IS 101 Introduction to Information Systems
Instructor: Sandy Week
IMPORTANT: These course details are subject to change without notice. Students
must refer to the course site for current assignment details, course policies, and
additional information. Please refer to the online syllabus in your course site for
additional policies and information concerning this class.
IS101.5501 Intro to Information Systems (3 credits) Spring 2014
Date Last Revised: 1/7/2014
Instructor: Sandy Week, MBA
Introduction to microcomputers, computers in business and microcomputer software tools
including word processors, spreadsheets and database management systems.
Office: AB413 (Ansari Business Building)
Phone: 775-784-7054
Email: Please email me via Messages in WebCampus. If you are unable to log in to
WebCampus, email me at smw@weekspace.com
Address: MS 026 University of Nevada Reno, NV 89557
Office Hours: http://www.weekspace.com/contact_info.htm
Course Objectives
∙ The main objectives of this course are
∙ to provide students with the knowledge of computer-related concepts. Topics that
will be covered include: computer technology (hardware and software), applications
of this technology, its impact on society, careers in computing, networks and
telecommunications, the Internet, computer security and controls, artificial
intelligence, emerging technologies, personal privacy, intellectual property and
ethical issues.
∙ to provide students with basic to intermediate skills in using microcomputers to
solve problems. The student will work in a simulated environment in Vista, Word,
Excel, Access and PowerPoint. The student will work live in Word, Excel and
PowerPoint.
∙ to prepare the student with the information and skills needed to be successful in the
upper division business core and beyond.
∙ to provide the student with the tools and knowledge necessary to increase personal
productivity in study and/or work environments.
Required Textbooks and Materials
This course requires that each student purchase a custom version of Williams and Sawyer’s
Using Information Technology and a SimNet registration code.
The course materials are available in digital or printed form. See instructions below on how
to buy the book and SimNet separately (online) or how to buy the book and a SimNet code
bundled together at the ASUN bookstore at UNR.
To Purchase Online:
You can buy the book and SimNet Code online separately. To buy the eBook online go to:
http://mhprofessional.com/mhhe_product.php?isbn=0077780817&cat=108
To buy the SimNet registration code online go to:
http://shop.mcgraw-hill.com/mhshop/productDetails?isbn=0077780825
To Purchase at the ASUN Bookstore:
You have the option to buy the loose-leaf book bundled together with the registration code
at the Nevada Wolf Shop on campus. The ISBN is 0077780809.
Note that this book and software is not available from any other vendor. The book is based on
Using Information Technology, however, the pages are arranged to follow this course and
additional information is included in this version. No other book or purchase method of
materials is supported.
The ISBN 007754031X is a custom bundle that contains the package for Using Information
Technology, Ninth Edition, by Williams and Sawyer and SimNet for Office 2010.
Note: all students must purchase an individual copy of SimNet. Students may share a book
with others if desired.
System Requirements
MS Office 2010 is the supported software for this course. Assignments will be accepted if
generated in Office 2013 or Office 2007. Assignment files created in Office 2003 will not be
accepted. It doesn’t matter whether a student uses Microsoft Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
for system software. Students are expected to use a Supported Web Browser for WebCampus.
Use of Macs for this Course
Although Mac for Office is not the supported software for this course, students have
successfully used it to complete course requirements. Students will find that Office 2011 more
closely resembles the Office 2007/2010/2013 interfaces. There are a few issues of which the
student should be aware:
Files are graded on a Wintel machine, i.e. an Intel based PC with Microsoft Windows
operating system. Therefore, files turned in for assignments must be saved for the Wintel
environment. Word documents will have the .docx extension, Excel files will have the .xlsx
extension and PowerPoint documents will have the .pptx extension. Simply changing the
extension will not make a Mac file a Wintel file. It must be SAVED AS a Windows file.
SimNet and WebCampus courseware were written for Internet Explorer. Students have been
fairly successful using Firefox for these programs, but will run into some problems from time
to time. If a student finds that he/she cannot use SimNet on a Mac, he/she will need to find a
WinTel machine to do these lessons. No exemptions or exceptions are made for students
choosing to do their work on Mac computers.
Students will need to be able to play .wmv files. There is a free download called Flip4Mac that
will allow you to play .wmv files in Quicktime. Again, if a student is unable to play these files
on a Mac, he/she will need to find a WinTel machine to access this information.
Exam Materials – ProctorU Require Materials
You will be required to complete at least one proctored exam in this course. For more
information on taking your proctored exam, please see the Examinations page of the syllabus.
