Faculty Syllabus

For grade and skill acquisition success, it is imperative that students understand and follow the course requirements in this section. If items are unclear, be sure to eliminate the ambiguity.

This course will have 50% lecture and 50% laboratory. The CIS open labs are available for students for work outside of scheduled lab time.

This is a three-hour credit course, which means the time expected for instructions is 3.5 hours a week. This does not include time for reading or completing assignments. Student time varies by student dependent on your ability to read technical material and your previous experience. Students with little technical background may spend as much as 15 to 20 hours a week. This course requires use of Blackboard, email, and Internet postings. The student is expected to complete assignments by a specified time.

Students will receive logins and passwords for the Computer Science labs (when in face-to-face classes). Students are not to share their password or send it through an email. When class announcements are posted, an email message is sent to your ACC email account. Students should check their ACC email account often. If you do not wish to log into your ACC email, then "bounce" your ACC email to your preferred email account.

Students are expected to be committed to success in this course and to complete all labs, projects, quizzes, and exams on time as posted in the schedule. The instructor will respond by email in a timely manner. Effort will be made to respond within 48 hours on week days.

The final course grade will be assigned based both on concepts and practical application. Concepts Smart Books (SB), quizzes, & exams, labs (simulations, quizzes, & projects), and the Application Exam will be a part of the grade. An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

Orientation Exam (1%)

1. Orientation Exam is available on the first day of the class.
2. You may take the orientation exam as often as necessary until you get 100.
3. After you get 100, you will be able to see and start working on the class.

Other Orientation Assessments  (1%  +  1%)

These will orient students to the Connect and SIMnet platforms where online work is completed.

1. Student Orientation to Using Connect/SmartBook (1%)
2. Connecting to SIMnet 2 (v2021)  (1%)

Concept Exams (30%)

1. Concept exams are administered online and will have a 75-minute time frame.
2. Exams are electronically administered via Blackboard. Paper versions are not supplied.
3. Links to the Exams appear at the end of every Competency Module on Blackboard.
4. Exam procedures must be followed step-by-step to access the exams.
5. These are individual assessment and the student cannot use other help during the exams.
6. There are no makeup EXAMS in this course. If you miss an exam, you will receive a grade of ZERO (0) for that exam. The exams are closed-book exams.

In-Class Exams (20%)

1. In-Class exams are administered in-class in-person and attendance is mandatory.
2. There are no makeup EXAMS in this course. If you miss an exam, you will receive a grade of ZERO (0) for that exam.

Labs/Simulations and Quizzes (12%)

1. All the labs are based on Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Access applications).
2. The labs will be completed by integrating the SIMNet app with Blackboard. All the links are available in the Competency Modules in Blackboard.
3. All the labs/assignments must be completed in Blackboard by the due date at 11:59 PM according to the class schedule.
4. All the labs have due dates according to the class schedule. Therefore, labs cannot be submitted after the due date. Make sure that you submit it with enough time from the due time.
5. To receive credit, assignments must completely meet requirements exactly as specified.

Lab Projects (10%)

1. All the projects are based on Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Access applications).
2. The projects will be downloaded by integrating the SIMNet app with Blackboard. Complete it using the Microsoft Office Applications on your computer, then submitted in Blackboard through the links available in the Competency Modules in Blackboard.
3. All the projects must be submitted in Blackboard by the due date at 11:59 PM according to the class schedule.
4. All the projects have due dates according to the class schedule. Therefore, labs cannot be submitted after the due date. Make sure that you submit with enough time from the due time.
5. To receive 100% credit, assignments must completely meet requirements exactly as specified.

Application Assessment (10%)

1. The application assessment is based on Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Access applications).
2. The assessment will be completed by integrating the SIMNet app with Blackboard. The link is available in the Competency Modules link on Blackboard.
3. The assessment must be submitted in Blackboard by the due date at 11:59 PM according to the class schedule. Therefore, the assessment cannot be taken after the due date.

