Business Department

The Business Education program functions primarily to fulfill two broad educational goals:

To develop basic understandings of business and economic policies and the role of the individual consumer in affecting decisions regarding those principles. This goal is a part of the general education which all students should have to prepare them for their roles as informed consumers.
To introduce students to the business concepts, ideas, and basic skills used in office occupations, as well as in everyday living. The purpose of this goal is to equip students with a marketable skill adequate for initial employment. Business Education, in this respect, is one of the main divisions of vocational education, with carefully planned sequences of courses for the students.

Course Offerings

Introduction to Programming
Computer Science
Computer Applications
Business Law
Marketing
Accounting I
Accounting II
Accounting III
Web Design I
Web Design II
Multimedia Applications I
Multimedia Applications II
Career & Life Management Skills

Business Teachers

Ryan

Psota

John

Zach

1 Corinthians 12:5-6

⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Stories about Business

Guest offers insight into cybersecurity to computer science class

Donald Costello from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, along with help from Anne Pfeifer, presented to the Computer Science class about Cybersecurity. He taught

Mock Interview Fair photo

Let’s talk about … you! Students in Career & Life Management classes are answering questions about themselves during today’s Mock Interview Fair. Expectations include a

Pius X team wins biggest stock market challenge

A Pius X team won this year’s Stock Market Challenge hosted by Junior Achievement.

Budget simulation adds dose of reality to business class

Making budget decisions is a bit easier on paper, but students in Careers & Life Management got a glimpse of the financial decisions and choices they will have to make later in life.

Course Descriptions

INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

This course is designed for students with little or no programming experience. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the role that logical, sequential thinking can play in solving problems. It also aims to help students to feel confident in their ability to write small programs that allow them to accomplish useful goals. The class will begin with an understanding of how binary code is the basis for all programming, and develop enough coding experience to have a foundation to learn other programming languages in future courses.

COMPUTER SCIENCE – 11, 12 – (Yr. – 10 credits)

[Prerequisite: Algebra II]

This course is an introductory course in computer science which will use many of the basic principles of discrete mathematics – counting methods, statements of logic, sequences and series, as well as reviewing concepts from Algebra II – in order to develop, adapt, and implement computer programs. Heavy emphasis will be put on problem solving. This course is recommended for students with a strong interest in computers or as an additional choice for seniors wishing to take a fourth year of mathematics. The AP Computer Science exam will be offered in May. Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is reco mmended.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

Computer Applications is designed to provide the student with greater computer usage and instruction. Microsoft Office Professional, including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint will be covered. This will enable students to do greater word processing, use databases, create spreadsheets and coordinate graphics. This course will meet the Life Skills requirement.

BUSINESS LAW – 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

How does the law affect rights and obligations I have as an individual, consumer, employee or tenant? This exploratory course on law will answer that question. Situations ranging from a minor thing like reacting to a traffic ticket to the more complicated process of carrying out a contract are some of the areas discussed. Students frequently read fictional “fact situations” and then are asked how the law should treat this particular case.

MARKETING – 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

Students will learn marketing skills such as understanding the marketing concept, different types of marketing, marketing research, product development, pricing, distribution and promotion. The class will also cover the impact of global marketing.

ACCOUNTING I – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

Accounting I emphasizes the basic principles of double-entry accounting system. Students will study the accounting cycle for a sole proprietorship and a partnership. Course activities include recording transactions, preparing work sheets, preparing financial statements, and an introduction to payroll, taxes and accounting systems. Students will use computers to do various simulations and course work. This course will meet the Life Skills requirement.

ACCOUNTING II – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

[Prerequisite: Accounting I]

Accounting II is designed to help students acquire additional accounting knowledge and skills. Special emphasis is given to analysis and interpretation of financial information used in making managerial decisions. This is where corporate and partnership accounting is emphasized. There is extensive use of computers in this course.

ACCOUNTING III – 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

[Prerequisite: Accounting II]

Accounting III is designed to promote and enhance an understanding of accounting and its uses. Students study accounting concepts and procedures, appropriate data processing technology and methods. Students have the opportunity to develop proficiency in recording, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting accounting data. Concepts and procedures are applied to partnership, corporate, and individual accounting situations. Students planning a career in accounting and/or business administration will find the course especially helpful.

WEB DESIGN I – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

This course will provide an understanding of how information is produced and disseminated on the World Wide Web. Students will apply desktop design and publishing practices to the design, development, and programming of web pages. Concepts covered include HTML, html editors, CCS, and graphic design. Ethics and personal privacy will also be discussed.

WEB DESIGN II – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

[Prerequisite: Web Design I]

This course is designed to build upon the skills learned in Web Design I. Students will become more acquainted with database development for the web, as well as flash and video applications. Concepts covered in this course include Flash, PHP, video, JavaScript. This class will be project-driven.

MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS I – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

This course is for students who want to design and create interactive projects which integrate video, sound, graphics and text. Students will understand and demonstrate how to use technology to effectively communicate in personal, educational, and employment settings. Major projects will include creating promotional videos for Pius X clubs, athletics, and other activities.

MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS II – 9, 10, 11, 12 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

Prerequisite: Multimedia Applications I] This course is for students who want to further develop their abilities to design and create projects using multimedia. This class will be project-based. Major projects will include filming and editing school events and producing longer videos that tell a story.

CAREER AND LIFE MANAGEMENT SKILLS – 9, 10 – (Sem. – 5 credits)

In this course, students will develop key skills important for independent living, financial success and stability and begin looking at possible careers that would be ideal for them after high school or college. Within this course, such topics as affording your 1st car, buying auto insurance, personal budgeting, and characteristics of savings and checking accounts will be discussed. Also, the students learn about many different types of financial investments, how to write a resume and reference list, interviewing skills, and how to successfully look for a job/career. College planning skills will also be emphasized in this course. This course will meet the Life Skills requirement.