SUM, AVERAGE), financial functions (e.g. PMT), and simple logical functions (e.g. IF) in spreadsheet formulas.

CSA141.3:  To provide students with the skills needed to effectively use presentation software.
CSA141.3.1.    The student can create, edit, format, and show presentation documents including lists, tables, custom shapes, and graphic images.
CSA141.3.2.    The student can effectively use the slide master to create presentation consistency.
CSA141.3.3.    The student can create professional presentations that show evidence of planning both the sequence of content as well as the visual impact, including the use of slide animations and slide transitions.

CSA141.4:  To provide students with the skills needed to effectively use database software.
CSA141.4.1.    The student can explain the relational database concepts field, table, common field, primary key, foreign key, and query.
CSA141.4.2.    The student can define fields, enter or import data, and edit the structure and content of a relational database.
CSA141.4.3.    The student can use simple criteria and combinations of criteria to select, sort, and summarize data from a relational database.

CSA141.5:  To provide students with the skills needed to effectively use personal productivity software in their discipline.
CSA141.5.1.    The student can use personal productivity software to create an effective report, spreadsheet, and presentation appropriate for their discipline of study (science, social science, education, arts, or humanities).
CSA141.5.2.    The student can learn to use additional features, not specifically covered in class, of each software product studied.
CSA141.5.3.    The student can determine and articulate when it is appropriate to use particular features of each software product.


Required topics (approximate weeks allocated):

  • Introduction to computers (.5)
  • Hardware/software (1)
  • Windows (1.5)
    • basics
    • advanced concepts
  • Word-processing [WORD] (3)
    • word-processing environment (creating, editing, formatting, and printing documents--using standard and formatting toolbar buttons and menus
    • tables and additional topics
  • Spreadsheets [EXCEL] (5)
    • spreadsheet environment (creating, editing, formatting, and printing spreadsheets--using standard and formatting toolbar buttons and menus
    • relative and absolute addressing
    • charts, graphs and additional topics
  • Presentation Graphics [POWERPOINT] (1)
  • Sharing data between applications (1)
  • Use of internet and email (1)
  • Exams/Review (1)