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MIS175 Sample Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR: Asst. Prof. Nora Braun, 326B Memorial

OFFICE HOURS: 9:30 - 10:30 MWF Also available by appointment and e-mail.

PHONE: 330-1767      

E-MAIL: braun@augsburg.edu

TEXTS: New Perspectives Series Custom Edition: Computer Concepts and Microcomputer Applications by Parsons and Oja. These books should be bundled at the bookstore to contain 10 different books packaged together. Note that the upper right edges of the pages have been color coded to separate each book section. Information on several of these texts and related topics is also available on the Web at http://www.course.com. We will be using Office 97 Professional. Older versions of MS Office may be used for your homework if necessary, but it will cause minor difficulties using files between home and school.

SUPPLIES: Students must supply their own 3.5-inch high-density floppy disks. These will be used for saving student files and backing up information. Students can save files on the hard drive under C:\temp during class.

OBJECTIVES: The student who successfully completes this course:

  1. Understands basic information about computing concepts and how they relate to the business world and society in general

  2. Demonstrates basic skills in using microcomputer hardware and software

  3. Solves business-related problems using applications software packages (Microsoft Windows 95, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access)

  4. Explores the Internet by using electronic mail and the World Wide Web with Netscape Navigator software

  5. Integrates learning of separate software applications into an understanding of the utility of various types of software used together

APPROACH: Lots of hands-on use in Augsburg’s Windows-based computer classroom.

EVALUATION:

  1. Hands-on quiz (Windows, Word, & PowerPoint) 10%

  2. Hands-on quiz (Excel & Internet/Netscape) 10%

  3. Hands on quiz (Access & Integrating Apps) 10%

  4. Homework assignments 35%

  5. Tips & Questions 5%

  6. Presentation 5%

  7. Final exam (written) 25%

Final grades will be determined based on overall percentages, with 92% required for a 4.0, 87% for a 3.5, 82% for a 3.0, etc

PASS OUT:

If you have substantial experience with microcomputers (especially with designing spreadsheets) you may substitute MIS 370 for MIS 175 or "pass out" of MIS 175 by submitting a portfolio for evaluation (Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)). Please let me know as soon as possible if you’d like to do this.

POLICIES:

Homework:  Homework will be collected at the beginning of class. Late homework will not be accepted unless approved in advance. You can e-mail your homework to me or call and let me know why you are not coming to class the day it is due. We usually go over the homework in class, so it's important to do it on time. One "make-up" homework is provided, but 100% is the maximum overall homework score. Cooperation among students is encouraged as long as each student physically produces his/her own homework (i.e. does all the typing).

Honesty:  In accordance with Augsburg's academic honesty policy, students will sign a statement at the beginning of the course to reaffirm student honesty. Any student found cheating on a quiz or exam will automatically receive a 0 on that item. Students must also create their own, original final projects for homework.

Makeup Tests and Quizzes:  Must be approved in advance by instructor. Leave a message on my answering machine in case of last minute emergency.

Schedule:  It is important that students attend class. A detailed schedule is provided on the last page. As some incentive for coming to this class, students missing more than six hours will have their overall grades reduced by 5%.

Use of Computer Classroom:  Classes will be held in the Foss Computer Classroom in Foss 42. Students are encouraged to help each other during class to learn the software tools. It is very important that students actively participate in class. Students are not permitted to use the computers for work not being covered in class and will be asked to leave if they are doing so.

SOFTWARE:  Students can purchase microcomputer software at substantial discounts (about 50% off) through the bookstore. Student discounts are also available on hardware, but many local stores/mail orders are very competitive. I would suggest buying Office 97 Professional at the bookstore for only $199.

COMPUTER LAB:  Hours are posted outside the lab. Computers are available 24 hours/day in the Urness dorm. Phone: 330-1044.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

HW#1: Windows 95 (15 points)

Please write neatly or type your answers to the following questions. Feel free to use screen prints to "show" some of the answers like number 6. You will need to copy the student files that come with your text to answer some of these questions. (We'll go over this in class).

  1. How do you format an unformatted floppy diskette in Windows 95?
  2. How would you copy a file from the hard drive to your diskette?
  3. Using your student files, sort the files by date. What is the name of the oldest file? When was it created?
  4. After sorting your student files by size, what is the biggest file? How big is it?
  5. How would you find all the files that start with the letter s?
  6. Create three main directories or folders on your diskette called small, medium, and large. Move the three largest student files to the large folder, the three smallest student files into the small folder, and the other files into the medium folder. Draw a picture of how this directory tree looks in Explorer, listing only the names of the files under the small and large folders.
  7. How do you make the Office 97 shortcut bar show up on your desktop?
  8. How do you modify the Office 97 shortcut bar?
  9. How do you change the background color or pattern on your desktop?
  10. What else can you do with Windows 95 besides file management and changing the appearance of your desktop (give at least two more things it can do)?

