MiraCosta College Computer Applications Program
 Computer Applications Program Course Catalog

Note: To preview the new Computer Studies and Information Technology (CSIT) collection of classes and certificates coming fall 2010, click here.

Below you will find the following information for all of the courses in the Computer Applications Program:
  Course Title
  Course Description
  Required Materials, including prices
  Required Operating System and Software
  When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format

*Note that the information below is kept as current as possible, but is subject to change each semester and without notice.

In addition, the on campus open computer labs provide free access to computers, Windows XP, and Office 2007 Professional.  Limited assistance from trained student aides is also provided. For open computer lab locations and hours, go to: www.miracosta.edu/library

For those students interested in purchasing Office 2007 at a discounted price for home use, go to: www.collegesoftware.org.

MiraCosta's EOPS Program coordinates a wide range of textbook assistance options.  For more information, go to: www.miracosta.edu/eops

To see the upcoming semester's class schedule, go to: class schedule


CIS 102, Computer Literacy, 1.5 Units
Course description:
Our most introductory computer course, designed for the beginning computer user.  This a literacy fundamentals course, which also includes a brief preview of hardware and software.  Once students finish this course they will be ready to take CIS 100.


Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a package),
ISBN 0135102197: $43.75
1. Practical Computing, 2nd Edition, Hogan,
ISBN 0131585630: $70.67
2. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Excel 2007
 (may be accessed in on campus computer labs for free)

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Lecture.

CIS 100, Computer Applications, 3.0 Units
Course description:
This course introduces students to personal computer applications through hands-on instruction. Topics covered include essential hardware concepts, operating system basics, word processing (Microsoft Word), spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel), database management (Microsoft Access), presentation graphics (Microsoft PowerPoint), and basic Internet functions. Beginning computer users should take CIS 102.  Note that this course will be taught using Microsoft Office 2007, Professional.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a package), ISBN 0558356052: $88.75
1. GO! with Microsoft Office 2007 Introductory, 3rd Edition, Gaskin, ISBN
0135059232: $124.67
2. Getting Started w/ Computer Concepts, ISBN 0132327937: $26.67
3. Getting Started w/ Windows XP, ISBN 0132318393: $26.67
4. Getting Started w/ Internet Explorer 7, ISBN 013157244X: $26.67
5. Microsoft Office Professional 180 day trial: $10
6. Myitlab: $65
(Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access)

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Lecture; Online.

CIS 105, Intermediate Computer Applications. 3.0 Units
Course description:
This course covers intermediate computer applications featuring the use and integration of word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation graphics, and Internet functions.  It is designed for those students who have completed CIS 100 and may also be used to prepare for CIS 151, CIS 154, and CIS 165.  Prerequisite is CIS 100.  Note that this class will be taught using Microsoft Office 2007, Professional.  Upon completion of this course students will receive the MiraCosta College Certified Office User (Proficient Level) Certificate of Achievement.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a package), ISBN 0135056985: $88.75
1. Go! with Microsoft Office 2007 Intermediate, 1st Edition, Gaskin, ISBN 0132446642: $122.67
2. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access)

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Hybrid; Online.

CIS 150, Introduction to Microsoft Word, 1.5 Units
Course description:
Students will use Microsoft Word to create, edit, format, and print documents for personal and business use. Tables, outlines, reports, and document merges will be covered. Additional topics include block operations, text enhancements, use of multiple windows, and elementary graphic techniques using Microsoft's WordArt. This course involves considerable hands-on instruction and simulated business applications. Note that this class will be taught using Microsoft Word 2007.  Upon completing this class, students will be partially prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, Word 2007 Exam.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a package), ISBN 0131365118: $85
1. Exploring Microsoft Office Word 2007 Comprhensive, 1st Edition, Grauer, ISBN 0132328526: $104.67
2. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Word 2007

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Lecture; Online.

CIS 151, Advanced Microsoft Word, 1.5 Units
Course description:
Students will learn advanced features of Microsoft Word. Topics covered include annotations, bookmarks, multiple-column layouts, tabular calculations, mail merging, and sorting. Students will perform complex formatting procedures, such as creating and redefining styles, attaching templates, and inserting graphics, borders, and frames. Outlines, indexes, and tables of contents will be covered. This course is recommended for students who know the basics of Microsoft Word and who would like to learn its more sophisticated features.
  Note that this class will be taught using Word 2007.  Upon completing this class, students will be prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, Word 2007 Exam.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a package), ISBN 0131365118: $85
1. Exploring Microsoft Office Word 2007 Comprehensive, 1st Edition, Grauer, ISBN 0132328526: $104.67
2. Myitlab: $65
(Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Word 2007

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Not Currently Offered.

