Application Software Problem Solving Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

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

ITSC-2335-003 Application Software Problem Solving

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: BCIS 1305

Course Description

Utilization of appropriate application software to solve advanced problems and generate customized solutions.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Due to special circumstances in Fall 2015, students are not required to purchase textbook materials for ITSC-2335.

Your instructor will provide you with an access code to MyITLab for training and assignment completion. The account you create in MyITLab will include access to an electronic version of the textbook (e-text).

If you prefer to have a printed text for reference, you may purchase one directly from the publisher using a credit card (cost is approximately $35). A link will be provided in MyITLab for this purpose.

Supplies

Access to a PC (personal computer) running the Windows 7 operating system. Computers are available in the CIS Computer Lab on the 2^nd Floor of the Byrd Busines

Student Performance

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:  

• Create documents with a title page, lists, tables, and a watermark
• Use a template to create a resume and share a finished document
• Generate form letters, mailing labels and a directory

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

• Utilize financial functions, data tables, and amortization schedules
• Work with multiple worksheets and workbooks
• Create, sort, and query a table
• Create templates, import data, and work with SmartArt, images, and screen shots
• Create and update pivot tables and pivot charts

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

• Understand basic database concepts
• Query a database
• Understand database procedures
• Create reports and forms
• Utilize multiple-table forms
• Utilize advanced report techniques

The main focus of this course is to understand and use various business software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases 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 reserve the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test, exam, or project by reproducing any specific section or all sections of any assignment 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.

Integrity violations in MyITLab will result in both parties receiving a 0 on the assignment and no make-up assignment is permitted. 

Grading Criteria

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

Criteria	Grade
>89.5%	A
>79.5%	B
>69.5%	C
>59.5%	D
<59.5%	F

 

Summary of Assignments:

ACTIVITY	LEARNING ENVIRONMENT	PERCENTAGE WEIGHT	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Attendance/Discussion	AC Computer Lab / Blackboard	5%	Instructor will schedule meetings and provide additional information about posting to the discussion board.
Training	MyItLab / Blackboard	10%	1 attempt for grading purposes
Chapter Projects	MyITLab	20%	2 attempts
Capstone Projects	MyITLab	25%	2 attempts
MOS Practice Exams (8)	MyITLab	10%	3 attempts
Final Exam (1)	MyITLab	30%	1 attempt
MOS Certification Exam (Access, Excel, or Word)	CIS Testing Center (online and proctored)	------	Successful completion of the MOS certification exam will satisfy the Final Exam requirement

 

Attendance will impact your grade in the course. The traditional seated course requires attendance two days per week. The hybrid online course requires attendance at 5 meetings with the instructor and participation in a discussion forum.

Training activities are required and will be graded. Training will always remain open, however. Thus, even though a due date has passed, students may return to training and repeat training as often as desired. For grading purposes, only the first attempt will be graded.

Chapter Projects and Capstone Projects entail downloaded files that are altered based upon a set of instructions and then uploaded to MyITLab for grading. Students are permitted two attempts on each of these projects. Students are encouraged to locate and correct any errors on the first attempt in order to support learning and integration of the chapter concepts. The higher grade of the two attempts will be recorded in the gradebook.

MOS Practice exams (Word, Excel, and Access) are simulated exams that direct the student to execute a set of commands in an application-like environment. These exams allow the student to review a variety of commands and concepts in the different applications. The actual MOS exam will be formatted differently than these practices. Students are permitted three (3) attempts on the MOS Practice exams, and the higher grade of the three attempts will be recorded in the gradebook.

Please consult the course calendar for due dates on assignments.  The CIS department implements a “No Late Work Policy.”

You will have the opportunity to work ahead if you can anticipate a conflicting event. Check your Course Calendar weekly for assignments due and contact your instructor to discuss any conflicts.

Completion of a MOS Certification Exam will satisfy the Final Exam requirement as described below. Actual MOS Certification is awarded for a passing score of 700 or higher.

MOS Score	Final Exam Grade
700+	95
600-699	85
500-599	75
Below 500	Retake MOS Exam or take SAM Final

 

Attendance

DAILY – Check your AC email (xxxxx@amarillocollege.com) and course announcements in AC Connect/Blackboard for communications and additional instructions.

Attendance will be taken in class daily for on-campus courses.

For successful completion of the course, students should anticipate spending 10 – 12 hours outside of class developing skills and completing assignments.

Calendar

Additional Information

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
August 24		Fall Semester Begins
September 7		Labor Day – AC Closed
September 9		Census Day
November 9		Spring Registration Begins
November 17		Last Day to Withdraw
November 26-November 29		Thanksgiving Holiday – AC Closed
December 7-December 11		Finals Week
December 12		Commencement (10:00am)

 

New Social Services Office at Amarillo College

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.

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.

Helpful Links:

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

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.

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

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

Writers' Corner

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.

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

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

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