AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER STUDIES AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

 

Course Syllabus:  BCIS 1305 – Business Computer Applications

 Summer 2012

 

 

Instructor:                  Dr. Jamie Huckabay

Office Telephone:      (512) 223-3183

Office:                        RGC 217

Office Hours:             2:15-6:25 pm Wednesday

                                    Please email for an appointment

                                    Online office hours and in-office

                                    To better serve distance students, additional online office hours

                                    will be posted in Blackboard

Email:                         carterj@austincc.edu (Email is the quickest way to contact me)

Web page:                  http://www.austincc.edu/jcarter

Blackboard site:        http://acconline.austincc.edu

 

Course Description:  Computer terminology, hardware, software, operating systems, and information systems relating to the business environment will be covered.  The course will also explore business applications of software, including spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, word processing, and business-oriented utilization of the Internet.

 Pre-requisite:  E - Reading and Writing.

 

Required Course Texts (2):

Both texts may include a CD; however, you may buy either book without the CD. Any needed data files will be posted on Blackboard.
Management Information Systems for the Information Age, 8th Edition by Stephen Haag and Maeve Cummings,
McGraw-Hill, ISBN 9780073376783

AND

You need to select one of the following lab manuals that matches your software

Microsoft Office 2010 Brief Edition, by Nita Rutkosky and Denise Seguin,

EMC Paradigm Publishing, ISBN 9780763837723

            OR

Microsoft Office 2007 Brief Edition, by Nita Rutkosky and Denise Seguin,

 EMC Paradigm Publishing, ISBN 9780763829599

(If this book is unavailable in the bookstores, search the ISBN number on the Internet)

 

 

Instructional Methodology:  Our online classroom is the blackboard site, which contains extensive course materials. It is strongly suggested that you check the blackboard site multiple times during each week of the course.

 

Course Rationale:  This course is designed to teach students the theoretical approach to information technology and management information systems within a business/computer science environment.  Practical business computer applications will emphasize spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and electronic commerce of the Internet.  Since this course is designed to transfer into a bachelor degree program, check with your degree plan as to what computer science course your college requires.

 

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes:

  • Gain familiarity with the concepts and terminology used in the development, implementation and operation of business application systems.
  • Explore various methods that Information Technology can be used to support existing businesses and strategies.
  • Investigate emerging technology in shaping new processes, strategies and business models.
  • Achieve hands-on experience with productivity/application software to enhance business activities.
  • Accomplish projects utilizing business theories, Internet resources and computer technology.
  • Work with simple design and development tasks for the main types of business information systems.

 

Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Exams, group projects, and lab projects will make up the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

90% - 100%    (900 points and above)              A

80% - 89%      (800 – 899 points)                      B

70% - 79%      (700 – 799 points)                      C

60% - 69%      (600 – 699 points)                      D

 0%  - 59%      (599 points and below)             

 

Each student’s grade for this course consists of

                                                                                         3 exams (60%)

                                                                                         Microsoft Office Lab exercises (20%)

                                                                                         1 group project (20%). 

 

TEST 1

200 points

200 points total

TEST 2

200 points

200 points total

TEST 3

200 points

200 points total

1 Group Project

200 points

200 points total

8 Microsoft Office exercises

25 points each

200 points total

TOTAL

 

1000 points

 

Tests

The exams must be taken at one of the campus testing centers. Since the tests are computerized, you will log into Blackboard and click on the Test in Centers link. You must show your ACC Student ID, which now includes an embedded photo. This means that you may need to come to a campus early in the semester to obtain this Student ID, since it will require the taking of your picture. All other activities will be conducted online.

You should take the exams no later than the listed deadline dates (schedule is located in this document). Exams may be taken after the deadline (for two weeks without any penalty); however, this means that no retesting is possible. If you test before or on the deadline, you may retest within two weeks after the deadline. The exception is Exam 3, because it occurs at the end of the semester. If you wish to re-test on Test 3, you must take it before the deadline. All testing and assignments must be completed by Tuesday, July 31. Exams consist of fifty multiple-choice questions worth 4 points each. Test questions will come from the concepts covered in the Haag textbook. Very informative Test Reviews will be posted in Blackboard. Emphasize the concepts on the test reviews to guide your studies of the readings and PowerPoint presentations.

You may retest once and only once on each exam.  

There are two sets of questions for each exam: Test and Re-Test. If you retest you must take the Re-Test version of the exam. When you retest, state that you are retesting and present the form, which was given to you at the original testing session. If you miss the test deadline you will be able to test but not retest. The testing centers will not allow you to test and then retest on the same day. For complete test center guidelines, please refer to Testing Center

 

Laboratory Assignments

You will be required to complete eight (8) laboratory assignments using the Rutkosky lab manual during the semester (due date schedule is located in this document). Additional lab instructions are posted on my webpage (so that you can start lab assignments early) and in Blackboard. You may use any computer, as long as you have the correct software, i.e., Microsoft Office 2010.  If you are using Office 2008 with a Mac computer, the Office 2007 manual will work for you, but you may need to make some substitutions in your assignments. If you have Office 2007, you will need the Office 2007 version of the lab manual. You may also use the ACC computer labs, which include: the CIS Computer Labs at RGC (Room 115), PIN (Room 308), RVS (Bldg G-Room 9141), NRG (Room 4234), EVC (Building 8), or the new South Austin campus, as well as the Computer Centers at Rio Grande (Room 229), Pinnacle (Library - 9th floor), or Northridge (Library - Building 1000). Campus computers in computer science labs use Office 2010.

