Course Syllabus
Welcome to Acct 115, Financial Accounting
Sample Syllabus Not to be used for Spring 07
Nancy L. Kelly, Professor
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Schedule:
Although this is an online course and, as such, is self-paced, you will find that you have scheduled assignments. Please be sure that you follow the schedule as it will make your learning experience much more enjoyable. You may have taken other online classes that do not require you to submit assignments on a schedule. This class is different. You are required to do the work in the time frame specified. There are definite due dates. You are responsible to asking questions on each chapter. I will post lecture notes and hints for each chapter but you need to begin the discussion on topics that you are unsure of.
Phone: Office: 860-343-5761 .
E-mail: Use email within the course to correspond with me.
Office Hours:
I will check my e-mail every weekday. You will get a response in 24 hours. I will notify you though a Discussion posting if I am unavailable. I will try to check email over the weekend but I cannot guarantee that.
Prerequisites: Minimum placement in English 063, Math 137, and completion of English 073, if required, or permission of instructor.
Credits: 4 credits
Scope of the Course:
The course examines the structure of accounting and the accounting equation. It studies the basic essentials of accounting that includes journalizing and posting transactions; preparing the trial balance; preparing the financial statements; and journalizing and posting adjusting and closing entries. Accounting transactions for both service and merchandising corporations are presented. The course introduces the basic concepts of asset and liability measurement, both current and long term, and revenue determination by examination of specific accounts. Corporate organizations and retained earning accounts are studied. The computer will be integrated into the course as both a teaching and learning resource. A computerized software accounting package, QuickBooks, will be used.
Textbooks
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING, Harrison and Horngren, Prentice Hall, 6th Ed
Required Materials:
COMPUTER - Your computer has to have minimum requirements as established by the college
SOFTWARE - You will need the following software to take this course.
If you have difficulty with any of the technical side of the course you should contact www.mxcc.commnet.edu/distance.
Evaluation:
Three tests and nine quizzes will be administered. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
3 Tests - 300 points approx 51% of grade
8 out of 9 Quizzes 80 points 14% of grade
Computer Project 100 points 17% of grade
15 of 18 Homework Assignments 30 points 5% of grade
3 out of 4 short projects 60 points 11% of grade
570 points 100%
Quizzes are 10 multiple choice questions on the reading. Each quiz is worth 10 points; the lowest grade will be dropped. These will be taken timed,on-line. Homework assignments are worth 2 points each and are submitted though Submission as attachments. Short projects are worth 20 points each. Tests are problem-based and are taken timed, on-line. If this is a concern please contact the instructor immediately. All work must be submitted on time unless arrangements have been made with the instructor prior to the due date. A grade sheet will be provided for students to keep track of all their grades. The computer will automatically record the quiz grade in the Grade Book but the other grades will have to be released by the instructor. The instructor reserves the right to change the grading process but will notify the students of any change.
Testing:
Graded Quizzes and Tests will be taken on-line within the time period specified. The quizzes are 15 minute quizzes and the tests are around 90 minutes. Once the assessment has expired the student cannot gain access. The student has a range of a week to take these assessments. Waiting to the last minute is not recommended as you could have problems with your computer and not time left on the clock. Schedule wisely.
Withdrawals:
In addition to the college’s withdrawal policy (see college catalog), I will allow a "W" grade up to the last week of classes if the student has discussed the withdrawal with me and sends me a email requesting the withdrawal. I will file this email with the appropriate documents with the Records Office. Students who fail to follow procedure will receive the grade they have earned. No exceptions.
Additional Information
“Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Counseling Office. After disclosing the nature of the disability, students are urged to discuss their needs with individual instructors. This should be done at the beginning of each semester. Instructors, in conjunction with appropriate college officials, will provide assistance and/or accommodations only to those students who have completed this process.”
“At Middlesex Community College we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ Proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of Trustees’ Policy Manual. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally.” (Board of Trustees’ Policy 5.2.1)
“All resources and facilities of the Data Processing Labs, including the computer classroom sites, are to used solely for the legitimate and authorized academic and administrative purposes. Any unauthorized or illegitimate use of the computer systems, resources, and/or facilities will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including but not subject to criminal prosecution in accordance with Section 53a-250, et seq., of the General Statutes”.
Chapter Learning objectives, activities, assignments and assessments:
Listed with each chapter are the learning objectives, the reading assignments, supplement assignments, and exercises and problems. The process for accomplishing these requirements are detailed in the Chapter Assignments which will provided by Friday evening each week for the following week. The schedule of the chapters is presented below. It is important that you check each week for this information
Important
Student’s biggest problem in this class is managing their time. Even though this is an online class you still need to set aside time to read the material, ask the questions and practice. You cannot do this all in one sitting. You should work on this course throughout the week starting when it is first posted. If you approach the chapters in pieces as I will be setting up for you and do some each day it will be manageable. The other item that some students lose sight of is the due dates for assignments. The dates are listed below, on the Calendar and in the Chapter Assignment. No student should not know what is required and when if they are actively participating in the class.
Online discussions:
The conference/threaded discussion function of this course allows us to become a community of learners. Responding to other student postings is your way of demonstrating that you are participating in the course. Check the Discussion often and join us in the Chat room. Some assignments may require you to post to the Discussion. You will receive specific instructions+.
Talking with the instructor:
I will respond to e-mail each day Monday – Friday.
Weekly Schedule: (Tuesday through Monday)
Week 1 (1/24 to 1/30)
Chapter 1 The Financial Statements
Learning Objectives:
Week 2 (1/31 to 2/6)
Chapter 2 Process Accounting Information
Learning Objectives
Project 1 Financial Statement Case Due 2/13
Week 3 and 4 (2/7 to 2/20)
Chapter 3 Accrual Accounting and Financial Statements
Learning Objectives
Weeks 5 (2/21 to 2/27)
Take Test #1 Chapter 1-3 by 2/27
Weeks 6 (2/28 to 3/6)
Chapter 4 Internal Control and Managing Cash
Learning Objectives
Weeks 7 and 8 ( 3/7 to 3/20)
Chapter 5 Accounting for Short term Investments and Receivables
Learning Objectives
Weeks 9
Spring Break 3/21 to 3/27
Weeks 10 (3/28 to 4/3)
Chapter 6 Accounting for Merchandise Inventory, Cost of Goods Sold, and the Gross Margin
Learning Objectives
· Use the cost-of-goods-sold model
· Account for inventory transactions
· Apply the inventory costing methods: Specific unit cost, weight-average, FIFO, and LIFO
· Identify the income tax effect of the inventory methods
QuickBooks Project: Stage 4 (due 4/10)
Weeks 11 ( 4/4 to 4/10)
Take Test #2 Chapters 4-6 by 4/10
Week 12 ( 4/11 to 4/17)
Chapter 7 Accounting for Plant Assets, Intangible Assets
Learning Objectives
Project 3: Internet Case due 4/24
Week 13 (4/18 to 4/24)
Chapter 8 Accounting for Current and long term liabilities
Learning Objectives
Week 14 and 15 (4/25 to 5/8)
Chapter 9 Measuring and reporting Stockholder's Equity
Learning Objectives
Week 16 (5/9 to 5/15)
Take Test #3 Chapters 7-9 by 5/15
Words of Wisdom: (From a very wise teacher)
"Please take time to explore course format and consider emotional issues associated with distance learning. For example, a distance learning course is based on knowledge of the technology, knowledge of self and others, and trust. Trust that you are doing the work, that you will abide by timeliness, that you will be sensitive to each others feelings realizing that we support each other and that you will tell me when problems arise." (Dr. R. Chalet)