last update: 16 August 2002

ITC 135 Computers and Planning 3 cr.

This course presents a basic understanding of the use of computer application packages in planning. The course is intended for all students who want to get an idea of the help that computers can give in planning for many different disciplines. Examples will be used that will be of interest to Business, Education, Criminal Justice, Nursing, Computer Science and many other majors. Credit for this course may not be applied to the Computer and Information Studies major. Three lecture hours per week plus laboratory work outside of class.
Prerequisite: Fulfillment of the Computer Competency-Based Skills Requirement.

Goals:
  • To present a general introduction to the use of the computer as a planning tool.
  • To introduce a sufficient variety of tools to make the student comfortable with learning new tools having different interfaces.
  • Through the use of spreadsheets for some of the planning, to impart a problem solving capability in customizing simple plans.

Topics:
  • Planning as a general activity
  • Budgets
  • Project planning and tracking
  • Maintenance scheduling
  • Financial planning
  • Capabilities and limitations of a computer in planning

Case Studies and/or Laboratory Exercises:
  • Family budget with complex changes such as a home purchase (spreadsheet)
  • Business budget (spreadsheet)
  • Building project plan (Project Scheduler)
  • Maintenance of a system (hospital, police department, factory, etc.) (Maximo)
  • Investing for children's education (Quicken, spreadsheet)
  • Scheduling classes, operating rooms, etc.

Attention will be paid to generalizing the examples and to understanding the users' contribution and the computer's contribution to producing a solid plan. There will be 4 to 6 planning assignments using application programs on the Computer Science Department's Packet LAN. There will also be periodic written homework assignments.


Bibliography:
  • McLeod & Smith.   Managing Information Technology Projects.   (Boyd & Fraser, 1996)
  • Young, Lawrence F.   Decision Support and Idea Processing Systems.   (Wm. C. Brown, 1989)
  • Amoroso, Donald.   Decision Making Using Lotus 1-2-3.   (McGraw-Hill, 1993)
  • Logical Operations.   Introduction to Microsoft Project.   (Logical Operations, 1994)
  • Logical Operations.   Advanced Microsoft Project.   (Logical Operations, 1994)


Salem State Home • Computer Science Home • Faculty • Computer Studies Major • Flow Sheet
Computer Studies Minor • Courses • Course Sequence Diagram • Computer Laboratories