Advanced Excel

Course Syllabus
Spring 2016
Instructor Information
Name:
Office
Location:
Office Hours:
UA email:
Discussions:
Twitter:

Allison Payne
Virtual Office Hours
By appointment via virtual conference methods
apayne@crimson.ua.edu This is the best way to reach me.
Responses to messages will be provided within 48 hours during weekdays.
Blackboard Discussion Forums may be used for general course or
assignment specific questions.
@1alpayne

Course Description
This course is an advanced introduction of skills and concepts in Microsoft Excel. These
skills will be used in everyday life as well as in businesses around the globe. After the
basics are items like, pivot tables, advanced formulas, reporting and analytics.

Student Outcomes
The student will develop cognitive competencies and/or skills as indicated in these
goals, with the related Learner Outcomes.

1. Learn to create and understand pivot tables.

a. Ability to manipulate tables
b. Ability to change table styles
2. Creating advanced formulas
a. Vlookup
b. Countif
c. If statement

d. And function
e. isnumber

As a distance education student, you have access to online resources, including those
provided to students by The University of Alabama. You will find the quality, academic
resources available to you at: http://www.lib.ua.edu/distanceed/

System Requirements

You must have access to Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint)

You must have speakers or headphones installed and working properly on your
computer before beginning the course.
This course requires a high-speed Internet connection and a compatible browser
[PDF].

Course Topics

Pivot Tables

Reporting

Advanced Formulas

Minimum Student Technical Skills

Participation in an online course requires knowledge of computer technology. In order to
participate successfully in an online course, you should already be able to:
Access, navigate, and use Blackboard Learn (review the Blackboard Learn
Tutorials for assistance).
Understand basic computer usage, including keyboard, mouse, CD drive, USB port,
and printer.
Access the Internet via DSL, cable modem, Wi-Fi, or a network interface.
Use the computer operating system (Windows/Mac OS) to:
Create folders.
Find, copy, move, rename, and delete files.
Launch, run, and switch between software applications.
o
Use a web browser to:
Open, print, and/or save web pages to a local or removable storage
drive.

o
o

Open and save PDF files.

Create, maintain, and manage a list of web pages
(Favorites/Bookmarks).
Use a search engine's basic features to find information on the web.
Download and install programs from remote servers.
Use email to:
Send, receive, store, and retrieve messages.
Send, receive, and open file attachments.

Course Schedule
The course schedule in BlackBoard Learn provides due dates for all activities in this
course. Please refer to the UA Academic Calendar for other important dates.

Course Activities
Online (asynchronous) lectures, discussions, assigned readings and multimedia
resources, reflective experiences including peer reviews, class activities, projects and
products. Various asynchronous lecture formats. SKYPE or other such mediated tools
may be used for synchronous activities, including conferencing among work groups.

Grading Policy
Grading is based on a (100%) percentage system:
90 to 100 = A
lower= F

80 - 89 = B

70 - 79 = C

69-61= D

60 or

Attendance
This class is an asynchronous, web-based class, with all of the materials online on the
course web site. Traditional attendance is not required. Therefore, meeting the class
due dates reflects the level of work put into the class (i.e. the attendance).

You need to plan to spend AT LEAST as much time at the computer reading the web
site as you would spend sitting in a three-credit course, in addition to the time required
for you to complete the products. For a typical class you would be expected to go to

class 150 minutes per week; in addition, the rule of thumb is 2 or 2.5 times as much
time for study and preparation. Therefore, you should plan to spend at least 300
minutes (5 hours) per week on this course in order to maintain regular progress. If your
typing and computer skills are more advanced, it may take less; if your skills need
refinement and practice, it may take longer. There are no short-cuts for this course.
You have to take the time to read the instructions, do the activities and produce the
products.

Course Assumptions
This course is based on several important assumptions, including that you, the student:

Have mastered the basic use of the computer and have a general working
knowledge of the hardware.

Have mastered the basic skills associated with word processing, database,
spreadsheet, Internet use, and email management.

Will accept responsibility for acquiring the assumed skills if, for some reason,
your pre-requisite experience did not include these basic skills, including doing
the application classes and open class activities associated with achieving basic
competency.

Will accept responsibility for transfer of learning from other types of hardware to
the Windows machines.