CIS 152, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, 1.5 Units
Course description:
This course introduces spreadsheets for microcomputers using Microsoft Excel. It emphasizes the concepts of planning and building spreadsheets; correctly utilizing values, text, formulas, and functions; formatting worksheet data and enhancing font styles; applying Excel’s toolbar; understanding relative and absolute cell references; creating and refining charts and graphs to enhance worksheet data; recording and debugging simple macros; and using database management commands such as sorting, searching, and record extraction. 
Note that this class will be taught using Excel 2007.  Upon completing this class, students will be partially prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, Excel 2007 Exam.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a package), ISBN 0137017731: $85
1. Exploring Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Comprehensive, 2nd Edition, Grauer, ISBN 013503227X: $104.67

2. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Excel 2007

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Lecture; Online.

CIS 154, Advanced Excel, 1.5 Units
Course description:
Covers advanced features of Microsoft Excel such as spreadsheet modeling, “what if” analysis, input tables, spreadsheet consolidation, data tables and queries, object linking and imbedding, filters and pivot tables, macros, Visual Basic for Applications, and advanced charting features. 
Note that this class will be taught using Excel 2007.  Upon completing this class, students will be prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, Excel 2007 Exam.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a pac
kage), ISBN 0137017731: $85
1. Exploring Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Comprehensive, 2nd Edition, Grauer, ISBN 013503227X: $104.67

2. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Excel 2007

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Online.

CIS 164, Introduction to Microsoft Access, 1.5 Units
Course description:
Database management on microcomputers is introduced emphasizing concepts and procedures for designing/creating database files, entering/updating data, retrieving database information, and producing data reports. It also includes sorting and indexing the file, modifying the database structure, designing custom screens for data entry, managing multiple data files, creating and using catalogs, and preparing mail merge documents with considerable hands-on instruction and numerous business applications. Note that this class will be taught using Access 2007. 
Upon completing this class, students will be partially prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, Access 2007 Exam.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a pac
kage), ISBN 0135059119:
$85
1. Exploring Microsoft Office Access 2007 Comprehensive, 1st Edition, Grauer, ISBN: $104.67

2. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Access 2007

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Online.

CIS 165, Advanced Microsoft Access, 1.5 Units
Course description:
Covers advanced features of Microsoft Access such as multi-table relations, advanced queries, macros, and modules. Note that this class will be taught using Access 2007.
Upon completing this class, students will be prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, Excel 2007 Exam.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a pac
kage), ISBN 0135059119:
$85
1. Exploring Microsoft Office Access 2007 Comprehensive, 1st Edition, Grauer, ISBN: $104.67

2. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Access 2007

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Not Currently Offered.

CIS 184, Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint, 1.5 Units
Course description:
Students will use current presentation software to generate computerized presentations. Topics covered include planning a presentation, choosing a look for the presentation, drawing, and codifying simple graphic objects, inserting graphs and organizational charts, embedding tables and worksheets, applying templates, establishing slide transitions, and using the presentation viewer. Note that this class will be taught using PowerPoint 2007.
Upon completing this class, students will be  prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, Excel 2007 Exam.

Required Materials:
*  MiraCosta Bookstore Package Price (numbered items below sold together as a pac
kage), ISBN
0558377572: $85
1. Exploring Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 Comprehensive, 1st Edition, Grauer, ISBN: $104.67
2. Two chapters of custom content on presentation concepts and theory.

3. Myitlab: $65 (Note that myitlab can not be purchased used for licensing reasons.  For direct purchase from Pearson, if buying above component(s) used instead of in the package, click here.  If you have previously registered with myitlab and are taking another Computer Applications Program course, please ask your Instructor on the first day of class to have your account transferred to your new course.)

Required Operating System and Software:
Windows XP, Microsoft Access 2007

When Course Offered and in what Instructional Format:
Every semester. Online.

Related Offerings

CIS 101, Fundamentals of Information Systems

CIS 141: Fundamentals of Computer Networks and Security

CIS 185: Introduction to Microsoft Windows

CIS 191: Internet Presence for the Small and Medium Business

CS 107: Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

INTR 293-1: Foundation Skills

MAT 110: Digital Imaging 1: Photoshop

MAT 180: Publishing 1: Adobe InDesign