Normandale Community College

Common Course Outline

CAP: 1200 CCO Revised Feb 2006                       

I.       IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

A.      CAPL/BUSN 1200 – Intermediate Computer Applications

B.      Prepared by Department Faculty

C.      Updated February 2006

D.      3 credits

E.      Prerequisite: CAPL 1100 or equivalent.

II.      CATALOG DESCRIPTION

Word Processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics and database management software features oriented to advanced analysis and problem-solving.  Application of productivity tools and features of the software are used to create typical documents used in other college courses and on the job.  Students gain a level of confidence suitable for professional employment. Keyboarding and proofreading skills recommended.  Basic computer skills or completion of CAPL 1100 required.

III.     RECOMMENDED ENTRY SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE

Keyboarding and proofreading skills recommended.  Basic computer skills or completion of CAPL 1100 required. Students not meeting prerequisites must successfully complete a skills test to enroll.

IV.     MAJOR CONTENT AREAS

A.       Word Processing:  Customizing the toolbars, keyboard shortcuts and defaults, changing spacing between and within paragraphs, custom tabs, multi-level lists, borders and shading, columns and drop caps, templates, outline numbered lists, mail merge; desktop publishing.

B.      Spreadsheets:  Managing multiple sheet workbooks, amortization schedules, PMT and PV functions; analyze worksheet data ;using one and two input table; using the VLookup function; working with multiple fields; using data filtering; using templates, adding drawing charts, styles and headers and footers.

C.      Database Management:  creating queries for reports; creating a form with a subform; modifying design view in reports, forms and subforms; changing properties on a form; OLE and hyperlinks; using date and memo fields in a query; creating and using lookup fields and input masks; adding single-field controls to reports and forms; adding calculated controls to reports; creating; modifying and running macros; creating and using a switchboard.

D.      Presentations Graphics: Inserting and formatting tables; applying new design templates; adding animation; using AutoContent Wizard; templates; adding bitmap graphics, sound effects; Excel charts; transition effects and hyperlinks.

V.      LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be able to use the word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation graphics tools in a professional computer program to create professional documents with an intermediate level of proficiency (speed and accuracy).

VI.     METHODS USED FOR EVALUATION

A.      Evaluations are based on documents created with each of the applications.  Some of these documents will be assigned as homework and others will be in-class exams.  The in-class exams are intended to measure the student’s ability to create documents independently.

B.      Individual instructors may choose to incorporate the following into their evaluation system:  attendance, homework assignments, group projects/quizzes, and computer-based skills assessment.

Traditional:  Required attendance at all class sessions with timely submission of out-of-class assignments and in-class assessments.

Distance+Traditional:  Attendance at the first session and the assessment sessions with out-of-class assignments submitted as directed.

C.      Assessment: Completion of documents with proficiency under observation by the instructor.

VII.    SPECIAL INFORMATION

This course is the second in a sequence of three computer applications courses.  Sections of this course may be offered using alternative delivery format such as distance delivery.  Check the class schedule for designated sections.

VIII.   ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE

Students are welcome to use the Computer Open Lab. Pick up the Computer Center printed schedule for hours and procedures. Software used in the classrooms is the same as in the Open Lab.