Course Description

BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications will cover computer terminology, hardware, software, operating systems, and information systems relating to the business environment.  The focus of this course is on business application of software, including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, and business-oriented utilization of the Internet. 

 Prerequisites

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 Texts 

 See the Book page for BCIS 1305 on this website:  Book

Instructional Methodology

The course will have both a lecture and lab component.  Typically, the lecture will occur at the beginning of the period. 

There will be team and individual projects, paper writing, Internet research, and oral presentations.

 Course Objectives and 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 where 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, teamwork, Internet resources and computer technology.

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

 Course Rational

The rational for this course is 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. 

 Be Punctual!!!!!

We have much information to cover in a very short time.  We can only do that is if you are on time.  In addition, being late is disruptive to your fellow students.  The times for this course are shown on the front page.

Electronics

Pagers, Cell phones.  No use allowed.  Turn off in class.

Laptops.  You are more than welcome to use your own laptop in class.  In fact, this is preferable since you will have the files and procedures on your computer you are familiar.  Yes, you can use your own laptop on the exam.

 Electronic note taking:  laptops. PDAs, etc.  OK.

 Voice recording.  OK.  Just remember, you cannot use the recordings for commercial use or put on them Internet.

Photos, videos.  Not allowed at all.

 Surfing the net & e-mail.  Not allowed.  The quickest way to get a bad grade is to come to class and do e-mail instead of learning. 

 Smoking, Food, and Drinks

The College prohibits smoking, food, and drinks in the classroom.  Since most classrooms are scheduled constantly, there is little time to clean during the day.

 Unattended Children

For safety reasons and to avoid distractions, unattended children are not allowed on campus.  Children may not be taken to classes or testing centers, and may not be left unattended in the Library, Student Lounge, or elsewhere on campus.

 Grade Policy

 Grade Scale:
            90%  - 100%         A

            80%  -  89%          B

            70%  -  79%          C

            60%  -  69%          D

            0%    -  59%          F

 Basis for Grades 

Lecture Exams

3 in number

15% of grade, total weight 45%

T/F, multiple choice, fill in the blanks

Closed book

 Except for the last Lecture Exam, Lecture Exam 3, if you take a Lecture Exam up to one week after an exam date, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 10% from your exam grade.  Except for the last lecture exam, if you take a Lecture Exam between one week and two weeks late, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 20% from your exam grade.  You may not take a Lecture Exam after two weeks from the administration date; you will receive a grade of zero (0%) for the exam.

 The exception to this policy is Lecture Exam 3 because it is the final.  If you do not take Lecture Exam 3 on or before the Lecture Exam 3 scheduled/deadline date, then Dr. Daniel will assign a grade of zero (0%).  You will not be able to take Exam 3 after the scheduled/deadline date.

 Lab Exams

2 in number

10% of your grade, total weight 20%

Application oriented, e.g., format a document

Open book.

You may use your textbook as a reference, if you need it.  However, you may not seek or use the aid of another person.  The Lab Exams measure your skill level and how well you can apply it.  The exam should not be a learning experience. 

 Obviously, the first thought is “Yippee, it’s open book.”  If you have not done the lab exercises and the homework, open book will not help you.  The Lab Exams are “apply the program, such as Microsoft Word, to a problem.  You do not have time to learn from the book on the exam.  You only have time to use it as a reference.

 If you take a Lab Exam up to one week after an exam date, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 10% from your exam grade.  If you take a Lab Exam between one week and two weeks late, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 20% from your exam grade.  You may not take a Lab Exam after two weeks from the administration date; you will receive a grade of zero (0%) for the exam. 

Project

1 in number with separate phases, each individually graded

10% of your grade, total weight 20%

Group project (3-4 people per project). 

For each phase, you will be expected to write a group report with a possible presentation to the class (groups presenting will be chosen at random).

Since these are group projects, you will be expected to turn them in on time.  Late projects will receive a zero (0%).

 Quiz

10% of your total grade.

Closed book quiz

Standard quiz:  fill in the blanks, T/F, multiple choice

 Its goal is to access your knowledge level of Windows XP and Office XP.  It will cover all material up to the date of the quiz.  The quiz will be relatively short; and if you come to the lectures, you should not have a problem.  Again, this quiz should not be a learning experience.

If you take the Quiz up to one week after this date, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 10% from your exam grade.  If you take the Quiz between one week and two weeks late, then Dr. Daniel will deduct 20% from your exam grade.  You may not take the Quiz after two weeks from the administration date; you will receive a grade of zero (0%) for the exam.

Exception to Grade Reduction

To prevent the 10% or 20% grade reduction, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You must have experienced an unforeseen and sudden emergency.  Note:  getting behind in the course is not an unforeseen emergency.
2. You must present Dr. Daniel documented proof of your emergency.
3. You must contact Dr. Daniel in person, by phone, or by e-mail of your emergency on or before the exam deadline date or the exam administration date and time.

 Retesting & Extra Credit

Dr. Daniel does not allow retesting nor extra credit to raise your grade.

 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.

 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.

 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”.

 Attendance and Withdrawal Policy

Students are expected to attend classes and will be held responsible for all material covered in class.  Regular attendance helps ensure satisfactory progress towards completion of the course.   

If you withdraw from the course and complete the appropriate withdrawal form, then you will receive a "W" grade.  However, do not rely on Dr. Daniel to withdraw you from the course.  It is your responsibility to administratively withdraw from the course to receive a "W" grade.  You will receive a "W" grade, if you initiate a withdrawal through the Admissions and Records Office prior to the withdrawal deadline date.  After this date, you may not withdraw and you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F depending on your level of achievement.  If you miss the withdraw deadline, then Dr. Daniel will not request a waiver of the College policy and he will not request a retroactive withdrawal.  Dr. Daniel reserves the right, but not the duty, to withdraw you from the course for absenteeism over 10%, missed exams/assignments, or lack of progress.

Number of Allowed Withdrawals

There is a new state law for new students concerning the maximum number of withdrawals allowed.  No more than six course withdrawals allowed throughout your undergraduate education, regardless of how many colleges you attend.  Students who entered college before fall 2007 are not affected.  Ask your advisor/counselor for details.

Freedom of Expression Policy

The department faculty expects each instructor and student to respect the right of others to express their views related to classroom discussions.

Student Privacy of Files

For academic purposes, an instructor may view a student’s information and data that he/she stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs.

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)

 Internet Policies

My instructor, Professor Dwight D. Daniel, has informed me of the following information:

• This course has an Internet component.
• The Internet contains some Web pages with text, graphic, animation, and video content that are of an adult nature.  Some Web pages contain nudity, sexually oriented text information, and profanity.
• Dr. Daniel will not direct me to any information on the Internet that contains sexually oriented material or material that displays profanity.
• Dr. Daniel has advised me to not view any Internet material that may be offensive to me.
• Dr. Daniel has warned me that I could accidentally, or with my intention, locate and view offensive material on the Internet.  If this happens, Dr. Daniel has advised me not to view this material on any computer in any ACC computer lab.