Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: BCIS-1305 (Section: 1H, CRN: 10022)
Business Computer Applications
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor James Cammack
Email cammackje@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6386
Office Student Center - Room: 405
Office Hours none
Additional Contact Information Email is my preferred method of communication. But feel free to call me, if you need to talk with me. If I do not answer, please leave a message. I will also be available by Zoom, but email me first so we can set a time to Zoom. Here is my Zoom info: My Lamar Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/241845128
Course Information
Description Students will study computer terminology, hardware, and software related to the business environment. The focus of this course is on business productivity software applications and professional behavior in computing, including word processing (as needed), spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, and business-oriented utilization of the Internet.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Textbook: Course content will be provided with handouts, videos, etc. There is no required textbook for this course.
Additional Materials/Resources

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.

Corequisites/Prerequisites Basic skills competency in reading
Learning Outcomes

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.
Core Objectives
  • 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.
Lecture Topics Outline

Course Introduction
Video Conferencing Tools

Understanding Essential Computer Concepts
Creating and Distributing Multimedia Presentations
Working in the Cloud (Microsoft OneDrive, Office Apps)
Working in the Cloud (Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)
Windows & File Management
Microsoft Office
Word Creating a Document
Word Enhancing a Document
Word Adding Special Elements to a Document
Excel Creating a Worksheet
Excel Using Complex Formulas, Functions, and Tables
PowerPoint Creating a Presentation
PowerPoint Polishing and Running a Presentation
Microsoft Access & Database Concepts
Intro to SAP
Business Graphics
Understanding Social Networks
Additional Technology Topics
Major Assignments Schedule NONE
Final Exam Date April 29, 2024 - 9:0 AM   Through  May 6, 2024 - 10:0 PM
Grading Scale 90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

DETERMINATION OF GRADE

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

  • Proctored Exams –  40% 


Notes: 

  • To pass the course, you must have a 60 average on Assignments.  

  • 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 instructor.

Course Policies
Instructor Policies

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  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.  You are not allowed to resubmit after an assignment has been graded.  


Missed Exams:  If you are absent and miss an exam, you will receive a grade of zero.  If you have special circumstances which require you to miss an exam, you may contact the me to see if other arrangements can be made.  Requests for makeup exams or other arrangements are granted only if you have an exceptional reason for missing an exam, such as a medical emergency, or death in the family.   It is your responsibility to initiate arrangements for a makeup or other arrangements.  Approval should be cleared with me prior to the date of absence.  If it is not possible to contact me prior to the exam, within 24 hours after missing the exam, you must email me and explain the reason you missed the exam.   The format of a makeup exam may differ substantially from that of the regularly scheduled exam.

 
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.  Students with accommodations should also check with teacher two weeks prior to exam(s) to arrange for any  accommodations.


Exam Information:   You will be required to take your  exams in the classroom, during the regular class time and using a LSCPA computer (no laptops).   You will be observed with a monitoring program while you complete your exam.  You will have 1 hour to complete each exam. Your screen activity may be recorded during exams.


Additional Policies for In-person (Face-to-Face) Classes

  • Turn your cell phones to vibrate when in the classroom.

  • No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  • Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  • Electronic devices (including, but not restricted to, watches,  cell phones, tablets, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations unless specifically allowed by the instructor.

  • Use of electronic devices during normal class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable time. Your instructor has an obligation to reduce such disruptions and may impose such restrictions as he deems necessary.

  • Unless specifically designated otherwise by your instructor, exams must be taken in the classroom, during class time, and without access to any outside resources and without communication with anyone other than the instructor.  You are not allowed to share exam login passwords with anyone else and you are not allowed to take the exam outside of the classroom.

  • If you are tardy for any exam or quiz, you will be allowed to take the exam or quiz only with the instructor’s approval.   If you are allowed to take the exam, you will only have the timeframe allocated to the class to complete the exam. You will not be allowed additional time for the time you missed by being tardy.

  • Missed quizzes and missed in-class assignments (assignments to be completed during  a class period) will each be recorded as a zero.  No makeup quizzes or in-class assignments will be given. Quizzes and In-class assignments  are considered Assignment grades.

  • You are responsible for completing and submitting all assigned homework when due, and for being prepared for each class meeting.  This applies even if you were absent for the previous class meeting.

 

Attendance Policy

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 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.  


Additional Attendance Policy: If you have missed more than 4 hours of class at the end of the semester, the instructor may assign you an F for the course.   Every three times you are late for class will count as one absence.   On any days you are tardy, you should check with the instructor after class to be sure you are counted present.  If you do not do this on the day you are tardy, the tardy will be counted as an absence. 

Additional Information
  • 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.

Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431