The purpose of this course is to learn how to use computer technology to better manage business data and processes. This course introduces the concepts of data storage, access and information visualization. In addition, it introduces the process of application systems analysis and development. This course enhances your existing knowledge of computer applications and vocabulary.
At the end of this course you will know or be able to do the following:
Cable, Sandra. Succeeding in Business with Microsoft Office
Access 2007, Thomson Course Technology, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-1-4239-0606-3.
Gross, Debra; Akaiwa, Frank; and Nordquist, Karleen. Succeeding
in Business with Microsoft Excel 2007, Thomson Course Technology,
2008. ISBN-13: 978-1-4239-0605-6.
I expect that you will try and learn the material from class sessions and the textbooks. However, if you need help with the class material, please contact me during my office hours in AB401K:
Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30-11AM or 5:30-6:30PM.
Also feel free to set up a meeting with me via email. If you send a question via email, please use appropriate grammar, capitalization and punctuation. Treat our email correspondence as you would treat professional communication in the business world.
You may also contact a graduate assistant (Tim Reed) for help with this class. His email address is t_c_reed@hotmail.com. Here are the days/times he is available to help you in AB320:
Monday and Wednesday: 4:00-6:00PM
We use Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and Access 2007 for this class. The software is available for use in the College of Business computer labs (AB301, AB309). If you prefer to work on your own computer, you can purchase the entire Microsoft Office 2007 suite (or an upgrade if you have a valid copy of Microsoft Office 2003) from the computer den (located in the ASUN bookstore). You can also purchase the software from Microsoft as part of their "Ultimate Steal" student purchase program. Microsoft Works does not have the functionality required for all class assignments.
All files for the Excel book exercises and examples are available here. This compressed file contains a folder for each chapter of the book for all the exercises in each chapter. The folder for chapter 1, for example, is named "Data Chapter 01". This compressed file also contains a folder for each chapter of the book for the example worksheets discussed in each chapter. The folders containing the example worksheets are also named by chapter. The folder for chapter 1, for example, is named "SiB Excel Chapter Case Files CH01".
The link to the k:drive is here: http://business.unr.edu/labs/cvfs/cvfs.html
The prerequisite for this class is IS101. This prerequisite means you:
Your grade will be determined using the following point distribution for the course deliverables:
| 200 Points | Homework Assignments (8) |
20% |
| 200 Points | Access Project |
20% |
| 200 Points | Excel Project |
20% |
| 250 Points | First Exam |
25% |
| 150 Points | Second Exam |
15% |
Your final grade for the class will be based on the percentage of total points you have earned for all work completed during the semester. The final grade will not be rounded. The grade value assigned to each given percentage range is shown below:
| A | 91% and Above | C | 71% - 76% |
| A- | 90% | C- | 70% |
| B+ | 87% - 89% | D+ | 67% - 69% |
| B | 81% - 86% | D | 61% - 66% |
| B- | 80% | D- | 60% |
| C+ | 77% - 79% | F | Below 60% |
There are two primary graded components of the course: Work that you do outside of class (assignments and project) and exams.
Assignments help you learn the basics about how to design small
databases, how to use MS Access and Excel, and how to create effective
visualization of data. Assignments must be completed individually.
The Access and Excel Projects challenge you to create applications
from more abstract requirements. You will learn how to analyze
a problem and develop a solution that has effective visualization
techniques using Excel and Access. You will also learn more in
depth about using the software packages to solve business problems.
You may work as part of a team to complete the Access and Excel
projects. A team may have a maximum of 3 people.
There will be two exams given during the semester. The exams cover
material gathered from your texts, assignments, projects, and
class lectures. The first exam covers the material in the first
part of the course, and the second exam focuses on the material
in the second part of the course. There are some concepts, such
as information visualization and the systems development life
cycle, that span both parts of the course.
You may bring a page of notes (8.5" x 11") to the exams.
It is OK to write on both sides of the page. It is OK to type
the notes. It is OK to copy material and include it on the notes.
It is OK to use a small font size. It is OK to hand write the
notes. It is OK to include absolutely anything you want to include
on your notes. The only catch is that the notes must be on paper
- you cannot use a computer version of your notes for the exam.
Learning is a collaborative
effort.
The approach used for this course takes the view that the instructor and students work in a collaborative effort.
It is my responsibility to: Establish a framework and put together the materials we use to learn about this subject; structure challenging projects; explain the material in a way understandable to students; and give timely feedback concerning my opinion of your course deliverables.
It is your responsibility to work within the course framework and obtain the objectives for the class. I expect you to ask questions and communicate with me and your fellow class members via email or in the classroom. I expect you to read your texts, complete the projects, and arrive in class prepared to learn.
