Application Software Problem Solving Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

ITSC-2335-003 Application Software Problem Solving

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisites: BCIS 1305</p>

Course Description

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

Student ResourcesStudent 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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Two options are available for course materials:
 

(1) Purchase an access code to MyITLab and accompanying electronic text (e-text)

[Myitlab W/Etext Access Card For Your Office 2016; Kinser - available at the AC bookstore

(2) Purchase a physical textbook, access code to MyITLab, and accompanying electronic text (e-text)

[Bundle Your Office Microsoft Excel 2016/MyITLab Access Card; Kinser
 

The physical textbook is not required, but is available if you learn more effectively utilizing a printed text. Either option can be purchased at the AC Bookstore.  Should you choose the first option and later decide you also want the printed text, the text can be purchased directly from the publisher for an additional fee (roughly $35).

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 (Excel and Word). Software is available on computers in the CIS Computer Lab.
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. Another option is that you could use a OneDrive or Google Drive account to store your files.

Student Performance

Students will utilize word processing and spreadsheet software, with a focus on understanding the impact of computer use and technology on our society and culture.

At completion of course student will be able to:

Use Excel to  manage business data, and analyze empirical data from various sources using complex functions and other tools.

Use Excel to prepare visual representation of data through charts and graphs.

Use Excel to create Financial models. Students will learn to create Amortization models. In addition, students will learn to use tools and features that help with Bonds and Investment analysis and depreciation of assets in a business.

Use Excel to create Statistical models where in students will learn to use tools to predict business outcomes, relationships between data, and predict future values.

Use Excel to manage data to facilitate data driven decision making.

Students will learn to use some powerful features in Excel such as PowerPivot, PowerView etc. These features help you connect to external data within Excel and perform analysis.

Students will learn to use the Mail Merge feature in Word using Excel as the data source.

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

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, the student 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

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 5% of your final course grade, so it is not terribly damaging if events prevent you from completing assignments on time. However, I 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 on Sunday by 11:00pm; chapter projects are due on Monday by 10:00pm. During the last week of the course, all submissions are due by Thursday, October 11th, at 11:00pm.

Training Projects (15%)
Training will always remain open. Training projects are required and will be graded. The training projects will be similar to the traditional grader projects.  You will have 3 attempts to complete the training projects successfully. If you are having difficulty with the training projects, you will also have optional simulation training which will be similar to the training performed in BCIS 1305. 

Chapter Quizzes (15%)
You will have quizzes 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.

Projects (35%)
Chapter projects 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.

Midterm (15%)
The Midterm will be a MyITLab project that will cover what you learned in Microsoft Excel to date.

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 MyITLab. 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 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) 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

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 12 – 15 hours per week developing skills and completing assignments.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 20:                               Fall 1 Semester Begins
August 27:                              Census Day: Last Day to Drop Course for Full Refund
September 3:                          Labor Day (College closed)
October 2:                               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