Students may choose to take their proctored exams through ProctorU, an external service that
allows students to complete their required supervised exams online from any location. Exams
taken through ProctorU require specific hardware, which is the responsibility of the student
to provide.
In order to test through ProctorU, you will need:
∙
∙
∙
∙
∙
∙
∙
reliable computer running Windows XP (or higher) or Mac OS X (or higher).
A webcam with 640×480 video pixel resolution or higher. Webcams built into laptops
or computer monitors are usually sufficient.
Headphones or working speakers connected to the computer.
A working microphone connected to the computer. A webcam with a built-in
microphone is recommended.
A web browser with Adobe Flash Player installed. Flash Player 10 is recommended.
A reliable, high-speed Internet connection (minimum 768 Kbps download speed / 384
Kbps upload speed).
The authority to allow remote access—video and screen-sharing connections—to the
computer by one of ProctorU’s proctors. (The proctor will walk you through this
authorization process.)
The Semester at a Glance
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Topic
Chapter 1: Introduction to
Information Technology
Chapter 2: The Internet
and the World Wide Web
Chapter 3: Software
Items Due
• Course Policies Assessment
• Log in and learn to use SimNet
• SimNet Lesson: Windows 7
• Chapter 1 Assessment
• SimNet Lesson: Word, Part 1
• SimNet Lesson: Word, Part 2
• Chapter 2 Assessment
Chapter 3a: Databases are
• SimNet Lesson: Access
in Your Life
• Discussion 1: Public Databases
• Word 1 Assignment
Chapter 4: Hardware: The
• Discussion 2: Midcourse Exam
CPU and Storage
• Word 2 Assignment
• Chapter 3 and 3a Assessment
• Schedule Midcourse Exam
Chapter 5: Hardware:
• SimNet Lesson: Excel, Part 1
Input and Output;
• Discussion 3: Input OR Interfaces
Digital Cameras
• Chapter 4 Assessment
Midcourse Exam (Chapters 1–4; including 3a)
Midcourse Exam and
• Excel 1 Assignment
Chapter 5 (continued)
• Midcourse Exam
Chapter 6:
• SimNet Lesson: Excel, Part 2
Communications,
• Discussion 4: Career
Networks, and Safeguards
• Chapter 5 Assessment
Chapter 7: Artificial
• Discussion 5: Ethics and Privacy
Intelligence
• Excel 2 Assignment
• Chapter 6 Assessment
Chapter 8: The Challenges
• SimNet Lesson: PowerPoint
of the Digital Age
• Discussion 6: Emerging
Technology/AI
Appendix: Programming
• PowerPoint Assignment
• Chapters 7 and 8 Assessment
• Discussion 7: Final Exam
Week 12
• Schedule Final Exam
Appendix (continued)
• Discussion 7: Final Exam
• Appendix Assessment
Final Exam (Chapters 5–9 and the Appendix)
Course Components
Weekly Learning Modules
Learning Modules break down what the student should accomplish during a specific time
period.
SimNet
SimNet reviews and enhances students’ knowledge of computer applications. The student will
complete SimNet lessons on Windows 7, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. SimNet
Lessons posted one minute to seven days late will be assessed a 30% penalty. SimNet Lessons
are not accepted after seven days beyond the due date.
Discussions
The student will complete seven discussion posts on the discussion board. Links to the
instructions for each discussion thread are found in the learning modules. Discussions posted
one minute to seven days late will be assessed a 30% penalty. Postings are not accepted after
seven days beyond the due date.
Assignments
Assignments instructions are found in a PDF file through links in the course modules. The
assignments are accompanied by Flash movie files that help the student learn the finer points
of computer application and will assist the student in completing the assignments.
Assignments posted one minute to seven days late will be assessed a 30% penalty.
Assignments are not accepted after seven days beyond the due date.
Assessments (Quizzes)
The student will complete eight assessments based on the Using Information Technology
book. There is an additional course policies assessment. Students may view the assessment
and exit without submitting in order to view assessment questions before answering. There is
no time limit for taking assessments, but they must be submitted before the due date/time. It
is not possible to take an assessment after its availability has ended.
Exams
The exams are difficult. They are 35% of the student’s grade and represent six or more hours
of study per week. This is a survey course; therefore, exam questions are on a broad array of
subjects. Students should watch the lecture videos multiple times and should be able to define
and/or understand all bulleted items on the videos. Students should watch the other offered
videos multiple times and should glean important points from these videos. Students should
carefully read the book, should review the assessment questions and should study the exam
discussions in detail. There are up to 100 multiple choice and matching questions on each
exam. If you miss the midcourse exam for an excused reason, you must take both the
midcourse and the final exams during the allotted time for the final exam.
