| Auburn University Distance Education Expanded Course Overview |
COMP 3013\3014 - Spreadsheet-Based Applications with Visual Basic
Credit Hours: 3 Prerequisites: COMP 1200 or higher Delivery Systems:
This course requires a computer with Internet access. You will need to be able to adjust settings, install software and plug-ins, and be able to create files on the computer you will be using. Please be advised that public\lab computers often prevent these types of activities. You should check to ensure that you have these capabilities before participating in this course.
In the COMP 3010 Spreadsheet-Based Applications with Visual Basic course, students develop the ability to design and implement software applications using technologies that include programmable spreadsheets. Students are able to develop software tools that interface with production systems and embed analytical models into these systems. They are introduced to the design and implementation of applications such as simulations, spreadsheet front-ends for modeling, and multimedia applications.
COMP 1003/1004 is a three-credit course that deals with the design and implementation of applications such as simulations, spreadsheet front-ends for modeling, interfaces to databases, and multimedia applications.
The topics in this course provide a thorough knowledge of the skills on the following topics.
In this course, students will develop the ability to design and implement software applications using technologies that include programmable spreadsheets and databases. Students will be able to develop software tools that interface with production systems and embed analytical models into these systems.
Two course pre-tests will be administered at the beginning of the semester covering the previous Excel and Programming knowledge required for this course. Class Assignments will be made available once all students will take these pre-tests. The course consists of several topics spread across the semester including three proctored examinations. There are 8 lab assignments, 5 home assignments and 4 MyITLab modules for training. Learners are required to study from the lecture notes, and do the assigned reading, training sessions and home and lab assignments. More information is given about these activities in the ‘Course Requirements' section of the syllabus and also in the course website on Blackboard. All examinations will be proctored. The proctors for the examinations should be recognized by the Distance Learning & Outreach Technology (DLOT) office of Auburn University. More information about the proctors is given in the ‘Examination Process' section of the syllabus. A variety of media will be used to communicate among class members and with the instructor. Most of these media will be part of the software Auburn University supports for distance course delivery, that is, Blackboard software. Blackboard includes many types of communication tools, including online submission of assignments, email among class members, online discussions, and chats. The students will use some or all of these to complete class requirements. Lecture and content materials will be provided in Blackboard in the form of PowerPoint handouts with voiceover.
The 4 course training modules are available at Prentice Hall MyITLab website MyITLab (http://myitlab.com/ . The students receive the access code when they purchase a custom package of the text book from the Auburn University book store.
• Case Study: Students will be organized in groups and assigned case study, which is worth 150 points, on "Creating a management application" using all the accumulated knowledge and skills.
• Assignments: Lab Assignments are worth 10, 20 points. Students will train themselves using the required MyITLab training and do their homework and lab assignments. Lab Assignments will be the focus of the weekly class labs whereas students will need to work mostly on their own for the home assignments. Pop-up quizzes will be administered at lab time from the lab and home assignments content.
• Examination 1: Examination 1 is designed to give an opportunity to review all that the students have learned until this point in time. It includes 50 multiple-choice questions for 50 minutes. Reviewing all lectures notes and examples, and working diligently on lab assignments and MyITLab modules will be helpful. This exam will be available on Blackboard.
• Examination 2: Examination 2 is designed to give an opportunity to review all that the students have learned until this point in time. It includes hands on exercises for 50 minutes. Reviewing all lectures notes and examples, and working diligently on lab assignments and MyITLab modules will be helpful. This exam will be available on Blackboard.
• Final Examination: This final examination will cover all of the material for this course. The examination is designed to give an opportunity to review all that the students have learned from the beginning to this point in time. It is comprehensive and it includes multiple-choice questions as well as hands-on exercises for 2 1/2 hours. Reviewing all lectures notes and examples, and working diligently on lab assignments and MyITLab modules will be helpful. This exam will be available on Blackboard.
After the first session, you must select a proctor to supervise your examination. Distance Learning and Outreach Technology (DLOT) approved proctors are academic administrators in the student’s locale: school superintendent or principal, academic dean or department head at a college, another independent learning office test supervisor at a college, or an education officer at a military installation. All proposed proctors are verified for appropriateness by DLOT student service staff at 334-844-3106 or audl@auburn.edu. Examinations are given under the same circumstances as they would be on campus, e.g. closed book, no notes, for specified time. The students are expected to get the Examination Proctor Information form properly filled in and signed by the proctor, just before sending it to the DLOT office. Then the DLOT office will verify the proctor and lets the student know about it. After the proctored exam is done, the proctor will sign a document and sends it to DLOT. The exam will be graded by the instructor. Copies of the completed grade report form are distributed to the instructor, the DLOT office, the registrar, and the student.
The students work in this course will be evaluated on the basis of the assignments and Examinations. Examinations will include material from the assigned readings in the text, the assigned exercises, and class lectures. You should expect to do well on the exams only if you read study and understand the assigned readings in the text and complete the assigned exercises. Detailed information about examinations can be found on the Exams Info web page in the course website. The MyITLab skill modules will be made available online at all times. The final course average will be computed as follows:
The final course grade will be determined by the final class average using the scale below, with the following constraint: to earn a passing grade in this course, a student must earn a passing grade for the assignment average. An assignment average below 60% will result in an F in the course.
Students are not allowed to redo quizzes and examinations. Therefore, they should check their work carefully with criteria statements before turning in assignments or examinations. The students will be required to complete the online Course Evaluation Questionnaire before the final course grade is officially recorded.
A computer with Windows XP operating system, Microsoft Office 2003 and Front Page 2003 and an internet connection is necessary. Basic computer skills with experience using email and the internet is necessary. A microphone and speaker is optional.
The class will be fully web-based and semi-self-paced. Each week assignments will be due. Students should stay on track, especially since the self assessment tests will be focused on each week's topic. This type of course allows quite a bit of freedom, for instance, in determining at what time of day and where they do their coursework. It does, however, as you can see, entail quite a bit of self-discipline and determination in order to keep up with assignments.
As a distance education student, it is the responsibility of the student to share a significant responsibility for preparing and discussing course material. All the required readings must be completed prior to class. If a serious situation arises and the student anticipates, he/she will not be able to meet a deadline, it should be discussed with the instructor, before the due date. If the instructor is contacted, regarding the problem at least several days before the due date, and judges it to warrant special consideration (usually due to illness or injury) the instructor and the student will negotiate an alternate due date. If the instructor has not been contacted and special consideration has not been granted, assignments turned in after the due date will be penalized 10% of total possible points for each day late. Assignments completed later will receive a no credit.
Make-up exams will only be given with a valid university excuse. This means a Doctor's statement (not an In-Out slip) or other documentation must be provided. All make-ups will be given at the end of the semester on dead day unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. The student is responsible for informing the instructor prior to missing an examination or no later than one week after the examination or skill assessment test official date.
Auburn University is committed to providing accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities. Any learner with a qualified disability which requires accommodations should contact The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, 334-844-2096 PH, 334-844-2099 FAX. More information is available on their website at www.auburn.edu/disability. The office will fax or mail the required forms to learners to apply for services. Learners who have questions to participate in this course should contact the above office in advance to ensure proper accommodations.
Plagiarism is the act of presenting directly or indirectly someone else's work as your own. Plagiarism is a major type of academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Similarly cheating on tests in any way, falsifying bibliographies, fraudulent quotes, and similar practices are intolerable forms of academic dishonesty. The University's policy for academic misconduct in the Learner Code of Conduct will be followed for this course (Tiger Club, pp. 83 and 92). If you have any questions regarding its contents, they are suggested to contact the instructor. Independent Learning Program Policies and Procedures | Close this Window |
