Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer

Applications
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HILL COLLEGE
112 Lamar
Drive
Hillsboro, TX
76645
COURSE
SYLLABUS
BCIS 1305

Business Computer Applications

Hill College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and

employment. The college does not discriminate against individuals on the basis
of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, or
veteran status in the administration of its educational programs, activities, or
employment policies.
Catalog Description
Students will study computer terminology, hardware, and software related to the
business environment. The focus of this course is on business productivity software
applications and professional behavior in computing, including spreadsheets,
databases, presentation graphics, and business-oriented utilization of the Internet
Lecture Hours: 2 Laboratory Hours: 4 Semester Credit Hours: 3
Pre-requisites: None
Introduction and Purpose of the Course
This course equips students with a working knowledge of computer technologies to meet
the information needs for their professional, person, and academic life. Students will use
digital tools to gather facts, interpret, analyze and create meaning and new meaning form
the information they gather. Effective communication in todays constantly changing
business environment is emphasized. Students will practice selecting appropriate data
sources and technologies to make effective decisions; communicate with others and work
collaboratively; recognize deadlines and develop the ability to prioritize tasks.
Instructional Materials: Textbooks - Required:
Technology in Action 11th Ed / Exploring Office 2013., Pearson, and MyITLab access
bundle (ISBN: 9780133975468)

Supplies
Storage media: diskette, USB
drive

Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

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Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes:

This course partially satisfies the requirements for a degree or certificate in
Computer Science or
Information Processing. At the completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Describe the fundamentals of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure

components: hardware, software, and data communications systems using
effective, professional, and appropriate communication.
Explain the guiding principles of professional behavior in computing through
collaborative efforts with others in a diverse environment considering the ethical
implications of their communication practices.
Demonstrate proper file management techniques to manipulate electronic files and
folders in a local and networked environment intended for end-user support.
Use business productivity software to manipulate data and find solutions to
business problems.
Explain the concepts and terminology used in the operation of application systems
in a business environment to individuals who do not have a background in the
industry.
Identify emerging technologies for use in business applications and distinguish the
appropriate use.
Complete projects that integrate business software applications following an
established timeline.

Description of Institutional Core Objectives (ICOs)

Given the rapid evolution of necessary knowledge and skills and the need to take into
account global, national, state, and local cultures, the core curriculum must ensure that
students will develop the essential knowledge and skills they need to be successful in
college, in a career, in their communities, and in life. Therefore, with the assistance of the
Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee, the Coordinating Board approved a 42
semester credit hour core curriculum for all undergraduate students in Texas, including a
statement of purpose, six core objectives, and common component areas.
Statement of Purpose
Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of
human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and
social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical
skills that are essential for all learning. Hill College faculty periodically evaluate the
objectives included in the Component Area Option.

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Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

COMMUNICATIONS
Core Objective

College SLO

Course SLO

General Learning Activities

Assessment

Critical Thinking
Skills

CT1: Generate
and
communicate
ideas by
combining,
changing or
reapplying
existing
information

1. Describe the
fundamentals of
Information
Technology (IT)
infrastructure
components:
hardware, software,
and data
communications
systems using
effective,
professional, and
appropriate
communication.

Students will demonstrate their

ability to express ideas and answer
questions orally or written, as well
as discuss current events and
assigned outside readings on a
regular basis through the duration
of the semester. These oral and
written activities will allow the
student to demonstrate the critical
thinking process.

Rubric,
exam, or
embedded
assessment

Communication Skills
Use All

CS1: Develop,
interpret, and
express ideas
through written
communication

7. Complete projects
that integrate business
software applications
following an
established timeline.

Students will develop an in-class

presentation, which includes a
written element, pertaining to the
applications of concepts, theories
or issues in computer technology.

Rubric,
exam, or
embedded
assessment

Communication Skills
Use All

CS2: Develop,
interpret, and
express ideas
through oral
communication

6. Identify emerging
technologies for use in
business applications
and distinguish the
appropriate use.

Students will demonstrate their

ability to express ideas and answer
questions orally and written, as
well as discuss current events and
assigned outside readings on a
regular basis through the duration
of the semester. Students will
develop an in-class presentation
pertaining to the applications of
concepts, theories or issues in
computer technology. The
presentation will include an
interview with a third party.

