Business Computer Applications Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-DC001 Business Computer Applications

Prerequisites

Course Description

Introduces and develops foundational skills in applying essential and emerging business productivity information technology tools. The focus of this course is on business productivity software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, data analytics, and business-oriented utilization of the internet.

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:

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, 3 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

          Microsoft Office 365 / A Skills Approach Access Code
          Sorokach /  ISBN 1266768467
          Copyright 2025

McGraw-Hill will provide the course materials to Dual Credit students free of charge. Directions to access course materials will be provided in the Blackboard course.

The SIMnet access code listed above is a REQUIRED element of this course; it is not possible to complete this course successfully without obtaining a valid access code.

Supplies

Microsoft 365 / Office 2024

• This course requires that you have installed on your computer the licensed version of the necessary software - either Microsoft 365 or Office 2024.
• Earlier versions of Microsoft Office (2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, etc.) are not fully compatible with this course.
• "Free" software such as Office 365 Education, Open Office, Google Docs/Sheets, or Wordpad is not compatible with this course.
• Amarillo College offers a Microsoft 365 subscription for active students. The Blackboard course provides specific instructions on how to request and install this software.
• Please check with your instructor if you have questions about appropriate software options.

Access code to SIMnet (see textbook information above).

PC (personal computer)

• Microsoft Windows 11 or higher operating system
• high-speed Internet connection

NOTE:

• Students may also use a Mac/Apple computer with the licensed version of Microsoft 365 installed.
• A Chromebook or tablet does NOT have the necessary functionality to complete important elements of the course.
• The Underground, the computer lab in the basement, and Lynn Library on the 3rd Floor of Ware Student Commons have computers with the appropriate software installed and available for your use. Student computer labs are also available on the Hereford and Moore County campuses.

Student Performance

This class will introduce and develop foundational skills in applying essential and emerging business productivity information technology tools. The focus of this course is on business productivity software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, data analytics, and business-oriented utilization of the internet.

At successful completion of course student will be able to:

• Describe the fundamentals of information technology concepts – hardware, software, security, and privacy.
   
• Demonstrate proper file management techniques to manipulate electronic files and folders in local, network, and online environments.
   
• Create business documents with word processing software using spelling and grammar check, format and layout, tables, citations, graphics, and mail merge.
   
• Create business documents and analyze data with spreadsheet software using (1) tables, sorting, filtering, charts and graphics, pivot tables, macros; (2) statistical, financial, logical and look-up functions and formulas; and (3) add-ins
   
• Create business multimedia presentations with presentation software using templates, lists, groups, themes, colors, clip art, pictures, tables, transitions, animation, video, charts, and views.
   
• Create databases and manage data with database software using tables, fields, relationships, indexes, keys, views, queries, forms, reports, and import/export functions.
   
• Integrate business software applications.
   
• Use web-based technologies to conduct ethical business research.
   
• Use “goal seeking” and “what-if analysis” to solve problems and make adjustments/recommendations in a business environment.
   

Students 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

Grading Criteria

Although our course uses two different learning management systems (Blackboard and SIMnet), please rely on Blackboard to track your overall grade and status in the course.

Course grades will be assigned based upon the following criteria:

89.5 - 100  = A
79.5 - 89.4 = B
69.5 - 79.4 = C
59.5 - 69.4 = D
0.0 - 59.5  = F

Student evaluation is based upon the following assignments and weights:         

Grading Categories & Weights

• Unlimited attempts are permitted on SIMBook and Computer Concepts activities. When more than 1 attempt is completed, the higher grade will be used for grade calculations.
   
• Ten (10) attempts are permitted on the Skill Review Projects. When more than 1 attempt is completed, the higher grade will be used for grade calculations.
   
• Three (3) attempts are permitted on the Challenge Yourself Projects. When more than 1 attempt is completed, the higher grade will be used for grade calculations.
   
• Two (2) attempts are permitted on the Capstone Projects. When more than 1 attempt is completed, the higher grade will be used for grade calculations.
   
• One (1) attempt is permitted on the Final - Integrated Applications Project.

Late Work Policy:  Late work is discouraged and may incur a penalty. Time management is important to succeed in this class.

Tutoring Policy: A student whose overall course average falls below a 75 will be required to attend a Mandatory tutoring session with one of Amarillo College's Academic Success Centers. This action is to ensure you have access to necessary resources to successfully complete the course.

Multiple resources are available to assist you with course content, including the Tutoring/Success Center, your instructor, fellow students, and course learning materials and videos. Please reach out to your instructor, so that your needs and concerns can be addressed quickly.

Attendance

Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email address issued to each AC student. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email, course Blackboard Announcements, and Blackboard Messages.

Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please resend your message as a reminder.

Use the resources available to you. If you need help, please ask your instructor for guidance. You can also reference YouTube, create study groups, or talk with a tutor.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

January 19:                        Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (AC Closed)
January 20:                        Spring Classes Begin
February 5:                        Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)
March 16 - March 18:        Spring Break (AC offices open regular hours Monday-Wednesday)
March 19 - March 22:        Spring Break (all AC offices closed)
April 3 - April 5:                  Easter Holiday (AC Closed)
April 6:                               Summer 2026/Fall 2026 Registration Begins
April 23:                             Last Day to Withdraw from Course
May 14:                             Last Day of Course

Student Help Resources:

• • Center for Teaching and Learning Student and Faculty Help Center - www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter
  • Center For Teaching and Learning - www.actx.edu/ctl/
  • Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help
  • AskAC - www.actx.edu/contact-us/
  • Academic Success Center - www.actx.edu/successcenters/index.php
  • Advocacy and Resource Center - www.actx.edu/arc/index.php
  • Career & Employment Services - www.actx.edu/career/
  • Advising Home Page - www.actx.edu/advising/
  • Counseling Center Home Page - www.actx.edu/counseling/