Computing Short Course Descriptions
These descriptions are arranged in the following order. To jump to a specific category (e.g. Graphics), simply click on that underlined text. To view the entire Short Course Descriptions in order, simply use the scroll bar to move through the document.
- Basic Applications (Macintosh or Windows)
- Web Pages / Graphics
- UNIX
- GIS, Census 2000, Global Position System and Remote Sensing Short Courses
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Macintosh and Windows
Current Schedule of courses.
Introduction
Introduction to Macintosh OSX
This course is an introduction to the Macintosh OSX operating system.
Prerequisites: None.
Introduction to Windows
This course is an introduction to the Windows operating system. Available on a request only basis.
Prerequisites: None.
Word Processing
Beginning MS Word 2003 / 2004
This course is an introduction to the powerful word processing program Word 2003 (PC) / 2004 (Mac). Topics covered include: using the menus and toolbars, creating, editing, saving and opening documents. This course will also cover formatting the page settings such as margins spacing, page numbers and paper size. Text selection techniques used with the cut, copy, paste and office clipboard commands will be taught along with the thesaurus and spelling/grammar checker. Also included in the course is the find and replace feature, complete font formatting, paragraph formatting, tabs, indentation, line and page breaks and finally printing the document.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Intermediate MS Word 2003 / 2004
This course will cover formatting the document through margins, page layout, default settings, creating columns, creating sections and advanced tab settings. This course teaches how to create tables, draw tables format text in the cells, rows and columns. It will also cover using the ruler to modify a table, moving, adding/removing cells, working with cell borders, using data from a spreadsheet and converting text into a table and a table into text. Large document features such as headers, footers, footnotes and endnotes will also be covered.
Prerequisites: the Beginning Word short course or good working knowledge of the topics described in that course
Advanced MS Word 2003 / 2004
The final MS Word course will cover the many features that aid the user in creating and managing large documents. This includes: customizing toolbars, keyboard shortcuts and the preferences for the way the programs functions. Options such as AutoSaving the document, spelling/grammar correction, AutoCorrect, AutoFormat and AutoText will be explained. Saving time through the creation of templates/shell documents and text styles with a thorough hands-on demonstration of inserting, drawing and modifying images will be covered. This course will also explain how to place technical, specialty and foreign language characters in the text. Line and paragraph numbering will be included in addition to the creation of a table of contents and index.
Prerequisites: the Beginning and Intermediate Word. short courses or good working knowledge of the topics covered in each short course
Mail Merge / Data Merge: MS Word 2003 / 2004
This course concentrates on basic principles and strategies for mail merge and print merge operations using Microsoft Word. It will cover creating a merged document from scratch, creating, editing and importing data sources. This course shows how to complete the merge into new documents such as form letters, mailing labels and envelopes.
Prerequisites: the Beginning and Intermediate Word short courses or good working knowledge of the topics covered in each short course
Spreadsheets
Beginning MS Excel 2003 / 2004
This course is an introduction to Microsoft Excel 2003 (PC) / 2004 (Mac), a spreadsheet program. Spreadsheets are used to organize and manipulate numerical and text data. Topics covered include: using the menus and toolbars, creating, editing, saving, opening and printing documents.This course will show methods for moving around the spreadsheet, entering information and selection techniques. Also, various formatting options for the spreadsheet's cells, columns, rows and text will be discussed. The different types of cell entries such as text, numbers, formulas, logical arguments and dates will be explained. Excel works with formulas, and this course will cover the fundamentals of writing formulas by using the toolbars and mouse. Excel's built-in functions to make formula writing easier, and some of the most frequently used functions will be discussed and used in practice spreadsheets. Inserting and deleting cells, rows and columns will be taught in addition to the cut, copy, paste and office clipboard features of the program. Printing, page setup and headers and footers will finish this introduction to Excel.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Intermediate MS Excel 2003 / 2004
This courses introduces you to commonly used "advanced"; formula techniques such as using the built in functions, logical, comparison operations and lookup functions. Linking spreadsheets, relative vs. absolute cell references and creating custom number formats will be covered. Different display options like hiding cells, freezing panes/titles and workbook protection will be discussed. Special copy applications, using dates and inserting and creating and editing charts will complete the Intermediate Excel short course.
Prerequisites: the Beginning Excel short course or good working knowledge of the topics described in that course
Advanced MS Excel 2003 / 2004
This courses introduces you to PivotTables and PivotChart Reports through the sorting, grouping and organization of large amounts of variable data. The application of filters to data will also be covered.
