Excel for Business

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
CSIS 1190
Descriptive
Excel for Business
Department
Computing Studies & Information Systems
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
202030
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Contact hours

Lecture: 2 hrs/week

Lab: 2 hrs/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning activities

Lecture, seminar, demonstration, and hands-on exercises.

Course description
This course gives students a brief introduction to information technology concepts before concentrating on essential Excel topics used in the business world. Information technology concepts covered include searching the Internet efficiently, managing files/folders, and computer security and backup. Excel topics include the basic fundamentals to advanced functionality, such as what-if analysis and macros. Word processing, database, and presentation software will be used as tools for presenting finished projects and assignments.
Note: Students who have received credit for CSIS 1110 or CSIS 1140 cannot receive additional credit for CSIS 1190.
Course content
  1. Operating system concepts – finding files and organizing folders, using utilities such as backup and firewall
  2. Browser and search-engine concepts – efficient and advanced searching techniques
  3. Word processing and Presentation software concepts – basic features and functions to produce quality business reports, memos and presentations
  4. Excel concepts
    • basic: worksheet environment, navigation, formatting, entering data/formulas, editing
    • intermediate: cell references, recalculating formulas, designing templates, "what if" analysis, charts and graphs
    • advanced: Financial functions, specialized functions, table lookup, pivot tables and pivot charts, multisheet workbooks, importing from other sources, data forms, dashboards and templates, macros
    • application: creating a complete, working project that could be deployed and implemented in a business environment
Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Use operating system software to manage files/folders, perform computer backups and ensure the computer environment is secure;
  2. Use client browser software and search engines to efficiently search for resources on the Internet;
  3. Use Word Processing software to produce business standard reports that include a Title Page, Table of Content, various body options and Work Citations;
  4. Use Presentation software to produce business standard presentations;
  5. Describe the main features and functions of Excel;
  6. Use computers as a tool to solve Excel business problems, i.e. analyze a problem, develop the appropriate Excel application, and test the Excel solution;
  7. Use built-in functions in Excel;
  8. Produce charts and graphs in Excel;
  9. Demonstrate the correct usage of forecasting and what-if analysis in Excel;
  10. Use advanced Excel features such as Pivot tables and charts; multiple spreadsheet development and macros.
Means of assessment
Assignments/Labs (min 3)  10-30%
Term Tests (min 3) 30-45%
Final Examination* 30-40%
Total 100%

* Practical hands-on computer exam

In order to pass the course, students must, in addition to receiving an overall course grade of 50%, also achieve a grade of at least 50% on the combined weighted examination components (including quizzes, tests, exams).

Textbook materials

Poatsy, Mulbery, Davidson & Grauer, Exploring Microsoft Excel 2016 Comprehensive, latest edition, Pearson Educational

or other textbooks as approved by the department

Prerequisites

Pre-Calculus 11 (C or better) or Foundations of Math 11 (C or better) or MATU 0410 (C or better) or approved substitute OR currently active in: 

PBD Finance

PBD Accounting and Finance

PDD International Business Management

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses
Equivalencies
Which prerequisite