Applications and Information Systems

The Applications & Information Systems (AIS) program at College of the Desert offers a degree in Applications & Information Systems. It also offers certificates such as Business Information Worker (BIW), BIW-Manager, and also specialties in Legal Office, Medical Office and Marketing. The program includes courses that are part of many other programs including accounting, business administration, hospitality, digital design and it takes advantage of a cross disciplinary integration of information systems with other fields of high demand in the Coachella Valley. The program is currently expanding to satisfy demand of additional industries in the area.

The Applications & Information Systems program meets both the State of California’s CTE program career advancement and California Community College goals. The development of this program is the result of the need for active professionals with the skills set used in multiple office environments.

The curriculum includes transferable courses that provide the computer literacy required for transfer to the California State University, courses that provide a general overview of the discipline, and courses that deal with more advanced software concepts and tools used in the business environment. Students pursuing undergraduate studies in AIS commonly enter career paths that include office administration, general business, web design, database management, or electronic bookkeeping.

Advisors:

Michelle Richards
mrichards@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.565.4822

Pablo Romero
promero@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.776.7305

Associate Degree (AS)

Certificates of Achievement 

COMING FALL 2024

The Business Information Worker (BIW) stackable certificates are being modified. Look for these new titles in the upcoming 2024-25 Catalog:

  • BIW I – Office Support & Technologies
    (will replace Business Information Worker – Office Professional) Certificate of Achievement
  • BIW II – Office Support & Technologies
    (will replace Business Information Worker – Office Manager) Certificate of Achievement
  • BIW III – Remote Office Support & Technologies
    (will replace Business Remote Worker) Certificate of Achievement
  • BIW IV – Legal Office Specialist
    (will replace Business Information Worker – Legal Office Specialist) Certificate of Achievement
  • BIW IV – Marketing Specialist
    (will replace Business Information Worker – Marketing Specialist) Certificate of Achievement
  • BIW IV – Medical Office Specialist
    (will replace Business Information Worker – Medical Office Specialist) Certificate of Achievement

AIS 002A  Introductory Microsoft Outlook   Units: 1

This course utilizes Microsoft Outlook to organize and plan personal and business information. Emphasis is placed on the use of Outlook for communication and sharing information with persons within a company or small business.
Lecture Hours: 9         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 003A  Introductory Microsoft Word   Units: 1

Students will learn the basics of Windows and Microsoft Word. Specific topics covered include: creating and formatting a document; creating a business letter with graphics and tables; creating a research paper with references and sources; mail merge.
Lecture Hours: 9         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 004A  Introductory PowerPoint   Units: 1

This course provides basic concepts and practical applications using PowerPoint for Windows. Students receive instruction and practice in creating presentations with pictures, shapes, transitions, and animations; evaluation of presentation effectiveness; technology of packaging presentations and portability across multiple mediums.
Lecture Hours: 9         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 005  Office Technology Skills   Units: 3

This course provides the introductory technology skills necessary for success in an entry level office support role. Students become comfortable with Learning Management System, email systems and file management; understand the basics of how computers and mobile devices work. Students learn how to use common functions of email, word processing, and presentation software, Internet basics, and exploring the web as tools for academic and vocational success. Students also have an opportunity to develop keyboarding skills.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 006  Business Research   Units: 2

An introduction to effective business research techniques using electronic resources. Students learn how to express information needs, access information from appropriate sources, evaluate retrieved data, and organize the data to solve business problems.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 007A  Introductory Excel   Units: 1

This course provides basic concepts and practical applications using Excel for Windows.
Lecture Hours: 9         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 007B  Advanced Excel   Units: 2

Students receive instruction and computer experience using electronic spreadsheets to solve common numerical and business, finance and/or accounting-based problems.
Lecture Hours: 27         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: AIS 007A or CIS 010
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 011  Current Topics in Technology   Units: 3

This course encourages students to develop a higher level of social, legal, and ethical awareness in the study of technology. Students are guided through topics that provide insight into the crucial role technology plays both personally and professionally. Students explore their responsibilities to the environment and to society, ensuring that productivity and technical risks are appropriately managed.
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 012  Office Support Skills   Units: 3

