Introduction to Business Computing

Spring 2012

Dr. Thomas Rienzo
3325 Schneider Hall
269-387-5511
thomas.rienzo@wmich.edu

BBA PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
CIS 1020 is directly related to your ability to meet three goals for undergraduate students receiving a degree from the Haworth College of Business:

• Communicate effectively.
• Understand and use computer-based information systems and infrastructures.
• Practice acceptable standards of ethical and professional behavior.

KEY COURSE OUTCOMES
Students who successfully complete this course should:

• Appreciate the way computer applications are applied in business settings.
• Demonstrate end-user proficiency with productivity software.
• Access on-line sources for documents and research

Skills that transform data into meaningful information are essential and marketable. The productivity and web editing software that we use in the course can help you in future courses, and your future career.

Students must demonstrate the ability to use computer knowledge and skills required for future college courses and operating businesses. To successfully complete CIS 1020, the student must achieve an overall grade of a C or better.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Pearson myitlab will require an access code which can be purchased through either the bookstore (Bernhard or University) or online at the URL shown above.  Online purchase will require a credit card.

You should also have

• Access to the new WMU E-Learning system at https://elearning.wmich.edu
• homepages.wmich.edu account: You must obtain and activate. Instructions in the projects casebook.
• USB Flash Drive (also known as a USB stick drive)

OFFICE HOURS:  click on the office hours link of the shared student workbook

Please get required materials early. There are myitlab assignments due at the end of week 2, and there are no late myitlab submissions accepted..  You will need two codes to register for myitlab.  One code comes from your puchase of myitlab access, and the other from the registration document in E-Learning.  Registration instuctions for myitlab are available in the myitlab module in E-Learning.

Although myitlab and Microsoft Office 2010 can be loaded onto your personal computers (myitlab for Office 2010 can be loaded on either a Windows or Mac operating system) you have access to all software you need for the course from the computer labs of the Haworth College of Business. Problems with personal computers are NOT acceptable reasons for missing assignments or projects.

A note about MACs.  All instructions in the coursepack involve Microsoft Office 2010 for Windows.  Office for the MAC is not identical.  Our default recommendation for MAC owners is to use our Windows computers and our computer labs to complete all assignments.

COURSE TOPICS

Working with Windows

Word Processing

	Columns	Paragraph Formatting	Tables
	Header and Footers	Sectioning	Table of Contents
	Character Formatting	Styles

Spreadsheets

	Array formulas	Lookup Functions	Tables
	Charts	Macros	Sorting and Filtering
	Conditional Formatting	Multiple Worksheets	Text Manipulation
	Formatting	Multiple Data Sources	Validating Data / Protecting workbooks
	Functions	Pivot Tables and Charts	What-if Analysis
	Integrating Workbooks	Relative & Absolute Cell References	Worksheet Documentation

On-line Research - WMU databases

Presentation Graphics

	Addition of Multi-Media Effects	Multi-media sample presentation
	Effective Presentations	Presentation Objectives
	Embed Video	Visual Aids

Database

	Importing and Exporting Data	Queries	Table Relationships
	Forms	Reports
	Primary Keys	Tables

Web Design –Web Pages and the Internet

	FTP Uploading	Slide presentations on the web	Webpage Editor
	Layout & Standard Links	Web Forms	Website Objectives
	Picture Files & PDF Files	Web Protocols and Extensions

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Academic Integrity

You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under Academic Policies, Student Rights and Responsibilities. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test

Look over the student code of conduct and general academic policies on such issues as diversity, religious observance, student disabilities, etc.

NOTE WELL: We have no problem with collaborative learning, but we will not tolerate cheating and plagiarism. Learn together, but do your own work for projects and assignments. Two students submitting the same file for an assignment will both be given zero. Do not give your completed project or assignment files to anyone else. Lab instructors will be examining file submissions for signs of cheating. One more time: DO NOT GIVE YOUR PROJECT OR ASSIGNMENT FILES TO ANYONE ELSE.

Attendance (CIS 1020 Only)

Presentation sessions occur twice weekly and include information beyond course texts. Skills related to course projects will be covered during the presentation sections. Final exam content will also be covered during the presentation sessions.  Numerous quizzes will be given during the large class presentations. To receive credit for quizzes, you must

• Be present!
• Use a registered i-Clicker

The large class presentations will be the primary instructional format in the course! There will be one laboratory session per week but lab sessions are supposed to answer your questions, make sure you are registered, and help you understand your assignments.  Please ask questions to clarify any areas that you do not understand. Good questions will come from spending time with the material.