Examinations Requirements
Rigorous testing policies and procedures are required of an accredited university; therefore,
exams must always be administered in a proctored/supervised, educational setting. Students
are required to complete all proctored exams.
Refer to the weekly learning modules for scheduled exam dates. Early/late exams are not
permitted. Failure to take your exam within the specified date range will result in a zero for
the exam and/or failure of the course.
For a breakdown of the testing process, including your options and how to prepare for your
testing appointment, review the flowchart at
http://www.istudy.unr.edu/PDFs/proctor_options_flowchart.pdf
For detailed information on testing, please see the appropriate link below:
Students Testing in the Reno/Sparks Area
http://www.istudy.unr.edu/Policies/test_in_reno.html
Students Testing Outside of the Reno/Sparks Area
http://www.istudy.unr.edu/Policies/test_in_reno.html
Course Grading
The course is based on 1,000 points. Grades will be assigned according to the following table:
Student Score
93.0–100%
90.0–92.99
87.0–89.99
83.0–86.99
80.0–82.99
77.0–79.99
73.0–76.99
70.0–72.99
67.0–69.99
63.0–66.99
60.0–62.99
59.99% and below
Final
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Note: grades are not rounded up beyond one decimal place. For example, 92.94% is an A-.
Course Deliverables
SimNet Lessons*
Discussions**
Assignments
Assessments
(Quizzes)
Exams
Total
Windows 7 & Explorer 9
29
Word
44
Access
16
Some Vocab & Concepts—Midterm
14
Excel
38
PowerPoint & Some Concepts Help—
Final
34
Week 4: Public Databases
15
Week 5: Midcourse Exam
15
Week 6: Input OR Interfaces
15
Week 8: Career
15
Week 9: Ethics & Privacy
15
Week 10: Emerging Technology/AI
15
Week 12: Final Exam
15
Word 1
35
Word 2
40
Excel 1
75
Excel 2
75
PowerPoint
40
Course Policies
10
Chapter 1
10
Chapter 2
10
Chapter 3 & 3a
20
Chapter 4
10
Chapters 5 & 7.4
10
Chapter 6
15
Chapters 7 & 8
10
Appendix
10
Midcourse Exam
150
Final Exam
200
1,000
* Each SimNet task is worth .5 points toward the course total.
** Ten points total of extra credit is available, five on the midcourse exam discussion and five
on the final exam discussion. No other extra credit is available.
COBA Lab
The College of Business Administration Lab (COBA Lab) is available for your use if you are in
the Reno area. The COBA Lab is located in AB301 and AB309 in the Ansari Business
Building on the University of Nevada Campus. The COBA Lab has all of the programs you
need for this class. Your NetID (the login you use for WebCampus) will be your COBA Lab
login. Lab assistants that are familiar with the homework assigned in this course are
available approximately 50 hours a week. A Link to the Schedules page for Lab Assistant and
COBA Lab hours is posted on the WebCampus site.
Student’s Role and Responsibilities
Students must take responsibility for their own learning. Students also share with the
instructor the responsibility for providing an environment conducive to learning. Students
should personally:
∙ be actively engaged with the material and with the process of education;
∙ build their own knowledge and skills (faculty guide students to materials and methods,
but learning is up to the student);
∙ participate in discussions on WebCampus;
∙ adhere to the dates set forth on the WebCampus site;
∙ be punctual in completing assignments;
∙ share responsibility for the flow of communication concerning a course (this involves
regularly checking WebCampus and responding to email from the instructor);
∙ notify the instructor at the first sign of problems that could affect performance in the
course;
∙ students should email the instructor via WebCampus rather than her personal email
account;
∙ be familiar with and adhere to matters of academic integrity as identified by the
University; and
∙ participate in objective and constructive evaluations of the instructor and of the course
(this helps to clarify problems and strengths that will help the instructor to improve
the course in subsequent semesters).
Additional Course Policies
1) University policy specifies that in cases of academic dishonesty, students may either
receive an “F” for the assignment or exam, receive an “F” for the course or be expelled from
the University. Please see the University of Nevada’s Academic Standards. Students are
expected to complete homework individually. Each student must download his or her own
files and must physically input each command into these files. The student should note
that the instructor is able to verify file integrity. Students that violate this policy will
receive a failing grade for the course for the first incidence of cheating.
