Computer Science

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions - please read these carefully and slowly

 

Why do I have to be competent in the use of Excel?

  • You are expected to be competent in using the Excel spreadsheet program in order to register for QBUS-200 Business Statistics I and CSIS-114 Management Information Systems (both of these courses are required for all School of Business majors).
  • In addition, you will be expected to be able to use the Excel spreadsheet program in ACCT-200 Financial Accounting and in other courses within the School of Business.

 

I am a transfer student from outside Siena College, do I have to worry about any of this?

  • Yes, if you have not transferred-in course credit for CSIS-114 and/or QBUS-200, you have to meet the pre-requisite Spreadsheet Competency Requirement in order to register for either course.
  • Even if you have transfer credit for CSIS-114 and/or QBUS-200, you still need to demonstrate your competency in Excel by passing the CSIS-SSX exam or by taking, at Siena, one of the courses described below (CSIS-010 or CSIS-011).

 

I am a Siena student who has recently changed my major/School and I am now of student in the School of Business. What do I have to do?

  • Read the information on this page - you will have to either pass the CSIS-SSX exam or take one of the courses described below.

 

Is this an on-line exam, using Excel?

  • Yes, this exam is given on-line, in Excel 2007, on a Windows Vista computer.

 

What Excel topics are covered on the exam?

  • The Excel 2007 topics covered in the exam are the topics covered in the CSIS-010 & CSIS-011 courses.
  • You will have two hours to take the exam.
  • You must earn a grade greater than 60% to pass the exam.
  • You may take the exam only one time.
  • I use Excel on a Macintosh - should I take the exam?
  • The most recent version of Excel for Mac OS-X has a menu system that does not match the significantly-changed menu system found in Office/Excel 2007.
  • You might be able to pass the Spreadsheet Competency Exam but most likely you will get lost looking for menu items.

 

When will the Computer Science Competency Exam be offered?

  • The exam will be offered during Freshman Summer Orientation and at specific times during the Fall & Spring semesters.
  • Students are not required to take this exam; and, students should only only take the exam if they believe they have a chance of passing.
  • The exam is two hours long.

 

How do I sign-up to take the Spreadsheet Competency Exam?

 

Those dates for the exams are after I register for courses - what do I do?

  • During course registration, register for either CSIS-010 or CSIS-011. You will not be able to register for CSIS-114 or QBUS-200 until (and unless ) you pass the CSIS-SSX Spreadsheet Competency Exam.
  • If you do not pass the exam, you are all set to take a course .
  • If you pass the exam, drop the course you do not need
  • If you pass the exam, you may then register for a course that has a Spreadsheet Competency pre-requisite.

 

How soon will I know my grade?

  • You will be told your grade as soon as you finish the on-line CSIS-SSX exam.
  • If you pass the exam, the School of Business will be informed within 24 hours of the exam.
  • If you pass the exam, your Banner/CAPP information regarding passing the exam will not be updated for a few days.
  • If you pass the exam, and you want to immediately register for a course that has CSIS-SSX as a pre-requisite, you should ask someone in the School of Business Office to help you register (Siena Hall 301).

 

Will my grade show up on my transcript or any other permanent record?

  • If you pass the exam, the numeric grade you earn on the Spreadsheet (Excel) Competency Exam does not show up on your transcript but a Pass (P) grade is recorded as an indication that you have the pre-requisite background for courses you will be required to take in the future.
  • If you do not pass the exam, nothing regarding the exam grade will show up on your transcript.

 

I am not familiar with Excel 2007; or, I did not pass the exam (60% or higher is passing). What CSIS class should I take?

I order to be able to register for CSIS-114 or QBUS-200, you should register as soon as possible to take one of the following two courses.

  1. CSIS-010: Introduction to Computer Applications (3 credits) - MOST INCOMING STUDENTS TAKE THIS COURSE EVEN IF THEY HAVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND WITH EXCEL2007.
    • This course provides a comprehensive introduction to computers and applications.
    • Topics include hardware components; application software including word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, and database management; data communications; issues in information systems such as privacy and security; computer operations; and networking.
    • The student wishing to have a general understanding of how computers are used in organizations should take this course.
  2. CSIS-011: Problem Solving with Spreadsheets (1 credit) - THIS IS FOR SOMEONE WHO AT ONE TIME LEARNED EXCEL2007 BUT HAS FORGOTTEN A LOT OF IT (OR THIS COURSE IS FOR A PERSON WHO EARNED AT LEAST A GRADE OF 30% ON THE CSIS-SSX EXAM)
    • This course will examine how to use spreadsheets as a tool for solving business problems.
    • This course will use Microsoft Excel as the spreadsheet program.
    • Other computer science topics relating to spreadsheets and their use in organizations today will also be covered.

 

PLEASE NOTE: If you think you might be interested in earning a minor in Computer Science or a minor in Information Systems, you should try to schedule at least one Computer Science course during your Freshman and Sophomore years.