Computers and Management Information Systems (CMIS) 311
Supporting End-User Computing (Revision 5)
Revision 5 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online (with eTextbook)
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Applied Studies
(Business and Administrative Studies)
Prerequisite: None. Students are expected to have experience using Microsoft Office products before starting this course. Those wishing to upgrade their Office skills may take CMIS 245 instead. Business program students: This course does not meet the prerequisite requirement for CMIS 351; see CMIS245. Contact an advisor for assistance in determining prerequisite eligibility.
Centre: Faculty of Business
CMIS 311 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Note: You must have a version of Microsoft Office that contains all of the programs you will be using in this course: Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. You may complete this course using either Office 2010 or an earlier version of Office (such as 2007 or XP).
Overview
CMIS 311 is a three-credit, senior-level course that aims to introduce the key concepts and methods of end-user support, including client service skills, troubleshooting methods, planning for and managing support and training, product and service evaluation, needs analysis, and management of facilities.
Outline
- This course has been organized into 3 units, as follows:
- Unit 1: Skills for End-User Support
- Unit 2: Managing End-User Support
- Unit 3: Organizational Needs of End-User Computing
Evaluation
To receive credit for CMIS 311, you must complete all assignments and achieve an overall course grade of at least a “D” (50 percent). If it is necessary to improve your course mark, you may resubmit assignments for which you have received less than 50 percent. There are no examinations in this course. Weighting of each component is as follows:
| Assignment 1: Project 1 | 25% |
| Assignment 2: Project 2 | 25% |
| Assignment 3: Project 3 | 25% |
| Assignment 4: Portfolio | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
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.
Beisse, F. (2013). A guide to computer user support for help desk and support specialists (5th ed.). Boston: Course Technology, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9781133187820
The textbook publisher is offering a print-on-demand option in which you may purchase an unbound copy of the textbook at a discounted rate; you can also acquire a print textbook on your own, if you wish.
Other Resources
All other learning resources will be available online.
Special Course Features
This course and the learning activities within it have been designed specifically for use with a version of Microsoft Office that contains all of the programs you will be using in this course: Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. You may complete this course using either Office 2010 or an earlier version of Office (such as 2007 or XP).
As an AU student, you can purchase the software at a special student price. To download the software, go to: http://itss.athabascau.ca/students/docs/software.html
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they 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 for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the CMIS 311 challenge registration, you must complete three assignments and achieve a minimum grade of “D” (50 percent) on each assignment.
The assignments are based on activities from the textbook, therefore you must acquire a copy of the textbook in order to complete the challenge requirements. The cost of the textbook is approximately $144 plus shipping costs. To confirm the cost or order the textbook, email cmat@athabascau.ca or phone 1-800-788-9041 Ext 6366.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
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.
Opened in Revision 5, October 10, 2013.
View previous syllabus