Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus at any time during the semester in order to adapt to changing course needs. You will be notified prior to any changes that may take place.

Overview

Students will acquire, develop, and apply intermediate spreadsheet analysis skills in a business context as well as demonstrate basic database use. After individually completing spreadsheet tutorials and assignments, students will then develop and apply their skills in business projects and exams. The projects and exams, which are designed to be realistic and representative of business activities students might encounter in the workplace. (3 credit hours)

Requirements

Technology

Students will be most successful in this course if they have a device that can handle light computing, which means a laptop with ability to run Microsoft Office apps like Word and Excel. For more information go to Computer Standards for Students or talk to your instructor.

Required Resources

1. Access to a computer with Microsoft Excel (full program, not the mobile app or browser version).
   • Campus and online students: The BYU–Idaho Bookstore provides a free download of the Microsoft Office Suite which includes Excel. For technical issues, please contact the Help Desk.
2. Regular access to an Internet connection capable of streaming video is preferred; however, the free online version of the textbook also walks through all video tutorials step-by-step.
3. There are no course prerequisites but general knowledge of computers is recommended.

Structure

Outcomes

1. Use spreadsheets to support informed decisions making in a variety of circumstances and scenarios.
2. Use spreadsheets to intelligently organize, analyze, interpret, summarize and communicate relevant data.

Weekly pattern

Throughout the course you will have time to complete practice assignments and then apply what you learn in the projects. The first and last week differ slightly.

• First week: There are some additional assignments about the course structure, online learning in general, and an opportunity to get to know your instructor and classmates in the icebreaker discussion board.
• Practice Assignments: You watch videos (or read from the free online Business Applications: Excel in Practice textbook) and follow along on your own spreadsheet, completing the practice assignments with the video.
• Projects: You complete a weekly project to demonstrate mastery and extend your skills beyond those taught in the practice assignments. This means you will need to learn how to leverage internet searches to find the technical solutions to challenges in Excel.
• Last week: The final exam asks you to design and create an innovative, practical, and advanced Excel spreadsheet to benefit someone in your family, a friend, your work, a church calling, or a volunteer organization. You will submit the workbook you create along with a screen recording explaining your project and the functions used and the problems it solves.

Learning Model

Prepare: Students watch practice videos and follow along to complete practice assignments.

Teach One Another: Students help their peers by posting and answering questions on the instructor's weekly announcements.

Ponder and Prove: Students complete and submit projects weekly for grading and feedback (through the rubric).

Expectations

Workload & Late Work

The online class guideline is that for every credit hour, you should expect to spend about three hours of work per credit. Since this is a block course, we are covering the material in half of the usual time and the time will move very fast. For this three credit class, you should plan on spending approximately 12 to 15 hours per week.

Failure to start diligently working on assignments early each week will likely result in poor grades. Consider creating a detailed weekly schedule to plan your time. You might also make this a matter of prayer. Some students may require more than three hours of work per credit to complete assignments, and some students may require less.

Turning work in on time is a sign of professionalism and respect for the instructor as well as the other students in the class. Students are expected to submit all work on time.

If you do not submit an assignment or graded quiz by the due date, that assignment or quiz will automatically be given a score of zero. If you choose to submit work late, you may still receive points for that late work. To prevent falling behind, it is best to submit your work on time or early.

Accommodations will be made for those who have difficulties submitting assignments on time. Contact your instructor if you need help.

If you have taken this class before, you will need to download the project files from the current block and complete the projects again.

Final grades