Topics covered in this course include a survey of office support skills and applied procedures; practical application of office technologies; applied organization skills; meeting and travel planning; human relations, company politics and ethics; job attitudes and burnout prevention tools; and servant leader office support role wellbeing.
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 013  Office Workplace Employment Preparation   Units: 3

Topics covered in this course will be intertwined with practical use of software, media, and technology; people and communication skills; creativity, collaboration, flexibility, and leadership skills; and employment preparation tools necessary for an office support work environment.
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: Take AIS-005
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 017  Business Data Management   Units: 4

Students are introduced to the complex field of records management. They learn to design, create, customize, organize, extract, and present information using database software in preparation for business careers.
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: CIS 010
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 020  Accessibility for Office Professionals   Units: 3

This class explores accessibility guidelines of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students are guided through criteria and provided insight into the need and reality of implementing accessible material. Students will discover and apply criteria learned from Microsoft Office documents, and learn how those guidelines can also be applied when updating a business website. It is recommended that students have some experience with Microsoft Office (specifically Word and PowerPoint).
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 021  Teleconferencing for Office Professionals   Units: 1

The fundamentals of Teleconferencing for Office Professionals course covers etiquette and basic procedures for online meetings and conferences. It gives the student the necessary skills to prepare and handle web conferencing meetings at a professional level. The course overviews the most popular teleconferencing software and video collaboration software available. This course is a fundamental part of the Business Information Remote Worker Certification.
Lecture Hours: 9         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 023  Digital Security & Cloud Storage for Office Professionals   Units: 2

The Computer Security and Cloud Storage for Home Office Professionals course teaches the students how to protect proprietary digital data in their home office and mobile devices. It provides an introduction to security issues affecting individual computers and internet access. Protection strategies from viruses, Trojan-Horse programs, e-mail attacks, and other forms of intrusion. Selection, installation, and use of anti-virus software. It also covers the different cloud options and using it for digital encrypted data and information storage. This course is a key element of the Business Remote Worker Certificate of Achievement that allows the student the flexibility of working from home and for multiple employers.
Lecture Hours: 18         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: CIS 010
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 025  Medical Billing   Units: 3

This course covers the study of medical billing, along with its terminology and insurance principles. Focus is on Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), ICD-10 Clinical modification, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), and medical ethics. The course introduces the revenue cycle and helps prepare students to take the Certified Professional Biller (CPB) examination.
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: HS 061
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 030  Real Estate Principles   Units: 3

The fundamental real estate course covering the basic laws and principles of California Real Estate. Required by CalBRE (California Bureau of Real Estate) for those preparing for the state Salesperson exam, and serves as an elective for those preparing for the state Broker exam. For professionals, consumers, and investors.
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 032  Real Estate Practice   Units: 3

A foundational real estate course covering day-to-day operations in real estate sales and brokerage, including the following: listing, prospecting, advertising, financing, sale techniques, and escrow. Required course for Salesperson's and Broker's license by CalBRE (California Bureau of Real Estate). For professionals, consumers and investors.
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 072  Spreadsheet Software   Units: 3

This course provides basic concepts and practical applications using Excel for Windows and explores other spreadsheet modalities. Students receive instruction and computer experience using electronic spreadsheets to solve common numerical and accounting-based problems.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 073  Word Processing Software   Units: 3

Students will learn Word Processing software, concepts, procedures and skills in current applications used in Business. Specific topics covered include creating and formatting a document, creating a business memo, using graphics, tables, and styles, creating a research paper with references and sources, mail merge, integrating applications, automating tasks, working with forms and master templates, and using cloud storage.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

AIS 074  Presentation Software   Units: 3

This course provides common concepts and practical applications of creating effective slide presentations using different presentation software. Students receive instruction and practice in creating presentations with pictures, shapes, transitions, and animations; evaluation of presentation effectiveness; technology of packaging presentations and portability across multiple mediums.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: AIS 005
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None