Course Syllabus


Print Syllabus
Course ID: BPC110
Title: Computer Usage and Applications
Modality: Internet
Credit Hours: 3.00
Specialty Code: MS Office Pro 2013

Course Section Information

Institution: Rio Salado College

Section: 13117

Term: Fall 2014

Start Date: 8/25/2014

Weeks: 14

Last date to withdraw: None

Instructor: 

Course Materials

Be sure that you have all the necessary materials prior to the start date of your course.

Required Textbook:

Title: Exploring Microsoft Office 2013, Volume 1
Author: Mary Anne Poatsy, Keith Mulbery, Cynthia Krebs, Lynn Hogan, Amy Rutledge, and Robert Grauer
ISBN: 9781269635387

Rio Salado College has developed a unique Textbook Savings Program that uses customized textbooks and saves students up to 50% off the publisher’s advertised national price of the non-customized textbook. The discount is reflected in the price of the customized book at the Rio Bookstore and no additional discounts will be taken at the register. This textbook is included in the Textbook Savings Program and has been customized specifically for this course at Rio Salado College by Pearson Custom Publishing so that it contains information most relevant to the course.

Required Software:

Microsoft Word 2013

Microsoft PowerPoint 2013

Microsoft Excel 2013

Microsoft Access 2013

Microsoft Windows

Note: All programs can be found in any of the following suites: Office 365 University, Office 365 Home Premium, or Office Professional 2013.

Student Data files from the Textbook Companion Web Site

Note: MAC users will need access to the MS Windows operating system in order to complete this course. You can use one of Rio Salado’s computer labs or you can install MS Windows as a second operating system on your machine using Boot Camp, or similar software, and switch to it when you need to complete your coursework. Please visit Apple.com for MAC technical support assistance, such as the use of Boot Camp.

Educational Software Discounts

Microsoft Office 365
Office 365 is the latest version of Microsoft’s productivity suite, and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and more. (Note: Some applications are only available on Windows. See the Course Materials section of your syllabus to see if there are any specific requirements for your course.) It is available for offline and online use to best prepare you for class and your academic journey. As long as you are currently enrolled as a student at one of the Maricopa Community Colleges, you’ll be able to use this software for free.

To get your Office follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to https://login.microsoftonline.com/ and enter the following information:
    1. Username: Your Maricopa email address (i.e. MEID@maricopa.edu)
    2. Password: Password you use to log into your Maricopa email account
    3. Click Sign in
  2. Once signed in, click on the Install Office button to get a drop-down.
  3. Select the Office 365 apps option from the drop-down menu.
  4. Follow the instructions on the installation screen.

You will need your school email account to sign in.

Important Note: The Office 365 provided by Maricopa Community Colleges is for personally owned (home) computers and devices.

Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching
Rio Salado College is a member of the Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching Program. As a part of the program, students who are enrolled in technology courses at Rio Salado can download many of Microsoft’s products for free to use in their courses. Some products are unavailable for download so if the software you need for the course is not available you will need to purchase the software. Be sure to read the Terms of Service for details on how you may use the software.

To get to the Azure Dev Tools:

  1. Go to Microsoft Azure Dev Tools Program and click on the Sign In button.
  2. Log in using your Maricopa student credentials.
    1. Username: Your Maricopa email address (i.e. MEID@maricopa.edu)
    2. Password: Password you use to log into your Maricopa email account
  3. If logging in for the first time you will need to read and accept the terms of agreement and follow the on-screen prompts to verify you are a student.
  4. Once logged in, click on the Software heading.
  5. Find the software that you need in the list and click on it to select it.
  6. Click on the download button within the pane that appears. If needed, click on the View Key button to get a product key that will be needed during the installation of the software.

Software Purchase Program
Rio Salado College has partnered with many software vendors to be able to offer software at a discounted price to students. Through this partnership, the software is discounted with students’ needs in mind to make it more affordable. To take advantage of these offers there is a link titled Software Purchase Program on the left hand side of the RioLearn portal after logging in. Be sure to read the Terms of Service for details on how you may use the software.

Software Purchase Program (You must click on the link to access the website. Copying and pasting the URL into your browser window will not work. You must be logged into your course in RioLearn for the link to work.)