2) If English is not the student’s native language, a paper dictionary may be used during
exams.
3) Students will show respect to others when posting messages to the course discussion
board. Students will refrain from using language and or graphics that might offend others.
4) Students will use proper punctuation, and complete words and sentences when emailing
the instructor, teaching assistant, other students in the course and when posting to the
discussion boards.
5) Students are responsible for assignments and assessments (quizzes) due dates regardless
of technical difficulties. Plan ahead!
6) Assignments are accepted only once. If you turn in a partially completed assignment, you
may not turn in the remaining portion at a later date.
7) A student who misses the midcourse exam for a reason deemed acceptable by Online and
Independent Learning will be allowed to take both the midcourse and final exams
concurrently at the scheduled final exam time.
365 Learning Policies
State Authorization for Distance Education
The U.S. Department of Education requires all institutions offering distance education to
be authorized in the states in which it operates. As stated in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR):
If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence
education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is
otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet
any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence
education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State’s
approval upon request. (34 CFR § 600.9[c])
This means that the university must acquire approval from any state where students reside
and take University of Nevada, Reno online courses or other experiences such as
externships and student teaching. This is an ongoing and lengthy process, and we are
working diligently to acquire those authorizations.
For students who reside in other states, it is their responsibility to evaluate the
applicability of University of Nevada, Reno courses to their local licensure requirements.
Because authorization has not been received in all states, students participating in any
educational activity outside the state of Nevada should contact 365 Learning before making
a commitment to the activity.
Our office can be reached in the following ways:
Phone: (775) 784-4652 or 1-800-233-8928
Fax: (775) 784-1280
Email: 365@unr.edu
The complaint agency and contact for the State of Nevada is:
David Perlman, Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
Phone: (702) 486-7330
Email: dperlman@cpe.state.nv.us
Technical Requirements & Skills for Online Classes
Please be sure you meet the appropriate technical requirements for an online course. The
University of Nevada, Reno uses Blackboard (called WebCampus at UNR:
https://webcampus.unr.edu) for its online classes. Students enrolled in Online Learning
classes will need access to a computer, access to the Internet, and a supported Web browser.
If you are registered for an online course, it is assumed that you have the basic computer
skills necessary for participating in and completing a class online. Knowing how to use
email and navigate the Internet is essential. Familiarity with your computer, its programs,
and its operating system will help you succeed as an online student. Students must be able
to send messages to their instructor, upload attachments, post assignments, communicate
with other students, and navigate the course site. Your instructor should not be relied upon
as a technical tutor for the course.
Each version of Blackboard supports specific browsers. It is very important that you use a
compatible browser and configure your browser settings to work effectively with
WebCampus. Browser information is available on the IDT website.
Motivation and organization are necessary skills required for online learning. Students
must organize themselves for every aspect of class, including submitting assignments by
the indicated deadlines and scheduling and taking tests within the designated time frames.
Although online learning provides a flexible modality of study, the rules for successful
completion are rigid. Therefore, accommodations cannot be made when students deviate
from the expectations as stated on the course site.
Technical issues are not considered valid excuses for handing in late work. WebCampus can
be accessed from any computer with Internet access. If you experience technical problems
on your home computer, you have the option of using a colleague’s or family member’s
computer, a public library, etc. It is also your responsibility to be certain assignments are
submitted properly and received by your instructor.
Supervised/Proctored Examinations
General Information
Rigorous testing policies and procedures are required of an accredited university; therefore,
every Online Learning course must include at least one mandatory exam that is
administered in a proctored/supervised setting. Students who fail to complete all proctored
examinations will not receive course credit.
Exams are proctored in two different manners:
1) Through ProctorU, an online exam-proctoring service,
or
2) Face to face at the Online Learning Office or with another preapproved proctor.
Details about these proctoring methods are provided below. For instructions on the specific
proctoring method used in your class, please refer to the course syllabus.
Testing with ProctorU
ProctorU is an online exam-proctoring service that allows students to complete their
required supervised exams online from any location. After meeting certain technical
requirements, you can use a webcam and computer to take your exams anywhere there is
reliable Internet access. For full details about the ProctorU service, please
visit ProctorU.com.
Important note about ProctorU appointments: Even though ProctorU will allow you
to take your proctored exam from any location—including your own home—you will still
need to adhere to a strict testing environment. You will not be able to take breaks from
your exam or step away from your computer once the testing session has begun. If you do,
the proctor will end your testing session and report the incident to your instructor and
Online Learning. Therefore, you should prepare ahead of time to sit for the exam (normally
two hours) without interruption.
