Computer and Software: You must have access to a computer running Windows 10 or 11, and which has an acceptable version of Microsoft Office (also called Microsoft 365). We will use Office 2016 or Office 2019. Other versions of Office may be acceptable with instructor permission. LSCPA students may obtain Office 365, at no cost, through LSCPA.  Details will be provided when we get to the Office 365 section of the course. Computers with Windows and Office 365 capability are also available on campus and other places, such as public libraries (see Lab Access below). 

Notes:  

• Important info for Apple Macintosh and Chromebook users:  Mac and Chromebook computers may be used for many  assignments.  However, there are certain assignments which will require Microsoft Windows. 
• Mac users:  For Mac users, also note the free Office 365 from LSCPA does not include Microsoft Access, which will be used later in the course.  
• Chromebook users: the Microsoft Office version you will need in this class is not available for Chromebooks.  It is suggested you obtain a Windows computer for this course.  
• Mac/Chromebook users are welcome to use the computers in the LSCPA library for these assignments, but please check the library hours.    For certain exams, you will be required to complete items found only on Microsoft Windows computers.  For these exams, you will need to have access to a Windows computer.  
• Note the final exam  must be completed on an LSCPA computer (no notebook computers).    

Materials: You will need access to a web camera with audio capability. Many laptop computers, tablets, and phones already have a camera installed. Some assignments require the use of a smartphone (either Apple or Android).

User Accounts: You will also be required to have user accounts for various services, such as Google, OneDrive, Zoom, etc.  These can be obtained at no cost to the student.  The instructor will provide details when we get to that section of the course.
Lab Access: A computer lab is located in the LSCPA library and is available during normal library hours. If the software is not available on a lab computer, ask someone on staff if there is another computer with the appropriate software. A valid Student ID is required in order to use lab facilities available on the Lamar campus. You may also need to bring  earbuds or headphones, if you need audio capability. You may also check with the Port Arthur Public Library or other public libraries for computer access. 

Tech Support and Help Logging in: for technical assistance, contact 936-496-5379.  If you need to reset your password, you can do so by clicking on MyLSCPA button at Lamarpa.edu and then clicking the Help tab.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 

1. Describe the fundamentals of information technology concepts – hardware, software, security, and privacy. 
2. Demonstrate proper file management techniques to manipulate electronic files and folders in local, network, and online environments. 
3. Create business documents with word processing software using spelling and grammar check, format and layout, tables, citations, graphics, and mail merge. 
4. Create business documents and analyze data with spreadsheet software using (1) tables, sorting, filtering, charts and graphics, privot tables, macros; (2) statistical, financial, logical and look-up functions and formulas; and (3) add-ins. 
5. Create business multimedia presentations with presentation software using templates, lists, groups, themes, colors, clip art, pictures, tables, transitions, animation, video, charts, and views. 
6. Create databases and manage data with database software using tables, fields, relationships, indexes, keys, views, queries, forms, reports, and import/export functions. 
7. Integrate business software applications. 
8. Use web-based technologies to conduct ethical business research. 
9. Use “goal seeking” and “what-if analysis” to solve problems and make adjustments/recommendations in a business environment.

• Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
• Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

Course Introduction
Video Conferencing Tools

DETERMINATION OF GRADE

• Assignments – 60% * To pass the course, you must maintain a 60 average on Assignments
• Proctored Final Exam –  40%  

Notes: 

• To pass the course, you must have a 60 average on Assignments.   If you do not have a 60 assignment average at the end of the semester, you may not be allowed to take the final exam. 
• Grade calculations displayed in Blackboard may not always be accurate.  You should average your own grades using the syllabus grade calculation.  Report any discrepancies to your instructor.

No Assignments Accepted Late:   Assignments for each week are due at the end of the day on Sundays, unless otherwise directed in the assignment, or on the syllabus/schedule.   New assignments for the next week should become available at noon on Monday.  All assignments, quizzes, and exams must be completed and submitted before the due date. Because you have ample time to complete assignments, late work will not be accepted. You should start early enough so that if/when you experience problems, we can work them out prior to the due date. Working with technology can be challenging. You will have problems. Websites will go down, Internet connections will not work, devices will not charge, etc. If you wait until the due date, you risk not completing your work on time. When you have technical issues, contact me early. Technical problems on the due date are NOT an excuse for turning in assignments late. I do occasionally extend due dates if you have a good reason for asking for the extension and if you have contacted me early. 

Resubmitting Assignments:  For most assignments, you are allowed two attempts prior to the due date (this does not apply to exams).  If you submit two attempts, only the second attempt will be graded and you will receive a zero for the first attempt.   You are not allowed to resubmit after an assignment has been graded.  

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. You are expected to complete all assignments yourself. All exams must be completed on your own, with no assistance from anyone else and without the use of notes or textbook or any other materials, unless specifically expressed in the exam instructions. This includes, but is not limited to, accessing previous homework, accessing websites, or communicating with others when taking the exam. You are also NOT allowed to share information about exams with others. Some exams may be password protected. You are NOT allowed to share passwords with anyone else for any reason.

Accommodations:   If you have accommodations from the Office for Disability,  talk to your instructor about these during the first week of the semester.  

Final Exam Information

• The Final Exam covers material from the entire semester and must be taken on campus on either Monday, May 8,  5 PM - 7:30 PM, or  Tuesday May 9, 8:30 AM - 11 AM You will be allowed to choose from either of the time periods on a first-come, first-served basis.  You must use a LSCPA computer for the exam  (no laptops) and you will be observed with a monitoring program while you complete your exam. 

• If you have any issues or time conflicts, you must talk to your instructor during the first week of the semester.  

• For the Final Exam, you will be required to produce a valid TDL or other approved photo ID. 

• You will have 2 hours to complete the final. 

• Your screen activity may be recorded during exams.

The instructor reserves the right to drop you from the class if you do not submit course work regularly.   Submitting course work regularly means you submit coursework weekly.  If you are inactive for more than one week and/or if you do not submit assignments for a week, and if you do not email the instructor with an acceptable explanation, the instructor reserves the right drop you from the class. To be successful in the class, you are expected to exert sufficient effort.   

If at any time you have failed to complete at least 50% of the weekly assignments, you may be dropped from the class.

• Always confirm any important arrangements or discussions with me by emailing me using your Lamar email.  Verbal communication, phone calls, etc will not be “official” unless confirmed in an email.   

• All coursework  must be original for this semester.  If you took this course previously, or have done a similar assignment in the past (in another class, for example), you must recreate your assignments this semester. 

• Most assignments this semester will be due at the end of the day each Sunday.   New assignments (for the next week) will be available Monday at noon and will be due  by the end of the day that next Sunday.

• Copyrights:

Some material in this course may be copyrighted. These materials  may be used only for instructional purposes this semester, by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally. No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class, including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or painting or performing copyrighted material for public display.

Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties.

Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented.

If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor.