Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

I'm so glad you decided to enroll in Information Systems and Programming! The class syllabus is the best place to start, but I wanted to share some important information to help you get started.

Hope you all are doing wonderful. I want to take a moment to introduce myself. My Name is Ahmed ElHoffy, and I will be your instructor for CIS-121 (10247) for this semester (Winter 2026).

Course Information:

• Course Number: CIS121
• Course Title: Information Systems and Programming
• CRN: 10232
• Credits: 4
• Term: Winter 2026
• Modality: Remote (Thursdays 4:00 PM - 5:50 PM)
• Prerequisites:  WR 115, RD 115, and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores.

Instructor Information:

• Instructor: Ahmed ElHoffy
• Preferred Email: Use the D2L email system in this class, which can be done from the Classlist
• Alternative Email: use MyPCC email: ahmed.elhoffy@pcc.edu
• Phone: (971) 722-8888 (option 2)  
• Office Location: TCB-312
• Online office hours: By Appointment
• Address: SY TCB 312  Portland Community College, 12000 SW 49th Ave., Portland, OR 97219

Instructional Materials Required Hardware:

• Reliable access to a computer capable of running the Require Software (see below)
• Reliable access to the internet
• Access to a microphone/headset and webcam (for modalities that require synchronous attendance & participation)

Required Textbook

1. Sign in or create an account at learn.zybooks.com
2. ZyBook Code is required (will be given  within the first week of classes)
3. It will require your section/CRN number (refer to the Course Information at the top of the syllabus).

Review the Getting Started guide if you're having trouble signing in, creating an account, or subscribing to the zyBook.

Visit the How to Use a zyBook page for help getting started.

Visit the Help Center if you are still having trouble with a zyBook, and read How can I get further help? if you need to contact zyBook support.

 

Required Software

You should not have to pay for any of the software required below. Azure Dev Tools for Teaching is a service of the Microsoft Academic Alliance which provides free Microsoft products for students registered in classes that require them.

Operating System:

• Windows 7 or higher (which you can download from Azure Dev Tools for Teaching), or
• The current macOS for MAC users

Word Processing:

• Microsoft Word (included in the Microsoft Office Suite which you can download from Azure Dev Tools for Teaching).

Database Application: 

• Microsoft Access (included in the Microsoft Office Suite which you can download from Azure Dev Tools for Teaching). Note, Microsoft Office for Mac does not include Microsoft Access. If you only have access to a Mac computer, you may:
  • Visit a local campus and use PCC lab computers
  • Use Boot Camp, Parallels or VirtualBox to create a Windows partition so that you can install the full version of Microsoft Office with Microsoft Access from Azure Dev Tools for Teaching
  • Request a Splashtop account to remotely connect to a PCC lab computer over the internet (which will have MS Access installed). Note, this is the most challenging option because it can be difficult to run the software through a web browser and you have to email/upload your work to yourself or you will lose it once you sign out of Splashtop. If you need a Splashtop account you must request it from your instructor who will submit a request form to IT on your behalf. Once IT processes the request, they will send an email invitation with instructions directly to the student.

Supported Web browsers:

• The latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari

File & Folder Compression Software (a.k.a. "Zip" programs):

• These are typically included in with operating system. 7Zip is another downloadable option.

Text Editor:

• The latest version of Notepad++ or Brackets will make HTML & CSS much easier with great built-in tools to help auto-complete parameters and highlight errors.

Diagram Software:

• MS Visio which you can download from Azure Dev Tools for Teaching
• Draw.IO is another free, web-based option

Integrated Development Environment (for writing Python code):

• PyCharm for Education

Video Conferencing/Virtual Meeting Software (if required for class)

• You can download or sign in to Zoom directly (using your @pcc.edu email address), and
  
• You can find Zoom meetings by clicking "Zoom" in the main D2L navigation bar