COMPUTER COMPETENCIES FOR GRADUATION
All Tidewater Community College students who plan to graduate in a program in excess of 45 semester credits are required to demonstrate basic
competency with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and Internet/e-mail software to ensure that they are prepared for the technologies in
use in the workplace and at four-year colleges and universities.
Competency requirements may be satisfied in any of the following ways:
1)
Passing designated computer-related course(s) – These courses satisfy ALL or ONE of the competencies:
All Competencies
Word Processing ONLY
Spreadsheet ONLY
Database ONLY
Internet/E-mail ONLY
ITE 115
AST 132
ITE 140
ITE 150
ITE 130
ITE 215
AST 141
ITE 141
ITE 151
ITE 131
AST 236
AST 132
ITE 109
ETR 104
SAF 125
NOTE: Students graduating with an A.S. degree in Engineering or an A.A.S. degree in Electronics meet computer competency requirements.
2)
Passing a computer competency test available in each campus Testing Center –Word processing, spreadsheet, database, and Internet/e-mail
tests are offered. If students have significant computer experience, they may choose to demonstrate their competency through successful
performance on a test using Microsoft Office or the Internet with Internet Explorer as the browser. Students need to take the appropriate test
early in their program of study so they may schedule any class or classes as indicated by the test. The competencies expected for each test
are listed on the second page of this document. Students may repeat a test only one time to earn a passing grade. Tests are offered
approximately one week after the start of each semester/term, and testing ends on the last day for instruction. Contact a Testing Center for
specific dates and times.
Successful completion of computer competency testing does NOT
grant any academic credit.
The competencies of students transferring into TCC will be determined through the regular transcript evaluation process of the Records Office.
Students with disabilities that may be related to achieving and documenting computer competencies should check the Disability Services section
of the TCC Catalog or call Disability Services at 822-1213.
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REQUIRED WORD PROCESSING COMPETENCIES
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Start and exit the program.
Edit text, insert and delete, mark block of text, move text
(i.e., sentences and paragraphs).
Format a document, set and change line spacing and
margins, set tabs and indents, center headings, paginate,
and install user-defined page breaks.
Emphasize text: bold, italicize, and underline text.
Use Spell Check and Thesaurus.
List files.
Save, retrieve, re-save, and print a document.
REQUIRED DATABASE MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
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Start and exit the program.
Open or create a database: create/modify a database
structure with fields of different types (i.e., text,
numeric, date, etc.).
Add, delete, and edit records.
Sort/index a database on single and multiple keys in
ascending or descending order.
Display selected fields from a database.
Display selected records based on single or multiple
conditions and use logical operators, such as AND, OR, or
NOT.
Use simple functions to produce summary calculations
(SUM, COUNT, etc.).
Print selected fields and records.
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REQUIRED SPREADSHEET COMPETENCIES
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Start and exit the program.
Load or create and save a spreadsheet.
Modify a spreadsheet, change or delete cell contents,
insert/delete columns and rows, adjust column widths,
copy/move formulas and functions using ranges.
Apply styles (i.e, bold, italics, etc.) and formats (i.e.,
dollar, integer, fixed decimal, etc.) to cells.
Do simple arithmetic, enter formulas, use simple
statistical/financial functions, and use ranges in
formulas.
Print all or part of a spreadsheet.
REQUIRED INTERNET/E-MAIL COMPETENCIES
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Correctly use Internet addresses, including domain
names, IP addresses, and URLs.
Send, receive, reply, and print e-mail messages.
Access and use electronic discussion media, such as web
boards, list serves, chat rooms, or bulletin boards.
Retrieve and print a web document, including URL and
access date.
Download and save an Internet file.
Add and edit browser bookmarks or favorites.
Do a basic web search and refine and narrow this search.
TCC TESTING CENTER LOCATIONS
Chesapeake Campus
1428 Cedar Road
George B. Pass Bldg.
Room 210
Chesapeake, VA 23322
757.822.5131
Portsmouth Campus
120 Campus Drive
Building A
Room A-153
Portsmouth, VA 23701
757.822.2194
Norfolk Campus
340 Granby Street
Roper Center
Room 4102
Norfolk, VA 23510
757.822.1310
Virginia Beach Campus
1700 College Crescent
Virginia Beach Bldg.
Room G108
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
757.822.7390
For more information about meeting computer competencies
and other graduation requirements,
see the college website at
http://www.tcc.edu/students/graduates
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