About the Program
The Business Information Worker (BIW) program is a two-tiered, structured career pathway for students who are interested in entering the exciting and diverse career field of office and administrative support. Butte College's BIW pathway is aligned with a California statewide program that collaborated with businesses and advisory committees across the state to identify the most in-demand and desirable knowledge and skills required of today's business information workers. Additionally, this pathway clearly communicates to students what skills they need to be successful in today's businesses, as well as provides a branded BIW pathway for businesses to quickly recognize on resumes. Please visit the ICT-DM.NET./BIW site to obtain more information and locate support resources for this pathway.
Students graduating from the BIW program, gain proficiency in business communication, professional development, records management, technology tools used to support businesses to achieve goals, such as Microsoft Office applications, collaboration tools, and desktop publishing applications.
Career related fields for the BIW include office and administrative support workers, administrative assistants, receptionists, office specialists, customer service representatives, general office and information clerks, and file clerks.
Students interested in earning an AS degree in BIW will have successfully completed the BIW Certificate and the BIW Certificate of Achievement along with general education requirements and any electives required. Taken full-time, this program can be completed in two years.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Career
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 01313.02AS
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Manage office information and records.
Communicate professionally and work effectively in a team
Produce business documents with appropriate formatting using word processing software.
Create spreadsheets with financial functions and charting.
Plan and deliver individual or team oral presentations for business meetings.
Use email and calendaring software to communicate and manage time.
Apply the features and functions of web-based tools efficiently and effectively in order to meet the desired goals and outcomes of business.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level IV
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course applies the principles of creating ethical and effective business communication to letters, memos, emails, and written and oral reports. The course emphasizes planning, organizing, composing, and revising business documents utilizing appropriate software to prepare and deliver written documents and professional-level oral reports.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: BCIS 84, ability to key 25 wpm, Reading Level IV; English Level III; Math Level II
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course is an examination of information and communication technologies used in today's businesses and the impact these technologies are having on today's workplaces. The course will include examination and application of a wide range of information and communication technology tools used to support and enhance business functions and processes. Focus will be placed on solving a variety of business problems, improving organizational productivity, and achieving the goals of business.
Unit(s): 1.50
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
10.50 hours Lecture
/ 40.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is designed for the student who has had little or no previous training in the operation of a keyboard. Students learn to type by touch, to use appropriate keyboarding techniques, and to develop speed and accuracy.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course covers a recent version of Microsoft Word for Windows for students who have an understanding of computers and desire comprehensive knowledge of word processing. Course content includes creating and formatting documents; creating and modifying headers and footers; inserting objects such as clipart and images; creating and modifying tables; merging documents to create letters, envelopes and labels; creating charts; proofing documents; and automating formatting.
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 17.00
This course introduces students to identifying essential external and internal communication skills, managing conflict, developing a positive attitude, and creating the professional image for the workplace.
Unit(s): 2.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III; Math Level II
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 17.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 51.00
In this course, students use the features of an electronic calculator to solve business math problems including retail calculations, payroll, and installment buying. Students will develop Ten-Key speed and accuracy using the touch method.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: BCIS 18 and ability to type 35 WPM.
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course examines the role that the end-user plays in monitoring, maintaining, and managing the web-based technology tools being used by businesses to improve and support collaboration, communication, and processes. Web-based tools and services used in business, including those used for communication, collaboration, social media, storage, and live support will be examined and applied. Tools such as OneDrive, Skype and Twitter will be used.
Prerequisite(s): BCIS 20
Unit(s): 1.50
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
10.50 hours Lecture
/ 40.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course builds on basic keyboarding skills by reinforcing both proper keyboarding and effective speed building techniques in order for the student to reach an employable typing speed. Emphasis is placed on developing straight copy and production skills with minimum errors at increased speeds. Keyboarding strengths and weaknesses will be diagnosed, followed by prescriptive drills to address the issues. Topics include review of alphabet keystroke, word level, capital letter, alternate-hand, punctuation, number, symbol, and horizontal/vertical reaches.
Unit(s): 2.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 51.00
In this course, students will examine the design principles and elements applied when creating printed documents and use desktop publishing software to create high-quality printed business publications such as newsletters, brochures, and flyers.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to the skills, traits, and attitudes of the successful administrative professional. Discussion topics include time and stress management, personal appearance, communication, records handling, mail, and financial management. In addition, students will complete projects in the areas of travel, minute taking, meeting planning, and effective job search techniques.
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to the increasingly complex field of records management. The class emphasizes the importance of effective records management for all types of documents from their creation or receipt, through their processing, distribution, organization, storage, and retrieval, to their ultimate disposition. Students will investigate the management functions necessary to operate a records management program effectively.
Unit(s): 1.00
Recommended Prep: BCIS 28
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
12.75 hours Lecture
/ 12.75 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 25.50
This course introduces students to Adobe Acrobat software. The course includes an overview of all Adobe Acrobat products and their functionality. It offers instruction and application of Portable Document Format (PDF) creation from multiple sources, modifying existing PDF documents, and creating forms. Students will need access to Adobe Acrobat to successfully complete this course.
Prerequisite(s): BCIS 18
Unit(s): 3.00
Recommended Prep: Reading Level IV; English Level III; Math Level II
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course covers a recent version of Microsoft Excel for Windows for students who have an understanding of computers and desire comprehensive knowledge of spreadsheets. Course content includes creating, formatting, and maintaining worksheets; using financial formulas and functions; creating and modifying charts; using visual enhancements; working with templates; working with tables and data tools; and creating pivot charts.
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Contacts
Sandy, Sloan
(530) 895-2385
Department Office: BE 116
(530) 895-2371
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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