Des Moines Area Community College.

Business Information Systems Skills Grid

Reading Skills

Skill Level
1. Recognize common words and meanings. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
2. Recognize task-related words with technical meanings. TAUGHT in the program
3. Recognize meanings of common abbreviations, acronyms, codes, and symbols. TAUGHT in the program
4. Identify factual details within text. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
5. Follow sequential directions to complete a task TAUGHT in the program
6. Determine the main idea of a passage. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
7. Use table of contents, index, appendices, glossary, section headings and subheadings. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
8. Locate pages, titles, paragraphs, figures, or charts needed to answer questions or solve problems. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
9. Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information in text or visuals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
10. Skim or scan to determine whether or not text contains relevant information. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
11. Cross-reference within and across source materials to select information to perform a routine. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
12. Use information entered on a form to complete a task. TAUGHT in the program
13. Combine information from multiple sources that contribute to the completion of a task. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
14. Select parts of text or visual materials to complete a task. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
15. Read column charts to obtain information. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
16. Locate chart information from a grid of rows and columns. TAUGHT in the program
17. Cross-reference charted material with text. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
18. Apply information from tables or graphs to locate malfunctions or select actions. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
19. Use flow charts and organizational charts to sequence events, arrive at a decision, or problem solve. TAUGHT in the program
20. Identify components within a schematic. TAUGHT in the program
21. Isolate problem components in schematics, tracing to cause of problem and interpreting symbols. TAUGHT in the program
22. Identify details, labels numbers, parts of an illustration, and parts from a key or legend. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
23. Follow sequenced illustrations as a guide. TAUGHT in the program
24. Interpret three-dimensional drawings of objects for assembly or disassembly. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
25. Determine meanings of figurative/idiomatic/technical usage of terms, using context clues as reference. TAUGHT in the program
26. Make inferences from text. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
27. Organize information from multiple sources. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
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Language Skills

Skill Level
1. Articulate words clearly when speaking. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
2. Make standard English usage choices. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
3. Adjust language level to the audience and the situation. TAUGHT in the program
4. Spell general vocabulary words correctly. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
5. Write key technical words accurately on forms. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
6. Spell task-related words and abbreviations correctly. TAUGHT in the program
7. Write complete sentences. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
8. Punctuate sentences correctly. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
9. Enter appropriate information onto a form. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
10. Record essential information in phrases or simple sentences. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
11. Transfer numbers, codes, dates and figures onto appropriate sections of forms. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
12. Select relevant details for a written communication. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
13. Outline a situation by identifying key ideas and support details. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
14. Write brief, descriptive accounts of activities or transactions performed. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
15. State general impressions of an event or situation as they relate to specific reporting goals. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
16. Summarize events and dialogue in an accurate, complete, and objective manner. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
17. Summarize the major points presented in a written communication. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
18. Generate a written communication according to a specific format (e.g., memo). MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
19. Write a report including necessary support documentation. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
20. Identify intent, target audience, and essential details. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
21. Generate a written communication, arranging sections logically. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
22. Write a brief justification for actions taken and provide good reasons for rejecting alternative actions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
23. Appraise a written communication and make adjustments to improve clarity. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
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Math Skills - Whole Numbers

Skill Level
1. Read and write whole numbers. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
2. Round whole numbers. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
3. Add whole numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
4. Subtract whole numbers. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
5. Multiply whole numbers. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
6. Divide whole numbers. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
7. Apply divisibility tests. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
8. Use correct order of operations. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
9. Recognize prime and composite numbers. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
10. Do calculations mentally. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
11. Estimate answers. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)

Math Skills - Fractions

Skill Level
12. Read and write fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
13. Round to the nearest 1/2 or whole. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
14. Arrange fractions in order. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
15. Reduce fractions to lowest terms. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
16. Change mixed numbers to improper fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
17. Change fractions to equivalent fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
18. Add fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
19. Subtract fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
20. Multiply fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
21. Divide fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
22. Estimate answers. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)

Math Skills - Decimals

Skill Level
23. Read and write decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
24. Round decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
25. Arrange decimals in order. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
26. Add decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
27. Subtract decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
28. Multiply decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
29. Divide decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
30. Change fractions to decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
31. Change decimals to fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
32. Use scientific notation. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)

