Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for BCT 170 Winter 2025


Course Number:
BCT 170
Course Title:
Excel for Contractors
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
10
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
30

Course Description

Introduces the basic features of Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet concepts to design and create accurate professional worksheets for use in the construction industry. Includes entering data, creating formulas, professional formatting, creating charts, creating, sorting, and filtering tables, creating and using templates, 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: Placement into (RD 115 and WR 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

A major goal is to develop better computation skills using Excel. Improved critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills will also be emphasized.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  1. Use Microsoft Excel to create construction industry standard spreadsheets.
  2. Use critical thinking skills to design and create spreadsheets.
  3. Communicate in a construction industry setting using spreadsheet vocabulary.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

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

·        performance tests

·        may include objective tests, scored assignments, or 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  with an emphasis on construction estimating.

·        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. 

Competencies, Skills

·        Students will develop proficiency through reinforcement and assessment on the following skills:

·        Building basic worksheets by entering text, numbers, and formulas.

·        Generating pie and column charts 

·        Developing skills in formatting, saving, and printing accurate, readable worksheets.

·        Creating formulas using absolute and relative references, IF, PMT, VLOOKUP functions and 

      Average, AutoSum, and grand total. Developing skills in managing multiple-sheet worksheets.

·        Developing decision-making skills by using what-if analysis on spreadsheets.

·        Creating lists and using sort and filter features.

·        Creating a spreadsheet from data with no specific instructions.

Students will be familiar with the following skills:

·        Using help features.

·        Creating templates.

·        Using 3-D referencing.

·        Using additional functions such as PMT, maximum, and minimum.

·        Students may be exposed to additional spreadsheet skills/concepts.