CIS 215 ONLN2
Decision Making with Spreadsheets (3 Credits)
Spring 2015 - Marie Hartlein
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides more advanced instruction using spreadsheet software as a productive
decision-making tool. Topics covered will include macro programming, advanced printing
features, database management, internal functions, and graphing.
Prerequisites: CIS110 or CIS101 or CIS155 or equivalent experience.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Develop spreadsheets that reflect decision-making including spreadsheets that analyze
investment decisions, project cash flows, prepare financial statements, and calculate loan
costs.
2. Use tables, charts, and advanced finance, math, date, string, logic, and statistics functions
in a spreadsheet.
3. Use data base features within a spreadsheet to create or import data, query information,
and print/display meaningful reports.
4. Use macro programming to produce user-friendly applications.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK PACKAGE:
Required package (ISBN: 9781305131316) contains the following components:
 New Perspectives on Microsoft® Excel® 2013 : Comprehensive, 9781285169330
 Video Companion DVD, 9781285172286
 SAM 2013 Assessment, Training, and Projects v2.0 printed access card, 1/e,
9781285427492
Note: Be sure to purchase this textbook package at the MCCC Central Campus bookstore
(http://mc3central.bncollege.com/) to assure that you not only have the required textbook
but also the SAM 2013 Access Code and video companion at a reduced package price.
REQUIRED SOFTWARE:
Excel 2013 is required. In order to run this software, you will need either Windows 7 or
Windows 8 Operating System. There is no charge to MCCC students to use Excel 2013 for
the course. Directions for the free download are posted Blackboard and also available
through the MCCC portal at https://kb.mc3.edu/article.php?id=202
GRADING:
65%
20%
15%
Weekly Assignments including Case Problems, Tutorials, Projects, and Discussion
Group
Mid-Term Exam
Final Project
Additional details on MCCC Comprehensive Grading Policy can be found at:
http://www.mc3.edu/about-us/pokicies/8582
MCCC utilizes a plus/minus grading system. Your final grade will be reported as follows:
Grade
Percentage
Quality Points
A
93 - 100
4.00
A90 - 92
3.67
B+
87 - 89
3.33
B
84 - 86
3.00
B80 - 83
2.67
C+
77 - 79
2.33
C
70 - 76
2.00
D
60 - 69
1.00
F
< 60
0.00
COMMUNICATIONS:
Second floor of the Advanced Technology Center – ATC 208
215-641-6315
mhartlein@mc3.edu or mhartlei@mc3.edu
Office Location:
Telephone:
e-mail:
Office Hours:
Wednesday
9:15 a.m. – 12:15 a.m. (ATC 208)
Other times and days by appointment. Discussion group and e-mail are available 24 hours per
day. I normally check e-mail at least one time per day Monday through Friday. I am teaching
several online course sections so please specify your section (CIS215 ONLN2) when asking a
question via e-mail. If you want to speak with me in person, it is best to call my office during a
time listed above. E-mail request received at 5 pm, will be answered the next business day.
Therefore, questions sent on the night of the project due date will not be answered until the next
morning. Do not wait until the due date to start your work!
CLASS FORMAT:
This is an asynchronous class which will allow you flexibility within the weekly framework to study
at times convenient for you. Weekly Course Materials and Assignments will be posted by
before the start of each week in Blackboard. The class week generally ends each Monday with
assignments due the following day (Tuesday) by 11:59 PM (one minute before midnight). If you
have not finished all of the assignment, you should submit the work completed by the deadline
in order to earn partial credit. Homework must be submitted by the due date for credit.
The Discussion Board will be available to you 24/7 for the purpose of interacting with the class
and the instructor (posting questions, answers, helpful hints, etc.). Private communication will
be available through e-mail, phone, and/or office visits. The only on-campus requirements will
be the mid-term which can be scheduled at your convenience in the testing center on the Central
Campus or the West Campus. For scheduling purposes, I refer to this exam as a midterm, but
it is actually scheduled two weeks after the midpoint of the course.
WITHDRAWAL:
Withdrawal is allowed up until 3/19/15 (without my signature) and up until 4/4/15 (with my
signature). I will only provide a signature for active class participants.
After 4/4/2015, an Excused Withdrawal (“WEX”) due to medical, catastrophic or other
circumstances beyond the student’s control must be requested through the STEM Division
Dean with supporting documentation. A review of documentation for an Excused Withdrawal
will occur by the Division Dean and a recommendation will be provided to the Provost’s Office.
ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS:
By attending MCCC, students accept our Academic Code of Ethics and agree as follows:




Students must do all of their own work.
Students must not cheat.