Practice sessions in computer labs provide hands-on skill development and an opportunity to get your questions answered in a smaller class environment. You will take Excel and Access assessment exams during the computer lab sessions.

!!!!!!!!PLEASE NOTE!!!!!!! There is no substitute for time on task in this course. You must take the time to work with the software on a timely basis so you can ask questions in lab and complete assignments when they are due. You cannot formulate good questions unless you spend time with the material before attending lecture and lab. This course will require you to work on assignments outside of class. Please stay current on the material. It can be very difficult to catch up if you get too far behind. Time is everything in this course. If you put in the time, and engage in the content, you will do well.

COURSE ACTIVITIES

GENERAL RULE FOR LATE PROJECTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Late projects and assignments are not accepted under normal circumstances. Under exceptional circumstances, late assignments will receive a 10 percent deduction for every day late up to 5 days. Assignments submitted more than 5 days late receive no credit.

Special late policy for myitlab: NO GRACE PERIOD for myitlab. All assignments must be submitted by the due date to receive any credit!
Make-up credits are sometimes offered for myitlab training assignments.  Check the myitlab module in E-Learning.

MASTERY PROJECTS: Five projects will be given to students to be completed outside of the classroom. Each project is designed to integrate the skills covered in the course with a business scenario. The intent is to both test students’ ability to apply their skills to a practical application, and also to enable students to learn experientially.

Mastery Projects cover the following topics:
Presentation Graphics: Short computer slide show
Spreadsheets: Functions, formulas, list management, charts, pivot tables, conditional formatting, goal seek
Webpage Editor: Webpage development, forms
Database: Tables Forms, queries, reports
Internet Research
Application Integration

Mastery Project Evaluation Criteria
The mastery projects in the course are connected. Each represents a small portion of what students should learn. Encompassing all of the mastery projects, the project portion of the course offers a good measure on how a student is grasping concepts and the application of skills. To fulfill the satisfactory minimum, students must complete each project with an 80% score or better. If an 80 percent score is not achieved, one opportunity will be given for the Excel, Word, and Access projects to achieve up to 80% if submitted within one week of receiving a grade.

Project Resubmits
Students are able to resubmit Excel, Word, and Access projects one time per project for re-evaluation. All resubmits for projects need to be completed within one week of initial grade results. The highest score recorded for a resubmit is 80%.

MASTERY EXAMS: A skills competency test will be given for Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.

Mastery Exams cover the Excel and Access material taught in the assignments and projects.

Mastery Exams Evaluation Criteria
Students must complete each mastery exam with a score of 80% or better.

Mastery Exam Retakes
Students are able to retake each of their mastery exams one time. All retakes need to be completed within one week of the original test. The highest score recorded for a retake is 80%.

Policy for Missing and Making Up Mastery Exams
Students who become ill or are suddenly called out of town and will miss an exam must follow these procedures to be allowed to take a makeup exam at a later date:

• You must call or e-mail your instructor BEFORE the scheduled exam class. Failure to do so will seriously jeopardize your ability to be considered for a retake.
• If a student misses his/her exam, a zero will be recorded and a retake will be required.
• Students who are required to retake an exam must attend a scheduled retake session. This information will be posted by your instructor. Special accommodations cannot be made for students because of the number of students in the course.
• Students must retake their exam within one week of the initial exam. Usually this will occur during the week’s make-up session. No additional times or make-up sessions will be offered without just cause. This is left to the instructor’s discretion.

ASSIGNMENTS (CIS 1020 ONLY):

Students will be required to complete multiple assignments. Assignments are also essential to learning. Late assignments will not be accepted under ordinary circumstances. Consult your instructor for extraordinary circumstances. Late work that is accepted because of special circumstances will receive deductions of 10 percent per day up to 5 days. After 5 days no credit will be given..

E-Learning DISCUSSION BOARD

The E-Learning Discussion Forums are available for each major module in the course so students can help each other. Use the discussion board to ask questions concerning the course work, post ideas about technology and business, share useful websites, etc.
Instructors do not regularly participate in the Discussion Forums but usually some extra credit is available to students who consistently help other students during the semester.

E-MAIL

If students leave e-mail, in most cases they will have a response within 24 hours after the instructor receives the e-mail.

