AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER STUDIES AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

 

                       

                       

Instructor:                 Jerry L. Garrett, Professor

Office Telephone:     1.800.460.4636 Ext. 8462

Web-Site:                   http://www.austincc.edu/jgarret2

                                   

 

Course Description:    BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications (3-3-1). Computer terminology, hardware, software, operating systems, and information systems relating to the business environment will be covered. The main focus of this course is on business applications of software, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, and business-oriented utilization of the Internet. Fee: $12 Skills: E ( )

 

Pre-requisite:  Reading and writing skills as determined through ACC policy and demonstrated by a passing score on an ACC assessment test or TASP test or TASP equivalent.

 

Approved Course Text:        Information Systems Essentials 2nd Ed., Haag and Cummins, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2006.  ISBN 0-07-351152-8

Marquee Microsoft Office 1003: Brief Edition, Rutkosky and Sequin, EMC Paradigm, 2004.  ISBN 0-7638-2078-4              

 

Instructional Methodology: The course will have both lab and lecture.

 

Policy on Cell Phones and Pagers:  The use of cell phones and pagers is strictly prohibited in the classroom.  You are advised to turn your cell phones and pagers off or turn them to silent mode. 

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 word processing, 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:

 

1.                Gain familiarity with the concepts and terminology used in the development, implementation and operation of business computer applications.

2.               Explore various methods that Information Technology can be used to support existing businesses and strategies.

3.               Investigate emerging technology in shaping new processes, strategies and business models.

4.               Achieve hands-on experience with productivity/application software to enhance business activities.

5.               Accomplish projects utilizing business theories, team work, Internet resources and computer technology.

6.         Work with simple design and development tasks for the main types of business systems.

 

SCANS Competencies:   Competencies have been identified that are relevant to the level of instruction in the community college environment.  These competencies reflect the knowledge and skills employees need to succeed in any occupation.  This course will expose the student to the concepts and application of the following competencies:

  • Students select relevant goal-related activities, rank them in order of importance, allocate time to these activities, and understand, prepare and follow schedules.
  • Students acquire and evaluate information.
  • Students organize and maintain information.
  • Students interpret and communicate information.
  • Students use computers to process information.
  • Students contribute to group effort.
  • Students work well with men and women from diverse backgrounds.
  • Students know how social, organizational and technological systems work and operate effectively with them.
  • Students understand overall intent and proper procedure for setup and operation of equipment.
  • Students locate, understand, and interpret written information in prose and in documents such as manuals, graphs, and schedules.
  • Students receive, attend to, interpret, and respond to verbal messages and other cues.
  • Students specify goals and constraints, generate alternatives, consider risks, and evaluate and chooses best alternative.
  • Students recognize problems and devise and implement plan of action.
  • Students organize and process symbols, pictures, graphs, objects, and other information.
  • Students use efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills.
  • Students discover a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or more objects an apply it when solving a problem.
  • Students exert a high level of effort and persevere towards goal attainment.
  • Students believe in own self-worth and maintain a positive view of self.
  • Students demonstrate understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness in group settings.
  • Students assess self accurately, set personal goals, monitor progress, and exhibit self-control.
  • Students choose ethical courses of action.

Grade Policy:  Grades will be based on your performance on the exams, lab assignments, small

group projects, in-class assignments, and a major group project.

            Exams (3) will count 100 points each = 300

            Lab Assignments (4) will count 45 points each = 180

            Small Group Projects (3) will count 10 points each = 30

            In Class Assignments (12) will count 5 points each = 60

            Major Group Project (1) will count 60 points = 60

 

Points Used to Determine Course Grade:
                        630      Maximum      

            567         A

                        504         B

                        441         C

                        378         D

            Below  378         F

 

            If you miss a test you must make up the test no later than the next class day. Twenty-five

            points will be deducted from your grade for being late.

 

            If you fail to turn in a lab assignment on the due date you must turn in the assignment no

            later than the next class day.  Also, ten points will be deducted from your grade for being

            late.

 

            In-class assignments are due at the end of the class period.  Two(2) points will be

            deducted if turned in late.

           

                                                           

Attendance / Withdrawal Policy:  Students are expected to be in the classroom at the beginning of the class period and attend classes.   Students will be held responsible for all material covered in class.  Regular attendance helps ensure satisfactory progress towards completion of the course. The instructor may withdraw students from the class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings.  For this class you may be dropped for missing more than two (2) class periods.  If you wish to withdraw from this class, it is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office.   It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

 

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. See http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm  for more information.

(Penalty for violation of academic policy must be specified)----Examples 

 

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 in classroom discussions.

 

Students with Disabilities Policy:

 

“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)”