Fall 2005
Department ___PCSE____
Course Number __215___
AREAS OF INQUIRY
Course Name: Software Packages for Business Applications
INFORMAL AND FORMAL
REASONING
This form must be submitted to the Faculty Council on Liberal Learning and Academic Life as part of the submission process.
Please attach a proposed syllabus for this course and the Undergraduate Curriculum Course Proposal Form.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: 16 September 2005
Please answer the following questions:
Check Only One:
 This course is an existing course (in the current curriculum) that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry.
 This is a new course that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry.
1. Name and contact information for the department chair administrating this course.
David C. Doughty Jr. doughty@pcs.cnu.edu
2. In any given semester, how many sections of this course is your department willing to offer?
Six.
3. Why is this course being offered/what is it designed to achieve (Course purpose/goal)?
This course is designed to bring students to a high level of proficiency in being able to analyze various business data
problems, and in the techniques and technologies which can be applied to solve these problems.
4. Check at least three objectives below that the course will address.
 Demonstrate competence in the evaluative strategies of inductive and/or deductive reasoning
 Distinguish between formal and informal methods of reasoning and apply each to solve a problem
 Compare various methodologies of proof
 Critique a fallacious argument
 Articulate the structure of, limitations of, and/or comparisons between languages (can include artificial
languages, natural languages, or both)
Fall 2005
 Explore the structure of scientific reasoning and/or cognition
5. Briefly explain how this class addresses the above objectives. A course may cover more than three objectives.
a.) Demonstrate competence in the evaluative strategies of inductive and/or deductive reasoning.
When facing a particular business data problem, the solution provider (the student in this case) must be able to
analyze the data requirements, the data selection and data flow requirements, and the analysis requirements. These
four steps require both inductive and deductive reasoning as the student observes the situation, creates models of data
and data flow, and develops algorithms for analyzing results.
b.) Articulate the structure of, limitations of, and/or comparisons between languages (can include artificial languages,
natural languages or both)
One major focus of this course is the difference between purely algorithmic data storage, retrieval and analysis, such
as in a spreadsheet, and a true database, with a well developed, semantically rich query language. Students will come
to understand the limitations of a spreadsheet, and of purely algorithmic expressions of analytical intent, compared
with the capabilities of a true database when combined with the query language SQL.
c.) Explore the structure of scientific reasoning and/or cognition
A major component of scientific reasoning is the extraction of hypotheses or models from observation, and then
using these models to predict or obtain new information. As mentioned above, solving business problems in
computer and information science requires the observation of the problem, after which one creates a model or set of
rules (called an algorithm) for solving it. Additionally, in many database applications, the cognition and reasoning of
subject matter experts is studied as algorithms for data extraction and decision making are created.
6. Course Assessment: Identify how this course will accomplish the above objectives (choose at least one).
 Participating in class discussion and debate
 Engaging in teamwork and other collaborative exercises
 Writing analytical or evaluative papers, perhaps incorporating original research
 Making oral presentations
 Creating an artistic product or a performance
 Participating in fieldwork
 Other means – please identify Problem solving – applying inductive and deductive reasoning to solve business
problems with computer hardware and software. Project development – involves the design and creation of
computing artifacts such as spreadsheets and database systems for analysis and a presentation of this work.
7. Attach a proposed syllabus, which includes a statement of purpose, course objectives, and how these objectives will
be accomplished.
See attached syllabus.
Fall 2005
8. Please identify and explain if this course contributes to the Foundations of Liberal Learning expectations for:
 Oral Communication Literacy:
Students will make a presentation of their project using appropriate software.
 Information Literacy:
Students will study many aspects of information literacy including information storage, query, and retrieval,
information sorting, selection and analysis, and more.
 Writing Literacy:
Students do a project which requires a written report.
8. Explain how this course connects to Vision 2010 – the CNU Strategic Plan
Priority I A Vital Curriculum
Goal A Provide intellectually challenging and dynamic liberal learning curriculum.
This course is intellectually rigorous as it explores the various methods of applying computational and algorithmic
thinking to the solution of business problems.
Goal B Support learning that cultivates critical and innovative thinking
One of the challenges facing those who wish to apply computers to solve business problems is that these problems
often deal with incomplete, misleading and/or erroneous information. Critical thinking is required to analyze
problems such as this and create algorithms of data manipulation which solve the problem. Additionally,
problems in business are frequently unique, and require a new approach or a different approach than is
customarily presented, and this prepares students to use the various tools in new and innovative ways.
Priority II A Culture of Student Learning and Engagement
Goal B Promote personal initiative, integrity and responsibility for learning
The project assignments and strict due dates in this course do in fact promote student responsibility for learning.