Math Skills - Percent

Skill Level
33. Read and write percents. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
34. Change percents to decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
35. Change decimals to percents. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
36. Change percents to fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
37. Change fractions to percents. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
38. Use ratio and proportion. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
39. Compute a percent of a number. EX: What is 6% of 40? REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
40. Find what percent one number is of another. EX: 6 is what % of 8? MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
41. Find the base. EX: 8 is 10% of what? REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
42. Compute: discounts, markup, tax, commission. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
43. Compute simple interest. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
44. Compute compound interest. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
45. Compute percentages mentally. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)

Math Skills - Direct Measurement

Skill Level
46. Measure to the nearest 1/16 inch. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
47. Use inches, feet, yards, miles. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
48. Measure to the nearest millimeter. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
49. Use millimeter, centimeter, meter, kilometer. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
50. Measure weight to the nearest ounce. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
51. Measure weight to the nearest gram. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
52. Measure angles to the nearest degree. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
53. Measure temperature (Fahrenheit). NOT APPLICABLE to the program
54. Measure temperature (Celsius). NOT APPLICABLE to the program
55. Measure perimeter. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
56. Measure circumference. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
57. Use an architect's/engineer's scale. NOT APPLICABLE to the program

Math Skills - Computed Measurement

Skill Level
58. Convert from Metric to English units. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
59. Convert from English to Metric units. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
60. Compute areas of squares, rectangles, and parallelograms. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
61. Compute areas of triangles. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
62. Compute areas of trapezoids. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
63. Compute areas of circles. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
64. Use square inches, feet, and yards. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
65. Use square millimeters, centimeters, and meters. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
66. Compute volume of rectangular solids. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
67. Compute volume of cylindrical solids. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
68. Use cubic inches, feet, and yards. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
69. Use cubic millimeters, centimeters, and meters. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
70. Compute mass from volume and density. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
71. Find degree of precision/accuracy of calculations and measurements. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
72. Identify significant digits. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
73. Use the Pythagorean theorem. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
74. Do geometric constructions. NOT APPLICABLE to the program

Math Skills - Statistics

Skill Level
75. Calculate mean. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
76. Find median. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
77. Find mode. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
78. Construct line, bar, circle, and picture graphs. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
79. Interpret graphs. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
80. Calculate simple probabilities. NOT APPLICABLE to the program

Math Skills - Algebra

Skill Level
81. Use exponential notation. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
82. Use algebraic expressions (Ohms Law, gas laws, etc.). REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
83. Simplify algebraic expressions. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program)
84. Solve linear equations. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
85. Have the equivalent of 1 year of High School algebra. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)

Math Skills - Trigonometry

Skill Level
86. Use trig tables. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
87. Compute missing angles of triangles using trig. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
88. Compute missing sides of triangles using trig. NOT APPLICABLE to the program

Math Skills - Miscellaneous

Skill Level
89. Work with non-decimal numeration systems (binary, hexadecimal). TAUGHT in the program
90. Use a calculator for basic operations on whole numbers and decimals. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
91. Use a calculator for basic operations with fractions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
92. Use special features of a calculator such as memory and constant. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
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Learning Skills

Skill Level
1. Use effective textbook study techniques. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
2. Take competent notes from lecture. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
3. Take tests in objective formats. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
4. Take essay tests. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
5. Locate materials in library. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
6. Plan a reasonable study schedule. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
7. Follow sequential instructions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
8. Develop sequential instructions. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
9. Make accurate observations. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
10. Identify significant similarities and differences between two or more items. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
11. Classify or match items by their distinguishing features. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
12. Draw logical inferences based on observations. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
13. Identify cause and effect relationships. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
14. Given a problem, analyze the situation and identify and evaluate possible causes. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
15. Given a problem, identify and evaluate alternative solutions and arrive at a workable solution. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
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Computer Skills

Skill Level
1. Operate a microcomputer system. REVIEWED briefly in the program (familiarity needed before program entry)
2. Demonstrate keyboarding skills. MASTERED prior to enrollment (will not be retaught in the program)
3. Use a word processing program. TAUGHT in the program
4. Use a desktop publishing program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
5. Use a spreadsheet program. TAUGHT in the program
6. Use a data base program. TAUGHT in the program
7. Use a graphics program. TAUGHT in the program
8. Use a computer aided drafting program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
9. Use a computer assisted manufacturing program. NOT APPLICABLE to the program
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