Students will not re-use work from a previous course without permission.
Students must not help others to cheat (if you share your work, you are equally guilty)
If you submit work which is not your own or give your work to someone else to submit, you will
receive a 0 for the assignment. If the offense occurs more than one time, you will receive an XF
for the course and could receive additional sanctions by the College.
More details on this
policy and all College Policies and Support Services can be found at the end of this document.
INSTRUCTOR ADVICE
MCCC also offers a wealth of other Student Services including assistance with resume writing,
job placement, transfer guidance, tutoring services and counseling. There is also an intercampus shuttle, full service Library, Childcare facilities and open computer labs. We also have
several sports teams and a wide variety of Student Clubs. This is just a short list of what is
available. Be sure to explore the MCCC web site, Blackboard links and information at the end
of this syllabus for a more complete list of service offerings and further details.
I strongly
encourage you to get involved in campus life!
Plan to spend a lot of time at a computer working on your assignments. It is a fact of life:
Assignments are due when computers break down. Plan accordingly! Don't wait until the last
minute to get your work done. If a last minute technical problem occurs, have a backup plan.
CIS1215 ONLN2 - Course Outline (subject to change)
Each week will have a corresponding Assignments checklist which is posted in the ‘Course
Materials’ section of Blackboard. The syllabus will give you an overview of the topic and
textbook reading, but you need to check the corresponding ‘Assignments’ posting each
week for additional detail on the assignments, specific requirement and due dates.
Week (Dates)
1 (1/21 - 1/26)
2 (1/27 – 2/2)
3 (2/3 – 2/9)
4 (2/10 – 2/16)
5 (2/17 – 2/23)
6 (2/24 – 3/2)
Topic
Overview of Course & Environment
Managing Your Files
T1. Getting Started with Excel
T2. Formatting Workbook Text and Data
T3. Calculating Data with Formulas and
Functions
T4. Analyzing and Charting Financial Data
T5. Creating Excel Tables, PivotTables, and
PivotCharts
T6. Managing Multiple Worksheets and
Workbooks
T7. Developing an Excel Application
7 (3/3 – 3/9)
T8. Working with Advanced Functions
Appendix B. Using Advanced Filters, Database,
and Summary IFS Functions
8 (3/10 – 3/14, 3/22 – 3/23)
T9. Exploring Financial Tools and Functions
Spring Break – 3/15 – 3/21/2015
9 (3/24 – 3/30)
Midterm by appt. (testing@mc3.edu)
10 (3/31 – 4/6)
T10. Performing What-If Analyses
11 (4/7 – 4/13)
T11. Connecting to External Data
12 (4/14 – 4/20)
T12. Collaborating on a Shared Workbook
Appendix C. Enhancing Excel with Visual Basic
for Applications
13 (4/21 – 4/27)
Begin Projects
Selected Advanced Topics—
Appendix A. Using Text Functions and Creating
Custom Formats
Appendix D. Working with Enhanced Formatting
Tools
Review & Evaluations
Finish Projects
Final Project
14 (4/28 – 5/4)
15 (5/5 – 5/10)
COLLEGE POLICIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES:
Academic Support/Tutorial Services: Free subject-area tutoring, academic workshops, and study
skills specialists are available at Central Campus in College Hall 180, across from the Cafeteria
and at West Campus inside the Library at South Hall 159. Tutorial Services helps students develop
learning strategies based on their unique learning styles with the goal of creating successful
students and independent learners. Contact us at: 215-641-6452 (Central Campus), 610-718-1945
(West Campus) or log into the portal and find us online at: http://www.mc3.edu/studentresources/tutoring
Disabilities Statement: Students with disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodations in
this course. Please contact the Disability Services Center in College Hall 225 at 215-641-6575 to
make an appointment to learn about eligibility and documentation guidelines. At the West Campus,
contact the Coordinator of Disability Services in South Hall 147 (Student Success Center) at 610718-1853. http://www.mc3.edu/student-resources/disability-services
Early Alert Initiative Statement: As part of our commitment to promote the academic success of all
of our students, the College utilizes an Early Alert system. Faculty may alert Academic Advisors
about issues related to student absence and /or academic difficulty, if they are not resolved through
discussion between the faculty and student. Please respond promptly to any Early Alert notification
you receive through email, phone or mail, as your Academic Advisor hopes to offer you assistance
in resolving these issues.
