IFS 104

Problem-solving using spreadsheets

Winter 2006 - Interim Term

Enjoy our refreshing syllabus: IFS 104 Syllabus

All the homework assignments are here: IFS 104 Homework

And finally, your class project description: IFS 104 Project

Below this line will be a schedule of events for class... the latest announcements and assignments.

Before our first class

Before you show up for our first class (that's November 28th, Monday night, 6:00 pm at 210 Carnegie), I recommend that you do the following:

  • Read the syllabus... the link's at the top of the page
  • Get yourself a book... the title can be found in the syllabus, and the book is available at the bookstore
  • Read Project 1 (pages 4-55) and complete Homework #1:
    • Apply Your Knowledge 1, "Babbage's Computer Discount", page 57
    • In The Lab (ITL) 2, "College Travel", page 59
    • Cases & Places (C&P) 1, "Reggae Music Company", page 63
    • C&P 3, "The Magic Theatre", page 64

This lab/homework assignment will be worth 4 points (see the syllabus again). I don't care how you "bring" it to class, but some options are: floppy (ugh), USB key, or just do it on your F: drive. You don't have to print anything out.

If you have any questions, please email me at wtkrieger@noctrl.edu

thanks... yow, bill

Mon Nov 28, 2005

And they're off:

  • Due: Homework #1
  • Lecture: Chapter 1 Introduction... I'll quickly review the main points since you already read this
  • Lecture: Chapter 2 Formulas
  • Setup information: Homework & Lab Setup
  • Lab: ITL 1, "Illiana Custom Homes", page 132
  • Assigned: Homework #2
  • BTW: http://www.openoffice.org/ is a free, open-source version of the Microsoft Office programs like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, etc. These programs were originally developed at Sun Microsystems, but now they are open to all and can be downloaded for free. I have only briefly used Open Office, and it seemed to work fine. The main negative point I noticed was that it was slightly slower than Microsoft's tools. Try it!
  • BTW2: http://www.bricklin.com/ is Dan Bricklin's web site. Who's Dan Bricklin? Well, he was co-author of Visicalc, the first "real" electronic spreadsheet program. Click on "Visicalc."

Wed Nov 30, 2005

Go:

  • Due: Homework #2
  • Lecture: Chapter 3 What-if Analysis
  • Lab: ITL 1, "Shawshank Manufacturing", page 212
  • Assigned: Homework #3
  • FYI: We talked about accessing the k: drive off-campus. Here is the ITS memo (in Microsoft Word format) on this: its_memo.doc
  • BTW: Geez, have you used Wikipedia yet. If not, why not? www.wikipedia.org is an excellent online encyclopedia created by thousands of contributors. It's an amazing resource.

Mon Dec 5, 2005

Giddyup:

  • Due: Homework #3
  • Lecture: Chapter 3 review
  • Lecture: Midterm preview... see Midterm details below
  • Lecture: Chapter 4 Financial Functions
  • Lecture: Chapter 5 Lists (start at least)
  • Lab: ITL 3, "Loan Analysis", page 302
  • Assigned: Homework #4
  • BTW: Our text has a web site with "more" stuff: www.scsite.com/ex2003/more
  • BTW2: There's a free/open source web page editor that rivals Microsoft's Frontpage. It's called Nvu and it's at (not surprisingly) www.nvu.com ... I've use it; it works fine though I know that web sites are blasé in comparison to blogs these days. I believe that it's available on the lab computers here at North Central as well, eh.

Wed Dec 7, 2005

Study faster:

  • Due: Homework #4
  • Lecture: Chapter 5
  • Midterm exam!
    • Worth 30 points, or 30% of your final grade
    • Covers Chapters 1-3... all material, not just lecture stuff
    • Written portion (about 1/3), spreadsheets ala the homework (about 2/3)
    • You are allowed to bring 1 side of 1 page of notes... no notes, books or neighbors
  • Assigned: Homework #5
  • Assigned: IFS 104 Project

Mon Dec 12, 2005

Next to last class:

  • Due: Homework #5
    • Guys, I will grade your HW #5 early Tuesday morning... email me if you want it
    • Also, I will post my HW #5 solution early Tuesday morning as well
  • Lecture: Chapter 4 review
  • Lecture: Chapter 5 wrap-up, then review
  • Lecture: Chapter 6...
    • Just these bits: 3-D sheet references, 3-D cylinder charts, comments, that fancy WordArt
    • Cases & Places 1 & 2 are good examples to try... my solutions are on the k: drive
  • Lecture: Final Exam preview
  • Lab: ITL 3 "Enviro Student Club", page 374

Wed Dec 14, 2005

It is to weep... the last night of class:

  • Final Exam!
    • Worth 40 points, or 40% of your grade
    • Comprehensive with an emphasis on new material in Chapters 4, 5, 6
    • Written portion (about 1/4) and spreadsheets ( about 3/4)
    • You are allowed to bring 1 side of 1 page of notes
    • Very similar to Midterm... probably 3 spreadsheets problems

  

Fri Dec 16, 2005

Revised due date for the project:

  • Due: IFS 104 Project is due at noon

 
 
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