Microcomputer Applications Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Byrd Business Building 358

Office Hours

Hi! I am looking forward to working with you this semester.

Please contact me by email (lkenney@actx.edu), through Messages in Blackboard, or via text (806.680.4348) if you would like to schedule a day and time to meet in person or Zoom online to get your questions answered or to receive additional guidance on course concepts. Flexibility in scheduling is available, so do not hesitate to ask for what works for you.

Know two things:

  1. I am here and ready to assist you and guide you at whatever level works for you. If you are at a level that permits you to work this course mostly independently, go for it. If you need assistance, a lot or a little, please communicate that. Many times what feels like a big thing holding you back is a small obstacle we can work on together to get past in a short period of time.
  2. There are many tasks to complete in the course. Every week, multiple tasks, for the entire 8 weeks. Block off time to get these assignments complete. This is how you will learn and how you will demonstrate competency with this material.

Good luck this semester!!

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BCIS-1401-020 Microcomputer Applications

Prerequisites

BCIS 1305

Course Description

Introduction to intermediate business programming techniques. Includes structured programming methods, designing customized software applications using word processing, spreadsheet and presentation graphics for the computer.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 

BCIS  1401 Textbook Options

Book cover

 Exploring Microsoft Office 2013 Vol. 2 by Grauer
  
ISBN-10: 0133412121 | ISBN-13: 9780133412123


Textbook requirements for this class:

Options:

1. Purchase Exploring Office 2013, Vol.2 and an e-text MyITLab code if you do not have Exploring Office 2013, Vol 1 textbook.

  (*Please note this course will require a myitlab code and assignments to be completed in Microsoft Office 2013)

2.  Purchase the Exploring Office 2013, Vol. 2 textbook without an e-text MyITLab code,  (This option is only available if an e-text MyITLab code has already been purchased and it is less than a year old)

3. Purchase a Exploring Office e-text code code for MyITLab without a printed textbook

4.  Rent an Exploring Office 2013, Vol. 2 textbook from the AC Bookstore, but you must have a current e-text code for MyITLab or purchase one...

 

Contact your instructor for any questions.

 

 

 

 

Supplies

1. Access to a PC (personal computer ).  Available in the CIS Department at Amarillo College.

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to demonstrate understanding of the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program.

After completing the Word section the student will be able to:  

  • Construct a newsletter
  • Develop a document design
  • Insert graphical objects
  • Manipulate graphical objects
  • Use OLE to insert an object
  • Update a linked object
  • Select a template from the Backstage view
  • Create a Word template
  • Use Building Blocks
  • View documents side by side
  • Merge documents
  • Use navigational tools
  • Customize theme colors
  • Customize theme fonts and effects
  • Create an electronic form
  • Insert form controls
  • Protect a form
  • Record a macro
  • Run a macro
  • Apply document restrictions
  • Set passwords to open a document
  • Use digital signatures to authenticate documents
  • Customize the Ribbon
  • Build a Web page
  • Publish a Web page
  • Understand XML
  • Attach an XML schema
  • Create a blog post  

After completing the Excel section the student will be able to:

  • Create a Spreadsheet
  • Group and ungroup data
  • Subtotal data
  • Create a PivotTable
  • Change the values field
  • Modify a PivotTable
  • Sort, filter, and slice a PivotTable
  • Create a calculated field
  • Format a PivotTable
  • Create a PivotChart
  • Create a one-variable data table
  • Create a two-variable data table
  • Identify an input value with Goal Seek
  • Use Scenario Manager
  • Generate scenario summary reports
  • Load the Solver Add-In
  • Optimize results with Solver
  • Use conditional math and statistical functions
  • Calculate relative standing with statistical functions
  • Create a nested logical function
  • Use MATCH and INDEX lookup functions
  • Use advanced filtering
  • Manipulate data with database functions
  • Create a loan amortization table
  • Perform other financial calculations
  • Work with grouped worksheets
  • Manage windows and workspaces
  • Insert hyperlinks
  • Insert a 3-D formula
  • Link workbooks
  • Audit formulas
  • Set up a watch window
  • Validate data
  • Import data from external sources
  • Create a Web query
  • Manage connections
  • Convert text to columns
  • Manipulate text with functions
  • Understand XML syntax
  • Import XML data into Excel
  • Customize Excel
  • Change properties
  • Share and merge workbooks
  • Insert comments
  • Track changes
  • Check for issues
  • Protect a workbook
  • Save a workbook in different formats
  • Send a workbook to others
  • Select a template
  • Apply themes and backgrounds
  • Apply cell styles
  • Create and use a template
  • Protect a cell, a worksheet, and a workbook
  • Create a macro
  • Create macro buttons
  • Set macro security

