CIS 146 • Microcomputer Applications

Jefferson State Community College • Shelby-Hoover Campus • Spring 2011

Catalog Course DescriptionThis course is an introduction to the most common microcomputer software applications. These software packages should include typical features of applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and presentation software. Upon completion, students will be able to utilize selected features of these packages.

PrerequisiteNone (keyboarding skills recommended).

TextbookYou are required to purchase the textbook for this course, as assignments will incorporate material in the book. Bring the textbook to each class meeting. In-class textbook sharing is prohibited.

Microsoft Office 2010: Introductory by Gary B. Shelly and Misty E. Vermaat, either standalone or bundled with SAM 2010 Assessment, Training, and Projects 1.5 Printed Access Card.
Textbook ISBN-10: 1-4390-7838-6 (regular) or 1-4390-7840-8 (spiralbound). Bundled ISBN-10: 1-111-70875-4

Please consult with your instructor should you wish to buy a variation on the textbook other than those listed above.

SoftwareThis course focuses on using four programs from Microsoft Office 2010 (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) in the Windows 7 environment. This software is installed in your CIS 146 classroom as well as the open computer laboratory (room 451). Students enrolled in CIS courses at Jefferson State may obtain some Microsoft software titles free-of-charge through the MSDN Academic Alliance; be looking for an e-mail message in your Pipeline account with your login information. For this course, Windows 7 and Access 2010 are available through this program; Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are not. Microsoft Office 2010 is available at a discounted price for currently-enrolled students. Microsoft Office 2007 and Office for Mac 2011 may suffice for assignments in this course, but students are discouraged from attempting to complete these assignments using earlier versions of Microsoft Office or any other office application suite.

Course ContentThis course will deal with general terminology of computers and specific application areas as well as the tools provided in Microsoft Office 2010 for each area. Assignments and examinations may emphasize concepts and / or the ability to accomplish specific tasks with an application. Some class meetings will be devoted to demonstration of the tools used to complete assignments; others will allow students to work individually on assignments.

GradesRefer to the following table for the contributions of each course item to your grade.

Item Number / Points Total Pts.
Assignments 30 to 32 @ 10 to 30 pts. each 500
Exams 3 @ 100 pts. each 300
Final Exam 2 portions @ 100 pts. each 200
Total Points 1000

AssignmentsEarly assignments will focus on computer terminology and the elements of Windows 7. Later assignments will require you to use tools from Microsoft Office to complete exercises from the textbook and / or instructions posted on Blackboard. Some assignments require the use of existing files; these will be provided via links on each assignment's page on Blackboard. Your grades on these assignments will be based on how closely you follow the instructions, with more important instructions weighted more highly than those that are trivial. The total points possible for these assignments will exceed the value required in the syllabus, allowing for some bonus credit.

ExaminationsThe first examination will require knowledge of computer terminology and the ability to complete tasks in Windows 7; questions may be multiple-choice, true / false, and / or matching. The latter examinations will focus on specific programs in Microsoft Office and the ability to generate documents according to specific instructions. Unless otherwise specified, examinations are closed-book and closed-note.