Syllabus
Course Outcomes
- Demonstrate the use of computer spreadsheets for an agribusiness operation.
- Create and edit workbooks.
- Create and edit charts, graphs, etc., in a spreadsheet.
- Use formulas to analyze decisions in an agribusiness operation.
- Combine basic accounting concepts and formulas in spreadsheet applications.
- Work with multiple worksheets and workbooks.
- Utilize spreadsheet techniques in applying basic economic concepts of optimization and resource allocation.
Course Description
Introduction to basic computer spreadsheet (i.e. Microsoft Excel) applications with a focus on uses in agribusiness operations.
Learning Model Architecture
As in all BYU-Idaho courses, this course will utilize the BYU-I Learning Model.
You will prepare by reading/viewing the assigned materials. (In some weeks this includes watching video tutorials.) Teaching one another will occur as you share ideas with classmates via discussion boards. Finally, you will ponder and prove by demonstrating your skills and knowledge as you complete assignments.
Course Expectations
The following are recommendations for success in this class:
- The BYU-Idaho standard for the student workload in courses is 3–4 hours per week per credit hour. Thus, you should plan to spend at least six hours per week on this course. You may need to spend more time, depending on your own learning style and skill set.
- Read every course page and any linked materials. Each page contains important information! This includes the Lesson Overviews and Announcements from instructor that you will find at the beginning of each lesson. Do NOT rely exclusively on the calendar feature in your class to inform you of work to be accomplished.
- Plan your time so that you work consistently throughout each lesson. You will have a quality learning experience and less stress if plan each week, then spread the work throughout each lesson.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Materials
- Access to a computer with internet connection and appropriate technical setup. Test your setup by following the instructions in the Technical Setup section of the Orientation to Online Learning found in the Introduction Lesson.
- Microsoft Word and Excel -- If you do not already have access to this software, you may download it for free from the BYUI Bookstore. Go to https://www.byuistore.com/t-0-microsoft-downloads.aspx for instructions on how to do this for PC and Mac. Important Note: Instructions throughout the course are based on Microsoft Excel 2013. It is strongly recommended you use this version or the most recent version available. You may acquire the most recent version using the link above. The most recent version will be very similar to the 2013 version. If you use an older version you may need to search for tutorials on the internet to learn some specific skills.
Note: Readings are supplied within the course. You do not need to purchase any materials.
Course Work
Assignments and activities are designed to increase the depth of your learning. Through these, you will apply the principles you have learned, to situations similar to those you will encounter professionally and personally.
Readings and Videos: These will be provided in the Materials pages. Read and study them thoroughly, as they will prepare you for your assignments. You will account for your reading, video viewing, and activity completion in a weekly self-assessment.
Discussion Boards: In each lesson you can share your insights and learn from others. You will share your learning and perspective through discussion board posts.
Assignment: Assignments are based on the readings/videos for the week and allow you to practice with the concepts learned. Guided Practice assignments provide specific instructions that direct you to accomplish specific tasks in Excel. In the Apply Your Skills assignment, you will accomplish tasks independently by using skills you gained in the Guided Practice assignment. Most, but not all lessons have both a Guided Practice and an Apply Your Skills assignment.
Reflection Journal: At the end of each week, you will write a short statement in which you describe the impact of the week’s lesson on you.
Typical Weekly Pattern
The lesson pattern varies, but a typical week is as follows:
- Monday – Read the Lesson Overview Announcement. Plan your work for the week.
- Tuesday – Read the Materials page. Complete the Self-Assessment in which you report you read the Lesson Overview, Announcement, and Materials pages.
- Thursday – Complete the Guided Practice assignment and make a post in the Share Your Learning Discussion Board.
- Saturday – Complete the Apply Your Skills assignment and your Reflection Journal entry. Also, make a response post in the Share Your Learning Discussion Board.
Again, the lesson pattern varies, so carefully view the lesson schedule each week in the Lesson Overview. Also, be aware that some lessons go through two cycles of Materials, Guided Practice, and Apply Your Skills.
Grading Policies
You will be graded on a linear scale (not curved). An “A” is a merit that will require dedication and mastery of subject matter. Just completing the minimum expectations does not denote “A” effort. You will need to take the time to study, understand, and apply the principles taught in order to get an “A”.
Grading Scale
This course will use the following standard BYU-Idaho grading scale:
| A | 93-100% | C | 73-76% |
| A- | 90-92% | C- | 70-72% |
| B+ | 87-89% | D+ | 67-69% |
| B | 83-86% | D | 63-66% |
| B- | 80-82% | D- | 60-62% |
| C+ | 77-79% | F | 0-59% |
Grade Components
Grades will be determined as follows: Item Points Approximate Percentage
| Item | Points |
Approximate Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Practice (16@10 pts each + 1@ 20) | 180 | 23% |
| Apply Your Skills (10@20 pts each) | 200 | 26% |
| Discussion Boards (10 pts each week) | 130 | 17% |
| Self-Assessments (12@5 pts each) | 60 | 8% |
| Learning Journals (12@10 pts each) | 120 | 16% |
| Miscellaneous Meet One Another Discussion Board (10 pts) Syllabus Quiz (15 pts) Lesson 1 Reading Quiz (15 pts) |
40 | 5% |
| Final Excel Assignment | 40 | 5% |
| TOTAL | 770 | 100% |
Due Dates
All due dates are based on the time in Rexburg, Idaho (Mountain Time). Be sure to check your calendar to see what that means for you in your local time zone and read the How to Understand Due Dates page in the class.
Late Work Policy
Students should complete their work on time, and generally, late work will not be accepted. However, the instructor has discretion to accept late work or extend due dates in case of extenuating circumstances.
Tutoring
Tutoring options for online students are available through the Academic Support Centers. There are tutors available to help you with writing questions and there may be course specific tutoring available. Check the Resources folder in the class for a link to the Academic Support Center.
Honor Code
Following the Honor Code is of great importance as you strive to be a disciple of Christ. Your commitment to live the Honor Code will contribute to the overall BYU-Idaho community. Your actions should be respectful and should foster an environment where all can feel the Spirit.
BYU-Idaho's Dress and Grooming standards apply to all students, including online students. By adhering to the Honor Code you will create a learning environment, "consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." For more detailed information, see the Honor Code webpage.
Disclaimers
Each student has a responsibility to carefully read assigned materials and instructions. Questions should be noted and directed to your instructor. You also have the responsibility to contribute to others' learning through your participation in discussion boards and review material with partners.
This syllabus and the course schedule may be changed at any time prior to or during the semester as the need arises based upon circumstances. Any changes will be available to view on the course documents.
Students with Disabilities
In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to "reasonable accommodation." It is the student's responsibility to disclose to the instructor any special need he or she may have by the end of the first week of the semester.
University Policies
Read the University Policies found in the I-Learn folder titled, “Course.” See information about the following: Student Honor, Students with Disabilities, Sexual Harassment, and Complaints and Grievances.
Academic Honesty
As followers of Christ, all BYU–Idaho students, staff, and faculty are expected to be honest in all their dealings. This also applies and extends to behavior and actions related to academic work. It is critical for students to understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty and misconduct, which are not tolerated by the University, and strive to produce and submit only the results of their own effort and original work.
To copy another person's work from the internet, a book, or from any other source and claiming it to be your own work, is plagiarism. Read the official definitions of plagiarism and cheating from the Academic Honesty portion of the Honor Code.
It is worth remembering that while students are encouraged to work with one another and share ideas, the sharing of text, code, or anything like unto it is inappropriate. When working on a group project, you have the responsibility to assure that others in the group do not plagiarize. Remember: There is never an acceptable excuse for plagiarism or cheating.
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty
Although the Academic Honesty section of the University Policies explains what constitutes each of the many forms of academic dishonesty as well as procedures and guidelines for handling such incidents, specific application of consequences are left up to each individual instructor.
In this course, instructors will be responsible for creating and applying their own policy regarding penalties for academic dishonesty, which may vary from point deductions up to the score of a zero on the entire assignment, and clearly communicating that policy to students at the beginning of the semester. Cases will be analyzed on an individual basis and penalties applied according to the severity of the misconduct.
Getting Started
To begin your work in the course, finish reading this syllabus, then, read all information in the Lesson 01 Overview. You can find this by accessing the course in I-Learn and clicking Content. In the navigation menu on the left side, select Lesson 01. The Lesson 01 Overview is the first item in the folder.
Course Navigation
Each week, you should begin the lesson by reading the appropriate lesson overview. Use the schedule information in the overview to plan when you will accomplish each task for the week. Be sure you fully read the instructions in each page.
Work through the items in each lesson folder in the order in which they appear in the lesson. However, at times, you may need to return later to a specific activity, such as a discussion board in order to fully complete it. Remember to use the navigation built into the class- not simply enter through the calendar. Clicking into the class through the calendar will mean you miss important information.