Course Syllabus

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PREFIX, NUMBER, AND TITLE:

CSC 206 Adv. Computer Appl: Excel

CREDIT HOURS:

1

UNIVERSITY NAME:

Dakota State University

ACADEMIC TERM/YEAR:

Fall 2009 - August 31 to October 5

Last day to Drop and receive 100% refund:

September 2, 2009

Last day to Withdraw and earn a grade of 'W':

September 24, 2009

COURSE MEETING TIME AND LOCATION:

Section D31 Internet

INSTRUCTOR'S CONTACT INFORMATION:

Name: Christopher J. Olson
Office: East Hall Room 104B
Phone: 605-256-5688 (office) 605-256-5165 (secretary)
Office hours: Virtual - *see Description of Instructional Methods --- Physical - please email for appointment
Email address: chris.olson@dsu.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Catalog Description:

This course covers advanced features of the Microsoft Excel 2007 spreadsheet program.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

Technology Skills:

Word processing, Internet Desire2Learn, and electronic mail. Students will be required to use email for communication. Desire2Learn will be used to deliver course materials and weekly assignments, as well as serve as a communication tool between students and faculty.

Course Prerequisite:

CSC 105 - Students are expected to be proficient in the basics of Excel when the course starts.

*DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

Students will be given lab assignments, quizzes, and exams through an online medium. Students should expect to login to the Desire2Learn site several times a week. Students must be motivated to stay on task and complete the coursework without benefit of lecture sessions. Keeping up on reading the assigned chapters and notes will be absolutely necessary for completing the labs (assignments) on time.

You are expected to use the steps in the textbook to complete the files in the tutorials. Doing so should give you the skills you need in order to successfully complete the lab assignments. Looking the textbook over or reading it several times is not the same as actually using the steps to create the desired documents.

Because this is an online class delivered through Desire2Learn, it is crucial that you have reliable access to the Internet on a regular basis. You should have a backup plan if needed, as the inability to connect to the Internet is NOT a valid excuse for missing a submission deadline.

I will be available most afternoons and evenings to answer questions. Email is my preferred form of communication and I check regularly throughout the day. While I cannot guarantee you an immediate answer to your inquiry, I will always do my best to reply in a timely manner. It is unlikely that you will ever have to wait more than a day for a response.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Required Textbook And Other References:

New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Excel 2007, Introductory, 1st Edition
Parsons, Oja, Ageloff, Carey
ISBN-10: 1423905849
ISBN-13: 9781423905844
526 Pages
2008

Textbook purchasing options:

• DSU Bookstore
• iChapters eBook

Required Software:

• You will need some version of Microsoft Excel 2007 for this class. You can download a free 60 day trial or see the link on the Desire2Learn course page for instructions on purchasing Microsoft Office 2007 (which includes Excel) for $20 from Dakota State University.
• The Respondus LockDown Browser must be used when taking a test for this class or viewing its results. A link where it can be downloaded for free appears on the Desire2Learn course site.

System Requirements:

To run the software required for this class, you will need a computer with either Windows XP or Windows Vista. The table below lists the hardware requirements:

As strongly as I can, I suggest having access to a high speed broadband Internet connection. Dial up is unreliable for tests and won't handle streaming Internet videos that should be extremely helpful.

POLICIES:

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is expected through Desire2Learn and the submission of assignments, quizzes, and tests. You will not be successful in this course without regular participation and attendance through Desire2Learn.

ADA STATEMENT:

If you have a documented disability and/or anticipate needing accommodations (e.g., non-standard note taking, test modifications) in this course, please arrange to meet with the instructor. Also, please contact Dakota State University's ADA coordinator, Keith Bundy in the Student Development Office located in the Trojan Center Underground or at 256-5121, as soon as possible. The DSU website containing additional information, along with the form to request accommodations is http://www.departments.dsu.edu/disability_services/. You will need to provide documentation of your disability. The ADA coordinator must confirm the need for accommodations before officially authorizing them.

Academic Integrity Policy:

Cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty run contrary to the purpose of higher education and will not be tolerated in this course. Please be advised that, when the instructor suspects plagiarism, the Internet and other standard means of plagiarism detection will be used to resolve the instructor's concerns. DSU's policy on academic integrity (DSU Policy 03-22-00) is available online.

All forms of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade (as in absolutely no credit) on the assignment. If you copy from another or allow another to copy from you, you have cheated. Any student who does so will automatically be penalized so that a B will be the highest letter grade he or she may earn for an overall course grade. A formal acknowledgement that you violated academic integrity policies will be placed in your permanent academic records. If there is a second offense by the same student(s), they will fail the course.

FREEDOM IN LEARNING STATEMENT:

Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. It has always been the policy of Dakota State University to allow students to appeal the decisions of faculty, administrative, and staff members and the decisions of institutional committees. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should contact the dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.