Exam appointments with ProctorU must be made at least three days in advance
at go.ProctorU.com. If you do not make your appointment at least three days in advance,
you will be charged a late reservation fee. Late reservations are only permitted if there is
availability in ProctorU’s schedule, and rescheduled appointments can only be
accommodated within the designated testing week. If you incur a late reservation fee, you
are responsible for paying that directly to ProctorU. For information on how to prepare for
your testing appointment (schedule, test equipment, etc.), as well as testing policies and
procedures, please refer to our student handout. Information about ProctorU’s privacy
policies is also available. Every exam has scheduled testing days; exams must be taken
within the specified date range (see the specific exam modules within your course site for
the designated testing dates). ProctorU is available for proctoring from 5:00 a.m. to 11:45
p.m. Pacific Time (PT). This means that the last appointment time of the day is 9:45 p.m.
(PT) for exams with two-hour time limits.
Technical requirements must be met before you can take your exam through ProctorU.
You are responsible for acquiring the necessary hardware and meeting these technical
requirements before your scheduled appointment:
 A reliable computer running Windows XP (or higher) or Mac OS X (or higher).
 A webcam with 640×480 video pixel resolution or higher.
 Headphones or working speakers connected to the computer.
 A working microphone connected to the computer. A webcam with a built-in
microphone is recommended.
 A web browser with Adobe Flash Player installed. Flash Player 11 is recommended.
 A reliable, high-speed Internet connection.
 The authority to allow remote access-video and screen-sharing connections-to the
computer by one of ProctorU’s proctors. (The proctor will walk you through this
authorization process.)
It is strongly recommended that you test your computer, webcam, and Internet connection
at ProctorU Test It Out before your scheduled exam appointment to avoid technical
difficulties during your exam. Technical issues are not a valid excuse for missing your exam
or testing outside of the scheduled testing dates; such events may result in fees and/or
failing the exam.
Before your exam appointment begins, make sure you do the following to have a
successful testing experience:
 Have a quiet, private location to test. The room and area around your computer will
be scanned using a webcam prior to your exam, so all unauthorized materials should
be put away and the area should be free of clutter.
 Put away any notes or materials not approved for use by your instructor. Cell
phones and any other electronic devices must be turned off/silenced and put away
(out of view) throughout the entire exam. Any attempts to cheat will abort the test
session and will be reported to your instructor.
 Make sure you have a fast and reliable Internet connection. If you are connected
through an intermittent Wi-Fi connection, you will want to plug in directly to your
modem to avoid disconnecting during your exam.
 Be prepared to sit uninterrupted for the duration of your exam. No breaks will be
allowed during your testing session. Turn off your phone, use the bathroom, get a
glass of water, etc., before your appointment begins.


Have two forms of picture identification ready to show your proctor. Approved forms
of identification include, but are not limited to, a driver’s license, military
identification card, passport or school-issued identification card.
Have a handheld mirror in order to show your proctor the edges of your computer
monitor.
At the time of your exam appointment, you will be connected to your designated
proctor who will walk you through the set-up process, confirm your identity and review
your testing area and materials. He or she will grant you access to your online exam and be
there to assist with any technical problems you may experience during testing.
In-person testing
Exams that are designated to be proctored in person must be taken at the Online Learning
Office or, if the student does not live near Reno, Nevada, under the supervision of another
preapproved proctor.
If you live within a reasonable distance of the University of Nevada, Reno, you
must take examinations under the direct supervision of the University’s Online Learning
staff. As space is limited, you must schedule an appointment at least two weeks in advance
of your desired test date. The Online Learning office is open 7:15 a.m.–6:45 p.m., Monday–
Friday for testing. Please note that the last appointment time of the day is at 4:45 p.m. for
exams with two-hour time limits. The Continuing Education Building, where Online
Learning is located, is locked at 5:00 p.m.; if arriving late, you must call from a cell phone to
enter the building. Testing ends at 6:45 p.m.; if you arrive late to your testing appointment,
your time will be cut short. Exam appointments must be scheduled via the online scheduler
in the WebCampus course site. Any cancellations and reschedules must be made online, up
to 48 hours in advance; no cancellations or reschedules will be allowed over the phone or in
person. Space is limited. If your desired date and time for a reschedule is not available or if
the scheduler has closed, you must keep your scheduled appointment time.
