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

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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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-2335-001 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

ITSC-2335 continues with the Microsoft Office 2013 Exploring Series utilized in BCIS-1305 for Fall of 2015 and Spring of 2016.

Access to the accompanying learning management system, MyITLab, is a required element of this course. If you obtained a MyITLab access code for BCIS 1305 in Fall of 2015 or Spring of 2016, this same account will remain active for Summer of 2016—no additional purchase is required.

If you completed BCIS 1305 before Fall of 2015, you will need to purchase a MyITLab access code. An access code may be purchased from the AC Bookstore or directly from the MyITLab website.

MyITLab access includes an electronic version (e-text) of the appropriate textbook, Microsoft Office 2013 Exploring Series, Volume 2.

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

1. Access to a PC (personal computer) running the Windows 7 operating system. 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, dishonesty, or an integrity violation in MyITLab 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
   On-Time Completion	MyITLab	10%	Assignments are due each Sunday by 10pm; a grade will be assigned for completing work by the deadline (training/project done = 100; training or project done = 50; neither done = 0)
   Training	MyItLab	20%	1 attempt for grading purposes
   Chapter Projects	MyITLab	40%	2 attempts
   Final Exam	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

   *Access MOS certification will only be accepted for Final Exam satisfaction if Word/Excel certifications have already been obtained.

   Timely completion of assignments is an important element of this course, as new concepts build upon the foundation of earlier concepts. Students who productively manage their time and complete assignments as required (Sundays by 10pm) will be rewarded for their effort. This category represents 10% of your final course grade, so it is not terribly damaging if events prevent you from completing assignments on time. However, we hope it will encourage you to get back on track quickly and seek help with the material if needed.

   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. Trainings are set in learning mode, so each student should be able to obtain a 100 on each training. As long as you do not give up, this is a nice way to add some points to your grade.

   Chapter 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.

   The Final Exam is a comprehensive exam using the simulation environment in MyITLab.

   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 prepare to take Final Exam

    

   Please consult the course calendar for due dates on all 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.

   Attendance

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

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

   Calendar

                                                                                 

                                            ITSC 2335 – Application Software Problem Solving

                                                                     Summer 2016

   The calendar below represents a planned outline for the course. Actual dates are subject to change. Please check your email daily for course updates from your instructor.

   WEEK	DATE	TOPICS COVERED	TRAINING & PROJECTS DUE
   1	June 6 – June 12	Syllabus & Course Policies MOS Certification Exams MyITLab Orientation & Set-Up Access – Chapter 1 (Introduction to Access) Access – Chapter 2 (Tables and Queries in Relational Databases)	Review Syllabus & Course Policies (Blackboard) Email Instructor (Blackboard) Set up account in MyITLab (MyITLab) Access – CH01-CH02: Training (MyITLab) Access – CH01: Project (MyITLab) Access – CH02: Project (MyITLab) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY SUNDAY (6/12) @ 10PM
   2	June 13 – June 19	Census Day – Last Day to Drop with Full Refund (Monday, 6/13) Access – Chapter 3 (Customize, Analyze, and Summarize Query Data) Access – Chapter 4 (Creating and Using Professional Forms and Reports)	Access – CH03-CH04: Training (MyITLab) Access – CH03-CH04: Project (MyITLab) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY SUNDAY (6/19) @ 10PM
   3	June 20 –              June 26	Excel – Review of BCIS 1305	Excel – BCIS 1305 Review: Training (MyITLab) Excel – BCIS 1305 Review: Project (MyITLab) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY SUNDAY (6/26) @ 10PM
   4	June 27 –            July 3	Excel – Chapter 5 (Subtotals, Pivot Tables, and Pivot Charts) Excel – Chapter 8 (Statistical Functions) Excel – Chapter 10 (Imports, Web Queries, and XML)	Excel – CH05-CH08-CH10: Training (MyITLab) Excel – CH05-CH08-CH10: Project (MyITLab) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY SUNDAY (7/3) @ 10PM
   5	July 4 –                   July 10	Independence Day – AC Closed (Monday, 7/4) Excel – Chapter 6 (What-If Analysis) Excel – Chapter 9 (Multiple-Sheet Workbook Management) Excel – Chapter 12 (Templates, Styles, and Macros)	Excel – CH06-CH09-CH12: Training (MyITLab) Excel – CH06-CH09-CH12: Project (MyITLab) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY SUNDAY (7/10) @ 10PM
   6	July 11 –             July 17	Excel – Chapter 7  (Specialized Functions) Excel – Chapter 11 (Collaboration and Workbook Distribution)	Excel – CH07-CH11: Training (MyITLab) Excel – CH07-CH11: Project (MyITLab) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY SUNDAY (7/17) @ 10PM
   7	July 18 –        July 24	Last Day to Withdraw (Tuesday, 7/19) Word – Review of BCIS 1305 Sign up for MOS Exam(s) MOS Testing – Word, Excel, or Access	Word – BCIS 1305 Review: Training (MyITLab) Word – BCIS 1305 Review: Project (MyITLab) Review for MOS Exam / Review for Final Exam MOS Exam (optional) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY SUNDAY (7/24) @ 10PM
   8	July 25 –     July 28	Word – Chapter 5 (Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design) Sign up for MOS Exam(s) MOS Testing – Word, Excel, or Access Final Exam (if MOS not taken)	Word – CH05: Training (MyITLab) Word – CH05: Project (MyITLab) MOS Exam (optional) Final Exam (MyITLab) ALL WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY THURSDAY (7/28) @ 5PM

   Additional Information

    

   IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
   June 6		8-week online courses begin
   June 13		Census Day – last day to drop with full refund
   July 4		Independence Day – AC closed
   July 19		Last Day to Withdraw – 8 week courses
   July 28		Last day of class

    

   Social Services Office at Amarillo College:

   Resources for social services and/or emergency services for students are available at:

   http://www.actx.edu/resources/

   Please advise your instructor of any situation that is interfering with your performance in the class and 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
   
   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