To provide students with proficiency in the use of some of the most commonly used business software and an understanding of the concepts underlying the software.

This unit has been updated as part of a 2009 review and comparison of data with current Handbook, Syllabus + and Callista data.

18/6/10-Updated objectives and synopsis since they were out of date for Sem 2,2010 implementation.

19/03/2015 - Update objectives to learning outcomes for AQF compliance. Effective Sem 1, 2015.

1/9/2015 - Updated for course architecture programs. Effective Sem 1/2016

19/6/2017 - Updated assessment of unit to be 50% exam and 50% in semester assessment in order to incorporate new assessment policy of 2 major assessments tasks for the unit. Semester 2, 2017 implementation.

4/4/2018 - Requested to change mode of delivery from 2 hr lecture-2 hr tutorial to 1 lecture-2 tutorial-1 laboratory. The latter proposed mode of delivery encourages the hands-on nature of the unit and active learning from the students' perspective without completely flipping the classroom. From informal student feedback, the main body of the student cohort still prefers some elements of lecturing (value perspective of students) so the proposed mode of delivery are given below:

1 hour lecture - lecture format to INFORM students about the learning objectives for the week, identify topics, some contents and where to find more contents where necessary

2 hour tutorial - tutorial format for students to APPLY and PRACTISE concepts from the lecture and resources (notes, prescribed texts where applicable)

1 hour laboratory - to be scheduled post lecture and post tutorial - to ASSESS against the learning objectives of the week by way of quizzes and exercises.

Request to implement this for Semester 2, 2018

19/9/2019: Admin - update exam duration to include additional 10 minutes as per new University requirement.

25/09/2020 Admin: Update to include new assessment and teaching approach fields as per Handbook requirements.

This unit is designed to provide necessary software skills for FIT students, specifically required for placement of BBIS IBL students, and provides business oriented IT skills to non-FIT students who take this unit as an elective.

This unit was introduced in 2006, in order to enhance the employment prospects of Monash graduates in organisational settings.

On successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

020399

Introduction to business application tools and introduction to basic computing concepts. Principles of spreadsheets and relational databases, covering their use for the generation of business plans, reports, financial statements, etc. Both the spreadsheet and database components incorporate an introduction to programming with visual basic for applications (VBA). The database component covers principles of database design. The business application software packages used in the unit are Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.

Recommended resources

Parsons, Oja, Carey, Desjardins (2017). Microsoft Excel 2016, New Perspectives Series, Comprehensive Edition . Cengage Learning.

Shellman, Vodnik (2017). Microsoft Access 2016, New Perspectives Series, Comprehensive Edition . Cengage Learning.

Technological requirements

Microsoft Excel 2016 and Microsoft Access 2016

1. Lecture: 1 hour, inform weekly objectives, weekly contents and weekly resources
2. Tutorial: 2 hours, explore, learn and practise weekly concepts and exercises
3. Laboratory: 1 hour assess learning of weekly contents

The above is a teaching and learning approach that aims to provide facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning. We aim to deliver the unit in the above order in the LTB with two tutors facilitating the tutorials at the exploration and learning stage. Students are required to study the weekly contents and any accompanying resources after the lecture in preparation for their participation in the tutorials. Towards the end of the week, students will complete an individual assessment task based on the respectively weekly contents in the scheduled laboratory sessions.

Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

1. Assignment 1: - 10% ULO - 1
2. Assignment 2: - 20% ULO - 1,2,3
3. Lab Test: - 10% ULO - 1,2,3
4. Lab Quiz: - 10% ULO - 1,2,3
5. Examination: - 50% ULO - 1,2,3

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

FIT