Goal E Create learning opportunities that expand individual potential
The project assignments in this course are designed precisely for this purpose, to develop proficiency in handling
software technology as applied to business problems and processes, and to understand the underlying technologies
so that continuous learning, evaluation of alternative tools and methods is feasible.
Fall 2005
Submission Checklist:
By the deadline, submit a packet with the following documents to the Assistant Dean for Liberal Learning. Please submit
in electronic and hard copy form.
_____ Area of Inquiry Course Proposal Form
_____ Syllabus for the Course
_____ Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Course Proposal Form
Fall 2005
CPSC 215
Software Packages for Business Applications
Instructor:
Dept. Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Amy A. Baird
594-7065
abaird@pcs.cnu.edu
MWF 9:00 – 10:00
Office: Gosnold 134
COURSE DESCRIPTION
For students majoring in information science and those wanting a more in-depth understanding of and
competence in the use of spreadsheets, databases, and database management. This course is an
intensive hands-on exploration of Microsoft Excel 2003 and Microsoft Access 2003.
PREREQUISITES
A grade of C- or higher in CPSC 110 or CPSC 210, or passing a qualifying examination given during the
first week of class.
REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS
Textbooks: Microsoft Office Excel 2003 Comprehensive New Perspectives by Parsons/Oja/Ageloff/Carey
Microsoft Office Access 2003 Introductory New Perspectives by Adamski/Finnegan
Storage: Flash drive (preferred) or a box of diskettes. Files may not be saved on the classroom
computers.
ATTENDANCE
Your regular attendance of class is both required and expected. This class will be conducted primarily in a
hands-on format during which we will practice using the software as demonstrated by the instructor. I will
regularly give assignments in class (Class Labs) which must be completed during that class period and
submitted before leaving class for credit. If you are not present you will receive a zero for that assignment.
No make-ups for Class Labs.
TARDINESS
Tardiness is to be avoided. If you wander into class after instruction begins, you distract everyone in the
room including the instructor. Therefore, if you are more than five minutes late, DO NOT enter the
classroom. This is a matter of courtesy.
ASSIGNMENTS
You are expected to read each assigned project/chapter before the lecture. Lectures will be short, to the
point, and will discuss the highlights and potential problem areas of the project for that week. The textbook
will cover the material in much greater detail. Most assignments will be submitted online. Ten points will
be deducted for each day an assignment is turned in late, including weekends.
TESTS
Tests will be hands-on using SAM 2003. These tests will include material covered in class as well as
material in the assigned chapters which may not have been explicitly covered in class. Tests will be timed
so it is important that the student not only know the skills, but also know them well enough to move quickly
through the test. Make-up tests will be given ONLY for dire situations and ONLY with prior approval of the
instructor. If you do not contact me prior to the test, you will receive a grade of zero (0) for that test.
Additionally, all approved make-up tests must be taken within one week of the original test .
Fall 2005
GRADING
Tests (3 tests-15% each)
Class Labs
Homework
Project
Final Exam
94 – 100
90 – 93
87 – 89
83 – 86
80 – 82
77 – 79
A
AB+
B
BC+
45%
10%
10%
10%
25%
73 – 76
70 – 72
67 – 69
63 – 66
60 – 62
<60
C
CD+
D
DF
CHATTING, GAME PLAYING, etc.
There will be no chatting, e-mailing, or game playing during lecture. Any such activity will result in a
one point reduction of your final Class Lab/Homework average for each occurrence.
CHEATING
Cheating will not be tolerated. Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of
the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student’s
submitted work, tests, and projects must be the student’s own work. Any student violating the
honor code is subject to receive a failing grade for the course and that violation will be reported to
the Office of Student Affairs.
EVERYTHING YOU TURN IN TO MEET COURSE REQUIREMENTS IS TO BE INDIVIDUAL
WORK.
HONOR POLICY
“On my honor, I will maintain the highest possible standards of honesty, integrity and personal
responsibility. That means I will not lie, cheat, or steal and as a member of this academic
community, I am committed to creating an environment of respect and mutual trust.”
SUCCESS IN THIS CLASS
We want you to succeed at CNU, therefore I may notify the Academic Advising Center if you seem
to be having problems with this course. Someone may contact you to help you determine what
help you need to succeed. You will be sent a copy of the referral form. I invite you to see me at any
time that I can be of assistance in helping you with course material.
DISABILITIES
If you have a disability and need special consideration, please make an appointment with me to discuss
those needs. In order to receive an accommodation for your disability, it must be on record in the Office
of Career & Counseling Services. (Phone: 594-7047).