Student Academic Code of Ethics: The College provides an environment that fosters critical
thinking and judgment. Students adhere to an Academic Code of Ethics by refraining from
participation in acts of academic dishonesty http://www.mc3.edu/aboutus/policies/aa-3/ethics.aspx
Student Code of Conduct: The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to guide students to
understand their responsibilities in regard to appropriate behavior and respect for others in the
college community. The policy addresses classroom disruptions and removal from the classroom
for behavioral issues. It also provides the standards for ensuring the College provides due process
to students through the judicial process. The policy and procedure is found
at http://www.mc3.edu/about-us/policies/125
Social Media: All students are expected to comply with the Social Media Procedures and Related
College Polices described in the College’s Social Media Handbook located on the College website
at https://mymccc.mc3.edu/allcampusresources/marketing/social-hb/Pages/policies.aspx
Student Support and Referral Team (SSRT): The Student Support and Referral Team is aware
that students face many challenges in and out of the classroom. SSRT is a free, confidential
referral service available to all students. It involves a support team of counselors, faculty and staff
who assist students dealing with issues such as emotional distress, stress, anxiety, eating
disorders, abuse, depression, grief, potential violence and substance abuse. SSRT works to
connect students with College and community resources and caring professionals. If students
recognize they have concerns, they may contact SSRT directly for assistance, either by sending an
email to a secure, confidential address, StudentReferral@mc3.edu, or by visiting the Student
Success Center located in College Hall at the Blue Bell Campus or South Hall at the Pottstown
Campus.
Grade Appeal: In the interest of due process, the College provides an appeal process for a student
who believes that a recorded final grade does not accurately reflect his/her academic performance
in a course due to issuance of an arbitrary grade, inconsistent grading practice, or mechanical
error. The policy and procedure is found at http://mc3.edu/component/content/article/89-aboutus/policies/aa-3/8581-grade-appeal-fall-2014
Veterans Statement: Student veterans may be eligible for benefits and services related to military
service http://www.mc3.edu/campusLife/student-resources/veterans. At Central Campus, contact
George Pannebaker, the Military and Veterans Affairs Advisor, in College Hall Room 259, call 215-
619-7307 or e-mail veterans@mc3.edu to learn about education benefits and healthcare
entitlements. Students at the West Campus call 215-619-7307 or e-mail veterans@mc3.edu for
further information or to arrange a meeting with the advisor.
Emergency Closing/Class Cancellations: Notices posted on MCCC homepage
http://www.mc3.edu/index.html . Text messaging service/notification is also available at
http://www.mc3.edu/txt/
Anti-Discrimination Statement: The College is committed to equal access for all in this and every
other course offered, regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), ancestry,
national origin, age (40 or older), sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital
status, or disability . Additionally, students experiencing gender discrimination, or sexual
misconduct of any kind, should know that the College is committed to providing a safe environment
in which to learn and will protect your access to educational opportunities on campus. Confidential
resources and several policies and procedures are available to assist you if you are experiencing
any form of discrimination based on gender. These are all posted on our web page on sexual
misconduct. http://www.mc3.edu/about-us/misconduct.
Comprehensive Grading Policy: Students are expected to review, understand, and follow the
College’s Comprehensive Grading Policy and associated procedures which include the Grading
System, Attendance, Administrative Deregistration, Academic Progression, Course Repetition,
Course Withdrawal, Incomplete Grades, Audit, and Academic Dishonesty.
 Students are encouraged to consult with their instructor and/or an academic advisor when
initiating a Course Withdrawal. The instructor’s permission must be requested and received if
requesting a withdrawal after 60% and before 75% of the course is completed. After 75% of the
course is completed, students may apply for an Excused Withdrawal due to medical,
catastrophic, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. Specific dates of deadlines
for this semester can be found at http://www.mc3.edu/adm-fin-aid/deadlines
 The policy, including the full Course Withdrawal procedure, is found at
http://mc3.edu/component/content/article/89-about-us/policies/aa-3/8582-grade-fall-2014
Credit Hour: The purpose of this policy is to provide documentation regarding the College’s
procedure for determining credit hours awarded for seated, online, hybrid and other formats
pertaining to its programs and coursework as outlined by the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education. The College defines one semester unit of credit as equal to a minimum of three hours
of work per week for a semester. A credit hour equals 1 hour (55 minutes) of classroom or direct
faculty instruction and a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class work each week. This policy is found at
http://www.mc3.edu/about-us/policies/8580
Transfer Credit: The College evaluates and awards academic credit for appropriate prior learning
that is equivalent to its courses and learning outcomes in order to assist students in the
achievement of their educational goals. Credit may be received from transfer credit, nationally
recognized examination, prior learning experiences, industry certifications, and reverse transfer.
Academic transcripts are evaluated based upon the procedures established in this policy and
through the guidance provided by the academic disciplines. This policy is found at
http://www.mc3.edu/about-us/policies/8504