 

 

Business Computer Applications

Course Schedule – Due Dates

 

Due Date

Text Coverage

Book: Management Information Systems

Laboratory Activities

Book: Microsoft Office

6/3

 

Lab 1

6/10

 

Lab 2

6/15

EXAM 1: Chapters 1-2, Modules A & B

6/17

Lab 3

6/24

 

Lab 4

6/30

GROUP PROJECT due

7/1

Lab 5

7/8

Lab 6

7/9

  EXAM 2: Chapters 3-5, Module E

7/15

 

Lab 7

7/22

 

Lab 8

7/27

EXAM 3: Chapters 6-7, Modules D & H

 


 

  • See lab exercise instructions on blackboard.  Instead of printing, submit the final version of each activity via the Assignments page on blackboard.

 

  • Group project instructions will be posted on blackboard.

 

You are encouraged to complete your work and tests before the deadlines.

 

Schedule of Readings with Tests, Labs, and Project Deadlines 

Week

Class Material

Book: Management Information Systems

Lab Material

Book: Microsoft Office

1

Chapter 1 Information Age

Chapter 2 Competitive Advantage with IT

 

2

Module A Hardware/Software

Module B World Wide Web/Internet

Lab 1 Deadline

3

TEST 1 (Chapters 1-2, Modules A & B) 6/15

Lab 2 Deadline

4

Chapter 3 Databases, warehouses, BI

Chapter 4 DSS and AI

Lab 3 Deadline

5

GROUP PROJECT due (6/30)

Lab 4 Deadline

6

Chapter 5 E-commerce

Module E Network Basics

Lab 5 Deadline

7

TEST 2 (Chapters 3-5, Module E) 7/9

Chapter 6 Systems Development

Lab 6 Deadline

8

Chapters 7 Enterprise/Infrastructure

Module D Decision Analysis

Lab 7 Deadline

9

Module H Computer Crime and Forensics

Test 3 (Chapters 6-7, Modules D & H) 7/27

 Lab 8 Deadline

10

 

All work completed by 7/31

 

 

 

 Communication

            The ACC online Blackboard system http://acconline.austincc.edu/ will be used as the official communication system during this semester.  Announcements, reviews, assignments, group work, and your grades will be posted on this system.  All students are expected to check this system on a regular basis.   For information on how to log onto Blackboard pleased visit the following site http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.html.

            If you are unfamiliar with the Blackboard environment, be sure to go through the tutorial. To be successful in the course, you need to login to Blackboard multiple times per week. For the Group Projects, increase your Blackboard logins because your grade is dependent on participation through postings of discussion and work attachments.

            Your group members and I may be emailing you from the Blackboard site. You must activate and regularly check your ACC email account.

                                                                                        

Course/Class Policies

Academic Integrity

            A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests.  Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity described in the current ACC Student Handbook, under “Student Discipline Policy, Section C”.

            “Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework”. 

            The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current ACC Student Handbook policy.

 

Incomplete

            A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

1.   The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.

2.   The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.

3.   The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.

4.   To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

Freedom of Expression Policy

            It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed.

 

Withdrawal

            If a student wishes to withdraw from the course, it is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions and Records Office.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is scheduled Tuesday, July 17.  If a student does not withdraw, the earned letter grade will be assigned. I will NOT initiate a withdrawal of a student unless the student contacts me and requests a withdrawal.

            ALERT:  New state law for new students.  No more than six course withdrawals throughout your undergraduate education, regardless of how many colleges you attend.  Students who entered college before fall 2007 are not affected.  Ask a counselor for details.

 

Students with Disabilities

            Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester.  (Refer to the current ACC Student Handbook).

 

 

 SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills): 

Refer to http://www/austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdf for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

 

 

RESOURCES

1.1 Manages Time

INTERPERSONAL

2.1 Participates as a member of a team

2.6 Works with Cultural Diversity

INFORMATION

3.1 Acquires and Evaluates Information

3.2 Organizes and Maintains Information

3.3 Uses Computers to Process Information

SYSTEMS

4.1 Understands Systems

 

TECHNOLOGY

5.2 Applies Technology to Task

 

BASIC SKILLS

6.1 Reading

6.5 Listening

THINKING SKILLS

7.2 Decision Making

7.3 Problem Solving

7.4 Mental Visualization

7.5 Knowing How to Learn

7.6 Reasoning

PERSONAL SKILLS

8.1 Responsibility

8.2 Self-Esteem

8.3 Sociability

8.4 Self-Management

8.5 Integrity/Honesty