If you feel you are not learning the material, then it is up to you to take steps to change that situation. I am available for assistance, but it is up to you to make the overture and ask for help. If you need help, send email to the class, ask questions in class, visit me during my office hours, make an appointment to see me. Take an active role in your education.
In summary, we are both active participants in the learning process.
You are responsible for completing
all assignments on time. 
Assignments are due during the beginning ten minutes of class on the assigned day. No late assignments will be accepted without prior approval from the instructor. Do not skip class and turn in your assignment after class; I will not accept the assignment.
I realize that emergencies do happen and you may be unable to turn in an assignment on time, or take an exam on the scheduled day. Emergencies, however, are situations that are out of your control such as illness, death, or an accident. Please inform me as soon as possible when an emergency occurs. I have an answering machine in my office for messages, and email is usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I do not consider a scheduling conflict, such as other course work or job-related work, to be an emergency. I am happy to accept assignments early, or allow you to take an exam on an earlier date, if that will help resolve a scheduling conflict. I am not happy to delay an exam or an assignment because of a personal scheduling conflict.In addition to the dates your assignments are due, there are a few other important university-related dates you should note:
Sep. 02, 2009 Last day to add a class. Last day to change from audit to credit. Last day to get a refund if dropping an individual class. Oct. 16, 2009 Last day to drop a class. (No refund, of course.) Last date to change from credit to audit. The administration of this university has made it very difficult to withdraw from a course after the last date to drop a class as shown above. Note this date on your calendar and decide whether or not you wish to remain in this class by that date.
Give yourself enough time to
learn the course material.
Most of us "do more than one thing" in our lives. For example, we go to school, are employed, have relationships, entertain ourselves, take care of others, etc. Frequently, it is difficult to balance the demands of all our required (and not required…) activities. Since employment and education are two time-consuming activities for most students in the college, COBA faculty recommend the following maximum numbers of credits and work hours in order to effectively balance education and employment:
Max. # of Credits Max. Work Hours 15 Credits 10 Hours 12 Credits 20 Hours 9 Credits 30 Hours 6 Credits 40 Hours
A grade of "incomplete"
is given only in emergencies.
The following paragraph is repeated from the UNR 2009-2010 general catalog:
An "I" is given when a student is performing passing work, but for some uncontrollable reason is unable to complete the course requirements during the instructional period. Non-attendance, poor performance or requests to repeat the course are unacceptable reasons for issuance of the "I" mark.
You are responsible for creating
a "team" rather than just working in a group.
It is your choice whether you work alone or part of a team for the assignments and projects in this class. You may choose your own team members. All team members receive the same grade for deliverables; I do not adjust the grade if a team member performs very well and other team members simply do nothing. Thus, you are responsible for creating an effective "team" environment. This includes selecting a team leader, knowing each other's goals for work in the class, developing work priorities, producing individual milestones, having a backup plan, and controlling team behavior.
If necessary, you can "fire" a teammate and/or "hire" a new teammate. To "fire" a teammate, it must happen at the start of a new assignment cycle; you cannot "fire" a teammate the day before an assignment is due. You must send the person an email noting that they have been removed from the team, and cc: me as well as the rest of the team. If you "hire" a new teammate, you must follow the same process: at the start of a new assignment cycle send the person an email and cc: me as well as each member of the rest of the team. I recommend that you avoid choosing teammates purely because they are friends. Instead, choose teammates who have similar goals for this class (grade, level of learning), who can meet with you either face-to-face or virtually, who are reliable, and who have skills that complement your own.
Being polite is a survival skill.
Civilized people refer to the rules of correct behavior as "being polite." The rules of correct behavior can differ depending upon the people and the situation. I recommend that you learn what it takes to "be polite" in any group of people with which you interact. Some of the rules of correct behavior for this class are:
Don't cheat. Cheating includes plagiarism, fraud and other forms of academic dishonesty. Examples of cheating include: If you give your work to another student to copy; if you give your work to another student to reference, and that student turns in the work as his/her own; if you take the work of another student and turn it in as your own; if you use the work of a student who did the same (or a similar) project a prior semester and turn it in as your own; and/or if you work with another person outside your group and you both turn in the same results. These examples are not all encompassing, so try and avoid even the look of impropriety with your assignments. Cheating will result in an "F" for an assignment, or failure in the class, depending on the infraction. All incidences of cheating will be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs
Don't chat. If you have a question, or want to present your opinion about an issue under scrutiny, say it loud enough for the class to hear.
Don't wander in and out of class. Don't leave during a class session unless you really need to leave. I assume that if you really need to leave class that it is not a temporary situation. For example, if you have an appointment that you absolutely MUST go to and need to leave class early, I will understand. I also understand that you might become ill during a class and have to leave. What I don't understand is when you constantly walk in and out of class.
