Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | CIS-1430-VU01 - Spreadsheets

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

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 introduces students to essential spreadsheet skills using Microsoft Excel. Students learn to organize, analyze, and present data effectively. By the end of the course, students gain proficiency in creating well-organized, functional spreadsheets that aid in data analysis, visualization, and decision-making. Basic computer and internet skills are required.

Essential Objectives

1. Understand the basic functions of spreadsheet software, including data entry, formatting, and navigation. 
2. Apply formulas and functions to perform calculations, organize data, and automate tasks. 
3. Demonstrate the ability to set appropriate permissions for cloud-based files and applications and apply file management principles to local and remote networks.
4. Analyze, interpret, and manage data sets to identify trends and insights by applying features such as filters, sorts, conditional formatting, data validation, pivot tables, and macros.   
5. Create visually appealing charts and graphs to summarize and effectively communicate data findings.
6. Develop spreadsheets that incorporate a combination of formulas, functions, and visualizations to address and solve practical challenges in professional settings.  
7. Evaluate the accuracy and validity of spreadsheet data by reviewing formulas and functions for errors and logical consistency. 
8. Understand the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI on data and its use in workplace applications. 
9. Examine how the use of data and spreadsheets can inform, persuade, and influence different perspectives, particularly around perpetuating inequality and/or creating social change.

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.

CIS-1430-VU01 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 will cover the application of spreadsheet software, namely Excel. Teaching methods will include lectures, open resource and internet materials, class discussions, practical application exercises, and group projects.

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

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

Evaluation Criteria

• Attendance/Participation - 10%
• Discussion Posts - 10%
• Quizzes - 10%
• Assignments - 10%
• Group Project - 20%
• Mid-Term Project - 20%
• Final Project - 20%

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 in class each week. The following habits and skills are important.

• Attend class regularly, on-time and for the full session
• Complete all of the week's reading and assignments before the start of class
• Listen to others attentively and with an open mind
• Positively contribute to class discussions and activities
• Ask questions and seek help when you need it
• Challenge yourself to do your best work

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 should be substantive and demonstrate college-level writing. A substantive original post is well-developed, a minimum of 150 words, and references the reading or another appropriate source. A substantive post is NOT one or two sentences of general statements or unsupported opinion.
• Peer responses should be substantive and demonstrate college-level writing. A substantive peer response is well-developed, a minimum of 50 words, and references the reading or another appropriate source. A substantive 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.