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CS 213, Applications in Business

CS 213, Computer Applications in Business, Fall 2008

Last update: 8/21/2008

Lecture, MW 12-1, Simperman 108 - Dave Marshall
Lab, T 8:00-9:20 or T 2:15-3:30, Fortin 115 - CS lab fee applies ($30/course/sem) - Craig Blaker
Offered both semesters, 3 credits.
Expected enrollment: 40 lecture, 20 per lab

Final is Tuesday, Dec 16 from 1:30-3:15
Grading

Midterm and  the final (15% midterm, 25% Final)  = 40%  
Group Presentation (5%) with personal evaluation (5%) = 10%
Personal Research/Essay Papers (10% each) = 20%
Labs - 28% 
Database design project - 2%

Class Grading and Assignments

Class Policies and Guidelines

Class Description and Materials

Grading Philosophy and Calculations Back

Each class has 1000 possible points. Grades for each test or assignment are based on their percentage of the final grade. (For example, an assignment that is worth 5% of the grade becomes 50 total points.)  The grading scale never requires more than 90% for an A, 80% for a B, 70% for C and 60% for a D. It is highly recommended that you keep copies of all homework and tests that you turn in and that are returned to you to help resolve any grading questions and to be available as a portfolio to future employers.

Grading Philosophy:

  • B--expected work- good quality
  • A--goes beyond expectations - is impressive
  • C--reasonable, but 1-2 significant weaknesses
  • D--some progress, but major weaknesses
  • F--work shows little progress

My philosophy is that most learning is never graded and you should largely be able to evaluate your own progress. In a job or research environment you will be best served if you can evaluate your own performance. There will be tests, demos or assignments in each class that I will grade. There will be other "suggested" assignments or projects that will benefit you. Whether you choose to do suggested work is up to you, but they will improve your knowledge and performance in the graded tests and assignments. Current grade status is available at any time by request of the instructor (in person or email).


Class Testing and Homework Makeup Policy Back

I expect students to take all tests and deliver all presentations as scheduled. If special circumstances make that impossible, please see me ahead of time so we can schedule a mutually acceptable time. If I haven't heard from you within 48 hours of the test, I will assume you are not taking it. If you have not made arrangements with me within this time frame, tests and presentations are not able to be made up or retaken. If you miss a test, however, I encourage you to come and see me and talk about how to best complete the class.

I accept all homework (papers and labs), with a maximum grade of a B, up to the time of the final exam. However several things should be considered before missing a due date. First, mid term grades and any other grade calculations (athletics, financial aid, etc...) reflect progress in the class to date and will be based on the due dates. Missed dates will result in a zero being calculated for that grade. Second, to get an A on the paper or lab, it must be handed in by the due date. Finally, meeting these dates will ensure that your workload is spaced throughout the semester and that you get timely feedback to improve performance on future tests and assignments.

Extra Credit. I prefer to see a student's efforts put into higher quality work on current and future assignments rather than "extra" tasks. 

Professionalism, Plagarism, Cheating and Working Together Guidelines Back

Your integrity and the integrity of Carroll College are impacted by individual choices to cheat. The fundamental principle that should be followed is: all work submitted must be your own, or properly credited to others (either through direct quote, or when paraphrasing, through a citation or footnote.) Papers should not be used in multiple classes without the instructor's explicit permission.

For individual labs, projects and assignments, discussion and review by others is acceptable and encouraged, however you should do all work, express all ideas in your own words and credit substantial additions to the proper person or source. All labs should be completely created by you unless otherwise directed by the instructor (no file sharing or copying and pasting of other work). For groups projects, everyone in the group should be given credit and contribute to the project in approximately equal amounts. You will be asked to sign a pledge on each exam stating that you did not cheat or help others cheat on that test. No help from others, internet, email or chat access is allowed on a test.

Professionalism. At all times, students are expected to conduct themselves in a highly professional manner. In addition to guidelines about student conduct established by the College (e.g., cheating, plagiarism), professionalism includes such things as establishing positive relationships and engaging in positive interactions with peers, colleagues, instructors, attending respectfully to others who are sharing information with the class or group, being flexible to unforeseen changes in the course, etc.

No grade is important enough to compromise either your integrity or the College's. When in doubt, please discuss the guidelines for help with me. If you are seriously concerned about a grade, talk to your me, your advisor or a counselor.

Student Academic Assistance Back

Recognizing the unique value of each human being, the Carroll College Mission Statement is in accord with the spirit of both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. The college is committed to making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Students with special needs should contact the Academic Resource Center (ext 4504) for further information.

There are a number of services to help all students, with many challenges, succeed in this class and at Carroll listed below.

  • Disability Services and Tutoring Centers. If you have a disability see Joan Stottlemeyer in the Academic Assistance Center (ARC, x4504) for assistance. If you need extra help with class tutors may be available in the ARC (Tutoring Center) depending on the semester and the class. See me or Joan.
  • New Student Services and Academic Advising. Cindy Greiman, x5434. For freshman and general issues with advising and advisors.
  • Computer Labs and Lab Assistants - For extra computer time, internet resources or lab assistants. See the web link for hours. Labs are available when a class is not in them or by the permission of the instructor in the lab at the time.
  • Health and Counseling Center - For personal or health problems. See Kathleen Trudnowski, x5441 for health issues, and Mike Franklin, x5559, Jennifer Elison, x4536, or Laura Pickens, x5441 for counseling (stress, depression, etc..) issues.
  • Computer Ministry. For personal issues, Colleen Dunne, x4338.
  • Department Resources - Contact your advisor for general questions or for registration planning or Steve Harper, department head, x4466.
  • Contact the instructor for individual course content help or grading concerns or any other concerns you may have.

How is attendence graded? Back

Attendence is not tracked or calculated as a component of your grade. However, attendence is used for tuition and financial aid calculations should a student drop or quit attending class. In addition, and more importantly, I find a very direct relationship between attendence and the final grade in my classes due to students being aware of what is required and how it is requested. Students with similar knowledge may earn different grades due to being familiar with emphasis and presentation requirements of tests and graded assignments. It is my goal that each class builds on the last class rather than reviewing it and has sufficient new and unique content as to be worth its tuition.

What kind of class participation is expected? Back

Class participation is encouraged, but not specifically included in the grade calculation. Quiet or inquisitive and participative students can be equally successful and earn equal grades. Questions and comments are encouraged from everyone, although not required or graded. Sometimes "tangential" discussions will be encouraged, while other times I will try to answer a question, but return quickly to the original topic. I do ask for non graded "volunteer" work from time to time that benefits the student and/or the class and willingness to do some of this on occasion is appreciated.

College, Department and Personal Classroom Policy Back

The purpose of these requests is to provide a productive and encouraging learning environment where all students and the instructor are respected.

  • Please be on time and stay for the entire class if at all possible.
  • Please turn off video games, cell phones and pagers. (If called, do not talk in class.)
  • Respect everyone's rights to question or comment.
  • No Food or Drink in the lab.

Course Prerequisites Back

Sophomore standing and CS101 or consent of instructor. Generally it is assumed that students be able to do a basic word processing (Microsoft Word), save and retrieve files, do email and navigate the web. In addition they should be reasonably competent with presentation software (Powerpoint). Some knowledge and basic proficiency is expected for spreadsheets (Excel). Please talk to the instructor if these skills may present a problem for you.

Required Books Back

Management Information Systems for the Information Age, 6th edition by Haag, Cummings and McCubbrey (ISBN: 0-07-305-223-X or 0-390-68984-X) and,

The World is Flat by Thomas Friedmann, any version or

The Big Switch by Nicholas Carr  (We will make this decision in class.)
Computer Resources Back

Students will need access to the Carroll network and internet access. Other resources will be provided in the network lab. Email accounts are preferred. Access can be gained through use of the Computer Labs or through a student's personal computer (on campus only at this time). Software needs are Windows (preferably XP), MS Word, Excel, Access and Powerpoint. The current version for class will be MS Office 2003.

Rationale for the class Back

Today's business and social stucture is highly dependent on computer systems. It is critical for well educated people to understand the basic concepts of technology, its use, limitations and potential. This is particularly critical for business students seeking careers in an automated and highly competitive environment.

Course Description and Objectives Back

Description: This course familiarizes students with business information technology concepts and applications, analysis of business problems with potential computer based solutions, and concepts and applications of electronic communications. It involves both human and technical issues and beginning analysis or opportunities and limitations of automated systems. The course involves the use of an electronic spreadsheet, a data management system, presentation software, and the World Wide web. Two (2) one hour lectures and one one hour laboratory each week.

Goals and Objectives:

  1. Do basic web pages, spreadsheets and databases and move data between them.
  2. Do a Powerpoint presentation and demonstrate both presentation effectiveness and skill with certain advanced features.
  3. Understand the role of information in business including its organization, forms and ethical use.
  4. Describe organizational relationships in terms of information and collaborative environments and how Information Technology strengthens and changes these environments. Investigate "competitive advantage".
  5. Build and understand data items, databases and data warehouses and their uses, including video and object databases.
  6. Create a basic awareness of the security vulnerabilities and defenses common to computer systems and common solutions.
  7. Describe the 7 phases of systems development and their purposes and potential problems. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing or "off shoring" this process.
  8. Describe the legal, ethical, security and privacy issues created by ebusiness and egovernment and some solutions to these problems.
  9. Understand the basic components and functions of parts of the internet and typical IT infrastructure and their interrelationships (switches, routers, servers, secuirty systems, etc..)

Intended student audience Back

This course is intended primarily for Business and related majors as an introduction to Management Information Systems (MIS) concepts and practices. It has several components including hands on office software competency, business management principles and comprehensive IT literacy. As such, it is also appropriate for other majors or students interested in IT who already have the basic skills necessary to navigate a computer (word processing, email and web browsing).

Instructor Qualifications for the Class Back

Dave Marshall has been teaching computer science since the early 1980's and has developed a large number of courses on new technologies including microcomputers and computer networks.