VOICE MAIL

If students leave a voice mail message, please provide enough information so that it is easy to understand the purpose of the call. If students wish the call returned, leave a local phone number and the times to be reached.

PROBLEMS

If students find themselves having trouble in this class, they are responsible for talking about the nature of the difficulty while there is still time left to do something about it. See your lab instructor first!

QUESTIONS

If students have any questions about this syllabus or other class matters, feel free to discuss these issues during office hours or at some mutually agreeable time, or e-mail or call.

COURSE GRADING

Students are responsible for keeping track of their assignments and progress in this course. Student grades will be periodically posted in Blackboard eLearning. Students are responsible for checking grades and reporting any errors in their record within one week of the posting. There are only two official records in this course: E-Learning and myitlab. No other sources will be considered for grading.

Students are responsible for knowing what happened in class, including changes in assignments or due dates, regardless of whether they attend. Students are responsible for scheduling their time, and for asking questions about material that they do not understand. Meaningful questions come from sufficient time studying and thinking about assignments. One more time:

There is no substitute for time on task and content engagement There is no substitute for self responsibility and learning There is no substitute for real work!

 

COURSE WORK REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SCALE

GRADING SCALE

INCOMPLETE POLICY

An incomplete is a temporary grade that an instructor may give to an undergraduate student when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons beyond the control of the student prevent completion of course requirements by the end of the semester or session. This grade may not be given as a substitute for a failing grade.

A grade of "I" must be removed by the instructor who gave it or, in exceptional circumstances, by the department chairperson. If the unfinished work is not completed and the "I" grade removed within one calendar year of the assignment of the "I," the grade is converted to an "E" (failure). Students who receive an incomplete grade in a course must not reregister for the course in order to remove the "I."

The incomplete policy will be followed in CIS 1020.

CIS 1100 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES ONLY TO CIS 1100
CIS 1100 is directly related to your ability to meet three goals for undergraduate students receiving a degree from the Haworth College of Business:
• Communicate effectively.
• Understand and use computer-based information systems and infrastructures.
• Practice acceptable standards of ethical and professional behavior.

COURSE THEME
Business computing knowledge and skills.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This self-paced, one-credit course focuses on end-user computing skills needed by individuals to increase their productivity in the business world. This course develops student’s skills with databases, spreadsheets, presentation software, and web editors. A student cannot receive credit for both CIS 1020 and CIS 1100.

COURSE COVERAGE
• Microsoft Windows activities to master use of directories, file manipulation, and updates and maintenance
• Presentation software instruction for future class presentations
• Webpage creation and publication
• Spreadsheet exercises concentrating on calculations, formulas, pivot tables, lookup functions and list manipulation.
• Advanced spreadsheet topics such as charting, lookup referencing, Goal Seek, and creating macros to automate work processes
• Relational database tables, forms, queries, and reports.

KEY COURSE OUTCOMES
Students who successfully complete this course should:
Appreciate the way computer applications are applied in business settings.
Demonstrate end-user proficiency in computer tools.
Use on-line sources for research
Skills that transform data into meaningful information are essential and marketable. The productivity and web editing software that we use in the course can help you in future courses, and your future career.

COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is organized around four concepts:
• Self-Paced Projects
• Self-Paced Instruction
• Consultation and workshop assistance
• Exams to demonstrate mastery

Topics covered in this self-instruction/on-line course are those above for which students must demonstrate as key course outcomes. Students in CIS 1100 will be required to demonstrate competence with the "key outcomes" listed above.

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate (pp. 274-276) Catalog that pertains to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test. See notes on cheating and plagiarism for CIS 1020.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES
You will be evaluated on your ability to pass all mastery projects and mastery exams.

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIAL
Same requirements as CIS 1020, except CIS 1100 students do not need i-Clickers.

INCOMPLETE POLICY
An incomplete is a temporary grade that an instructor may give to an undergraduate student when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons beyond the control of the student prevent completion of course requirements by the end of the semester or session. This grade may not be given as a substitute for a failing grade.
A grade of "I" must be removed by the instructor who gave it or, in exceptional circumstances, by the department chairperson. If the unfinished work is not completed and the "I" grade removed within one calendar year of the assignment of the "I," the grade is converted to an "E" (failure). Students who receive an incomplete grade in a course must not reregister for the course in order to remove the "I."
The incomplete policy will be followed in CIS 1100.