Important note about exam appointments: Online Learning may not be able to
accommodate early check-ins to exam appointments or drop-in appointments. These lastminute changes will only be permitted if the testing schedule allows them. Drop-in exam
appointments are strongly discouraged and will only be accommodated if space allows.
Students who take their exams at the Online Learning Office without an appointment or at
a time other than their scheduled appointment will be charged a $50 drop-in fee. If an exam
appointment is scheduled but cannot be kept, it needs to be rescheduled via the online
appointment scheduler. If the exam schedule is full or if the online schedule has closed,
exam appointments cannot be rescheduled and students must keep their original
appointments. If you live outside the Reno, Nevada, area, you may take the examinations
under the supervision of an approved proctor. Approved proctors are: (1) the principal or
vice principal of an accredited public or private school; (2) the superintendent of schools of a
public school district (or his or her designee); (3) the counseling and testing office director at
a university or community college; (4) the certified head librarian of a public library; (5) for
members of the armed forces, the education officer at a military base. Students are
responsible for locating their own proctors. Please note: Rigorous testing policies and
procedures required of an accredited university make it mandatory that we accept only
those proctors who fall within the categories listed above. Family members and coworkers
are never acceptable proctors, regardless of their positions, and the test must always be
administered in an educational setting. Tests must always be requested at least two weeks
in advance. To request an exam to be sent to a proctor, please complete the electronic
request form included in the course site at least two weeks prior to your exam date. You
must submit a request for each exam. Failure to request your exam at least two weeks in
advance may result in “0” on the exam. Late exam requests may be accommodated;
however, an exam expedite fee of $60 will be assessed.
If you live outside the United States, you will need to include a memo on your proctor’s
letterhead, indicating his or her title/position and willingness to proctor your exam when
you submit your test request form. To speed the process, please include your proctor’s
complete daytime/office phone and fax number (country code, city code and number) and an
email address whenever possible. We also ask that your proctor and anyone answering his
or her office phone speak and understand English so that we may complete the proctoring
approval process and to ensure that he or she understands our procedures. If your proctor
does not have a secure fax, please allow three weeks for delivery of exams outside the
continental United States and be prepared to pay your proctor for the postage necessary to
return the exam to Online Learning. If the proctor has a secure fax, the test can be sent and
returned in that manner.
If you have not allowed ample time for your exam to be mailed, you must request
that it be sent express mail (or FedEx or UPS); an additional handling fee of $60 is assessed
for each exam. Please note that even if you request and pay for your exam to be sent by
priority mail, it will still be processed in the order in which it was received. Fees will be
assessed via MyNEVADA.
Testing session
Regardless of your proctored exam’s location, students are responsible for following and
adhering to these testing room rules and procedures:
 Students may not leave the testing room for any reason (using the bathroom, adding
money to the parking meter, making phone calls, etc.). Once an exam has started, it
must be completed in one sitting.
 No materials of any kind may be used (unless specified on your exam instructions)
and all personal items must be put away under the desk. Items of clothing, cell
phones, books, etc., are not allowed on the exam desk.
 Cell phones and any other electronic devices must be turned off/silenced and put
away (out of view) throughout the entire exam.
 If an exam has scratch paper attached, all sheets must be turned in with your exam.
If more scratch paper is needed, please ask an Online Learning staff member.
 If you are caught cheating, your exam will be terminated immediately, deemed
invalid, and you will be asked to leave. Receiving a “0” on an exam may result in
failing the course.
 It is the responsibility of the student to follow all instructions listed on the exam;
please read instructions carefully prior to starting your exam.
 All students must follow and acknowledge the exam room rules while testing at the
Online Learning office and at off-campus locations with a proctor.
Identification
Before you will be allowed to take your exam, you will need to confirm your identity with
your proctor:
ProctorU exams: Before you will be granted access to your online exam, you will be
asked to show picture and signature identification. One form of ID will be required
and you may need a backup. You will be asked a series of questions during the
identity-authentication process. If you have trouble answering the authentication
questions, your proctor will need to see a second form of identification. Approved
forms of identification include, but are not limited to, a driver’s license, military
identification card, passport or school-issued identification card.
 In-person exams at the Online Learning Office or with an external
proctor: When you arrive at your test site, you must present picture and signature
identification before the test will be administered. A driver’s license, passport or
UNR student ID card with a picture are the only forms of identification acceptable
for this purpose. No other forms of ID will be accepted.