 After completing the PowerPoint section the student will be able to:

  • Use PowerPoint views
  • Save as a slide show
  • Plan a presentation
  • Assess presentation content
  • Use slide layouts
  • Apply themes
  • Review the presentation
  • Insert media objects
  • Add a table
  • Use animations and transitions
  • Insert a header or footer
  • Run and navigate a slide show
  • Print in PowerPoint
  • Create a presentation using a template
  • Modify a template
  • Create a presentation in Outline view
  • Modify an outline structure
  • Print an outline
  • Import an outline
  • Add existing content to a presentation
  • Use sections
  • Examine slide show design principles
  • Modify a theme
  • Create shapes
  • Apply Quick Styles and customize shapes
  • Create SmartArt
  • Modify SmartArt
  • Create WordArt
  • Modify WordArt
  • Modify objects
  • Arrange objects
  • Insert a picture
  • Transform a picture
  • Use the Internet as a resource
  • Add video
  • Use Video Tools
  • Add audio
  • Change audio settings
  • Create a Photo Album
  • Set Photo Album options

The main focus of this course is to understand and use various business software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics and other miscellaneous business applications. 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work. Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may be excluded from class with a grade of F or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College. The faculty of the CIS Department reserves the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test by reproducing any specific section or all of the test in question. Any action that compromises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking, can result in a grade of F in this course and possible further disciplinary action.
 

Grading Criteria

 

Final grades will be assigned as indicated below.
     A - Superior, Minimum of 90% average on exams and quizzes plus
           all homework turned in with a 90% average on graded work.
     B - Good, Between 80% and 89.49% average on exams and quizzes plus
           all homework turned in with a minimum average of 80% on
           graded work.
     C - Adequate, Between 70% and 79.49% average on all work.
     D - Minimum, Between 60% and 69.49% average on all work.
     F - Failing, Below 60% average on all work.
 
EVALUATION:
Student grade will be based on the following:
     35% - Tests
     25% - Labs
     10% - MOS training practice exams (Word and Excel)
     30% - MOS Certification or MyITLab Final
    100%    TOTAL

Assignment, homework, quiz, and test dates are provided for each student at the beginning of the semester. It will be your responsibility to complete each assignment, all homework assignments, and take exams on the scheduled dates.

 

Attendance

Check your Amarillo College email in ACConnect daily to see if I have communicated privately to you or given the class additional instructions. Please have assignments in on time.to have them count for a grade.

Attendance for on campus classes and dual credit classes will be taken during each class period.

Calendar

 

Week

Dates

Reading
Exploring Office 2013

MyITLab
Unlimited training attempts

Tests / Labs
Labs – 2 attempts
Major Exams – 1 attempt

1

January 21

January 23

Word Chapter 5
Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design

Skill Based Training
Word Chapter 5

Orientation Quiz

Discussion Post (Blackboard)

Lab 1 (Blackboard)

Word Chapter 5 Lab (MyItLab)

Word Chapter Exam (MyItLab)

2

January 28

January 30

Word Chapter 6
Time Saving Tools

Skill Based Training
Word Chapter 6

Word Chapter 6 Lab
Word Chapter 6 Exam

3

February 4

February 6

Word Chapter 7
Document Automation

Skill Based Training
Word Chapter 7

Word Chapter 7 Lab
Word Chapter 7 Exam

4

February 11

February 13

Excel Chapter 5
Subtotals, Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts

Skill Based Training
Excel Chapter 5

MOS Word Practice Exam Part 4 (Exploring Training)

Excel Chapter 5 Lab
Excel Chapter 5 Exam

MOS Word OR Excel Practice Exam Part 1 (Scenario 1 or 2)

5

February 18

February 20

Excel Chapter 6
What if Analysis

Skill Based Training
Excel Chapter 6

MOS Word Practice Exam Part 5 (Exploring Training)

Excel Chapter 6 Lab
Excel Chapter 6 Exam

MOS Word OR Excel Practice Exam Part 2 (Scenario 1 or 2)

6

February 25

February 27

Excel Chapter7
Specialized Functions

Skill Based Training
Excel Chapter 7

MOS Word Practice Exam Part 6 (Exploring Training)

Excel Ch7 Lab
Excel Ch7 Exam

MOS Word OR Excel Practice Exam Part 3 (Scenario 1 or 2)

7

March 4

March 6

Excel Chapter 8
Statistical Functions

Skill-Based Training
Excel Chapter 8

MOS Word Practice Exam Part 7 (Exploring Training)

Excel Chapter 8 Lab
Excel Chapter 8 Exam

MOS Word OR Excel Practice Exam Part 4 (Scenario 1 or 2)

---

March 10 – 16

SPRING BREAK

SPRING BREAK

SPRING BREAK

8

March 18

March 20

Excel Chapter 9
Multiple-Sheet Workbook Management

Skill-Based Training
Excel Chapter 9

MOS Excel Practice Exam Part 5 (Exploring Training)

Excel Chapter 9 Lab
Excel Chapter 9 Exam

MOS Word OR Excel Practice Exam Part 5 (Scenario 1 or 2)

9

March 25

March 27

Excel Chapter 10
Imports, Web Queries’, and XML

Skill-Based Training
Excel Chapter 10

MOS Excel Practice Exam Part 6 (Exploring Training)

Excel Chapter 10 Lab
Excel Chapter 10 Exam

MOS Word OR Excel Practice Exam Part 6 (Scenario 1 or 2)

10

April 1

April 3

Excel Chapter 11
Collaboration and Workbook Distribution

Skill-Based Training
Excel Chapter 11

MOS Excel Practice Exam Part 7 (Exploring Training)

Excel Chapter 11 Lab
Excel Chapter 11 Exam

MOS Word OR Excel Practice Exam Part 7 (Scenario 1 or 2)

11

April 8

April 10

Excel Chapter 12
Templates, Styles, and Macros

Skill-Based Training
Excel Chapter 12

MOS Excel Practice Exam Part 8 (Exploring Training)

Excel Chapter 12 Lab
Excel Chapter 12 Exam

MOS Excel Practice Exam Part 8 (Scenario 1 or 2)

12

April 15

April 17

PowerPoint Chapter 1
Introduction to PowerPoint

Skill-Based Training
PowerPoint Chapter 1

PP Chapter 1 Lab
PP Chapter 1 Exam

13

April 22

April 24

PowerPoint Chapter 2
Presentation Development

Skill-Based Training
PowerPoint Chapter 2

PP Chapter 2 Lab
PP Chapter 2 Exam

14

April 29

May 1

PowerPoint Chapter 3
Presentation Design

Skill-Based Training
PowerPoint Chapter 3

PP Chapter 3 Lab
PP Chapter 3 Exam

15

May 6

May 8

PowerPoint Chapter 4
Document Productivity

Skill-Based Training
PowerPoint Chapter 4

PP Chapter 4 Lab
PP Chapter 4 Exam

16

May 15

---

---

Final Exam

OR

MOS Exam
contact instructor to set up exam time at least a week before finals

 

Additional Information

January 21

First Day of Classes

March 10 – March 16

Spring Break (faculty and students)

March 13 – March 16

AC Closed – Spring Break

April 14

Summer & Fall Registration Begins

April 18 – 20

AC Closed – Easter Holiday

April 24

Last Day to Withdraw – SPRING 2014

May 12 – May 16

Finals Week

May 16

Commencement Ceremony (7 pm)

 

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM