Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | BUS-1210-VO01 - Business Software & Spreadsheets

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Shelby Losier
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Nick Molander

General Education Requirements

Digital and Computing Literacy

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course provides a focus on business productivity software as well as hands-on introductory skills in file management, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software using the Microsoft Office suite. Students are introduced to the concepts of information systems, transaction-processing systems, reporting, and analytics. Students learn how to take data and turn it into information to support decision-making.

Essential Objectives

1. Explain how software is used to support business operations and strategies.
2. Describe the concepts and terminology used in the operation of business software.
3. Describe the importance of file management techniques for naming, organizing, storing and retrieving digital files to improve workflow efficiency, enhance collaboration, and ensure data integrity in business settings.
4. Demonstrate effective written communication by composing clear, concise, and professionally formatted business documents tailored to specific audiences and purposes including letters, business reports, and marketing media.
5. Demonstrate the use of spreadsheet functions as tools for analyzing business data and supporting data-driven decision-making.
6. Analyze and evaluate the role of databases in business operations by identifying their functions, assessing their impact on decision-making processes, and applying database concepts to solve real-world business challenges.
7. Create and deliver business presentations using presentation software, including text, visual and/or sound elements with slide layout, themes, transitions, animations, charts and tables.
8. Compare and use programs such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet to manage and facilitate virtual meetings, both internally and externally.
9. Explore emerging technologies that are transforming processes, strategies, and business models, enabling organizations to innovate, enhance efficiency, and drive competitive advantage. 
10. Discuss legal, ethical, and equity issues related to digital technology and information processing.

Required Technology

Students in this course will need access to Microsoft 365. This software is available on CCV lab computers at CCV academic centers and to CCV students free of charge through a download of Microsoft 365. Information on how to download Microsoft 365 can be found HERE.

Microsoft 365 can be installed on Windows 10/11 PC and Macintosh computers and laptops. It cannot be installed on a Chromebook. Microsoft 365 on a Macintosh computer does not include all of the features supported by Windows and there are significant menu differences.

If you have difficulty in acquiring or accessing this resource for your course, please contact your advisor or financial aid counselor.

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2025 textbook details will be available on 2025-05-19. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

BUS-1210-VO01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

This course introduces business productivity tools using Microsoft Office, with a focus on Excel for data analysis, reporting, and decision-making. Students will gain hands-on skills in file management, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations, while exploring concepts like information systems and analytics.

CCV's online course management tool, Canvas, will be utilized to submit assignments, disseminate open resource and internet materials, and facilitate course communications.

Teaching methods will include lectures, open resource and internet materials, class discussions, practical application exercises, and a final culminating project.

This course runs Tuesday-Monday weekly, and all assignments are due no later than each Monday by 11:59 PM. It is important that assignments are completed each week in order to effectively participate.

Evaluation Criteria

• Discussion Posts - 20%
• Assignments - 50%
• Capstone Projects - 20%
• Self-Assessments - 10%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement each week. While there are no live sessions, full participation required thefollowing habits and skills:

• Stay on pace by completing all readings and assignments by the weekly deadline.
• Engage with course materials and classmates through thoughtful discussion posts.
• Ask questions and seek support when needed.
• Contribute meaningfully to the learning environment with respectful and open-minded communication.
• Strive for your best work each week.

To earn full participation in discussion posts, students should:

• Read the assigned material and demonstrate an understanding of those resources in your assignments and posts. Readings and resources should be cited using APA format.
• Original posts and peer responses should be substantive and demonstrate college-level writing. A substantive original post and peer responsesis well-developed and references the reading or another appropriate source. A substantive post or peer response is NOT one or two sentences of general statements or unsupported opinion.

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Late assignments can be submitted up to one week past the deadline. You will lose 5% each day that an assignment is late. After a week, it will no longer be accepted for credit.
• Late work is not accepted in the discussion forum. Interacting with classmates is an essential part of online discussions and cannot be made up after the fact.
• Extensions will be granted only in extenuating circumstances by contacting your instructor as soon as possible.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.