About the Course

Computer Science 101 is a 4-credit general education course designed to teach data analysis and problem solving skills using Microsoft Office 2007.

 

CS101 covers the four core Microsoft Office 2007 applications: Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.  We primarily focus on Excel and Access, spending roughly five weeks of the semester on each.  After taking the course, you'll not only be an Office power user, you'll also be able to review and analyze all kinds of data.  This is a great skill set to have for the rest of your educational career and your job once you graduate.

 

The Excel spreadsheet is the workhorse of Microsoft Office.  With it, you'll be able to quickly drill-down and find patterns in your data.  Items covered include:

• Basics of creating and designing spreadsheets
  
• Using formulas and functions to find the numbers and data you need
• Creating data tables to organize your figures
• Statistical tools to look for patterns and trends
  
• Charting tools to present your data
• Trendlines and regression analysis to make projections about the future
• PivotTables and PivotCharts to summarize your information
  
• Utilizing Goal Seek to find the figures to make your numbers work
• Conducting what-if scenarios to test out different theories

Microsoft Access 2007

Need to organize large amounts of data?  Access is your tool for the job.  Subjects covered include:

• Designing and building databases to store your information
• Building queries to get the data you need
• Creating forms and reports to present your data
  

Everyone knows Word, right?  Not quite.  In CS101, learn features like how to:

• Use Works Cited to keep track and generate all of your references
• Specify notes using endnotes and footnotes
• Include figures and captions to share pictures and charts
• Share equations
• Easily format your documents with Styles and Formatting

Microsoft PowerPoint 2007

For years, PowerPoint has been the program to use when you need to present data to others.  We'll show you the basics in PowerPoint plus the stuff you really need to know:

• How to apply design templates
• Appropriately use animations and slide transitions to emphasize key points
• Design effective presentations

Taking the Course

During the Spring 2009 semester, we will be offering 28 on-campus sections of CS101.  Each section meets twice a week (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) for 50 minutes.  A full schedule of our section offerings is available here.  To sign up for an on-campus section, register through STAR or talk with your advisor.

 

We also offer an online-only version of the course through Extended Learning.  This version of the course has the same content and assignments as the on-campus sections, but is conducted all online.  To register for this section, contact your advisor or Extended Learning.

 

Some degree programs, such as those in the College of Business and Economics, require that their students complete CS101.  To see if your program requires CS101, ask your advisor or view the WVU Course Catalog.

 

Many students can also benefit from taking CS101 for their General Education Curriculum requirements.  CS101 is listed under GEC Objectives 2c and 4.  Admissions & Records has details on the GEC program and what it entails.

 

The material in CS101 can be challenging at times, but there are plenty of resources (your instructor, Open Lab, the MyITLab software and book) available to help.  As long as you're willing to put a reasonable amount of effort in the course you should have no problem doing well.  During the Spring 2008 semester, 51.5% of our students received an A in the course.

 

In a 2007 survey of CS101 students, a majority said they spend less than 2 hours per week on CS101 assignments.  Considering that CS101 is a four credit course, this is a pretty low workload.  Also keep in mind that we only meet twice a week for 50 minutes, so you'll have plenty of time freed up that you'd be spending in lecture with other courses.