A note of caution regarding exams

Please be aware that certain actions may invalidate your test and result in a
grade of “0” (note that asterisked items only apply to in-person exams taken with an
external proctor):
1. Cheating on an exam. Cheating immediately warrants a “0” on the test, possible
failure in the course, or other disciplinary action as outlined in the University of
Nevada, Reno General Catalog’s academic dishonesty policy.
2. Leaving the testing area before the exam is completed. Once the exam has
begun, you must sit for its duration. Breaks for any reason are not allowed. Also,
whether you are testing in the Online Learning office or with a proctor, be sure to
park in a place that allows you ample time to take your test plus additional time for
check-in, etc. Students are never allowed to leave a test to feed their parking meters
and (for tests taken in Reno) the Online Learning staff is unable to do so for them.
3. *Mailing your own exam, even if it is sealed. Be sure your proctor follows all
policies stated on the test letter you sign after taking your exam.
4. Not returning test questions with your answers.
5. Making notes or copying parts of the exam. If you take an in-person exam, you
cannot take any notes away from the test site. If you take a ProctorU exam, you
cannot write down any information about the exam, even if it’s intended only for
personal use.
6. *Taking the exam at a private residence (even if the proctor is acceptable). All
exams must be supervised in an educational setting.
7. *Submitting deceptive or faulty proctor information. All information about
the proctor, his or her title, mailing information, telephone, fax and the fact that he
or she is not a personal relation or friend must be accurate and true. All information
is verified by Online Learning prior to exams being sent. A grade of “0” will be
assigned for the exam, with the possibility of further disciplinary action for academic
dishonesty in the event a student has provided false proctor information (title,
relationship, address, etc.).
8. Not scheduling an exam appointment time. Drop-ins at the Online Learning
Office may not be accommodated and, if allowed, may be subject to a $50 drop-in fee.
Similarly, ProctorU requires exam appointments to be made at least three days in
advance; last-minute requests may not be accommodated and will result in a latereservation fee, which the student is responsible for paying.
9. Not taking the exam within the specified date range. This will result in a
“0.”
10. A final exam cannot be scheduled or sent to a proctor if loaned materials for the
class have not been returned.
11. A final exam CANNOT be retaken under any circumstances.
Academic Honesty
Students enrolled in University of Nevada, Reno Online Learning courses are expected to
adhere to the same strict codes of academic honesty required of students in the classroom
and to be aware of the seriousness of academic dishonesty.
Some examples of unacceptable behavior are
∙ submitting someone else’s work as your own
∙ working in groups on individual assignments
∙ cheating on examinations
∙ plagiarizing in any way
These behaviors may result in a variety of penalties, such as resubmission of lessons,
failure of the course, automatic withdrawal from the course or other sanctions. If you do not
have a clear understanding of these expectations, please read the University’s guidelines in
the General Catalog, or contact Online Learning.
Please note that exams may not be retaken under any circumstance.
The University’s General Catalog states, “No student can drop a course to avoid discipline
for academic dishonesty or a violation of the academic standards policy. If a course is
dropped before discipline is imposed, any ‘W’ may be changed to an ‘F.’”
By continuing in this class, students are automatically committing to abide by policies,
including those on academic dishonesty.
Civility & Class Conduct
Civility
It is the student’s responsibility to contribute to the maintenance of a campus environment
that fosters intellectual curiosity and diversity. Students are expected to conduct
themselves in a civil manner that contributes to a positive learning environment for all.
Harassment of one individual by another—in person, via email or in electronic
discussions—is uncivil behavior, which can pollute the learning environment and
discourage the open expression of ideas on academic subjects.
Online Learning and the university are committed to an orderly learning environment that
protects the right of free speech, and do not tolerate personal intimidation of any kind.
Class Conduct
Students may be dropped from class at any time for negligence or misconduct, upon
recommendation of the instructor and with approval of the college dean. Students may also
be dropped for non-attendance upon indication of the instructor.
Non-attendance in an online class consists of one or more of the following: Not logging into
the WebCampus course on at least a bi-weekly basis, not working on and submitting
assignments on a weekly basis and not participating in discussions by the dates assigned.
Netiquette
Netiquette, or network etiquette, refers to the guidelines and recommended practices for
online communications. In a nutshell, it is the etiquette for the Internet, and should be
used in all areas of communication in your class: email, chatting, blogging, discussion
forums, messages, etc.
While this is an online course, students must still adhere to UNR’s student conduct
requirements, and all students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is
respectful and upholds a supportive, mutually beneficial learning environment.
