Computers and Management Information Systems (CMIS) 245

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 2016 suite of products and develop skills in using software designed to meet today's business needs.

After completing this course, you will have achieved the following course objectives:

• You will be familiar with concepts and terminology common to the following desktop business applications: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation managers, and database management systems.
• You will be knowledgeable about and proficient in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint software.
• You will 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, and it goes somewhat beyond the learning expectations of an introductory course; therefore, not all the chapters in the textbook are covered in the lessons. 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 Multi-Table 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.

Course Materials

Textbook

Registration in this course includes an electronic textbook. For more information on electronic textbooks, please refer to our eText Initiative site.

A print version of the eText may be available for purchase from the publisher through a direct-to-student link provided on the course website; you can also acquire the textbook on your own if you wish.

Other Resources

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.

As an AU student, you are entitled to five free copies of Microsoft Office. For further information, go to http://itss.athabascau.ca/students/docs/software.html

Challenge for Credit Overview

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.

Challenge 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 at a cost of approximately $60 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.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form