HW#2: Study Sheet in Word (15 points)

To help you study what you’ve learned about Windows and Microsoft Word, prepare a study sheet using Word (2 pages single-spaced minimum). Make something centered, bolded, and underlined, include a header and footer, page numbers, a numbered or bulleted list, and a table. Also insert a clip art picture into one of the cells in your table and make part of your document in two-column format. Tailor the contents to your learning needs and make it easy to read.

HW#3: PowerPoint Slides (15 points)

Create 6 slides in PowerPoint about yourself and your family, a hobby or sport, or about your field of study. Use at least three different slide layouts with one being the organization chart template. Insert clip art and experiment with different styles and sizes of fonts. Print all slides on one page by using the setting to print handouts, and select the black and white option before printing unless using a color printer.

HW#4: Student Transcript in Excel (15 points)

Create a student transcript in Excel. Make up course data or use real information for yourself, but include at least four semesters or terms of courses and vary the course credits. Make the format professional looking and easy to read. Include formulas to compute a semester GPA and the cumulative GPA for each of the four terms. You could expand this (for 5 more points extra credit) to also track requirements like general education courses, upper division courses, skill courses, etc.

HW#5: Charts (15 points)

Create three different charts in Excel (5 points each). Make one chart a pie chart, one a bar or column chart with at least three data ranges, and one an XY chart (variable vs. variable). Make sure the charts make sense and are labeled with legends, titles, etc. Make the charts based on original data.

HW#6: Sales Analysis at Medical technology, Inc. (#3, p. 5.45 of Excel chapter 5)(15 points)

Answer all of the questions in your text and print as directed.

HW#7: Grading Template for this Class (20 points)

Prepare a grading template using Excel that could be used for this class. The sample in chapter 8 may help. Create an input area to enter different weighting criteria for each quiz, homework, etc. Use formulas to calculate the weighted average for each student’s total points, and determine final grades using nested IF statements for the letter grade and the vlookup function for the grade point value. Make up data for ten students, with your name as the first one. Hand in a printed copy of the spreadsheet data and the cell formulas. (may need to adjust column sizes for formulas to show)

HW#8: Access mailing list (15 points)

Create a database for automating your address book. You can use the template provided with Access. Include the fields last name, first name, address, city, state, zip, home phone, work phone, e-mail address, and birthday. Enter at least ten different records, including one for yourself. Print the table after you’ve entered the data. Then create and print a mailing label report from the report option.

HW#9: Creating web pages (15 points)

Convert your choice of files (one of your previous homework files, other files from your text, or new files you create in Office 97) into HTML. Make one conversion from Word, one from PowerPoint, one from Excel, and one from Access. Print each HTML result from Netscape Navigator.

HW#10: Final Project (30 points)

Integrate what you’ve learned by creating your own files that can somehow help you or someone you know with their job or personal life by using the software we've learned in class. You must create something using Access, Excel, and Word. Create your own database (at least 20 records and 6 fields) and print out a special report (not a table print or mailing label report) using Access. Create a fairly advanced spreadsheet using Excel (at least 4 different types of formulas or features), and document what you've done using Word or use Word for a cover letter, flier, etc. You can use cases from the text, but I'd prefer you make up some more relevant to your personal needs and interests. You can make everything related to the same topic, but it doesn't have to be. Examples might be planning a wedding (guest list in Access, cost estimates in Excel, invitation in Word), starting a small business (customer list in Access, income statement and balance sheet in Excel, documentation in Word), etc. This is your chance to show me what you’ve really learned. If you’re borderline for a grade, a great final project will pull you up.

EXTRA CREDIT HOMEWORK (10 points):

To make up homework points, write a letter to "Dear Freshmen" or "Dear Colleague" giving them advice on using computers in their work here at Augsburg or at your work setting. Be specific in terms of what types of computers and software are available, what they can be used for, suggestions on purchasing a computer, learning to use it, etc. Make it at least 2 pages, double-spaced, and impress me by using Word Art or pulling in graphics. Make sure this is original work!

TIPS & QUESTIONS:

Every Monday will be small group "show and tell", with a tip or question given to work on together. One group each week will share their answer by demonstrating to the rest of the class. Each group will be expected to demonstrate at least twice during the semester.

PRESENTATIONS:

Prepare a short (5-10 minute) presentation on one of the following topics. This can be done individually or as a group of two students. Be sure to schedule a day for your presentation with me at least one class period in advance.