Rubric,
exam, or
embedded
assessment

Communication Skills
Use All

CS3: Develop,
interpret, and
express ideas
through visual
communication

4. Use business
productivity software
to manipulate data and
find solutions to
business problems

Students will develop an in-class

presentation pertaining to the
applications of concepts, theories
or issues in computer technology.

Rubric,
exam, or
embedded
assessment

Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

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Teamwork
Use Any

TW1: Integrate
different
viewpoints as a
member of a
team

3. Demonstrate proper
file management
techniques to
manipulate electronic
files and folders in a
local and networked
environment intended
for end-user support.

Through groups, students will

demonstrate their ability to express
ideas and answer questions orally
or written, as well as discuss
current events and assigned
outside readings on a regular basis
through the duration of the
semester.

Rubric,
exam, or
embedded
assessment

Teamwork
Use Any

TW2: Work
with others to
support and
accomplish a
shared goal

5. Explain the
concepts and
terminology used in
the operation of
application systems in
a business
environment to
individuals who do
not have a background
in the industry.

Through groups, students will

demonstrate their ability to express
ideas and answer questions orally
or written, as well as discuss
current events and assigned
outside readings on a regular basis
through the duration of the
semester.

Rubric,
exam, or
embedded
assessment

Personal
Responsibility

PR1: Evaluate
choices and
actions, and
relate
consequences
to ethical
decisionmaking

2. Explain the guiding

principles of
professional behavior
in computing through
collaborative efforts
with others in a
diverse environment
considering the ethical
implications of their
communication
practices.

Students will demonstrate their

ability to express ideas and answer
questions orally or written, as well
as discuss current events and
assigned outside readings that
relate choices / actions to
consequences / decisions on a
regular basis through the duration
of the semester.

Rubric,
exam, or
embedded
assessment

Methods of Instruction
This course includes extensive lecture, laboratory work and independent study.
Individualized materials, audio-visual aids and resource persons will be used as
needed.
Methods of Evaluation
The students' success in completing the core objectives within the Component Area Option
Communication, will be measured using rubric, exam, or embedded assessment activity.
A student's final grade shall be based on his/her performance on scheduled examinations
and on computer assignments.

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Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

TIA - Chapter Tests

TIA - In Class
Exercises / DB
EO - Hands-On Skills
EO - Simulated Chapter
Tests
EO - Grader Projects
Final Exam
Total

20%
10%
20%
20%
30%
10%
100
%

Grading Criteria
90 - 100
A
80 - 89
B
70 - 79
C
60 - 69
D
Below 60
F
Each test will be weighed equally and will consist of laboratory practicum,
multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer and/or long answer questions. The
final exam will be comprehensive and will, in all cases, constitute at least 10% of your
final grade.
The project assignments will be made at the discretion of the instructor to afford
practice in utilizing the concepts discussed in class. These concepts include but are not
limited to fundamental operating system usage, word processing, spreadsheet
development, data base administration and presentation software. The assignments
must be of such difficulty as to test the student's grasp of each laboratory objective
(see Objectives and Course Outline).
One or more writing assignments will be made during the semester. These
assignments are designed to test the student's ability to rationally organize his/her
thoughts in the application of concepts discussed in class. The writing assignment(s)
may include a research paper, book reviews, discussion boards, and/or class
presentations. The type of written assignment(s) given will be at the instructor's
discretion.
Course Outline
I.

Class policies
A.

Attendance
1.
2.

3.

B.

Regular and punctual attendance is expected

Excused absences are granted for:
a. illness
b. death in the immediate family
c. school sponsored events
Warnings issued after:
a. 3 consecutive unexcused absences
b. a total of 4 hours of unexcused absences

Assignments are due on the date and time specified. Late work is not accepted

Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

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C.

No make-up of Chapter Tests will be allowed; All Chapter Tests must be taken
during the time period they are scheduled. Any Chapter Tests not taken will
receive a grade of zero (0). CAUTION: DO NOT wait until the last minute to
take an exam. Be aware that technology issues can and do occur, however, these
will not be acceptable excuses for missing an exam. NO MAKE UP EXAMS
WILL BE ALLOWED. The final exam is mandatory, comprehensive, and must
be taken when scheduled.

D.

Photographing notes in lecture is not permitted. Recording your own notes is a

valuable learning tool.

E.

Academic dishonesty
1. A student will, minimally, receive a grade of zero on an assignment or test
for the following. Any of the following, at the sole discretion of the
instructor, may result in a grade of F being awarded for the course and the
student being remanded to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action
which may include expulsion.
a. cheating
b. plagiarism
c. collusion
2. A student will receive an F for the course for cheating on the final
examination
Please turn off all cell phones, iPods, headphones, etc., prior to entering the
classroom.

F.

G.

Food items are not allowed but closed beverages only (no open containers) are
allowed in classrooms

H.

Any disruptive behavior that interrupts the educational process will not be
tolerated. Disruptive behavior will be reported to the Dean of Students and you
will be asked to leave and not return until you have met with the Dean of Students
and I have heard from them that you are allowed to return to class.

I.

Please keep all verbal and written communication professional and courteous.
Emails that directly relate to this computer course are the only ones that should be
sent to the instructor. Please do not forward unrelated emails.

J.

Important Class Dates: See Course Semester Calendar.

II. Di sabi lities/ AD A:

Disabilities/ADA
Reports of discrimination based on disability may be directed to the ADA/Section 504
coordinator. The College District designates the following person to coordinate its

Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

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efforts to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as
amended, which incorporates and expands the requirements of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended:
Name:
Dr. Heather Kissack
Position:
Executive Director of Human Resources
Address:
112 Lamar Drive, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Telephone: (254) 659-7731
Students with qualified and documented disabilities may request accommodations
which will enable them to participate in and benefit from educational programs and
activities. Students should contact the Academic Advising and Student
Success Center for more details at: 254 659 7650 for Hillsboro, 817 760
5650 for Cleburne, or 817 295-7392 for Burleson.

III.

Topics and Tests

A.

Overview of Computer Systems

1.
Fundamental concepts and terms
2.
History and development of the computer

B.

Microcomputer Operating System Fundamentals

1.
Basic functions and features of Operating Systems.
2.
Categories of operation systems, including Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, and
Linux
3.
Purpose of utilities programs.
4.
Device drivers.

C.

Input/Processing Operations
1.
Central Processing Unit
2.

Fundamental Types of Input Devices a. Keyboards

b. Pointing devices c. Scanners
d. Digital capture devices e. Audio capture
devices

D.

Word Processing Concepts

1.
Creating a document
2.
Editing a document
3.
Formatting a document
4.
Printing a document
5.
Saving and retrieving documents
6.
Ribbons, Galleries, Tab information

E.

Output and Secondary Storage Considerations

1.
Basic Types of Output Devices a. Monitors
b. Printers

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Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

F.

G.

c. Audio output devices

2.
Secondary Storage Devices a. Magnetic storage
b. Optical Storage
c. Solid state storage
d. Tape storage
Fundamental Spreadsheet Operations
1.
The Spreadsheet Environment
2.
Worksheet Entry
a. Making entries on the worksheet
b. Saving and retrieving a worksheet
3.
Formulas and Functions
4.
Worksheet Appearance
5.
Printing the Worksheet
6.
Copying and Moving Information
Telecommunications, Networking and Legal Considerations
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fundamental of Telecommunications
Network Basics and design
Data and system security
Disaster management and recovery

H.

Database Management and Usage

1.
The Database Environment
2.
Database Creation
a. Designing and creating a database
b. Entering and modifying database structures c. Information entry and
modification
d. Saving and Retrieving database
3.
Displaying and printing database data
4.
Database searches

I.

Presentation Software Usage

1.
Presentation Software Environment
2.
Slide Entry
a. Making entries on the Slides
b. Saving and retrieving a presentation
3.
Appearance of the slides a. Background
b. Transitions
4.
Printing the Slides
Bibliography
th

Capron, H. L., Computers: Tools For An Information Age, 8 Ed., Benjamin-Cummins, Course
Technology, 2003.
Kelly, Mary Louise and Suzanne Weixel, Microsoft Office Professional Essentials, Que College,
1995.

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Course Syllabus BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications

th

OLeary, Timothy, Computing Essentials Complete 2008, 19 Ed., McGraw Hill Publishing,
2008.
Parker, Charles S., Understanding Computers - Today and Tomorrow, Dryden Press, 1996.