General Comments
This course is the third in the sequence of 10 courses for MSIS Cohort 13. A business or graduate program expects graduates with this major to have a certain level of knowledge in specific quantitative and spreadsheet concepts. You may not have been introduced to some of these concepts and this course in intended primarily to fill in those gaps. Secondary goals of this course are to enhance your problem solving abilities and broaden your spreadsheet skills.

Several goals were set for myself when developing this course. I have tried to make it challenging and fun. I will attempt to keep lectures to a minimum but realize that this requires more initiative on your part. I am striving for at least 50% computer hands-on and in-class activities. Also, I know that nearly all of you are currently employed full time and the press of business and travel may preclude class attendance. Since a significant part of this course is available online, no in-class attendance is required. You may work online or come to class as you see fit. I will have in-class presentations (on the subjects noted in the course outline)on the following dates:
October 11
October 18
November 1
November 15
December 6

On the other dates I will be available either online or in the Dixon computer lab from 6 to 9:30. Of course you may also call, email, or visit my office on campus anytime.

Course Material
There is no textbook but notes and supplementary materials for various topics (modules) are available online.

Grades
I know that each of you desires to complete the course with a satisfactory grade. That can be done and I hope I have prepared assignments so that you will learn new concepts and techniques while achieving the grade you desire. There are no tests or exams, per se! Within each module, however, are a set of exercises and activities for you to attempt. By completing more of the exercises correctly you can increase your grade. These are to be completed outside of class but I will provide substantial class time to work on some assignments. You may work with one partner but you can partner with the same person for only three assignments. Both members of a team will receive the same grade. You will earn one of the letter grades below for each of the seven assignments; the numerical equivalent is also shown. Your final course letter grade will be calculated using the total of the numerical grades from all seven assignments. Some of the assignments are rather difficult, hard, impossible, challenging and you may not have the time or ability to achieve the highest grade. Therefore, I have planned a number of engaging activities that may enable you to raise your grade should you so choose. (Note: I know members of a class frequently work together and compare homework. I encourage some degree of cooperation among members of the class. However, I expect the work you turn in for a grade to be your own. Copying another student's assignment and presenting it as your own work comes under the heading of "Academic Dishonesty".)

Submitting Assignments
You may turn in a CD or flash drive with your assignments on it anytime on or before the due date. Make sure you label your media clearly. Use a separate file for each module. Put all assignments into one workbook and put each problem on a different worksheet. Label workbooks and worksheets appropriately. Alternatively, and I actually prefer these methods, you may send your assignments as an attachment to an email or put into the Blackboard Digital Dropbox. If you put it in the dropbox send me an email to let me know it is there.

With each assignment include a separate ReadMe worksheet.. On this worksheet tell me what grade you are trying to achieve for that assignment. Also include comments about the applicability of concepts covered in the module, completeness of notes, reasonableness of the assignment, specific problems with the module, etc.

You are permitted to improve your grades on any assignment. That is, after you have turned in an assignment and received a grade, you may resubmit the assignments for that module for a higher grade later in the semester. However, no assignments will be accepted after 4 PM, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006. Due dates for assignments are listed in the course outline.

Editorial Comments
Since the notes are relatively new I assure you that they are not "clean". What I mean is that there may be some typos, omissions, math errors, and other similar mistakes in the text of each module. Do not be shy about calling these to my attention. If something doesn't seem correct or complete let me know right away instead of spending your valuable time trying to figure out what I mean.

1. Lectures - In general, lectures and discussion will follow the module notes. Maximum student participation is encouraged. Computer usage in class will be an integral part of the course. There are computers in the classroom but many students from previous cohorts found it advantageous to bring their laptops.
2. Homework - The only homework is the assignments at the end of each module.
3. Evaluation and grades- As discussed above. Except for "Engaging Activities" there are no other provisions for extra credit, projects, or alternative methods to raise a grade. That is, any provision I make for an individual must be available to all members in the class.
4. Attendance - There is no formal attendance policy.
   

1. Food and drink - Generally, no food or drink should be brought into a classroom, especially one with computers. However, in my class, you may bring drinks providing the container has a spill-proof cover. You may bring food if you bring enough for everyone, including me.
2. Special circumstances - If you have recurring health problems, sensitive emotional, personal, or family problems, a learning disability, or other circumstances that may affect your performance in the class, provide me as much information as you are comfortable with. We may be able make equitable adjustments and prevent the problem from becoming a full-blown crisis. If you have a learning disability documented with the Office of Social Equity see me soon so we can arrange the appropriate evaluation protocol.
3. Finally, if you are not enjoying the class, don't feel like you are learning anything, are uncomfortable with the classroom atmosphere, perceive embarrassment or harassment by another student or the instructor, or simply don't "feel good" about the class, see me right away. If we ain't havin' fun we ain't doin' it right!