Course Description and Competencies

Official Course Description
Introduction to business and personal computer operations and usage. Software applications for analyzing and solving business problems including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics.
Official Course Prerequisites
None.
Official Course Competencies
  1. Describe the components and operations of a computer system.
  2. Analyze and explain social and ethical issues related to computer technology.
  3. Use operating system commands to facilitate and implement information management.
  4. Define the functions of word processing programs as used in business.
  5. Analyze and apply word processing program features to create, edit, manipulate, format, print, and store common business documents.
  6. Define the functions of spreadsheet programs as used in business.
  7. Construct, test, implement, and analyze spreadsheets that solve financial, mathematical, and statistical problems in business.
  8. Create and edit charts and graphs to interpret spreadsheet data.
  9. Define the functions of database programs as used in business.
  10. Analyze, design, and create a database to extract, sort, calculate, and report business data.
  11. Define functions of presentation graphics programs as used in business.
  12. Design, create, and execute an artistic presentation to include graphics and animation.
  13. Use the Internet as a source of information for computer- and software-related topics.

Course Requirements

  1. You must complete all assignments in the course to get a passing grade.
  2. Examinations: A two-part At-Home Final Exam is required.
  3. You must earn a minimum of 60% on the At-Home Final Exam: Parts 1 and 2 in order to pass the course.
  4. Note: All correspondence with your instructor must contain your name, class, and section number. Work cannot be graded and credit issued without this information.
  5. Rio Course Announcements: You are required to check the course announcements regularly for important course information. This is located on your Course Homepage.
  6. You are expected to write at a college level. Please see Grading Matrix for Essays / Short Answers.
  7. Remember that this is a three credit-hour class. As such, you will need to dedicate significant time to this course. Plan to spend at least three hours on course content and at least six hours on homework for a total of at least nine hours each week. Be prepared to double your weekly class and study time if you choose an accelerated calendar.

Grading Procedure and Scale

This course consists of 13 lessons and a two-part Final. Points are given for the successful completion of these lessons and for the Final.

Grading Procedure

There are 812 points possible for this course.
Quizzes = 130 Points
Projects/Essays = 432 Points
Two-Part At-Home Final Exam = 250 Points
Total = 812 Points

Grading Scale

Letter grades for assignments, examinations, and the course will be determined by the following scale:

731 - 812 points = A (90% - 100%)
650 - 730 points = B (80% - 89%)
568 - 649 points = C (70% - 79%)
487 - 567 points = D (60% - 69%)
0 - 486 points = F (0% - 59%)

There is no "Extra Credit" available for this course.

Copyright Acknowledgements

Some images used in courses are from collections licensed by Rio Salado College.

Submitting Assignments

You will be directed to submit your assignments in one (1) of the two (2) following ways:

  • Online Assessment
  • Online Zipped Attachment

Online Assessment

Whenever possible, you will submit quizzes and assignments online within the course.

Important information: Be sure to follow the procedure below to complete your quizzes and assignments.

  1. Review all assignment directions before beginning the assignment. Write at a college level for all essays and assignments. See the Grading Matrix for Essays/Short Answers. You should type your essay in a word processing program and then copy/paste it into the appropriate textbox in the online submit form. This way, you can use spell/grammar check.
  2. Use the link(s) within the online lesson to access and submit the assignment. Once you have started entering your answer(s), be sure to save your work. Also, you should allow enough time to submit your work within a 7-day window from the time you first access the link.

Note: For courses with At-Home Midterm Exams and/or At-Home Final Exams, you are only allowed to submit these assessments one time. You are required to complete all parts of the assessment.

Be sure you have answered all questions prior to clicking the SUBMIT button; once you have submitted your answers, you will not be able to access them again. When you are finished, you will need to close the browser window to return to your course.

Online Zipped Attachment:

To submit files and folders to your instructor, you must zip all files before submitting them online. Microsoft Windows and Apple MacOS operating systems contain built-in utilities to zip files and folders. You may also use third-party software if you desire, but the compressed file must be in a .ZIP format. To zip attachments in this course, follow the Zipping Files tutorial for your specific operating system. After zipping your files, submit the zip file to your instructor using the link within the online lesson.

Note to students: Keep a copy of everything you submit.

Industry Exam

There may be an industry exam available for the software and/or hardware taught in this course. An industry exam is an exam developed by the creators of the software, or by a recognized industry organization, which evaluates the knowledge and skills of an individual to ensure that the individual is competent with the said software and/or hardware. Earning an industry exam can help further demonstrate your proficiency with potential employers, and in some cases may be required for certain jobs. Examples of industry exams include: Microsoft Office Specialist, Adobe Certified Professional, CompTIA A+, and more. To learn more about industry exams available at Rio Salado, please visit the Testing homepage under the Exams Offered at Rio Salado heading.

If an industry exam is available for this course, more information can be found within the Course Introduction.

NOTE: Taking an industry exam is not a required component of the course, but may be available for you to take after finishing the course.

Late or Missing Assignments

Assignment due dates for this course are listed in the Gradebook. If you need to request an extension for an assignment, you must submit a written request to your instructor, via the “Modify Due Dates” link under the Due Dates tab in your Gradebook, at least one week prior to the due date. Late points may be deducted at the instructor's discretion.

Course Completion Policy

A student who registers for a Print-Based or Internet course is assigned a start date and an end date. Students may request an extension due to illness or other extenuating circumstances if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course.

Please Note: Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.

Submitting Assignments

Online Submission Platform

The assignment due dates in this course are structured to complete all the lessons over the span of the course. Regular and consistent progress is expected in the course through the submission of assignments. The submission of an assignment can be no earlier than 7 days prior to the due date. Consult your course gradebook for specific due dates. Assignments/acknowledgments must be submitted through the online submission platform unless otherwise directed.

Final Grade Options

  • Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F)

  • Extension (in lieu of an incomplete grade): Students may request an assessment extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. Assessment extensions may extend up to two weeks beyond the established course end as indicated in the gradebook. Please Note: Assessment extensions are given at the instructor’s discretion. Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.

  • Withdrawn Failing (Y) – Students may be removed from their classes with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade for non-participation, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

  • Withdrawal (W) - Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the "Last Date to Withdraw" indicated in their RioLearn Gradebook.

  • Instructors are unable to submit a withdrawal (W) on behalf of a student. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting View My Classes/Schedule in the Student Center, and selecting Drop Classes. In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by submitting a "Request for Complete Withdrawal From All Courses" available under the Records heading on Rio’s Important Forms page.

    Before withdrawing, students should consider contacting their instructor and/or Rio's Counseling Services to see what options are available to help them stay in class.

    STUDENTS – STOP Before You Drop! A withdrawal request is irrevocable, and may affect future Financial Aid, Visa status, Veteran benefit eligibility, scholarship eligibility and may delay graduation. Please be sure that it is the right option for you before submission.

    STOP BEFORE YOU DROP

  • Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - Some courses may be offered with a credit/no credit option which, if offered, would be identified in the Grading Procedure and Scale section of this syllabus. See detailed information about the (P/Z) option here.

  • Note: Choosing the P/Z option is a permanent change to the gradebook. A P/Z grade will not be changed to a letter grade after the course end date.

Regular and Substantive Faculty-Student Interaction

The Rio Salado College faculty provide learners with frequent opportunities for regular and substantive interaction, which are critical components of a quality online program. At a minimum, faculty teaching online courses for credit monitor weekly due dates and initiate contact with students, post course announcements and/or "From Your Instructor" (FYI) notes that are academic and relevant, respond to academic inquiries within 72 hours, and provide detailed, personalized, and timely feedback. In addition, faculty regularly engage in synchronous and/or asynchronous interaction with students via tools such as discussion boards, rubrics, voice threads, video conferences, audio recordings, phone calls, email and/or text messages, social media, and online collaboration software. Though faculty members are responsible for initiating interaction, providing academic information, and facilitating learning, Rio students are responsible for remaining in regular contact with their instructors and engaging with the course content as active participants in the educational experience.

Requirement for Active Class Participation

Withdrawal for Non-Participation (Y) – Students need to communicate regularly with their instructor and engage in academic activities as determined by the instructor and department. Students may be removed from their classes after 14 days of non-participation with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

If you receive financial aid of any kind, it is your responsibility to protect your eligibility to receive financial aid by meeting the active participation requirements of this class.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Students will not be discriminated against on the basis of a disclosed pregnancy. This includes discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. As a result, a pregnant or parenting student (a student during a defined postpartum period lasting up to 8 weeks after delivery), may be provided adjustments so they are able to access and participate in their educational program or activity.

Please visit the Working with Pregnant and Parenting webpage to learn more about this policy, reasonable adjustments and complete the Pregnancy Adjustment Form. If you have questions about the policy, please contact Rio Salado College’s Title IX/504 Coordinator Tafari Osayande at o.tafari.osayande@riosalado.edu or (480) 517-8196.

In the event of certain pregnancy-related medical complications, contact Disability.Services@riosalado.edu or call (480) 517-8562 for assistance in providing accommodations/academic adjustments.

