NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Business Computer Applications
Course prefix, number, and section number: BCIS 1305.310
Semester/Year of course: Fall 2023
Semester start and end dates: August 28, 2023 – December 14, 2023
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous online
Class meeting location, days, and times: online
Lab meeting location, days, and times: see above
Semester credit hours: 3 (2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab)
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. 32 lecture hours + 32 laboratory hours.
Course prerequisites: High School Algebra, Geometry or Business Mathematics
Required course materials (the materials listed below are not optional for this course and are essential to completing assignments):
- eTextbook with SIMnet Access Card – student already has textbook and access card, purchased when they enrolled in the course
- MOS voucher for Final Exam
- Final Exam is mandatory and taken last week of the semester
- Purchase voucher through Certiport
- Final exam taken at an authorized Certiport testing facility
- Students will be able to test at Corinth campus (see Final Exam module for more information)
- Student may purchase any time before end of semester; directions will be posted in an announcement on where to purchase voucher
- Working computer (should support MS Office software)
- Internet access
- MS Office Professional 365/2021 software which includes MS Access (required)
- NCTC provides a student version of MS Office which includes MS
- MS Access will not work on a Mac OS
- Keyboarding skills (if you lack keyboarding skills, you can learn this skill quickly using a free online software such as: https://www.typingclub.com/)
Name of instructor: Linda Janoe
Office location: Corinth Campus, Room 331B
Telephone number: 940-498-6427
E-mail address: ljanoe@nctc.edu (Students need to use Canvas email to contact instructor)
Office hours for students: Monday and Wednesday 10:00 to 11:00 room 331B, Wednesday 1:00 – 3:00 room 331B; online office hours Tuesday 10:00-2:00 and Thursday 10:00-12:00
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENT
List of graded assignments: Points Due Date
Essential Skills for Microsoft Office 14 9/3/2023
Word - Chapter 1 - Getting Started with Word 16 9/3/2023
Word - Chapter 2 - Formatting Text and Paragraphs 21 9/3/2023
Word - Chapter 3 - Formatting Documents 21 9/3/2023
Word - Chapter 4 - Working with Pictures, Tables, and Charts 23 9/10/2023
Word - Chapter 5 - Working with Reports and Collaborating with
Others 21 9/10/2023
Word Addendum A Mailings 7 9/10/2023
Discussion Forum #1 (DF #1) Extra Credit 0 9/10/2023
Word 2021 Skills Approach - Ch 4 Skill Review 4.2 28 9/13/2023
Word 365/2021 Capstone – Level 2 Writing a Research Paper 39 9/13/2023
Essential Skills 2021 Exam 23 9/17/2023
Word Ch 1 2021 Exam 30 9/17/2023
Word Ch 2 2021 Exam 30 9/17/2023
Word Ch 3 2021 Exam 26 9/17/2023
Word Ch 4 2021 Exam 30 9/17/2023
Word Ch 5 2021 Exam 30 9/17/2023
Word Mailings Exam 9 9/17/2023
Excel - Chapter 1 - Getting Started with Excel 20 9/24/2023
Excel - Chapter 2 - Formatting Cells 22 9/24/2023
Excel - Chapter 3 - Using Formulas and Functions 22 9/24/2023
Excel - Chapter 4 - Formatting Worksheets and Managing the
Workbook 22 10/1/2023
Excel - Chapter 5 - Adding Charts and Analyzing Data 25 10/1/2023
Discussion Forum #2 (DF #2) 20 10/1/2023
Quiz 1 50 10/1/2023
Excel 2021 Skills Approach - Ch 3 Challenge Yourself 3.3 37 10/4/2023
Excel 2021 Skills Approach - Ch 5 Skill Review 5.2 29 10/4/2023
Excel Ch 1 2021 Exam 30 10/8/2023
Excel Ch 2 2021 Exam 30 10/8/2023
Excel Ch 3 2021 Exam 30 10/8/2023
Excel Ch 4 2021 Exam 30 10/8/2023
Excel Ch 5 2021 Exam 30 10/8/2023
Excel – Chapter 8 - Exploring Advanced Data Analysis 25 10/15/2023
Excel - Chapter 10 - Working with Macros 10 10/15/2023
Excel 2021 Skills Approach - Ch 8 Challenge Yourself 8.4 26 10/18/2023
Excel 2021 Skills Approach - Ch 10 Skill Review 10.2 14 10/18/2023
Excel Ch 8 2021 25 10/22/2023
Excel Ch 10 2021 17 10/22/2023
Access - Chapter 1 - Getting Started with Access 20 10/29/2023
Access - Chapter 2 - Working with Tables 19 10/29/2023
Access - Chapter 3 – Using Queries and Organizing Information 23 10/29/2023
Access - Chapter 4 – Working with Forms and Reports 22 11/5/2023
Discussion Forum #3 (DF# 3) 20 11/5/2023
Quiz 2 50 11/5/2023
Access 2021 Skills Approach - Ch 2 Challenge Yourself 2.3 24 11/8/2023