Prerequisites: the Beginning Excel short course or good working knowledge of the topics described in that course
Presentation
MS PowerPoint 2003 / 2004
This course teaches the techniques of good presentation design as you create a presentation using PowerPoint. Topics include: creating a new presentation, new slides, titles, adding more text and font formatting. This course will cover inserting and editing various types of graphics, images, charts, transitions, animations and drawing tools available to enhance any presentation. Organizing the slides, using an outline method, presenting and printing the slide show will also be covered.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Data Management Systems
Beginning MS Access 2003
This course teaches the basics of using Microsoft Access. Database concepts, data entry, and editing techniques are stressed. The course will cover creating tables, defining data types, entering, sorting and locating records. Queries, forms and reports are important features that will also be taught in Beginning Access.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Intermediate MS Access 2003
This course introduces you to the relational aspect of Access as well as writing in-depth queries.
Prerequisites: the Beginning Access short course
Advanced MS Access 2003
This course teaches how to design forms and reports beyond using the wizard.
Prerequisites: the Beginning Access short course and good working knowledge of Access
Beginning FileMaker Pro 7.0
This course teaches the basics of using FileMaker Pro, an easy-to-use database program. Database concepts, data entry, and editing techniques are stressed. The course explains how to create a new database, assign different field definitions, create value lists, enter data and browse through the database entries. Other topics such as editing, replacing, sorting and finding records will be covered. The basics of layouts and printing options will also be discussed.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Intermediate FileMaker Pro 7.0
This course presents an in-depth study of the creation, design, formatting and use of different types of layouts. This course will cover the graphic and text formatting tools used in creating layouts and other features such as aligning, grouping, sliding and locking layout objects. Formatting dates, numbers, field order, tab order and field borders will also be covered. The features and usage of summary fields will complete this short course.
Prerequisites: the Beginning FileMaker Pro course or good working knowledge of the topics described in that course
Advanced FileMaker Pro 7.0
This course teaches advanced topics including importing and exporting data, using relational files, and creating and using scripts. This course will also cover the use of portals, calculation fields and additional summary field information.
Prerequisites: the Beginning and Intermediate FileMaker short course or good working knowledge of the topics covered in each short course
Desktop Publishing
Adobe Indesign Creative Suite 2 (CS2)
This program is Adobe's integration of the all the features of PageMaker and many of the drawing capabilities of Illustrator. This course will cover the basics of page layout, inserting images, inserting text, adding graphic elements and using the drawings tools to create simple graphics.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Eudora (POP Mail)
This course demonstrates how to use the email program Eudora on computers to read, send, reply, and forward mail from a Rice account. Also, teaches how to make an address book, nicknames, and mailboxes.
Prerequisites: some computer use
UNIX
Current Schedule of courses.
UNIX Part I
This course is a brief introduction to UNIX, a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system used widely in academic and research environments. Topics include basic commands, files, directories, and electronic mail.
Prerequisites: none
UNIX Part II
This course is a continuation of UNIX, Part I. Topics include text file editing (in GNU Emacs), pipes, I/O redirection and the shell.
Prerequisites: UNIX, Part I
Customizing X-Windows
This course will help users customize their X-Window environment to further productivity. Topics covered will include choosing a window manager, backgrounds, icons, and window manipulation.
Prerequisites: good working knowledge of UNIX and familiarity with a text editor
GNU Emacs
This course covers basic file editing in GNU Emacs, some advanced editing techniques, and overviews possibilities for customization within the program.
Prerequisites: some UNIX
Web Pages / Graphics
Current Schedule of courses.
Web Page Building Using Dreamweaver MX Part I
This course teaches basic web page design using the popular HTML editor Dreamweaver. It will cover creating pages, defining a site, uploading/downloading web pages and basic web page design using the graphic and text formatting tools. Come find out everything that it does for web page editors.
Prerequisites: familiarity with the WWW is required and site password.
Web Page Building Using Dreamweaver MX Part II
This course covers the advanced features of Dreamweaver such as image maps, rollovers, navigation bars and hotspots. Tables and templates will be discussed in addition to Dreamweaver's library feature. This course will cover behaviors, multimedia files, layers and dynamic HTML.
Prerequisites: the Beginning Dreamweaver short course or good working knowledge of the topics described in that course and site password.
Web Page Building Using Dreamweaver MX Part III
This course covers more advanced features of Dreamweaver.
Prerequisites: approval of Training Coordinator for this advanced class will be done on a case by case basis through the regular online registration process (not all registrations will be approved, advanced knowledge and application of Dreamweaver functions necessary) A site password is required. No Walk-ins will be allowed for this course.
Beginning HTML
This course will teach you to create a web page using basic HTML code or to edit the code of a page created with an editor. A much needed class for web site developers.
Prerequisites: familiarity with WWW
Intermediate HTML
This course is designed for persons who already have experience in building a web page using HTML code.
