Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR BUSINESS MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Term: Spring, 2001-2002 (012) (January 7 - April 20, 2002)

Course Number: CIS 225X

Instructor: Mr. Darren Henderson

Office: Room 411

Office Phone: (219) 473-4346

E-mail: dhenderson@ccsj.edu

Office Hours: Monday 3:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday 3:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Friday 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

Saturday 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Instructor Background:

Darren Henderson earned a B. S. in Engineering from Purdue University Calumet and a M. S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University with a specialty in Communications and Signal Processing. His undergraduate curriculum was characterized by a strong emphasis in mathematics and physics including courses in Advanced Calculus, Partial Differential Equations, Complex Analysis, Advanced Analysis, Electromagnetic Field Theory, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics. As his undergraduate senior design team project, Darren worked on a prototype for a home security and convenience system that provided a speech synthesis capability. His task was to write the assembly language software for the Motorola HC11 microcontroller and to work with the Texas Instruments speech synthesis chip. Darren’s graduate coursework included courses in Digital Communications, Digital Signal Processing, Image Processing, Computer Networks, and Estimation Theory.

Darren joined the Computer Information Systems Program at Calumet College of St. Joseph in 1995. He regularly teaches the courses C Programming I and II, Hardware and Software Concepts, and Data Communications and Networking Theory. In addition to his teaching activities, Darren has worked for CCSJ's Computer Services Department. He used his engineering background and skills to help lay the groundwork for the school's existing computer network and services. He was responsible for initially creating the faculty and staff e-mail accounts and for making the school's computers (faculty, staff, and 4^th floor computer labs) Internet accessible. His duties involved Unix/Linux and Windows NT System Administration and TCP/IP Network Administration in support of DNS, DHCP, WWW, and e-mail services. He was also responsible for implementing an early firewall to protect the school's Univers database system from unauthorized access. He currently is working on ways of integrating the Blackboard 5 e-learning environment into his courses at CCSJ.

Before his tenure at CCSJ, Darren was an adjunct instructor in the Electronics Technology Department at Ivy Tech State College in Valparaiso. He taught a multitude of courses including: Circuits I and II, Solid State I and II, Digital Principals, Digital Applications, and Electricity for HVAC.

His current research interests are in C++ programming, software engineering for Internet applications, and network security.

Course Time: Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Room 418

Course Description: This survey course provides the student with an introduction to microcomputers with an emphasis on business applications. Application package under review will be Microsoft Office.

Prerequisite: CIS 255 and/or permission of program director.

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

· Use a personal computer and its Graphical User Interface (GUI) effectively

o initiate and terminate a computer work session (e.g. "powering-on" a computer, successfully logging into a computer network, and shutting down a computer)

o manage the desktop (e.g. starting and exiting application programs, manipulating windows)

o multitask (e.g. switch between multiple concurrent application programs, transfer information between two documents and/or applications)

· Use word processing software at a basic-level mastery including

o use a computer keyboard to enter text into a document

o use the appropriate commands to edit text (e.g. add new text to an existing document, delete text, move text)

o apply and remove basic formatting (e.g. change margins, line spacing, character formatting)

o produce a hard copy of a document

· Use presentation graphics software at a basic-level mastery including

o create a bulleted list presentation from an outline

o edit a slide presentation (e.g. add new slides, edit slide text, delete slides, reorder or reposition slides) as needed

o work with graphics, including inserting clipart or other graphic formats, resizing and repositioning images

o animate presentation text and/or graphics

o use the appropriate navigation controls to mechanically deliver a slide show

o generate the appropriate hard copy printouts (i.e. presentation slides for the speaker and handouts for the audience)

· Use spreadsheet software at a basic-level mastery including

o enter text and numbers into a given spreadsheet cell

o create spreadsheet formulas combining the appropriate mathematical formulas and/or built-in functions and the appropriate cell references.

