Hello

Hello & Welcome

CIS2901C, Case Study

     Thank you for enrolling in CIS29xxC, Case Study. I would like to welcome you to this on-line course. I am looking forward to working with each of you and hope that you will find the course both enjoyable and informative. My name is Dick Grant and I am the instructor for the course. My e-mail address is grantd@scc-fl.edu. Please visit my home page and review the syllabus. This site is not password protected. E-mail me with any questions you have.

     Distance Learning Considerations: To succeed in a Web-based course, you should be motivated, self-directed, and willing to work on your own. This type of course is not for everyone. If you like to interact regularly in person with an instructor and classmates, this is probably not the course for you. If you can solve computer problems on your own without asking for much help, this type of instruction is right down your alley. Good time management skills, self-discipline, and motivation are required to complete this course.

     Course Description: This course is designed to allow the student an opportunity to apply his/her knowledge and understanding of systems analysis and computer programming to an actual business oriented computer application. The student designs and implements a complete system of programs using the skills developed in previous courses. The course syllabus is available from my home page.

To take this course in the on-line format you must have basic computer skills such as using e-mail, navigating the Web, and using the keyboard and mouse. There are no exams in this course. There are assignments due periodically and a final project to completed by the end of the term. These deliverables will be submitted via email or hand delivered to my office.

     To Get Started: When the term starts, I recommend you do the following:

Go to the course site and read through the syllabus and other general course information. Most of your questions will be answered there, so be sure to read carefully!
- The URL for the course site is: http://ecampus.scc-fl.edu
- You will need to have your Angel Login ID and Password ready to log in to Angel. Visit the DL Student Support site for more information on login IDs and passwords. You must create your login and password by visiting the MySCC site. Please complete the online problem form if you have any difficulty logging into Angel or call the DL office at (407) 328-2424.
There is no required textbook. However textbooks the student has used in previous courses, especially the CIS2321 Systems Analysis and Design course, will be helpful.
Once you are officially registered, please "check in" by sending me an e-mail at grantd@scc-fl.edu with the following information: Last Name, First Name, Course Name, Course Number, Section Number, and phone number (day time number preferred). I use this information to contact you should there be problems using the Angel course management system.

     Class Attendance: There are no regularly scheduled class meetings either on campus or online. You can communicate with me and other students via the course bulletin board, email, or phone. You may also stop by my office (J004E Sanford campus). You must login to the class at least once during the first 2 weeks of the term. I will withdraw you from the class if you have not logged in within that time period. I will not reinstate in you under any circumstances.

     Required Materials: As mentioned above, the textbook for CIS2321 Systems Analysis and Design will be helpful in this class. This book is published by Course Technology and is titled Systems Analysis and Design, 6th or 7th Edition. The authors are Gary B. Shelly, Thomas J. Cashman, and Harry J. Rosenblatt. This textbook is available at all SCC bookstores. You may also visit the SCC Bookstore website to order your text. I have also placed a copy of this text on short term loan at the Sanford campus library.

     Angel: Angel is a course management program where much of the course resides. Student tracking, lecture notes, grades, and testing will take place within the Angel environment. You cannot actually enter the course on the site until the term begins. You will need an ID and Password to enter the course. If you have never used Angel you may want to visit this student support site for information on using this tool. This site doesn't require a login ID and password. You may also stop by the DL office (L110, Sanford campus) to pick up a copy of appropriate training material.

Visit the DL Student Support site for more information on login IDs and passwords. You must create your Angel login and password by visiting the MySCC site.

Hardware and Software Requirements: You are required to have access to a computer with Internet access. In addition, you may need specialized software depending on your choice of computer system to develop. For example, you will need Microsoft Visual Basic if you decide to develop your system using this language.

The College has open labs available seven days a week at both the Sanford and Oviedo campuses. You may use these facilities if you do not have the necessary hardware and software at home or at work. Check the sign outside the lab for hours of operation.

SCC is a member of the Microsoft Developer's Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA). As a member we make Microsoft's Visual Studio.NET Professional available for download to registered students. This product contains MS Visual C++.NET, Visual Basic.NET, ASP.NET, and C#.NET. The MSDNAA also allows you to download Microsoft Access, Visio and Project. Information on downloading this software is available once you are registered and enter the course.

Java software is available for free from the Java home page.

You will also need to complete regular status reports including Gantt charts. These Gantt charts can be created with a variety of software. Students have had success using SmartDraw from SmartDraw.com to create their Gantt charts. SmartDraw.com provides special pricing for students.

Students occasionally run into hardware or software problems at home or work that impact their ability to complete assignments. These hardware and or software problems are your responsibility. Do not expect extra time to complete assignments. I will work with you as best I can but the solution may be for you to come to the SCC campus and complete your assignments on PCs in the open labs.

You should have everything in place the first day of class. This entire course will be conducted on-line. Good luck and again, I very much look forward to working with you in this course.