Access 2021 Skills Approach – Ch 2 Fix It 2.6 15 11/8/2023
Access 2021 Skills Approach - Ch 3 Skill Review 3.2 26 11/8/2023
Office 2019 Integrated Applications – Project 2 Word, Access, Excel 41 11/8/2023
Access Ch 1 2021 Exam 30 11/12/2023
Access Ch 2 2021 Exam 29 11/12/2023
Access Ch 3 2021 Exam 30 11/12/2023
Access Ch 4 2021 Exam 25 11/12/2023
PowerPoint - Chapter 1 - Getting Started with PowerPoint 19 11/19/2023
PowerPoint - Chapter 2 - Adding Content to Slides 23 11/19/2023
PowerPoint - Chapter 3 - Formatting Presentations 21 11/27/2023
PowerPoint - Chapter 4 - Managing and Delivering Presentations 20 11/27/2023
Emerging Technology Topic (post topic to discussion forum) 0 11/29/2023
Quiz 3 75 12/3/2023
Discussion Forum #4 (DF #4) 20 12/3/2023
Final Project – Emerging Technology 100 12/3/2023
PowerPoint Ch 1 2021 Exam 32 12/10/2023
PowerPoint Ch 2 2021 Exam 30 12/10/2023
PowerPoint Ch 3 2021 Exam 29 12/10/2023
PowerPoint Ch 4 2021 Exam 30 12/10/2023
Final Exam 100 12/11-12/14
Final grade scale:
Grading is weighted per assignment type and is point driven. The maximum number of points may vary semester to semester. Your total earned points per graded course element will be divided by the maximum number of points graded course element. The calculation from each element will be multiplied by assigned weighted percentage and then added together for a total grade.
A = > 89.5
B = 79.5 – 89.49
C = 69.5 – 79.49
D = 59.5 – 69.59
F = < 59.49
Grading scale has already allowed for rounding up. No more rounding up will be allowed.
Late work policy:
- No late work accepted! No excuses!
- No make-up or redo assignments
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy:
Students found:
- Sharing project files (SIMnet has embedded information within downloaded file which will flag student sharing and student receiving file for Integrity Violation. If you are the individual sharing a file, it is considered collusion which is considered Academic Dishonesty.)
- Plagiarizing (5 or more words) a project (Turnitin will flag plagiarism, student must correct before date provided by instructor)
- Utilizing AI/Natural Language Programs (NLPs)/Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or any other AI composition software (Turnitin does detect AI programs and violation of this policy will be considered an academic dishonesty/integrity issue)
- Cheating on exams or cheating on practicum exams (exams are closed book as well all browsers and other devices)
- Taking exam outside of classroom without instructor permission (this does not pertain to online students since they take their exams outside the classroom) will potentially receive an “F” for the course and a report turned in the Dean for Scholastic Dishonesty.
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
- An “F” for the course
- Scholastic Dishonesty report
- Zero on assignment
Attendance Policy:
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
NCTC drops students who have not attended class before the “Official Date of Record” when rolls are certified. Students in face-to-face, hybrid, synchronous or asynchronous online must attend class or complete assignments outside of class each week to count toward attendance. Logging into Canvas does not constitute class attendance.
Chapter lesson assignments and exams are used to determine regular attendance for online students. Students absent (excused or unexcused) for 5 of 16 week or 3 of 8 week semester may receive an “F” or be dropped from the course.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Labor Day Holiday – College Closed: September 4
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: November 6, 2023
Thanksgiving Holiday – College Closed: November 22-26
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the successful completion of this course the 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.
Core Objectives:
COLLEGE POLICIES
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.
ADA STATEMENT
NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.
STUDENT SERVICES
NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students. See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Rebekah Sanchez
Office location: Corinth
Telephone number: 940-498-6480
E-mail address: rsanchez@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Debbie Huffman
Office location: Gainesville
Telephone number: 940-668-3357
E-mail address: dhuffman@nctc.edu