MIS 103: MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN BUSINESS 
 
INSTRUCTOR: Charlotte Eudy McConn, M.S., CDP
   Office :145 CLRC, Penn State Altoona, Hours are posted outside my office door
   Phone: 949-5292, Penn state Email ID:  cxe6
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TEXTS:  MS Office XP, New Perspectives , by Parsons et. al, 
		Tompson Course Technology, 2003. ISBN: 0-619-18594-5
Required Supplies: Removable storage device of your choice

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
     MIS 103 is introduction to current uses of microcomputer software 
with a strong hands-on computer skills class component.  It is a required course
in the Associate degree in Business (2BAAL) and the Associate Degree in Criminal
Justice (2CJ).  Students in any  other majors may take this course as an
elective to polish their computer skills.  There are no prerequisites.

Course components:
     1) Penn State computing & Security Issues in computing.
     2) Microsoft Operating system user interface & Disk File Management
     3) Introduction to Data Base Management using MS Access.
     4) Data analysis using MS EXCEL spreadsheets.
     5) Brief review of wordprocessing, report formatting, & mail merge
     6) Brief introduction to creation of a Penn State e-Portfolio web space.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
     1. Provide a basic understanding of microcomputer hardware and software,  
file management techniques, and the importance of computer security.
     2. Enable students to design real-world data analysis applications using 
database software, spreadsheet, and word processing tools.
     3. Prepare students to utilize microcomputer software tools to improve their 
own personal productivity.
     4. Increase the student's awareness of security precautions.


                            MIS 103
                  TENTATIVE COURSE TOPICS

(Specific assignments and dates can be found in the Angel course calendar at 
cms.psu.edu.  You should check this calendar frequently for updates to the schedule.)

  INTRODUCTORY TOPICS:

    1   Introduction to microcomputer hardware and software 
	    and the PSU computing environment.
   
    2   Introduction to the operating system user interface, 
	    security issues, and file management techniques. 


    3   Creating a personal web page and e-Portfolio.


   Test (60 pts)

  DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS:

    4   The data storage hierarchy and database design.

    5   Defining the data base structure, field types, and use of the key field.

    6   Adding, changing, or deleting data in the data base.

    7   Using the query language to retrieve, sort, and list selected data.

    8   Creating custom-designed reports.
	
    DBMS Test (100 pts) 

  SPREADSHEETS:

    9   Creating, printing, and saving a simple spreadsheet.

   10   Modifying a Spreadsheet, formatting data, simple graphic interpretation of data.

   11   Using spreadsheet functions for data analysis and decision making.

   12   Sorting data and summarizing data

   Test (100 pts)

WORD PROCESSING & SOFTWARE INTEGRATION:

   13   Mail Merge: Integrated application combining MS Word and MS Access. 

   14   Importing an Excel spreadsheet to an Access Data Base.
	
   Quiz  (40 pts)

Click here for Class Policies and Grading

Last Update 8/2006