CMPSC 203: Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases
Summer 2011
Course Information
| Instructor: | Jim Edwards |
|---|---|
| TA: | Wenhui Hu |
| Location: | 64 Willard 417 Forest Resources Building |
| Meeting Times: | T/W/Th 2:20 PM - 4:20 PM |
| Credits: | 4.0 |
| Office Hours: | TBA |
Instructor / TA can be contacted through PSU Angel.
Course Description
This course provides students an introduction to spreadsheets and databases through problem solving activities. While the course will focus on Microsoft Excel and it's applications, we will also cover to varying degrees Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications and Microsoft Access. In addition, we will briefly review alternatives to these programs and discuss the advantages and disadvantages to each -- in particular, MATLAB/Octave, Google Docs, OpenOffice Calc, SQL Databases, and Mathmatica/Maxima.
Each week, there will be two types of projects due: labs and assignments.
Labs are short projects that should be done during the second part of class and will only be checked for completion. Collaboration is encouraged for labs. If you choose to work in groups (of up to 4), then only one submission per group is required. For group submissions, the name of each group member must be clearly listed, as well as the name of the primary author ("scribe"). Each student must act as scribe for at least two labs -- this could be accomplished by being primary author for your group twice, by submitting two labs individually, or by a combination of these.
Assignments are to be done independently and will be due at midnight on the day they are due. Any collaboration not explicitly allowed (ahead of time) by the instructor is a violation of course rules, will result in a 0 on the assignment and dismissal from the class.
Grading and Class Policies
Students will be graded by the following rubric:| Assignments | 20% |
| Midterm 1 | 20% |
| Midterm 2 | 20% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Class Participation | 10% |
Lateness policy: Unless otherwise specified or arranged, assignments will be accepted late with a 10% per day penalty. Assignments will not be accepted later than 4 days (96 hours) after the original deadline.
Extensions: Students are strongly advised to contact the instructor as soon as they realize they may need an extension for an assignment. While extensions will not often be granted, I realize things come up. Extensions will not be granted after a deadline.
Collaboration: Collaboration is encouraged for labs. For all other assignments or projects, in-class or take-home, collaboration is forbidden.
References / Material from the Web: Students are prohibited from using material found on the web for completion of an assignment or as part of take-home portions of midterms. In the event that material from the web is used as a reference, even for what might seem like a trivial thing, students are required to clearly list these and submit them with the assignment. In the event we discover that a reference was used but not listed, it will be considered plagiarism and appropriate actions will be taken. If you are in doubt, list the reference.
Attendance: Attendance will only be taken for the first few classes to determine who is attending and it will not directly affect your course grade. You are in college. However, class participation will be graded and I expect it will be quite difficult to assign students a grade in class participation when they haven't attended class often enough to participate.
Note: In the event that any of the class policies are unclear, it is the student's responsibility to seek clarification. Failure to understand these policies is not an excuse for their violation.
Materials
The following materials are required:
- New Perspectives on Microsoft Excel 2010: Introductory, Parsons et al: 9780538742399
- New Perspectives on Microsoft Access 2010: Introductory, Adamski, et al: 9780538798488
- A SAM 2010 Code
- Access to Microsoft Excel and Access 2010*
All materials are available at the Penn State Bookstore.
* The 2010 version is required. Access to these programs is available in all PSU computer labs so purchase is not necessary but may be convenient as students will have to complete out-of-class assignments.
Academic Integrity Policy
From Senate Policy 49-20:
Definition and expectations: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.
Academic integrity includes a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.
Schedule
| Date | Topic | Labs / Assignments |
|---|---|---|
| Tu 2011-06-14 | Course introduction, Excel Assessment | Lab 00: Excel Assessment |
| W 2011-06-15 | Discussion on spreadsheets and databases, uses of spreadsheets. Introduction to Excel workbooks, entering data. Using auto-fill. Basic formulae. Discussion of chart types. Specifics of cell referencing (absolute and relative). | |
| Th 2011-06-16 | Introduction to basic functions. Advanced auto-fill. Formatting cells. Conditional Formatting. Introduction to charts. Formatting charts. | Frank's Finances |
| Tu 2011-06-21 | Review of functions (SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE). Introduction to logical statements (IF). Compound functions. Introduction to GPA Calculator Assignment and design of a basic GPA Calculator. Review and demonstration of Assignment 1. | |
| W 2011-06-22 | No class | |
| Th 2011-06-23 | GPA Calculator | |
| Tu 2011-06-28 | ||
| W 2011-06-29 | ||
| Th 2011-06-30 | Midterm 1: Spreadsheets I | |
| Tu 2011-07-05 | Midterm 1: Take Home Portion | |
| W 2011-07-06 | ||
| Th 2011-07-07 | Graham's Graphs | |
| Tu 2011-07-12 | ||
| W 2011-07-13 | ||
| Th 2011-07-14 | (Assignment 4) | |
| Tu 2011-07-19 | ||
| W 2011-07-20 | ||
| Th 2011-07-21 | Midterm 2: Spreadsheets II & VBA | |
| Tu 2011-07-26 | Midterm 2: Take Home Portion | |
| W 2011-07-27 | ||
| Th 2011-07-28 | (Assignment 5) | |
| Tu 2011-08-02 | ||
| W 2011-08-03 | ||
| Th 2011-08-04 | (Assignment 6) | |
| Tu 2011-08-09 | ||
| W 2011-08-10 | ||
| Th 2011-08-11 | Study Day (No Class) | |
| F 2011-08-12 | Final Exam (Time TBA) | |
Additional Helpful Reading
- [microsoft.com] What's new in Microsoft Excel 2010
- [microsoft.com] Make the switch to Excel 2010
- [microsoft.com] Microsoft Excel 2010 Training