Basic Needs

If a lack of basic needs such as food, transportation, school supplies, etc. is affecting your participation and/or performance in this course, please contact the Rio Salado Counseling Department at 480-517-8785 or via email at counseling.receptionist@riosalado.edu.

For additional services and resources:

Rio Salado College Counseling and Career Services
Maricopa Basic Needs and Community Resources

Library Services

The Rio Salado Library is committed to student success and provides a variety of materials and services to enhance student learning. Utilizing Rio’s online library for your research is the best way to ensure that your sources are validated, authoritative, and appropriate for college-level coursework. The library's Video Tutorials page provides instruction on how to use the online library to find books, articles, ebooks, and more. Librarians are available to help you at all times via our Ask a Librarian live chat service.

Please note that when library materials (e.g., articles, ebooks, and streaming media) are integrated into your lesson content, you will see the notation “…provided to you through the Rio Salado Library.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct includes cheating, conspiring to cheat, soliciting to cheat, attempting to cheat, plagiarism, fabrication on an assignment, or other forms of dishonest presentation.

Posting assessments on an unauthorized web site, soliciting assessment answers and the unauthorized acquisition of assessments, assessment answers, or other academic material is cheating. Turning in content created by essay generators or other types of artificial intelligence platforms is also academic misconduct.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling or sharing of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.

We expect every student to produce his/her original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the MCCCD Academic Misconduct Policy (including cheating and plagiarism) can expect sanctions as specified in the college catalog.

Rio Salado College uses software that uncovers plagiarism from student to student and other data sources on the Internet. If a student is found to have plagiarized content, grade consequences will be applied in accordance with departmental policies.

Civility Policy

The faculty of Rio Salado place a high value on the importance of general ethical standards of academic behavior and expect that communication between students and instructors or among students shall maintain the level of formality and mutual respect appropriate to any college teaching/learning situation.

Language or behavior that is rude, abusive, profane, disruptive, or threatening will not be tolerated. Activity of this type is Academic Misconduct as defined in MCCCD Policy AR 2.3.11. Students engaging in such behavior will be removed from the course with a failing grade. Additional sanctions may be applied pursuant to AR 2.3.11.

Honors Program

If you are taking this course for Honors credit, you must complete all assessments, including the Honors Project(s). The Honors Project(s) are listed in one or more lessons of the course and are designated for "Honors Students." Failure to complete the Honors Project(s) will result in a failing grade in the course and a loss of Honors credit.

Honors students are also enrolled in a non-credit Honors Achievement Award (HAA) or Presidential Honors Scholarship (PHS) section within RioLearn to submit co-curricular activity submissions. Co-curriculars must be completed in order to receive funding.

The Honors Department is here to support you! Connect with the college and other Honors students in our INSCRIBE community.

The Honors Department is available to provide additional resources and support to support your journey. Please contact the Honors department at RioSalado.Honors@riosalado.edu.

Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its associated colleges are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Religious Accommodations

Rio Salado College will reasonably accommodate the religious needs, observances, and practices of their students, when requested and the requests are made in accordance with the procedures set forth in ND-4. Any student may request a religious accommodation by making a written request for an accommodation to the appropriate faculty member using the Religious Accommodation Request form. To the extent possible, requests must be made at least two (2) weeks before the requested absence from class due to religious holiday or day of observance.

Addressing Incidents of Sexual Harassment/Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, and Stalking

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, MCCCD prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The District also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, District employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in District policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by District policy. Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Student Solution Center

Rio Salado College is dedicated to a quality learning experience and has provided the Student Solution Center webpage as a resource for students to raise issues to our attention. We look forward to the opportunity to provide an equitable solution for all involved parties. For grading or instructional issues, students should first contact their faculty member(s) in accordance with the Instructional Grievance Process. For non-instructional complaints, students may contact Institutional Integrity and Compliance by submitting the non-instructional complaint form, emailing studentcomplaints@riosalado.edu, or calling 480-517-8505. Students may also contact their state regulatory agency; the Arizona SARA Council; and/or the Higher Learning Commission to escalate their concerns.

Change of Address

Please notify Course Support at (480) 517-8243 or 1-800-729-1197 or by email at course.support@riosalado.edu. Please include your name, student number, phone number, and new address including city, state, and zip code.

Contact Us

Please see the following page for contact information.

Disclaimer

Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.

Rio Salado College Copyright

Course Content © Copyright 2021 Rio Salado College. All Rights Reserved.