Hybrid Synchronous Course | Spring 2026

1. Instructor

Dr. Sonya Zhang
E-mail: xszhang@cpp.edu 

  • If you email me, please use “CIS 1010” in the subject line, spell your full name in the email body, and send it from your cpp.edu account.
  • Please do not submit any homework to me via email – it will not be accepted or graded. All homework should be submitted to either Canvas or Cengage as instructed.
  • I typically aim to reply to emails within 24 hours. However, please note that this timeframe does not include weekends, as we are advised not to work on weekends or outside the 8-hour weekday limit according to university policy. Therefore, I recommend emailing on Thursday or early Friday if you would like to receive a response before the weekend.
  • Office hours and the instructor’s Zoom link are provided in Canvas – Modules – Welcome to Class.

2. Class meetings

This course follows a hybrid synchronous format. There are one mandatory in-person meeting on the first day of class in Building 98C, Room 4-035, Monday January 26th 4:00-5:15 pm. There are also four mandatory online Zoom meetings on Monday 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, and 2/23. In-person attendance will be recorded using a sign-in sheet, and Zoom attendance will be verified through the meeting log. Please attend the full meeting and ensure your full name is displayed on Zoom.

Optional Zoom meetings are like office hours for Q&A, so please join only if you have questions about the homework or about the class. The learning materials and activities including chapter readings, trainings, exams and assignments are available online through Canvas and Cengage MindTap (access included via Instant Access, integrated into Canvas). I posts weekly announcements to remind you of upcoming assignment deadlines. You can contact me via email or during office hours if you have questions.

WeekInstruction ModeTopic
Week 1 (Monday 1/19)MLK day no class
Week 2 (Monday 1/26)Mandatory Face-to-face meeting on Monday 1/26
Optional Zoom meeting Wednesday 1/28		Course Orientation
Introduction to AI
Week 3 (Monday 2/2)Mandatory Zoom meeting on Monday 2/2
Optional Zoom meeting Wednesday 2/4		Prompt Engineering
Week 4 (Monday 2/9)Mandatory Zoom meeting on Monday 2/9
Optional Zoom meeting Wednesday 2/11		Using AI for Design
Week 5 (Monday 2/16)Mandatory Zoom meeting on Monday 2/16
Optional Zoom meeting Wednesday 2/18		AI Agents
Week 6 (Monday 2/23)Mandatory Zoom meeting on Monday 2/23
Optional Zoom meeting Wednesday 2/25		AI Ethics & Responsible Use
Week 7 (Monday 3/2)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap Word Module 02: Creating a Research Paper
Week 8 (Monday 3/9)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap Word Module 05: Creating a Resume and Sharing Documents
Week 9 (Monday 3/16)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap PowerPoint Module 05: Collaborating and Adding Animation​
Week 10 (Monday 3/23)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap PowerPoint Module 06: Formatting Tables and Charts​
Spring Break (Saturday 3/28 – Friday 4/3)
Week 11 (Monday 4/6)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap Excel Module 01: Creating a Worksheet and a Chart
Week 12 (Monday 4/13)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap Excel Module 02: Formulas, Functions, and Formatting
Week 13 (Monday 4/20)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap Excel Module 03: Working with Large Worksheets, Charting, and What-If Analysis
Week 14 (Monday 4/27)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap Excel Module 08: Working with Trendlines, Pivot Table Reports, PivotChart Reports, and Slicers
Week 15 (Monday 5/4)Optional Zoom meeting Monday and WednesdayCengage MindTap Computer Module 6: Cyber Security and Safety Module

3. Course Description

  • 6 AI modules
    • Cengage MindTap Chapter 11 Introduction to AI (this module contains one quiz and one activity based on chapter reading via Cengage MindTap, reading is optional but highly recommended)
    • Prompt Engineering (Lecture, optional reading, and one assignment)
    • Using AI for Research (Lecture, optional reading, and one assignment)
    • Using AI for Design (Lecture, optional reading, and one assignment)
    • Agent AI (Lecture, optional reading, and one assignment)
    • AI Ethics & Responsible Use (Lecture, optional reading, and one assignment)
  • 8 Microsoft Office modules (each module contains one training and one exam via Cengage MindTap, chapter reading is optional and not graded):
    • Word Module 02: Creating a Research Paper
    • Word Module 05: Creating a Resume and Sharing Documents
    • PowerPoint Module 05: Collaborating and Adding Animation​
    • PowerPoint Module 06: Formatting Tables and Charts​
    • Excel Module 01 Creating a Worksheet and a Chart​
    • Excel Module 02 Formulas, Functions, and Formatting
    • Excel Module 03 Working with Large Worksheets, Charting, and What-If Analysis
    • Excel Module 08 Pivot Table Pivot Chart
  • 1 Computer Concepts modules (each module contains one training, one exam via Cengage MindTap, chapter reading is optional but highly recommended)
    • Module 6: Cyber Security and Safety Module
  • Each assignment is weighted equally towards the course grade.
  • There are no midterm or final exams.
  • This is a pass/fail, credit/no credit class. To pass the course, your overall average must be 70% or higher. This does not mean every individual assignment must meet that threshold – for example, you can still pass with a few assignments scoring below 70% as long as your other assignments score higher than 79%, so your total course average is at least 70%.
  • The final course grade you will receive is Credit/No Credit. Therefore, this course grade will not affect your GPA. However, failing a course may affect your academic standing and financial aid; check details here https://www.cpp.edu/financial-aid/resources/understanding-sap.shtml
  • All learning materials are posted on Cengage MindTap and Canvas. All exams will be auto-graded, and you will usually see your grades immediately after submission. Sometimes, there can be a delay in grade synchronization from Cengage to Canvas. Please use the Cengage MindTap grade book as the standard.
  • When you successfully pass CIS 1010, you get two things: (1) 3 units of college credit and (2) the Personal Computing Proficiency designation to fulfill the prerequisites of their future classes. If you do not pass CIS 1010 successfully, then you do not earn those two things, but you can retake CIS 1010 (and all of its parts).

4. Expected Outcomes

Students passing this course will demonstrate the ability to create, edit, store, and manage Excel spreadsheets in a Windows OS environment. You will also demonstrate knowledge in cybersecurity and safety, and use such knowledge and skills in subsequent courses at Cal Poly Pomona.

CIS 1010 is a required support course for all business administration majors and minors and restricted elective, core, and prerequisite courses for many other majors. Please double-check with your academic advisor.

5. Required Course Materials

Canvas contains links to the syllabus, course schedule, and announcements – ensure you receive an email notification whenever the instructor publishes an announcement on Canvas. Canvas – Modules have links to the Cengage MindTap assignments and e-book, including training and exams you must complete.

Instant Access Program

CPP’s Instant Access Program automatically provides all enrolled students with digital access to ALL required course materials for the entire semester or summer session.

The Instant Access fee will be charged to your CPP student account and must be paid by the add/drop deadline, along with your tuition and other fees. You may choose to opt out of the program before the add/drop deadline, in which case the fee will be refunded. The charge becomes final and non-refundable if you do not opt out by the deadline.

If you opt out of Instant Access (here are the OPT OUT instructions), you will lose access to the digital course materials – the course card will automatically change from seeing a LAUNCH COURSEWARE button to a BUY NOW button. Select BUY NOW, which will bring you to the Bronco Bookstore White Page to purchase the Access Code. Once purchased, you will return to Instant Access Complete, and the course card will change to LAUNCH COURSEWARE. Select that, and you should have access.

NOTE: Please do not consider purchasing an access code from a third-party site. The publisher does not partner with any third-party site to sell its products, including Amazon. If you do, Cengage won’t be able to help you access the course and will not be able to provide refunds of any kind.

Instant Access FAQ for students: https://www.broncobookstore.com/instant-access.asp?

6. Course Overview

All Cengage modules are browser-based, with Google Chrome recommended for the best experience. Make sure your browser allows pop-up windows from Cengage.com to ensure all content functions properly.

6.1 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Module

The Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Module aligns with Chapter 11: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation in Cengage MindTap and explores key topics in Artificial Intelligence, including Artificial Intelligence perspective, Machine and Natural Language, and Robotics.