Prerequisites: basic WWW experience is required. NOT a beginner's class
Scanning Images and Beginning Photoshop Creative Suite 2 (CS2)
Photoshop is a pixel-based, graphic editing program for manipulating scanned images which can then be published on the world wide web. This course concentrates on the fundamental skills necessary for scanning images and using the Photoshop tools to edit them. This course will cover the scanning software, the Photoshop toolbox, selecting, resizing, adjusting colors/brightness/contrast, working with layers, text and saving as different file types.
Prerequisites: some computer use Bring an image to scan
Beginning Illustrator Creative Suite 2 (CS2)
Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based graphic program. This course will cover all of the tools and their application in creating graphics and text based graphics which can be saved for the web or other documents.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Animation with Macromedia Flash MX Part I
This session will provide an introduction to Flash, a web animation technology that uses vector-based graphics. The course will cover the basics of drawing in Flash, the use of layers, frames, keyframes and the time line to manage components of the animation file, and the application of motion and shaped tweening to create simple animations.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Video Editing with Adobe Premiere
Premiere is a powerful video editing suite that allows individuals to create sophisticated video presentations.
This short course is designed with the novice in mind. It will provide hands-on experience on dedicated video-editing workstations located in
the Electronic Resources Center. By the end of the course, the user will be familiar with the Premiere's video-editing interface and be able to
create short videos utilizing basic capture and editing techniques.
For more information about these short courses on Premiere, please contact the erc-info@rice.edu.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Video Editing using iMovie
This course teaches basic video editing using the simple editing program iMovie 3, which is included in Macintosh OSX. It will cover editing clips, working with audio, and adding titles, transitions, and effects. All video and audio will be provided.
Prerequisites: some computer use
Video Editing using Final Cut Pro
Ever wanted to make a movie? New digital video technologies have made this easier than ever! Come and attend a workshop on using Final Cut Pro at the Electronic Resource Center in Fondren. We will cover the basics of digitizing footage, managing bins, putting together a timeline, effects and transitions and exporting your project to tape, web or DVD. This class is oriented to beginning users of this software.
Video Editing With DVD Studio Pro
Want to create Hollywood-quality DVD's? Apple's DVD Studio Pro enables
you to make slick DVDs with flashy graphics, animations, and more. This
two-hour workshop hosted by the Electronic Resources Center will provide
hands-on training in making a DVD with DVD Studio Pro. Topics to be
covered include how to:
- Import Assets including audio, video, and graphics files
- Create menus
- Add buttons to the menus
- Create tracks and slideshows
- Link the projects elements
- Simulate the project
- Build and burn the project
An Introduction to XML
XML (Extensible Markup Language) provides a flexible way to describe the structure of data and share it online in a platform-independent manner. This course will offer an introduction to the rationale for XML, and will provide hands-on experience in preparing and publishing a simple XML document.
Prerequisites: Basic WWW experience is required.
Basic XML
XML (Extensible Markup Language) provides a flexible way to describe the structure of data and share it online in a platform-independent manner. This course will examine XML's capabilities, its structure and syntax, and methods for creating and publishing well-formed XML.
Prerequisite: Working knowledge of HTML.
GIS/Data Center Classes (Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Census 2000, and Global Position System Short Courses)
Please visit the GIS/Data Center web site for more information, changes and updates. Please email your requests for courses in the GIS/Data center gisdata@rice.edu.
Introduction to GIS
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to visualize and analyze spatial information in a dynamic digital environment. This short course will introduce students to general concepts and applications of GIS. Students will learn about a variety of data sources for GIS information and become familiar with the ArcGIS (ArcView) 8.2 environment. Students will gain hands on experience using ArcView to create a GIS project utilizing a variety of data layers such as aerial imagery, roads, elevation, FEMA flood zones, population and land cover data.
Editing in GIS
GIS II, a continuation of Introduction to GIS, will take students into the GIS environment at a more in-depth level, utilizing ArcView 8.x. Students will learn how to create their own data in a GIS system, work with data in different projections and formats.
Working with Harris County GIS Information
Students will learn about different datasets covering the Harris County and how to bring them in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to be analyzed.
Census 2000: Using Census Information for Research
Students will learn about different census resources available to them and how to bring them into a Geographic Information System (GIS) for integrated analysis with other types of information in a dynamic digital environment.
Introduction to remotely sensed imagery
Remote sensing is the process of collecting data about objects or landscape features without coming into direct physical contact with them. This short course will focus on imagery taken from satellites and aircraft. Students will be introduced to some commonly used terminology, datasets and resources available to them and some common applications for these datasets.
Introduction to Global Position System (GPS)
A GPS unit gives the user locational information received from satellites that are orbiting the earth. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of GPS and then taken outside to gain hands on experience using a GPS unit. Students will then learn to integrate the location information collected by the GPS unit into a GIS system.
This document is updated each semester to reflect the current Short Course calendar.