Smart Books (SB) and Concept Quizzes (10%)

1. All the SB and quizzes are based on business concepts.
2. The SB and quizzes will be completed by integrating the CONNECT app with Blackboard. All the links are available in the Competency Modules in Blackboard.
3. All the SB and quizzes must be completed in Blackboard by the due date at 11:59 PM according to the class schedule.
4. All the SB and quizzes have due dates according to the class schedule. Therefore, SB and quizzes cannot be submitted/completed after the due date. Make sure that you complete them with enough time from the due time.
5. To receive 100% credit, assignments must completely meet requirements exactly as specified.

Attendance and Participation (5%)

1. Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.
2. Student will receive credit for attendance, punctuality, and professionalism in all interactions.
3. Students will lose points for late arrival, unexcused breaks during class, lack of professionalism, at the Professor’s discretion.
4. Students who have valid accommodation/health reasons for any class breaks should communicate that to the Professor via email.

Business Driven, Information Systems 9e

Author: Paige Baltzan

Publisher: McGraw-Hill, 2025.

ISBN-13: 9781264638727

THIS IS AN ALL INCLUSIVE TEXTBOOK. Will be available on the first day of class in Blackboard.

Business Driven IS 9e, By Baltzan

Chapter 1 – Management Information Systems: Business Driven MIS 

Chapter 2 – Digital Transformation: Decisions, Processes, and Artificial Intelligence 

Appendix A –  Hardware and Software Basics

Chapter 3 – Ebusiness: Electronic Business Value

Chapter 4 – Ethics and Information Security: MIS Business Concerns 

Chapter 5 – Infrastructures and Platforms: Sustainable Technologies

Appendix C – Designing Databases (Complementary Reading)

Chapter 6 – Data: Business Intelligence

Appendix B – Networks and Telecommunications (Complementary Reading)

Chapter 7 – Digital Ecosystems: Connecting Digital Lives, Business, and Society 

Chapter 8 – Enterprise Applications: Business Communications 

Chapter 9 – Systems Development and Project Management: Corporate Responsibility 

MS Office 2021 SIMbook – A Skills Approach

Word 2021:

Lab 11: Chapter 1 - Getting Started with Word 2021

PowerPoint 2021:

Lab 12: Chapter 1 - Getting Started with PowerPoint 2021

Excel 2021:

Lab 1: Chapter 1 - Getting Started with Excel 2021

Lab 2: Chapter 2 - Formatting Cells

Lab 3: Chapter 3 - Using Formulas and Functions

Lab 4: Chapter 4 - Formatting Worksheets and Managing the Workbook

Lab 5: Chapter 5 - Adding Charts and Analyzing Data

Lab 6: Chapter 6 - Exploring Advanced Functions

Lab 7: Chapter 7 - Exploring Advanced Charts and Graphics

Lab 8: Chapter 8 - Exploring Advanced Data Analysis

Lab 9: Chapter 9 - Importing Data, Reviewing, and Finalizing the Workbook

Lab 10: Chapter 10 - Working with Macros

Access 2021:

Lab 13: Chapter 1 - Getting Started with Access 2021

Lab 14: Chapter 2 - Working with Tables

Lab 15: Chapter 3 - Working with Forms and Reports

Lab 16: Chapter 4 - Using Queries and Organizing Information

• Gain familiarity with the concepts and terminology used in the development, implementation and operation of business application systems.
• Explore various methods that Information Technology can be used to support existing businesses and strategies.
• Investigate emerging technology in shaping new processes, strategies and business models.
• Achieve hands-on experience with productivity/application software to enhance business activities.
• Accomplish projects utilizing business theories, Internet resources and computer technology.
• Work with simple design and development tasks for the main types of business information systems.
• Develop an advanced information technology skill, focusing on office productivity software with emphasis on spreadsheet, database, and presentation software.
• Develop advanced techniques for use in data analysis and decision-making using electronic spreadsheet and databases.

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

The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course: