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Business Computer Applications Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Jim Taylor (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

jwtaylor@actx.edu

Phone

<p>(806) 683-2878</p>

Office Location

By appointment

Office Hours

By appointment

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-1305-026 Business Computer Applications

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RDNG 0321-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating readiness for RDNG 0331

Course Description

Students will study computer terminology, hardware and software related to the business environment. The focus of this course is on business productivity software applications and professional behavior in computing, including word processing (as needed), spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics and business-oriented utilization of the Internet.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook and Materials for BCIS 1305

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\ CMPTR, 2nd Edition
\ Pinard/Romer
\ Cengage Publishing
Access code for SAM
OFFICE 2013 (Office 365 trial version)
The book, SAM Code, and trial version of Office 2013 is included in the textbook bundle available at the AC Bookstore

Supplies

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  • Access to a PC (personal computer).  Computers are available in the CIS Department at Amarillo College.
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  • Office 2013 (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).  Computers with this software are available in the CIS Department at Amaril

    Student Performance

    \ Students will apply word processing, presentation software, spreadsheet software, and Internet research to prepare documents or presentations on the impact of computer use on society and culture. At completion of course student will be able to:

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    • \ Explore the impact of computer technology on society and how computer technology has changed how we think, live, work, play, communicate, and our values and beliefs.
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    • \ Determine the computer application skills one should acquire to be successful in the job market, in college courses, and in everyday life.
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    • \ Recognize the ethical and societal effects and responsibilities of computer use.
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    • \ Discuss how activities such as plagiarism, theft of services or licensing, or the spread of viruses impacts the individual, society, and culture and what one can do to protect oneself and one's data. Discuss how digital actions can cause accidental or intentional harm to others and methods of preventing those actions.
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    • \ Recognize quality Web sites, practice online etiquette and safe surfing.
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    • \ Categorize computers based on size, application, and cost.
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    • \ Recognize the components, types, importance, advantages and disadvantages of networking computers.
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    • \ Evaluate the possibilities of e-commerce and cloud computing.
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    • \ Recognize and describe the features of computer operating systems and system utilities.
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    • \ Use PowerPoint to create presentations addressing the above issues.
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    • \ Use Word to create documents, mail merge, fliers, resumes and research papers.
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    • \ Use Excel to create personal budgets, grade books, manage business data, and analyze empirical data from various sources.
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    • \ Use Excel to prepare visual representation of data through charts and graphs.
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    • \ Combine the use of PowerPoint, Excel, and Word to create effective course presentations on given topics
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    • \ Identify current and future computer trends.
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    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

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    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.

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    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 the entire 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.

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    See also:  Student Rights and Responsibilities

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    Integrity violations in SAM will result in both parties receiving a grade of 0 for the assignment and there will be no makeup for that assignment.

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    Grading Criteria

    Grading Criteria:

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    A course grade will be assigned based upon the following criteria:

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    CriteriaGrade
    >89.5%A
    >79.5%B
    >69.5%C
    >59.5%D
    <59.5%F
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    Student evaluation will be based upon the following:

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    ACTIVITY

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    LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

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    PERCENTAGE WEIGHT

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    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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    Chapter Exams (13)

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    SAM

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    15%

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    2 attempts per exam; drop lowest exam grade

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    Chapter Projects (9)

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    SAM

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    20%

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    2 attempts per project; drop lowest project grade

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    Capstone Projects (3)

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    SAM

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    20%

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    1 attempt per project

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    Discussion Posts (5)

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    Blackboard

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    10%

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    MOS Practice Exams (4)

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    SAM

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    5%

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    3 attempts per exam

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    Group Project

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    Blackboard

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    15%

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    Final Exam

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    SAM

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    15%

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    1 attempt per exam

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    MOS Certification Exam (optional)

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    AC Computer Lab

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    10 pt bonus

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    Bonus of 10 pts
    \ added to final average for each passing score
    \ (Word or Excel exam)

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    All work (except for Final Exam and the Group Project) is provided for each student at the beginning of the semester. It is your responsibility to complete all work on the scheduled dates.  .

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    Attendance

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    • Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.edu email issed to each AC student.
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    • Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time.  There is a "no late work" policy, except in extreme circumstances.
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    • Attendance for on-campus classes will be taken during each class period. Excessive absence and lack of participation may result in failure of the course.
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    • Students should plan on spending a minimum of 10-12 hours per week on this course. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments and topic complexity. Please schedule your time, so that you are able to devote the appropriate time to achieve success in this course.
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    Calendar

    Calendar dates are subject to change.

    WEEK

    DATE

    TOPICS COVERED

    ASSIGNMENTS/EXAMS/PROJECTS DUE

    1

    January 20 – January 25

    Introductions
    Syllabus Review
    Course Policies Review
    MOS Certification Exam
    SAM Login Instructions
    Survey of BCIS Students
    Chapter 1 – Introduction to Computers
    Videos (2)
    1. Email instructor (Blackboard)
    2. Syllabus Exam (Blackboard)
    3. Survey of BCIS 1305 Students - Spring 2015 (Blackboard)
    4. Account Set-Up/Activation (SAM)
    5. Discussion Post #1 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 1/25 @ 11:00 pm

    2

    January 26 – February 1

    Windows 7
    Learning to Navigate in SAM
    Videos (2)
    1. Chapter 1 Review Sheet
    2. CH 01 EXAM - Introduction (SAM)
    3. Windows 7 EXAM - Part 1 (SAM)
    4. Windows 7 EXAM - Part 2 (SAM)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 2/1 @ 11:00 pm

    3

    February 2 – February 8

    Census Day is 2/4 (Thursday)
    Chapter 2 – Computer Hardware
    Chapter 9 – Introducing Microsoft Office 2013
    Programming – Hour of Code
    Videos (2)
    1. Chapter 2 Review Sheet
    2. CH 02 EXAM - Hardware (SAM)
    3. CH 09 EXAM - MS Office 2013 (SAM)
    4. Discussion Post #2 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 2/8 @ 11:00 pm

    4

    February 9 – February 15

    Chapter 3 – Computer Software
    Chapter 20 – Creating a Presentation (PowerPoint)
    Videos (2)
    1. Chapter 3 Review Sheet
    2. CH 03 EXAM - Software (SAM)
    3. CH 20 PROJ - PowerPoint (SAM)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 2/15 @ 11:00 pm

    5

    February 16 – February 22

    Chapter 4 – Computer Networks
    Chapter 21 – Enhancing a Presentation (PowerPoint)
    Videos (3)
    1. Chapter 4 Review Sheet
    2. CH 04 EXAM - Networks (SAM)
    3. CH 21 PROJ - PowerPoint (SAM)
    4. Discussion Post #3 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 2/22 @ 11:00 pm

    6

    February 23 – March 1

    Chapter 13 – Creating a Workbook (Excel)
    MS Outlook
    Videos (4)
    1. Outlook EXAM (SAM)
    2. CH 13 PROJ - Excel (SAM)
    3. CAPSTONE - PowerPoint (SAM)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 3/1 @ 11:00 pm

    7

    March 2 – March 8

    Chapter 5 – Introducing the Internet and Email
    Chapter 14 – Working with Formulas & Functions (Excel)
    Videos (2)
    1. Chapter 5 Review Sheet
    2. CH 05 EXAM - Internet (SAM)
    3. CH 14 PROJ - Excel (SAM)
    4. Discussion Post #4 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 3/8 @ 11:00 pm

    8

    March 9 – March 15

    Chapter 15 – Creating an Advanced Workbook (Excel)
    Additional Commands in Excel (Extras)
    Videos (2)
    1. Excel EXAM - Extras (SAM)
    2. CH 15 PROJ - Excel (SAM)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 3/15 @ 11:00 pm

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    March 16 – March 22

    SPRING BREAK (AC Closed)

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    9

    March 23 – March 29

    Chapter 6 – Computer, Network, and Internet Security & Privacy
    Chapter 16 – Inserting and Formatting Charts (Excel)
    Videos (2)
    1. Chapter 6 Review Sheet
    2. CH 06 EXAM - Security (SAM)
    3. CH 16 PROJ - Excel (SAM)
    4. Discussion Post #5 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 3/29 @ 11:00 pm