Will focus most of the effort in learning appropriate technical skills on your own
equipment so that you can

Successful Study Methods

To be successful in this course, work through the modules in sequential order. Complete
assigned readings, tutorials, and participate in discussion activities as scheduled.
Complete the assignments by the due date in the course schedule. Be sure to save a
backup of all assignments.

Exams
This course will not have a midterm or final. All assignments are project-based and will
be graded according to the grading rubrics provided for each assignment.

Policy on Late Work

Assignments submitted after the specified due dates will result in a zero grade. It is at
the instructor's discretion if exceptions will be made for individuals who have
experienced unforeseen emergencies. For consideration, all such emergencies must be
reported as soon as possible after the event happens and production of proper
documentation may be required.

If there's an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from submitting your work in a
timely manner, please contact your instructor to make arrangements.

Communications
BlackBoard Learn
Advanced Excel will be administered through the BlackBoard Learn Learning
Management System (LMS). All lectures, assignments, resources, etc. will be
accessed through BlackBoard.

Email
Unless otherwise noted, you should contact your instructor using your Crimson email
address with questions specific to your coursework. Common procedural or curricular
questions that arise each semester are answered on the syllabus. If you are unable to
find the answers you need, you may contact your instructor through
email (apayne@crimson.ua.edu).

It is crucial that your Crimson Mail be monitored regularly throughout the online
semester as you will be responsible for receiving communications sent to the class.
Students are expected to acknowledge at least these basic standards for email for class
purposes:

1.
2.
3.
4.

There must be a subject line that accurately reflects the general content of the email,
ALL email for the class must come via the crimson email account of the student,
The student must identify the course or courses relating to the email
the student must use professional communication skills in all email communications
for the course.

Technical Support
To obtain assistance with technical issues (removing pop-up blockers, opening pages or
assignments, or if you are unable to see the course content), contact the College of
Continuing Studies online course technical support team . The College of Continuing
Studies technical support staff is experienced with troubleshooting Blackboard Learn
problems and has the ability to offer remote support. Contact information and business
hours are below.

Phone: 866-205-1011
Electronic Contact: http://ccs-aohelpdesk.ccs.ua-net.ua.edu/index.php?
pg=request&Custom13=CAT%23-%23200

Business Hours: http://aohs.ua.edu/cm/general/techsupport/hours.html

Library Services
All students, those on campus and at a distance, have access to the resources
available at the UA Libraries. Please visit the UA Libraries Distance Education web site for
more information.

Writing Center
The University of Alabama Writing Center provides professional writing tutoring to all UA
students, graduate and undergraduate. They can help you with both general writing
skills and more discipline-specific forms of writing at any stage of the writing process.
They provide writing guides and other helpful resources.
University of Alabama Policies

Academic Honor Code:

All students in attendance at The University of Alabama are expected to be honorable

and observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The
University of Alabama expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the
minimum required to avoid discipline. At the beginning of each semester and on tests
and projects, at the discretion of the instructor, each student will be expected to sign an
Honor Pledge. The Academic Honor Pledge reads as follows:
I promise or affirm that I will not at any time be involved with cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or
misrepresentation while enrolled as a student at The University of Alabama. I have read the Academic
Honor Code, which explains disciplinary procedures that will result from the aforementioned. I
understand that violation of this code will result in penalties as severe as indefinite suspension from
the University.

Code of Academic Conduct:

Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academic or related matter
and any knowing or intentional help, attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another
student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, the following acts, when performed in any type of academic or academically
related matter, exercise, or activity: cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and
misrepresentation.

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act:

In keeping with its mission and in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Alabama is
committed to providing persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in
and benefit from all programs and services conducted or sponsored by the University.
See the Office of Disability Services web site for more information.
ODS is the central contact point for students with disabilities at UA. Services for
students focus upon providing accommodations and services to help meet University
demands, while promoting student responsibility and self-advocacy.

Students who choose not to self-identify when they enter UA do not forfeit their right to
identify themselves and to receive accommodations at a later date. However, UA is not
obligated to provide accommodations or services for students with disabilities until
students are registered with ODS. Students must also make known their need for
accommodations each semester.

For more information on The University of Alabama student policies, see the Student Handbook.