Be lively. I think information systems and technology-related topics are exciting and hope you will, too. I really enjoy creating business applications and hope that you will also find it a creative and rewarding activity. If you stay awake, ask questions and answer my questions chances are you will learn more in the class. It is impolite to fall asleep in class.
Don't be late. Class meeting times are relatively short - we have 2.5 hours a week for 15 weeks to review all required material. Please be on time for class so that we can make full use of our time without interruptions.
Tell me when you are going to leave early. If you must leave a class early, and you can anticipate that need in advance, please tell me when you will be leaving.
Manage your devices. Please make sure that all devices capable of making sounds are silent. Don't answer a cell phone during class. If you absolutely MUST answer the phone (example: your spouse is giving birth…), then take the call outside. Don't text. If you use a computer during class, please use it for class-related work. Don't surf, do Facebook, watch movies, watch football, or play games (etc., etc., etc...).
Don't complain about your grade in class. I am happy to discuss any of your grades received on any of your assignments at any time during my office hours. You can also make an appointment, call me, or send email to discuss a grade. I prefer not to take the small amount of time allotted to the class as a whole to discuss individual grades, or to make appointments to discuss individual grades. Talk to me about it outside of class.
You are responsible for knowing
material covered in class.
I will be lecturing about material that is not in your text and I expect you to know this material for your exams. Please do not ask me whether you missed anything "important" when you miss a class. I believe that what we do in class is important, and I consider the person who asks this question to be rude (impolite). If you miss a class, it is up to you to find a classmate who will provide you with notes of the class material.
Course Schedule
Date Discussion Topic Related Text Assignment Due 08-25 Introduction to course Access: Intro
na 08-27 Introduction to application development and data visualization Access: Chapter 1 & Intro
Sign up for the class email listserv 09-01 Database Design Access: Chapter 1
Introduction to Stored Data Design
Exercise: Assigned in class on 08-27-09 - see last page of PowerPoint for 8-27-09
na 09-03 Database Design Access: Chapter 2 HW #1 09-08 Database Design and Access
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Access: Chapters 2 and 3
na 09-10 Analyzing data
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Access: Chapter 3
na 09-15 Analyzing data Access: Chapter 3
09-17 Analyzing data
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Access: Chapter 3
na 09-22 Creating data input forms
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Access: Chapter 4
09-24 Creating forms for data input and visual display
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Access: Chapter 4
Declare Access project team via email 09-29 Producing visual output Access: Chapter 5
10-01 Producing visual output Access: Chapter 5 Access Project Design 10-06 Automating the application
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Access: Chapter 6
4Corners Database used for Exercise 6 (4CornersSwitchboardLab.accdb)
na 10-08 Review for exam na na 10-13 First Exam Access: Intro-Chapter 6 (stop at pg. 435) handouts
na 10-15 Class Cancelled to work on Access projects na na 10-20 Excel Review Excel: Chapter 1
Practice Excel Spreadsheets for Book Exercises:
10-22 Excel Review Excel: Chapter 2
If you are struggling to remember Excel, there are many tutorials available on the web. Here are just a few:
na 10-27 Data Visualization with Excel
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Excel: Chapter 3
10-29 Decision making with Excel
Meet in Computer Lab: AB312
Excel: Chapter 4
na 11-03 Decision making with Excel Excel: Chapter 4 na 11-05 Decision making with Excel - more complex functions
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Excel: Chapter 5
HW #6 11-10 Financial analysis in Excel Excel: Chapter 5, 6
na 11-12 Financial analysis in Excel
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Excel: Chapter 6 na 11-17 Data organization in Excel
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Excel: Chapter 7
Declare Excel Project Team via email (if different from Access project team)
11-19 Data organization in Excel
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
Excel: Chapter 7
na 11-24 Complex data analysis with Excel Excel: Chapter 8 Excel Project Design - optional review in class 11-26 Holiday: Thanksgiving na na 12-01 Complex data analysis with Excel Excel: Chapters 8, 9 na 12-03 Complex data analysis with Excel Excel: Chapter 9 na 12-08 Review na 12-10 Second exam
11:00AM-12:15PM class - exam meets 7:30AM-9:30AM
1:00PM-2:15PM class - exam meets noon-2PMna This schedule is subject to change based on the progression of the class.
The link to the k:drive is here: http://business.unr.edu/labs/cvfs/cvfs.htmlCopyright, Dana Edberg, 2009. All materials available on this website are included in the copyright. Do not copy, use or distribute the materials on this website without the written permission of the author.