o apply and remove simple cell formatting (e.g. number styles, character formatting styles)

o produce a hard copy of a spreadsheet

· Perform common file management tasks

o work with files during a single computer work session and over multiple work sessions (e.g. open and save files)

o use utility software to compress and package multiple files as a single zip file

o use utility software to decompress files

· Use the Blackboard e-learning environment including

o access CCSJ's Blackboard login page using a WWW browser and successfully login

o navigate the Blackboard e-learning environment as required

o change their “Personal Information” (e.g. change the default password, modify the e-mail address)

o access course content (e.g. announcements, staff information, homework, Word documents, HTML files) as needed

o take an assessment (e.g. quiz or survey) as required

o use Blackboard’s communication capabilities (e.g. e-mail and Discussion Board) to communicate with the instructor and to send attachments

o use Blackboard’s “Digital Dropbox” feature to “send” a file (e.g. Word document, Excel spreadsheet, Zip file, etc.) to the course instructor

o terminate a Blackboard session by logging out properly

· Use word processing software at an intermediate to advanced level mastery to

o create headers and footers (e.g. page numbers in footer)

o apply formatting using shortcut keys (e.g. CTRL + B to toggle BOLD)

o work with styles

o insert manual page breaks

o determine the number of words in a document

o indent paragraphs

o create hanging indents

o use the Find and/or Find and Replace feature

o work with clip art (e.g. inserting, moving, resizing)

o set and use “custom” tab stops

o work with border formatting

o work with tables (e.g. create a table with the desired dimensions, enter text into table cells, add and delete rows and columns, merge cells)

o work with bulleted lists

o close all open documents

o display and remove non-printing symbols (e.g. spaces, tabs, paragraph marks)

o use the zoom feature (e.g. text width)

o insert a line break

o apply and remove color text formatting

o create a main document form letter with the desired merge fields

o create a data source (e.g. table, comma-delimited file)

o use an If field to conditionally print text in a form letter

o insert a Fill-in field

o display and hide field codes

o perform a mail merge to generate the individual form letters, address mailing labels, and envelopes

· Use presentation graphics software at an intermediate level mastery to

o change formatting on the slide master

o add a header and footer to outline pages

o add animation and slide transition effects

o insert clipart on a slide without a clip art region

· Use spreadsheet software at an intermediate level mastery to

o color the characters and background of a cell

o add conditional formatting to a range of cells

o display and print the formulas version of a worksheet

o rename sheets

o enter formulas using the Point mode

o use the average, max, and min functions

o verify formulas (e.g. using range finder)

· Use relational database management software at a basic to intermediate level mastery to

o create a database table by defining the appropriate database fields and their properties (e.g. data type and field size)

o add data records to a table using the datasheet view and/or the form view

o create a report that includes the desired fields

o produce a properly normalized database design

o create and run queries that extract the desired records from a database

o create and run queries that join separate tables, include calculated fields, compound conditions (e.g. AND and OR criteria), and use wildcards

· Use personal information management software at a basic level mastery to

o create personal subfolders (e.g. in Calendar and Contact views)

o distinguish between appointments, events, and tasks

o enter one-time and recurring appointments

o move, edit, and delete appointments as needed

o create events

o use tasks lists

o create and maintain contacts

o export, delete, and import subfolders

Textbook:

Microsoft Office 2000: Introductory Concepts and Techniques Enhanced, Shelly, Cashman, and Vermaat, Course Technology, Cambridge, MA, 2001. (ISBN: 0-7895-6251-0)

Learning Strategies:

The course material is presented mainly through instructor-led software demonstrations. Students develop software proficiency through collaborative learning laboratory experiences and through the completion of hands-on assignments and projects.

Assessment:

The student’s grade is computed using the weights shown below:

Exam #1 (Computer Literacy Basics/Word) 20%

Exam #2 (PowerPoint/Excel) 20%

Exam #3 (Access/Advanced Word) 20%

Homework Assignments 40%

------

100%

Class Policy for Assignments/Exams:

Homework problems will be assigned throughout the duration of the term. Homework will be collected generally two weeks from the date assigned. Students are required to submit homework in both hardcopy and electronic form. See the "Homework Submission Guidelines" handout for further details. Late homework is subject to an automatic deduction to be determined by the instructor.

The official class policy is that there is NO MAKE-UP EXAMS, however in recognition of the occasional personal and/or family emergency that may occur during the semester, a make-up exam may be granted provided all the following conditions are met:

1) The instructor is notified of the make-up exam request by the student on or before the scheduled exam date.

2) A suitable alternate time convenient to the instructor can be arranged.

3) The missed scheduled exam must be made-up within one-week of the scheduled exam date.

The granting of make-up exams is NOT an entitlement but is a courtesy granted to the student by the instructor. If this courtesy is abused by a particular student or the class as a whole, then the privilege may be revoked.

A missed exam will be assigned a score of zero.

Exams will typically consist of two parts. Part I (if present) will cover general concepts and terminology and will be administered closed book and closed notes. Part II will be a “hands-on” portion which will be administered open book and open notes.

The function of the homework assignments and class/laboratory activities is that they serve as exam preparation. The function of the exams is to confirm that the student has achieved the required level of proficiency.

Grading Scale:

A: 93-100 A-: 90-92 B+: 87-89 B: 83-86 B-: 80-82 C+: 77-79

C: 73-76 C-: 70-72 D+: 67-69 D: 63-66 D-: 60-62 F: 59 & below

Class Policy on Attendance:

Attendance will be taken for administrative purposes. Although class attendance does NOT account for a percentage of the assigned semester grade, it is vital that students attend the class sessions on a regular basis in order to be informed of any important class announcements, any deviations from the course outline below, and of any supplemental material presented.

However, class/lab attendance and participation is used as a factor in deciding borderline cases. (if applicable)

Course Outline:

Class Dates:		Topics/Assignments:
WEEK 1	1/08/2002	Course Policies/Syllabus “CIS 255” Refresher (i.e. PC and Computer Network Basics, Windows 98 GUI Basics) NetSupport Basics WD-1 (Creating and Editing a Word Document) HW #1 Assigned
WEEK 2	1/15	Blackboard 5 Introduction WinZip (i.e. file compression/decompression utility) Introduction WD-2 (Creating a Research Paper) HW #2 Assigned See “Homework” -> “Word 2” on Blackboard
WEEK 3	1/22	WD-3 (Using a Wizard to Create a Resume and Creating a Cover Letter with a Table) HW #3 Assigned See “Homework” -> “Word 3” on Blackboard HW #1 DUE
WEEK 4	1/29	PP-1 (Using a Design Template and AutoLayouts to Create a Presentation) HW #4 Assigned See “Homework” -> “PowerPoint 1” on Blackboard HW #2 DUE
WEEK 5	2/05	EXAM #1 (Computer Literacy Basics/Word) HW #3 DUE

WEEK 6	2/12	PP-2 (Using Outline View and Clip Art to Create a Slide Show) HW #5 Assigned See “Homework” -> “PowerPoint 2” on Blackboard HW #4 DUE
WEEK 7	2/19	E-1 (Creating a Worksheet and Embedded Chart) HW #6 Assigned See “Homework” -> “Excel 1” on Blackboard
WEEK 8	2/26	E-2 (Formulas, Functions, Formatting, and Web Queries) HW #7 Assigned See “Homework” -> “Excel 2” on Blackboard HW #5 DUE
WEEK 9	3/05	A-1 (Creating a Database Using Design and Datasheet Views) HW #8 Assigned See “Homework” -> “Access 1” on Blackboard HW #6 DUE
WEEK 10	3/12	EXAM #2 (PowerPoint/Excel) HW #7 DUE
WEEK 11	3/19	A-2 (Querying a Database Using the Select Query Window) HW #9 Assigned See “Homework” -> “Access 2” on Blackboard HW #8 DUE
WEEK 12	3/26	Handout WD-5 (Generating Form Letters, Mailing Labels, and Envelopes) HW #10 Assigned See “Homework” -> “Advanced Word” on Blackboard
WEEK 13	4/02	O-1 (Schedule and Contact Management Using Outlook) HW #9 DUE
WEEK 14	4/09	HW #10 DUE
WEEK 15	4/16	EXAM #3 (Access/Advanced Word)

Class Participation:

See "Class Policy on Attendance" above

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).