  1. Read the chapter (optional but highly recommended)
  2. Complete the Quiz (multiple choice questions, unlimited time, unlimited number of retake, autograded)
  3. Complete the “Use It” activity (multiple choice, drag and drop questions, unlimited time, unlimited number of retake, autograded)

Other Artificial Intelligence Modules

The other five Artificial Intelligence Modules focus on prompt engineering, AI for research, AI for design, AI agent, and AI Ethics. Learning activities for each module include watching lecture videos and completing a hands-on assignment (unlimited time, unlimited number of retake, each attempt much be completed in a single setting, graded on completion).

6.2 Computer Concepts Module

The Computer Concepts Module aligns with Technology for Success: Computer Concepts textbook n Cengage MindTap and explores key topics in hardware and processors, operating systems and file management, and computer security, including digital threats, firewalls, Windows security tools, protection strategies, and best practices for privacy and security.

This module differs slightly from the other Microsoft Office modules, so please follow the steps carefully:

  1. Read (optional but highly recommended)
  2. Skills Training (autograded): includes multiple interactive tasks. For each task, you’ll watch a short video lecture and respond to a true/false or multiple-choice question (i.e. a task).
  3. Skills Exam (autograded): includes multiple tasks (True/False, multiple choice questions) that mirror the training. Computer Concept Skill Exams are not timed. Once an exam is started, it must be completed in one sitting. Each task within the exam allows only one attempt. You are allowed up to 50 attempts per exam before the deadline, and only your highest score will count toward your grade.

Computer Concepts Exams are auto-graded, and your results will be displayed immediately upon submission. You can also view your scores later in the Cengage grade book. The Cengage grade book will eventually sync with your Canvas grade book.

6.3 Microsoft Office Modules

Trainings are Microsoft Office simulations that run in your browser.

6.3.1 Trainings count toward your course grade and are essential for building the skills needed to succeed on exams. Because training closely mirrors exam questions, it’s best to complete the training before taking the exams.

Each training offers three modes:

  • Observe – Watch how a task is done
  • Practice – Follow step-by-step instructions
  • Apply – Perform the task independently, as in the exam

You may skip the Observe and Practice modes if you’re confident in your skills. However, you must complete each training task in Apply mode in order to earn 100% for the training assignment. Trainings are not timed, and you can complete them in multiple sessions.

6.3.2 Exams are browser-based Microsoft Office simulations, best accessed using Google Chrome. Be sure your browser allows pop-up windows. To make sure you’re well prepared, you must complete the corresponding training before taking each exam.

Exams are not timed. Once an exam is started, it must be completed in one sitting. Each task within the exam allows up to three attempts. You are allowed up to 50 attempts per exam before the deadline, and only your highest score will count toward your grade.

Exams are auto-graded, and your results will be displayed immediately upon submission. You can also view your scores later in the Cengage grade book. The Cengage grade book will eventually sync with your Canvas grade book.

Cengage Tech Support

Here is a great link: MindTap Instant Access Complete Guide

You can submit a tech support ticket at Cengage Support if you have questions or concerns. This includes situations where you believe your exam answer was correct but was marked incorrect. However, please note that the auto-grading system is generally accurate. For a quicker resolution, consider first reviewing the related training activity or consulting the eTextbook before attempting the question again.

DRC Students

If you have DRC approval for accommodations, you may use a note taker or any approved assistive technology to support your learning. Please note that trainings in this class are not timed and may be completed over multiple sessions. Exams and assignments in this class are also untimed; however, once you begin, each must be completed in a single sitting.

AI Use Policy

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and Copilot may be used for brainstorming, code, image or video generation, creating study materials, and text editing. However, you must clearly indicate what the AI produced and what you contributed, and you must disclose your use of AI in the assignment (e.g., in a note or footnote, if not already clarified in the assignment itself).

I expect you to be the author of all work you turn in. If I ask about your assignments and projects, you should be able to explain them in depth and demonstrate mastery of the material without assistance.

AI tools may support your analysis, but they cannot replace your own reasoning or interpretation. You are responsible for explaining results and showing your understanding.

Reflections on readings and assignments must be written entirely by you without AI assistance. These are meant to demonstrate the quality of your own ideas and the personal nature of your reflection.