AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER ECONOMICS 161

Fall 2005

MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Instructor

E-mail address

Office

Office Hours

Phone Number

Sections

Val Rogalla

mailto:ace161-val@acf.aces.uiuc.edu

125 LIAC

Tuesday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Wednesday12:30 pm-2:00pm


244-1709

Tues. 1 and 3, Wed. 8 and 10, Fri. 8 and 10 Friday classes are on-line)

Alexander Lo

alexlo@uiuc.edu

126 LIAC

Monday 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Tuesday 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 11:00 am

244-2162

Mon. 10 and 2, Tues. 8 and 10, Wed. 1 and 3

 

MATERIALS FOR THE COURSE:

Required:

1)   Computer Concepts 7th Edition, Introductory by June Jamrich Parsons and Dan Oja

2)   Microsoft Access 2003, Brief by Joseph J. Adamski and Kathleen T. Finnegan

3)   Two manila folders

4)   One USB Flash/Thumb/Key Drive – without security features or any setting that requires unique drivers.  The drive must be compatible with the computers in LIAC.

 

One goal of the course is that you will be "computer literate". You will also possess capabilities to solve data-related problems using the microcomputer and general purpose software packages. These goals will be accomplished through two separate learning activities.

 

COMPUTER LITERACY:  Through the readings you will learn about various components of the computer including hardware and software. This information will prepare you to make the correct microcomputer selection if/when you purchase your own computer.

 

COMPUTER COMPETENCE AND AWARENESS:  During class and when you work on your assignments, you will develop the capabilities to solve data-related problems with the microcomputer and software packages.  You will be solving problems using the following packages: 1) Word processing - Word 2003; 2) Electronic spread sheet and data base management - Excel 2003; 3) Data base management - Access 2003; 4) Presentation graphics - Power Point 2003; 5) Web page editor – Dreamweaver (If time permits).

 

ATTENDANCE:  Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory progress to occur. Should you find it necessary to be absent from class, you must make arrangements with the instructor BEFORE the absence regarding work that is due that week (e.g., failure to take an exam when it is scheduled will result in an automatic zero).  Only in extreme cases, as determined by the instructor and at the instructor's discretion will unexcused absences be considered for make up. Full attendance points are earned when you arrive to class on time and use the class time for designated course participation. Anything less than this is subject to attendance point reduction.


 

EXERCISES:  Computer competence will be attained by completion of exercises using personal computers and various software packages.  The computers in the ACES Academic Computing Facility are available for use by this class.  If you have access to other PCs and the appropriate software packages, you may use those computers to complete most exercises. Exercise 1 must be done at the ACES Academic Computing Facility.  There is a fee for printing. You must bring your I-card each time you to the Academic Computing Facility in order to use the printing system.

 

Nine exercises will be assigned throughout the semester.  Except for Exercise 1, these exercises are due exactly one week after they are assigned.  Three mandatory projects will also be assigned.  These will be due at least two weeks after they are assigned. All exercises/projects are due at the beginning of class. Any late assignments are subject to a penalty deduction of points.

 

***  Assignments WILL NOT be accepted late unless you provide us with a valid written excuse from a doctor or your college Dean.***

 

WebCT: http://webct.aces.uiuc.edu

Items of note include:

 

Assignments                         All exercises and projects for the course.

Syllabus                                 If you lose your printed syllabus, a copy is available on-line.

Study Guides                        Additional resources about the various topics.

Weekly Notes                       PowerPoint slides of each week’s lecture.

 

Each week you should check into WebCT to obtain the current exercise and/or project required for that week=s assignment. 

 

EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE:

         Maximum Points

Attendance.................................................................................       56

Topic Proposal...........................................................................       10

9 exercises (25 pts. each) .......................................................       225

Word Project .............................................................................       100                

Excel Project .............................................................................       100

Integrated Project ......................................................................       100

Word and Computer Concepts Exam ....................................       100

Excel Exam ................................................................................       100

Access, PowerPoint and Computer Concepts Exam...........       100

                    TOTAL ....................................................................       891

 

**GRADING SCALE:                                                                                 

Points Earned                       Grade            

891 - 797..............................   A                              

796 - 708..............................   B                              

707 - 619..............................   C                              

618 - 530..............................   D                              

below 530.............................   F                               

 

This course does not offer plus/minus grades. The scale is 90%, 80%, 70%, etc.

Check WebCT for a detailed listing of what is covered each week.