Course Description: Instruction in the concepts, procedures, and importance of electronic spreadsheets.

Pre-requisites: One semester of programming, or COSC 1301, or instructional program approval.

Course Rationale: This course is a beginning course about spreadsheet development. It is a required course in the User Computer Support A.A.S. degree program.

Instructional Methodology: This course will have 2 hours of lecture (reading, doing practice exercising, training, etc.) and 2 hours of lab each week. To work from home, you will need a computer with fast, reliable Internet access, Windows 10 and full version Excel 2019. Most Lab Project assignments DO NOT have the same results when created on a MAC or Chrome Book due to differences in themes, fonts, colors, etc.

As of  October 26, ACC will open three locations for students to access on-campus computers and individual study areas. ACC is building on best practices to make this happen. These areas will be limited to 25 percent capacity to ensure safe social distancing and will be available by appointment only. Locations in three key regions were selected to meet the needs of as many students as possible: the Highland and Round Rock campus ACCelerators, as well as library space at Hays Campus.

ACC computer labs do have MS Office 2019 installed. Call to make an appointment and to check hours of operation.

Excel 2019 is required for all lab projects for this class. No exceptions. Blackboard is used for students to access course materials, lecture PowerPoint presentations, notes, handouts, etc. If you are not familiar with Blackboard, see the ACC Online Frequently Asked Questions here. MindTap/SAM (Skills Assessment Management, website provided by textbook publisher) is used for chapter training tutorials, chapter exams/skills training, chapter lab projects and capstone lab projects.

Course Rationale: This course is a beginning course about spreadsheet development. It is a required course in the User Computer Support A.A.S. degree program.

Required Course Text: With your paid course tuition, you have access to MindTap/SAM course materials, assignments, and the E-book via the MindTap Link on Blackboard. You do not need to purchase a MindTap or SAM access code for this class.  If you choose to purchase a hardcopy textbook in addition to the above, a hardcopy textbook can be purchased/ordered at an ACC bookstore.

Textbook: MindTap The New Perspectives Collection, Office 2019 and MS Office 365, 1st Edition, Cengage Learning. Authors: Patrick Carey, Katherine T. Pinard, Ann Shaffer, Mark Shellman, and Sasha Vodnik. Publisher: Course Technology, 2020.

NOTE: Excel 2019 or Excel 365 must be used for this course.

NOTE: MindTap 2019 is NOT compatible with Excel 2013, or Excel 2016. Excel 2019 is compatible with Excel within Office 365 according to Cengage Publishing.

A USB drive (Jump drive or Thumb drive) is recommended for storing student files.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

The students will learn to “use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information”. Students will have an “understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and acquire the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available”. After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Use spreadsheet software to manage financial data.
• Work with formulas and functions.
• Develop professional-looking worksheets.
• Create charts and graphs.
• Create and use spreadsheet lists (basic database management).
• Use spreadsheet's editing and web tools.
• Develop a spreadsheet application.
• Use data tables and scenario managers.
• Use spreadsheet's solver for complex problems.
• Import data into the spreadsheet from other programs.
• Enhance spreadsheet with internal programming language (Visual BASIC).

 SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdf for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS. The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course: 

Grade Policy:

Final Course Grade will be assigned based both on computer concepts and practical application. Final grade will be made up of Skills Training, Lab Projects, and Capstone Lab projects. Letter grades are assigned on the 10-point scale.

Grade Scale:    A - 100 – 90         B – 89 – 80         C - 79 – 70         D - 69 – 60         F - Below 60

Grading for the Course

NO LATE WORK OR ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  ANYTHING NOT TURNED IN ON TIME WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO. NO EXCEPTIONS. All assignments may also be turned in early. Emergencies such as hospitalization, deaths in family, deployment, etc. are handled on a situation by situation basis, but I must be contacted before missed assignments are due if an emergency situation occurs. No exceptions.

Posting of Assignment Grades

MindTap Assignments are graded instantly after completion. All Assignment grades are recorded in Blackboard grade book, which is the official gradebook for this class, and may be accessed via the My Grades Link.

Computer Time

Scheduling of outside computer time is the student’s responsibility. Availability of computers is NOT an excuse for being late with a lab project assignment.

Academic Integrity - YOUR WORK MUST BE YOUR OWN. Your work CANNOT be shared with, or copied from other students.  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. (See Academic Integrity in the ACC Student Policies Handbook). Exams, projects, labs/homework, and all graded assignments are individual efforts. While you certainly may ask procedural (“how do I…”) questions of others, graded work must be your own individual work. Each person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the assigned projects, assignments and tasks. Students may not “work together” on graded assignments. Such collaboration constitutes cheating, and a student may not use or copy (by any means) another’s work (or portions of it) and represent it as his/her own. If you need help on an assignment, contact your instructor, not other classmates. This class is an exercise in higher education and an independent effort is expected from you. I endorse wholeheartedly Austin Community College’s policy on Academic Integrity. These rules have been established to protect the integrity of those pursuing learning in an open and honest manner. Students who violate ACC rules on academic integrity are subject to disciplinary penalties outlined in the Academic Integrity policy in the current ACC Student Policies Handbook. Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process.