Netiquette provides excellent guidelines for online behavior that facilitates the productive
and thoughtful exchange of ideas. Some of the basic tenets of netiquette include:
 Be respectful. Remember that you are communicating with actual people, and be
sure to be courteous and show respect, even if there are differences of opinion.
Remember the golden rule: treat others as you’d like to be treated!
 Think before you post. Be aware of who may be able to view your posting, and
how your post may be interpreted. Try to maintain a fair and objective tone.
 Stay on topic. Make sure your communication is related to the subject at hand and
does not wander off-topic.
 Write clearly. Even though the online environment may seem more informal than
your face-to-face class, this is still an academic course and intelligible, mature
communication is expected. Correct spelling and grammar are required, and proper
sentence structure and punctuation should be used.
 Use appropriate language and style. Profanity or offensive wording will not be
tolerated. ALL CAPS and repeated punctuation (???? or !!!!) should also be avoided.
 Be considerate of others. Do not make derogatory, condescending, or harassing
remarks. Communication should be well-intentioned and well-articulated, and
aimed at fostering a positive learning environment. Be aware of how sarcasm may
be misinterpreted by your readers.
 Allow for misunderstandings. Keep in mind that writing can often convey the
incorrect tone or intention, and make allowances for unintended rudeness.
 Cite your sources. If you post work that is not your own, be sure to reference your
sources.
Incomplete Policy
“I” is a neutral mark and represents incomplete. An “I” is given when a student is
performing passing work, but for some uncontrollable reason is unable to
complete a SMALL PORTION of their FINAL course requirements during the
instructional period. An “I” mark is excluded from grade-point average computation.
Non-attendance, poor performance, or requests to repeat the course are
unacceptable reasons for issuance of the “I” mark.
What the “I” Policy Means to Online Learning Students
Students enrolled in semester-based Online Learning classes cannot request an “I” because
they have gotten behind on their assignments or because they haven’t completed a large
portion of the class (regardless of the reason). Sometimes students ‘drop the ball’ when it
comes to their online class and hope they can get an “I” to save them from a poor grade.
This is not allowed by university policy and should not be requested.
If medical events occur at the beginning of the semester, the more appropriate action at
that time would be for the student to go through the Office of Admissions and Records to
request a withdrawal and refund for the class (for medical emergency and/or improper
withdrawal), rather than requesting an “I” for a class that basically needs to be retaken.
Another reason that online students cannot ask to finish a large portion of their class at a
later date (beyond one paper or a quiz) is because a ‘re-experience’ of the entire class is not
always possible the following semester when a class is not being offered. There would be no
discussion component / student-to-student interaction in the “I” completion stage (which
would normally take place in the online class when with other students). This again is
reflected in the policy that the intent of the university “I” is NOT to allow the student a
repeat of the course or a way to avoid a bad grade due to poor performance or nonattendance/non-participation.
Some students appear to misunderstand the “I” policy, so we are clarifying it now at the
beginning of your class experience, to avoid any possible confusion at a later date. Please let
Online Learning know if you have any questions.
Course Changes
This online course is DYNAMIC, which means the instructor can and will make changes to
the course as the semester progresses (much like what would happen in an on-campus
course). It is the students’ responsibility to review course content periodically for changes
and to ask the instructor if you have questions. Just because you see something on the first
day of class does not mean that it cannot or will not change before the last day of class.
Links to Outside Sources
Links to outside areas are provided to help students find valuable resources in the course
content area, however, the University of Nevada, Online Learning, and the course
instructor assume no responsibility for content, currency, or accuracy.
Online Courses FAQs: http://www.istudy.unr.edu/Policies/faq_sem.html
Equal Access Statement
The Department of Accounting/IS supports equal access for students with disabilities. If you are
in need of special services due to a disability, please contact the instructor or the Disability
Resource Center. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides accommodations for students
with verified disabilities. When appropriate, reasonable accommodations can include the
following: alternative testing, readers, note takers, interpreters, and adaptive equipment. For
more information and/or to determine eligibility, please contact Online Learning or DRC in
Thompson Building, room 101.
Disability Resource Center/0079 University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 (775) 784-6000
Learning 365/0050 University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557 (800) 233-8928, ext. 4652 (775)
784-4652
Note on Changes to the Syllabus and Schedule
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and the schedule anytime
throughout the semester.
Your continued registration in this class after the initial drop date signifies that you have read
and understand the syllabus for IS 101.5501 and will abide by the course policies in the
syllabus.