Application Software Problem Solving Syllabus for 2017-2018
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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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Course

ITSC-2335-002 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

ITSC-2335 continues with the Microsoft Office Exploring Series utilized in BCIS-1305. We are moving to the Microsoft Office 2016 series this semester.

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 recently (Spring 2, 2016 or later), this same account will remain active for Spring 1 of 2017—no additional purchase is required.

MyITLab access codes remain active for 1 full year. If you completed BCIS 1305 before Fall 2 of 2017, 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(s), Microsoft Office 2016 Exploring Series Access Comprehensive, Microsoft Office 2016 Exploring Series Excel Comprehensive, Microsoft Office 2016 Exploring Series Word Comprehensive

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 for each book). A link will be provided in MyITLab for this purpose.

              

Supplies

1. Access to a PC (personal computer) running the Windows 7 (or above) operating system. Computers are available in the CIS Computer Lab on the 2^nd Floor of the Byrd Business Building (Washington Street Campus, Amarillo College).
2. Microsoft Office 2016 software (Word, Excel, and Access). Software is available on computers in the CIS Computer Lab.
   A link will be given in your myitlab course where in you can purchase a 180 day trial version of Office 2016 for $13 to install in your personal laptops or PC.
3. Reliable access to the Internet.  Internet access is available in the Computer Lab on the 2^nd Floor of Byrd Business Building. Check the CIS website for lab hours (http://cis.actx.edu)
4. A USB flash drive for file transport between computers. You could use a Onedrive cloud account to store your files as an an alternate option

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 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 and using templates, macros
• Create and update Pivot tables and Pivot charts, Power Pivot
• Visualize Data with Power View

 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

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
• Create a Word document template
• Generate form letters, mailing labels and a directory
• Using Building blocks
• Working with and merging documents

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 (using all or part of another student’s file) in MyITLab will result in both parties receiving a 0 on the assignment and no make-up assignment is permitted. 

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE

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

 

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS

Attendance (10%)

In class Practice Files (5%)
We will be working on practice files which will give you a better understanding of the various elements/concepts  discussed in the Chapters. Turning in the completed practice files into the drop boxes that will be placed in the weekly folders in Blackboard will be graded in this category.

On-Time Completion (5%)
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 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. Each week will follow the same pattern: simulation trainings are due Wednesdays by 5:00pm; chapter projects are due the following Mondays by 5:00pm. During the last week of the course, all submissions are due by Wednesday, March 8th at 10pm.

Simulation Training (10%)
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 added to the gradebook in Blackboard. 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 Quiz (10%)
You will have one quiz that will be questions out of the textbook being used. It will have questions that will test your understanding of the concepts being covered that week and the added features that will help enhance your ability to use them as needed in your work environment.

Chapter Projects (30%)
Chapter project entail downloaded files that you alter based upon a set of instructions and then upload to MyITLab for grading. Projects are an effective tool for demonstrating an understanding of chapter concepts. Students are permitted two attempts on each of these projects. Students are highly 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 Blackboard gradebook. Another simple way to add points to your grade.

Midterm (15%)
Midterm will be a grader project that will cover most of what you learned in Microsoft Access application

Final Exam (15%)
The Final Exam is a comprehensive exam. The exam is given in two parts and is conducted in the simulation environment in MyIT Lab. See the MOS Certification Exam substitution option below.

MOS Certification Exam (optional)
A MOS exam may substitute for part of the final exam. Word MOS or Access MOS will substitute for Part 1 of the final exam; Excel MOS will substitute for Part 2 of the final exam. Both parts of the final may be substituted. In fact, it’s encouraged!

Completion of MOS Certification Exams will satisfy the Final Exam requirements (see below):

• MOS 77-725* (Word) or MOS 77-730* (Access) substitute for Part 1 of the Final Exam
   
• MOS 77-727* (Excel) substitutes for Part 2 of the Final Exam

• How a MOS exam score correlates to a Final Exam grade:
  • >700 points = 95 on Final Exam (and MOS certification and refund of exam fee)
  • 600-699 points = 85 on Final Exam
  • 500-599 points = 75 on Final Exam
  • <500 points = retake MOS Exam or take Final exam
     
• Actual MOS certification is ONLY awarded for an exam score >700
  
  *If you have already obtained some MOS certifications, speak with your instructor about additional/alternative MOS certifications that will substitute for the Final Exam*

Attendance

As shown above, attendance counts for 10% of your overall grade. Please plan on attending scheduled class times.

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

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 21:                               Fall 1 Semester Begins
August 28:                               Census Day: Last Day to Drop Course for Full Refund
September 4:                           Labor Day (College closed)
October 3:                               Last Day to Withdraw (8-week classes)
October 12:                             Fall 1 Semester ends

• Social Services Office at Amarillo College: Resources for social services or emergency services for students are available at - http://www.actx.edu/resources/.  If a situation arises that interferes with your performance in the class, please notify your instructor and be sure to take advantage of the many resources available through the Social Services Office.
• Open Computer Labs: The Business Systems and Emerging Technology Department hosts an open computer lab on the 2nd Floor of the Byrd Business Building. Labs are open 7 days a week.  Assistance with this course and/or technical assistance are available in the computer labs.
• 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