University Policy Regarding the Use of Tablets in the Classroom (when applicable):

The Tablet PC platform has been adopted across the DSU campus for all students and faculty, and tablet usage has been integrated into all DSU classes to enhance the learning environment. Tablet usage for course-related activities, note taking, and research is allowed and encouraged by DSU instructors. However, inappropriate and distracting use will not be tolerated in the classroom. Instructors set policy for individual classes and are responsible for informing students of class-specific expectations relative to Tablet PC usage. Failure to follow the instructor's guidelines will hinder academic performance and may lead to disciplinary actions. Continued abuse may lead to increased tablet restrictions for the entire class.

Because tablet technology is an integral part of this course, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that his/her Tablet PC is operational prior to the beginning of each class period.

COURSE GOALS:

Chapter Topics

Tutorial 1 Getting Started with Excel

• Understand the use of spreadsheets and Excel
• Learn the parts of the Excel window
• Scroll through a worksheet and navigate between worksheets
• Create and save a workbook file
• Enter text, numbers, and dates into a worksheet
• Resize, insert, and remove columns and rows
• Select and move cell ranges
• Insert formulas and functions
• Insert, delete, move, and rename worksheets
• Work with editing tools
• Preview and print a workbook

Tutorial 2 Formatting a Workbook

• Format text, numbers, and dates
• Change font colors and fill colors
• Merge a range into a single cell
• Apply a built-in cell style
• Select a different theme
• Apply a built-in table style
• Add conditional formats to tables with highlight rules and data bars
• Hide worksheet rows
• Insert print titles, set print areas, and insert page breaks
• Enter headers and footers

Tutorial 3 Working with Formulas and Functions

• Copy formulas
• Build formulas containing relative, absolute, and mixed references
• Review function syntax
• Insert a function with the Insert Function dialog box
• Search for a function
• Type a function directly in a cell
• Use AutoFill to fill in a formula and complete a series
• Enter the IF logical function
• Insert the date with the TODAY function
• Calculate monthly mortgage payments with the PMT financial function

Tutorial 4 Working with Charts and Graphics

• Create an embedded chart
• Work with chart titles and legends
• Create and format a pie chart
• Work with 3D charts
• Create and format a column chart
• Create and format a line chart
• Use custom formatting with chart axes
• Work with tick marks and scale values
• Create and format a combined chart
• Insert and format a graphic shape
• Create a chart sheet

Tutorial 5 Excel Tables, PivotTables, and PivotCharts

• Explore a structured range of data
• Freeze rows and columns
• Plan and create an Excel table
• Rename and format an Excel table
• Add, edit, and delete records in an Excel table
• Sort data
• Filter data
• Insert a Total row to summarize an Excel table
• Insert subtotals into a range of data
• Use the Outline buttons to show or hide details
• Create and modify a PivotTable
• Apply PivotTable styles and formatting
• Filter and sort a PivotTable
• Group PivotTable items
• Create a PivotChart

Tutorial 6 Managing Multiple Worksheets and Workbooks

• Format and edit multiple worksheets at once
• Create cell references to other worksheets
• Consolidate information from multiple worksheets using 3-D references
• Create and print a worksheet group
• Create a link to data in another workbook
• Create a workbook reference
• Learn how to edit links
• Create and use an Excel workspace
• Insert a hyperlink in a cell
• Create a custom template
• Create a Web page

Tutorial 7 Advanced Functions, Formatting, and Filtering

• Evaluate a single condition using the IF function
• Evaluate multiple conditions using the AND function
• Calculate different series of outcomes by nesting IF functions
• Test whether one or more conditions are true with the OR function
• Return values from a table with the VLOOKUP function
• Check for duplicate values using conditional formatting
• Check for data entry errors using the IFERROR function
• Summarize data using the COUNTIF, SUMIF, and AVERAGEIF functions
• Review the COUNTIFS, SUMIFS, and AVERAGEIFS functions
• Use advanced filters
• Summarize data using Database functions

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

Assessments:

Grading Scale:

Make-up Policy for Missed Submission Deadlines:

• Tests: Make-up examinations will not be given unless prior approval is granted from the course instructor. Tests will be given via Desire2Learn and only made available at certain times. I have tests available for a full week, so plan accordingly so you can take the test before the deadline passes.
• Assignments: Late labs will be penalized 5 points per school day and will not be accepted after 4 days. The deadlines for assignments will be followed. Exceptions may be granted in special situations, but this will be the exception rather than the rule. Those with extenuating circumstances should ask for an extension before the due date.
• Quizzes: Quizzes cannot be made up.

Last date and time to submit coursework:

The class officially ends Monday, October 5, 2009 at 5 PM Central. The last test and all coursework must be completed before that time. No exceptions.

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:

The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments in the course outline to better meet the needs of the students.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Modifications to the Course:

The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to this syllabus during the course of the semester in order to better meet the needs of the students.