    10

    March 30 – April 5

    Easter Break is 4/3-4/5 (AC Closed)
    Careers – Computer Information Systems
    MOS Practice Exams – Excel
    Assignment of Groups
    Videos (2)
    1. Careers EXAM (SAM)
    2. MOS EXAM - Excel - Practice 1 (SAM)
    3. MOS EXAM - Excel - Practice 2 (SAM)
    4. CAPSTONE - Excel (SAM)
    5. Group Discussion Post #1 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 4/5 @ 11:00 pm

    11

    April 6 – April 12

    Group Project Instructions
    Begin Group Work
    Chapter 10 – Creating a Document (Word)
    Videos (2)
    1. CH 10 PROJ - Word (SAM)
    2. Group Discussion Post #2 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 4/12 @ 11:00 pm

    12

    April 13 – April 19

    Registration Begins on 4/13 (Monday)
    Chapter 11 – Formatting a Long Document (Word)
    Continue Group Work
    Videos (2)
    1. CH 11 PROJ - Word (SAM)
    2. Group Discussion Post #3 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 4/19 @ 11:00 pm

    13

    April 20 – April 26

    Withdraw Deadline on 4/23 (Thursday)
    Register for MOS Exam (optional)
    Chapter 12 – Enhancing a Document (Word)
    Continue Group Work
    Videos (2)
    1. CH 12 PROJ - Word (SAM)
    2. Group Discussion Post #4 (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 4/26 @ 11:00 pm

    14

    April 27 – May 3

    Register for MOS Exam (optional)
    MOS Practice Exams - Word
    Complete Group Work
    1. MOS EXAM - Word - Practice 1 (SAM)
    2. MOS EXAM - Word - Practice 2 (SAM)
    3. CAPSTONE – Word (SAM)
    4. Group Project – Excel and PowerPoint (Blackboard)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 5/3 @ 11:00 pm

    15

    May 4 –May 10

    Register for MOS Exam (optional)
    Group Project Presentations
    Chapter 22 – Integrating Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
    Review for Final Exam
    1. CH 22 EXAM – Integration (SAM)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    SUNDAY, 5/10 @ 11:00 pm

    16

    May 11

    FINAL EXAM 
    1. Final Exam (SAM)

    ALL WORK DUE BY
    TUESDAY, 5/12 @ 12:30 pm

     

    Additional Information

     

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    Important Dates to Remember
    January 19\

    MLK Holiday
    \ (AC Closed)

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    February 2

    \     		Census Day
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    March 16 - March 22

    \     		Spring Break
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    March 19 - March 22

    \     		AC Closed
    April 3 - April 5\

    Easter
    \ (AC Closed)

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    April 13

    \     		Summer/Fall Registration Begins
    April 23\

    Last Day to Withdraw

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    May 11 - May 15Finals Week
    May 15Commencement (7:00pm)
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    New Social Services Office at Amarillo College

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    Resources for social services or emergency services for students are available at - http://www.actx.edu/resources/.  So please let me know if there is some situation that you have that is interfering with your performance in the class, and be sure to take advantage of the resources available through the Social Services Office.

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    CIS Labs
    \ 2nd floor Byrd Building.  Labs open 7 days a week.  Students can get help with this course as well as other technical help.

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    Helpful Links:

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    CIS Web Site: http://cis.actx.edu

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    Direct link to AC Connect portal and courses as well as your AC Connect email- https://acconnect.actx.edu/. You will log in with the same ID and password you use for WebAdvisor.  Contact AskAC (806-371-5000) for help if you have trouble with your log in.

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    AskAC -  http://www.actx.edu/contact/-   Please contact AskAC for technical help. Contact your instructor for help with this class. 

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    Student Help Center -  http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=178-   Offers technical help to AC students 

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    Writers' Corner

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    If you feel you need help organizing and writing course work, check this out:
    \ Writers’ Corner: Tutoring with Pizzazz - http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=36. Writers' Corner is a great resource for help with writing papers and assignments. They can't help you with the content of your work, but they can help you write your work in the proper format.

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    AC Distance Education Home Page -  http://www.actx.edu/de/-   Information on requirements and taking an online course. 

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    Learn about using AC Connect (Blackboard) and using features of our course by reviewing the following tutorials:

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    Blackboard On Demand Learning Center for Students– http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm

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    AC Connect Student Resources- http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=222

    Syllabus Created on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM

    Last Edited on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM