Before registering in this course, review all Software Requirements.
Overview
This course will help you develop the skills required to use microcomputer applications effectively in a business environment. Using a hands-on approach of “learning by doing,” you will learn to use the Microsoft Office 365 suite of products and develop skills in using software designed to meet today’s business needs.
After completing this course, you will
be familiar with concepts and terminology common to desktop applications used in business.
be proficient in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint software.
have practical knowledge of common business situations in which desktop applications are used and have a foundation for further independent learning.
The textbook is a comprehensive MS Office tutorial and reference. It goes somewhat beyond the learning expectations of an introductory course; therefore, this course does not cover all the chapters in the textbook. After you have gained some experience and proficiency in using the software through the lessons in this course, however, you will be able to continue learning and developing new skills independently.
Outline
This course has been organized into 12 lessons, as follows:
Lesson 1: Office Fundamentals
Lesson 2: Microsoft Word Basics
Lesson 3: Editing and Formatting in Word
Lesson 4: Tables and Merge Printing in Word
Lesson 5: Microsoft Excel Basics
Lesson 6: Excel Formulas and Functions
Lesson 7: Excel Charts
Lesson 8: Introduction to Microsoft Access
Lesson 9: Relational Databases and Multitable Queries
Lesson 10: Advanced Query Techniques
Lesson 11: Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
Lesson 12: Presentation Development
Evaluation
To receive credit for this course, you must complete four assignments and achieve a minimum grade of D (50 percent) on each assignment.
There are no examinations in this course.
The table below summarizes the evaluation activities in this course:
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1: Word
25%
Assignment 2: Excel
25%
Assignment 3: Access
25%
Assignment 4: PowerPoint
25%
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Poatsy, M. A. (Ed.). (2020). Exploring Microsoft Office: Introductory (2019 Ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-13-540254-2. (eText)
All other learning resources will be available online.
Software Requirements
This course was designed to be completed using a PC-based version of Microsoft Office 365 or Office 2016 that includes the four main applications: Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
Mac versions are NOT officially supported.
Due to the widening discrepancy between the Mac and PC versions of Office and the number of issues this creates for students and tutors, it is strongly recommended that students NOT register in CMIS 245 with the intention of completing the course using a Mac computer.
Students who decide to proceed in this course using a Mac should be aware that they will need to make special provisions regarding MS Access and should contact the Course Coordinator before registering.
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the CMIS 245 challenge registration, you must complete four assignments and achieve a minimum grade of D (50 percent) on each assignment.
The assignments are based on activities from the course textbook, therefore you must acquire a copy of the textbook in order to complete the challenge requirements. A copy of the textbook is available for purchase via a Pearson website. A link to this site will be provided once your challenge request has been approved. You can also acquire a print textbook on your own if you wish.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.