CIT 140 - Microcomputer Applications

Summer 2008 Syllabus

Credits:

Three (Semester)

Course Description:

Introduction to the use of microcomputer applications in business. Emphasis is on learning how to use spreadsheet and database applications to solve business problems. The course will use the Microsoft Office 2007 Professional edition suite.

Online Section Description:

The online section is designed to allow maximum flexibility to the student. The class will be entirely self-directed and is for students who are self-motivated and are capable of learning in an independent manner with minimal teacher contact! Despite being an independent learning course we will still strive to incorporate the BYU-Idaho Learning Model. Please be sure to read and understand the expectations within this model.

The primary means of direct communication will be email (check your campus account daily). However, each Tuesday and Thursday from 11:15am to 12:00 pm (Mountain Time) the professor will be available in the iLearn collaboration area to chat. This meeting will be ideal for asking questions and seeing what other members of the class are talking or asking questions about. To access this chat login to iLearn, enter our class, click the "Professor Chat" link on the menu bar and then the "Join" button to the right of Professor Chat.

In addition, you can submit questions to the iLearn Discussion Board. I will try to review questions daily and respond.

Materials:

• Microsoft Office Bundle (2008) Course Technologies: Boston, MA. (ISBN: 978-1428-38871-0). This bundle includes:
  • Adamski and Finnegan. (2008). Microsoft Access 2007: Brief . Course Technologies: Boston, MA. (ISBN: 1423905873)
  • Parsons., Oja, Ageloff and Carey. (2008). Microsoft Excel 2007: Comprehensive. Course Technologies: Boston, MA. (ISBN: 1423905857)

(All course materials listed above are available as a bundled packet from the BYU-Idaho Bookstore)

• iLearn (formerly BlackBoard) at BYU-Idaho access via the Internet (High Speed connection is recommended)
• Microsoft Office 2007 Professional Edition (can be purchased for $89.99 from the BYU-Idaho Bookstore under the university acadmic license) or you can purchase Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate edition until April 30th for $60 from http://www.theultimatesteal.com. This is a special promotion from Microsoft only for students.

Raw data files for each of the tutorials can be downloaded from the links below. These should be stored in your H: drive (on campus) or C: drive (off campus). To extract the files (assuming you have Windows XP or Vista), save the .zip file to your desktop, right-click it, select extract all..., save it to your H: or C: drive. If you do not have Windows XP or Vista, you will need a zip utility program such as Winzip. After extracting the folders you can delete the .zip file from the desktop.

Objectives:

Students will demonstrate knowledge of and competency using:

1. Spreadsheets, specifically:

• Navigate to and enter data in a cell
• Format cells appropriately for different number types, alignments, fonts, borders, patterns and protection.
• Implement conditional formatting to meet task objectives.
• Build formulas to solve arithmetic, financial and statistical problems.
• Implement built-in functions including:
  SUM, AVERAGE, MINIMUM, MAXIMUM, PRESENT VALUE, FUTURE VALUE, RATE, PAYMENT, PRINCIPAL PAYMENT, INTEREST PAYMENT, IF, HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL LOOKUP, NOW, TODAY, COUNT, COUNTIF, SUMIF, DAVERAGE, DCOUNT, DSUM
• Apply relative, absolute and mixed cell references in formulas appropriately
• Create and modify charts of various types including: Bar, Line, and Pie.
• Create and modify Pivot Tables (and charts)
• Create and using hyperlinks to connect to Internet resources, as well as documents.
• Integrate with other applications including: Object Linking and Embedding, Web Page
  Publishing, 3-Dimensional cell referencing .
• Use scenarios and solvers for business solutions.

2. A Database Management System, specifically:

• Create and manage database tables
• Populate and edit data in a table.
• Implementing relationships between primary and foreign key fields within tables.
• Create and manage queries including filtered, matching, multiple matching, reverse matching, calculations, logical operators and wildcards
• Create and manage forms based on tables and queries
• Create and manage reports based on tables and queries

Lab Facilities

Computer labs (Smith 453 and 476) are available to complete assignments on campus. The labs are available most days but are closed on designated school holidays, Sundays and while classes are in session. You should not enter a room while classes are in session! The lab operating hours are posted outside the respective rooms. Please consult the operating hours card prior to entering the lab. If you plan to work on-campus, it is your responsibility to know the lab hours and operating procedures.

Assignments

All homework assignments (textbook and internet cases) are worth 25 points. These assignments are intended to reinforce basic skills covered in the class text and other resources. The Reality Check assignments in Excel, at the end of chapters 4 and 8, are more involved than the regular case assignments and are worth 100 points. These should be started early and worked on over time. Quizzes will be administered through the I-Learn system. Quizzes are meant to review basic knowledge and capability on a chapter by chapter basis and are worth 10 points per quiz. Exams are "take home" in nature and may be completed using any resource except another person. The exams are challenging and you will typically be given 3 days to complete them. Compliance with the Honor Code is expected.

Tentative Schedule

There are two main topics of the course: Spreadsheets and Databases (Microsoft Excel and Access are used); however, we will spend a brief amount of time covering basic Microsoft Office interface issues and and operating system use. To complete the homework and other class assignments you will need access to the Microsoft Office 2007 suite. In addition to assignments, there will be a number of tutorial (chapter) quizzes and exams. The assignments for each area are due as noted below.

Download all of the CIT 140 assignments to your calendar program. This link allows you to download an .ics file. If you are using a Mac, just click the open button and it will import the course assignments to iCal. If you are using a PC, save the file. Then open your calendar program and import the file.

* Late and Incorrectly Submitted Work
All work is due on the date and time specified. All late work is penalized 50%, this includes BlackBoard submissions without attachments or with the wrong attachment. Tests will be administered as specified. If a test is missed it may not be made up! There are no exceptions to this policy. Be aware of the schedule and plan accordingly.

Submitting Work

Assignments are submitted via iLearn. To submit an assignment in iLearn requires you to find the assignment in the Assignment list. Click the Submit link for the assignment being submitted. Attach the file (similar to an email attachment) and click "Submit", NOT Save. It is your responsibility to submit the correct file to the correct assignment. Incorrectly submitted homework with be counted as being late.

Letter Grades

Class Policies

Computer Ethics

The use of the school´s network, systems and data impose responsibilities and obligations upon the students to use these computer components in an ethical manner and in accordance with the guidelines found in the Honor Code. Students are to access only data and files that are owned by them or the instructor who has given explicit authorization for them to be used. Copyrighted material must be used in accordance with copyright law and applicable license agreements followed. Attempting to circumvent or subvert system security measures or engaging in any activity that causes harm to systems or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, or damaging files are considered inappropriate use. Violators are subject to disciplinary actions as prescribed by school policy and may also be prosecuted under applicable local, state, or federal civil or criminal law.

Content Disclaimer

This syllabus represents a proposed overview of the content, expectations and sequence of the course. Changes may occur during the course at the discretion of the teacher. Students will be informed when and if such changes occur.

Honor Code

All students are expected to abide by the Honor Code and Dress and Grooming Standards. These standards apply to all classrooms and labs. If you are not sure of the standards or honor code, please review them here: Dress and Grooming and Honor Code. Hats, caps and shorts are all popular attire, but are not appropriate for classrooms and should not be worn in classrooms or labs by men or women. This applies particularly to exams and assignments. Since the course is online, you are expected to complete all work yourself. You are on your honor to do so.

Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to ´reasonable accommodation.´ It is the student´s responsibility to disclose to appropriate personnel in the Services for Students with a Disability (SSD) Office any special need he/she may have and to provide the appropriate documentation of the disability. The SSD office is located inside the Learning Assistance Center, McKay Library 1st floor.