CCOG for BA 106 Fall 2024


Course Number:
BA 106
Course Title:
Introduction to Excel for Business Data
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
20
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces the basic features of Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet concepts to design and create accurate professional worksheets for use in the business world. Includes entering data, creating formulas, professional formatting, creating charts, sorting data, and working with functions. Focuses on ways to ensure accuracy including proofreading techniques and critical thinking to determine what data to present and how to present it. Recommended: Strong digital literacy/computer skills, placement into (RD 115 and WR 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Use Microsoft Excel to create, modify, and present business data.
  2. Demonstrate data literacy and worksheet concepts using business terminology and standards.
  3. Apply professional formatting to visually enhance audience data comprehension.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

A letter grade will be issued for this course based upon:

  • performance and objective tests
  • scored assignments
  • projects

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes, Concepts, Issues

  • Communicate effectively using appropriate spreadsheet vocabulary.
  • Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in designing spreadsheets for various business problems.
  • Proofread for accuracy in the entry of data and creation of formulas.
  • Assess the document for accuracy, readability, and appearance.
  • Develop efficiency with specific sets of skills through repetitive reinforcement. 
  • Explore, understand, and communicate with data.

Competencies, Skills

  • Use file management techniques for file and directory/folder organization.
  • Students will develop proficiency through reinforcement and assessment on the following skills:
    • Building basic worksheets by entering text, numbers, formulas, and sorting data.
    • Understanding data types (such as strings, numbers, date, and time).
    • Selecting, creating, formatting, and editing charts for visualizing data.
    • Developing skills in formatting, saving, and printing accurate, readable worksheets.
    • Creating and using named ranges.
    • Creating formulas using absolute and relative cell references, AVERAGE, SUM, and grand total.
    • Creating formulas and using built-in functions to perform calculations and solve problems -- MAX, MIN, IF, PMT, COUNT, and an introduction to VLOOKUP functions. 
    • Developing skills in managing multiple-sheet worksheets and using 3-D referencing.
    • Creating a spreadsheet from data with no specific instructions.
    • Using help features.
    • Creating a table.
  • Introduction to data literacy:
    • Creating effective questions.
    • Understanding the efficacy of data integrity.
    • Using different variable types.

Students may be exposed to additional spreadsheet skills/concepts.