CIS201 - Computer Applications for Business

3 Credit hours - No Lab

Prerequisite(s): CIS101

Course Rationale:

A study of the use and applications of computer information systems concepts in business and public organizations. The course emphasizes the use of spreadsheets to plan, analyze, design, develop, and test business solutions.

Catalog Description:

This course provides a "hands-on" use of electronic spreadsheets and database application software. Students will design, test, and debug spreadsheet applications and implement databases. This course will demonstrate why spreadsheets and databases are valuable when making business decisions and provide an overview of how to solve problems in these applications. Upon successful completion of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills to determine how to use spreadsheets and databases effectively in further college courses and a business environment.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Apply problem-solving and task management techniques to solve organizational problems using spreadsheet and database software.

  2. Describe the elements and importance of quality assurance, planning, and control in spreadsheet and database development.

  3. Use efficient design methods in creating charts, tables, queries, forms, and reports in relational databases and spreadsheets.

  4. Utilize spreadsheet tools to conduct basic what-if analysis on numerical data.

  5. Use Advanced Form Techniques to program in special behavior and macros for spreadsheets and databases.

  6. Describe the significance of professionalism and ethical behavior

All course assignments and exams are closely aligned to, and assess the student's mastery of these core objectives.

Core Outcomes

Intermediate and Advanced - Microsoft Excel

This course picks up where CIS101 leaves off with Excel skills.

  • Assign a name to a cell and refer to the cell in a formula using the assigned name

  • Use financial functions to perform calculations on a sheet

  • Create a data table to analyze data in a worksheet

  • Protect and unprotect cells in a worksheet

  • Use date, time and rounding functions

  • Format a consolidated worksheet

  • Drill to add data to multiple worksheets at the same time

  • Enter formulas that use 3-D cell references

  • Insert and format different types of charts using sheet data

  • Create and manipulate a table

  • Sort, query, and search a table using AutoFilter

  • Add calculated columns to a table with structured references

  • Use the VLOOKUP function to look up a value in a table

  • Use the MATCH and INDEX functions to find a value in a table

  • Create and use a template

  • Import data from a text file, an Access database, a webpage, and a Word document

  • Analyze worksheet data using PivotTable and PivotChart reports

  • Create, format and apply filters to a PivotTable report

  • Create, format and apply filters to a PivotChart report

  • Create slicers to filter PivotTable and PivotChart reports

  • Use formula auditing techniques to analyze a worksheet

  • Use error checking to identify and correct errors

  • Use trial and error to solve a problem on a worksheet

  • Use goal seeking to solve a problem

  • Enable the Solver add-in and use Solver to solve a complex problem

  • Understand Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code and explain event-driven programs

  • Use passwords to assign protected and unprotected status to a worksheet

  • Compare Workbooks

  • Save a custom view of a worksheet

  • Review a digital signature on a workbook

  • Insert and edit comments in a workbook

Introductory - Microsoft Access

The assumption should be that this is the student’s first introduction to databases and using Access.

  • Perform introductory tasks in Microsoft Access relating to starting a database, navigating the software, and accessing basic functionality.

  • Create tables in Datasheet and Design views

  • Create, use, and save a query in various formats

  • Create a form manually and from a query

  • Create a report

  • Use additional techniques in queries such as parameters, compound criteria, joins, and calculations.

  • Add, change, and delete records

  • Search and filter records

  • Use queries to update and delete records

  • Specify validation rules, default values, and formats

  • Create and use single-value and multi-value lookup fields

Test Out Requirements

Students who wish to demonstrate proficiency in this course will need to complete a Departmental proficiency exam. Departmental proficiency examinations are created by appropriate college faculty to allow students to demonstrate their mastery of course content in designated subjects. These examinations will be equivalent to the cumulative final assessment used in the course. Faculty will determine the minimum score required to earn credit by exam for these courses.

The college’s test out policy is outlined in policy 2.12 - Credit by Exam (Test Out)

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