University of Alaska Anchorage
College of Business & Public Policy - Accounting Department
ACCT 201 Principles of Financial Accounting - Spring 2003
Section 001: MW 11:30 am - 12:45 pm - BEB 316
Section 002: MW 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm - BEB 316

Professor: Fred Barbee, Ph.D. Office: BEB 307D
Office Hours: MW: 9-11 am; TR: 10 am - 12 pm pm
                      Or by appointment
Phone: 786-1662


Text, Information Sources, Materials, and
Course Prerequisites

The following information sources are provided for this course. The text is required while the remaining sources are highly recommended but optional. The text will be an integral resource, but will not be the driving force behind the learning process. The prerequisite for ACCT 201 is MATH 105 or equivalent Math Placement Test.

 Text - Required
  • Financial Accounting Information for Decisions - 2nd Edition, John J. Wild. McGraw-Hill, Irwin. Boston, 2003.
 Optional Resources
  • Study Guide to accompany text
  • Working Papers to accompany text
 On-Line Resources


Course Description and Objectives

Accounting is frequently referred to as "the language of business." ACCT 201 is a course designed to teach you how to converse in this language. The catalog description of the course is as follows:

"Introduction to financial accounting concepts and principles. Emphasis on the accounting cycle, recording and summarizing accounting data through the presentation of formal financial statements."


Conduct of the Course

Being a student is not a spectator sport. We live in a dynamic, ever changing world in which active involvement is required. One of the objectives of this course is to help prepare you for better involvement in the real world, therefore, -- active participation in this class is expected. All class activities will be conducted under the assumption that you come to class prepared. That is, all readings have been done, all assigned Questions/Exercises/Problems have been read and analyzed, and a list of unanswered questions has been made. Lectures/discussions will supplement the text, expanding on key concepts and methods. Selected problems will be worked in class to assist you in understanding the concepts presented. Questions are encouraged. Participation is expected.


Attendance

Attendance in class is an integral part of your education because it allows you to interact with other students in what is hopefully an intellectually stimulating environment. If you are going to learn accounting, attendance at all class periods is critical. There are no unimportant classes. Please note that you are responsible for all class periods and homework must be turned in on time.


Homework and Quizzes

There will be homework. The only way, to learn accounting is through a combination of attending class, reading the text, and working problems. You are strongly urged to work as many problems as possible. I will help by assigning representative problems; however, you are encouraged to work others on your own. Feel free to consult me at any time regarding questions about the homework or other problems. Selected homework problems will be collected for grading and are clearly indicated in the class schedule. Late homework will be penalized 50% of the assigned point value and will not be accepted later than the class period immediately following the original due date. The lowest quiz and the lowest homework assignment will be dropped. Other unannounced quizzes on assigned homework readings and/or problems may be given at any time.

Solutions to selected homework problems may be posted on the Internet and may be accessed via the course home page. If you have questions regarding any end of chapter exercise or problem, or any concept discussed in the text and/or class, help is available in a variety of places.

  • The Accounting Lab, BEB 310
  • The Learning Resource Center
  • The Course Home Page.
  • The Publisher's Web Site
  • The Professor's Office, BEB 307D

Avail yourself of any, or all, of these resources. I strongly encourage you to stop by my office. I will be more than happy to help you with any assignment. All I ask is that you have attempted to work the problem(s) yourself. I will spend whatever amount of time is necessary to help you understand the problem and/or concept involved, but I will not work the problem for you.


Examinations

There will be two midterm exams and a final exam. The final exam will not be comprehensive; however, selected topics from prior exams may be included at the discretion of the Professor. Most of the emphasis on the final exam will be on chapters on which you have not previously been tested. Exams will consist of a combination of multiple choice questions and problems. Make up exams are discouraged, and will administered toward the end of the semester, at a time to be announced. If you are unable to make a scheduled exam, you must notify the professor before the exam. Practice exams are available for each chapter via the course home page.


Important Information Regarding Honest
and Ethical Student Behavior

University of Alaska students are expected to promote academic honesty by not participating in, or facilitating other's participation in, any act of academic dishonesty, and by reporting incidences of academic dishonesty to their professors. In particular, this means that any work a student submits to a professor must be what it is claimed to be, and must be entirely that student's work except for appropriately cited work of others, and must not have previously been submitted in another class. All UAA students also are expected to maintain the high ethical standards appropriate to their future professions.

Please be aware that academic dishonesty and breaches of professional ethics will not be tolerated in this course. Any instance of academic dishonesty will result, minimally, in a failing grade for the course for the students involved, and may result in recommendation of their expulsion from the college. Similar penalties may be levied against students who violate professional ethics guidelines. If you have any doubts about what may constitute academic dishonesty, or any questions about the procedure for appeal and adjudication of charges of dishonesty, please refer to the appropriate pages in the College Catalog and the Student Handbook. If you are not familiar with the ethical guidelines pertaining to the accounting profession and you would like to have a copy of them, please inform the professor.


Evaluation

Grades are an essential part of any college environment. It is important that you understand the basis on which you will be evaluated. Grades will be determined by relative class standing based on points earned at the end of the course, as a percentage of total possible points. Graded exams, quizzes, and homework assignments will be returned to you promptly. If you have any questions about the way any assignment is graded, or if you are unsure where you stand relative to the class as a whole, contact the professor immediately. This is best done in person; however, you may also phone me at 786-1662, or you may send me an email.   Points may be earned as follows:

Opportunities
Points
Mid-Term Exams (2 @ 100 points each)
200
Final Exam
100
Quizzes (10 @ 15 points each)
150
Homework Assignments (10 @ 15 points each)
150
Total Opportunity Points
600


Class and Assignment Schedule

The class schedule and list of assigned Questions/Exercises/Problems for both Section 001 and Section 003 is available Here.

Final Examination Schedule

Section 001: Wednesday April 30, 2003 10:00 am to 12:45 pm - BEB 316
Section 002: Wednesday April 30, 2003, 1:00 to 3:45 pm - BEB 316



Last Modified January 10, 2003