For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ for the course.

Incomplete

Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. An Incomplete may not be used as a shelter from a potentially low grade in the class. A student who qualifies for an incomplete grade may request an “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:
1. After the last date to withdraw, the student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to documented extenuating emergency/tragedy circumstances.
2. The student must have taken all major exams and earned a grade of “C” or higher at time of request. Missed/past due assignments are not retroactive.
3. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course two weeks before the end of the following semester or sooner based on due date set by the professor. Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

Technology Support Services

In response to COVID-19-related campus closures, Austin Community College now provides free, secure drive-up Wi-Fi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. Wi-Fi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/drive-up-wifi  Students who submit the Student Technology Access Form and indicate they need help accessing their online learning environment to successfully complete their courses are eligible to check out an ACC iPad for use during the semester.  You must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course.

Freedom of Expression Policy

It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Concealed Handgun Policy

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.

Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999. Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://www.austincc.edu/campuscarry

Tutoring

Free online tutoring for this semester is provided for this course. http://acctutor.org/

An online tutor request can be made here: https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/

For schedules and details please refer to http://sites.austincc.edu/cs/student-resources/csit-tutoring-schedule/

Attendance/Participation/Withdrawal

Students are expected to participate in all online classes. Participating pertains to accessing the Blackboard course web site weekly, turning in labs/assignments, quizzes, and major exams. Students not participating (missing 3 to 4 consecutive assignments) may be dropped from a class.

Students are expected to participate in all online classes and will be held responsible for all material covered in class.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class. The instructor may withdraw students from this class due to non-participation as determined by instructor or failing to attempt 4 graded assignments by the last date to receive credit. The last date to withdraw for this semester for 16-week and 12-week classes is April 26, 2021. The last date to withdraw for this semester for second 8-week classes is May 10, 2021. If the withdrawal is not completed by 5 PM on the last day to withdrawal, the student will receive a performance grade (A, B, C, D, or F) that they have earned. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

“In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.”

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.”

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Academic freedom is a foundation and hallmark of higher education.  In the context of college-level courses, it specifically refers to the rights of free expression and respect for others with differing opinions.  Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student.  Just as you are expected to exercise these rights with respect for state and federal law in the larger world, you are expected to exercise these rights as a student with respect for the college’s standards of conduct.  These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process.  Students and faculty alike should enable a climate of mutual respect and civility while fostering the freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas.

Enrollment in the college indicates acceptance of the rules set forth in the student standards of conduct policy, which is administered through the office of the campus dean of student services. Due process, through an investigation and appeal process, is assured to any student involved in disciplinary action.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Student Files – Privacy

The information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs may be viewed, but not changed by his/her instructor for educational and academic reasons. Instructors have read-only access to the students’ files.

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student.

COVID-19 Information Update

See this clink for current ACC updates due to COVID-19 - https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

•           Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found here:

https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now

•           Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.

•           The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.

•           Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.

A full listing of services for student parents is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care

•           The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses related to COVID-19:

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid.

Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling.

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Student Accessibility Services

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student. Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodation. Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at https://www.austincc.edu/offices/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology

Communication

Instructors will use the ACC online Blackboard system http://acconline.austincc.edu and the ACCmail accounts as the official communication system during this semester. Instructors can post lecture notes, handouts, changes to course schedule or assignments and your grades on Blackboard and can send all email communication via the ACCmail accounts. Instructors will expect all students to check both Blackboard and their ACCmail accounts on a regular basis. For information on how to log onto Blackboard and ACCmail please visit the following sites: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php and http://www.austincc.edu/google/.

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view

Austin Community College is a Tobacco Free facility. This includes smokeless tobacco and electronic (nicotine vapor) cigarettes.

Disruptive Behavior

Disruptive behavior (inappropriate language, comments, or actions) by any student will not be tolerated in the classroom. (See Disruptive Behavior in the ACC Student Handbook.)  Any student exhibiting any kind of disruptive behavior will be disciplined according to this policy. Students are also expected to respect faculty, staff, and other students.

Use of Electronic Devices

No pagers, cell phones, or other electronic devices allowed in class. All electronic devices including cell phones must be turned OFF during class time and must be kept out of sight.  The use of a laptop computer in class or lab is restricted to instructor approved activities.

See the Course Schedule on Blackboard for all course assignments and due dates.