Academics

Departments

Business & Technology

Main Number: (415) 334-0525   Fax Number: (415) 334-9726

Name/Title/Profile	E-mail	Ext.
Mike Murphy Director of Technology/Department Chair/Webmaster/Network Administrator MS, Management, Notre Dame de Namur University BA, Notre Dame de Namur University Adjunct Faculty Member: Menlo College		x236
Oscar Laguna Registrar/Database Administrator/Webmaster/Substitution Coordinator BA, Notre Dame de Namur University		x212
Merritt Cutten Teacher/Web Club Moderator BS, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo BA, University of the Pacific		x327
Dr. Josie Maxwell Teacher Ed. D, University of San Francisco MBA, Notre Dame de Namur University MA, Santa Clara University BA, Santa Clara University Adjunct Faculty Member: University of San Francisco, Notre Dame de Namur University		x336

 

Department Profile

The Business and Technology department prepares our students for the future in the areas of Business and Technology. Computer hardware and software applications will be an integral part of any career choice. Students will graduate with the ability to efficiently use various software applications and an understanding of computer hardware. Students will become comfortable with new technologies through daily exposure. This knowledge, and the skills developed, will give the students more confidence during their academic careers at Mercy High School, at college, and in their working careers.

 

Courses Offered

Computer Skills

Students will be exposed to emerging and traditional technologies. Formal keyboarding skills will be integrated with basic office programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  Students will acquire basic, as well as some advanced techniques, in the Microsoft Suite.  These programs will be used to format and enhance projects which will be used throughout the student's academic career.  In addition, skills learned will include research and presentation skills.  Students will produce a project using the skills and applications learned during the semester.

 

Introduction To Computer Programming

This is a one-semester course which begins with the study of computer programming and the use of computers in our society.  Students will learn beginning programming using the JAVA Programming Language.  Emphasis in this course is placed on developing problem-solving skills along with the development of computer literacy.

 

Computer Literacy

Computer Literacy is an introduction to the world of computers.  Students will become computer literate, learning what they need to know about computers in order to function in society. Students will also learn to use the computer as a problem solving tool.  The course will include an introduction to the computer language BASIC and how to create simple spreadsheets and databases.

 

Personal Finance

Students will gain an understanding of the responsibilities inherent in becoming a young adult, especially as they get ready to leave home for the first time. Basic knowledge needed for becoming a responsible citizen will be learned including: opening a checking account and managing the checkbook; creating a workable budget which includes learning how to pay the bills while saving for emergencies; when and how to start a retirement plan; how to fill out tax returns; how to look for and apply for housing and understanding how a mortgage and rent or a lease differs; purchasing an automobile; understanding what interest is and how it works; writing an effective resume and how to prepare for the interview; learning to use various government and other agencies.

 

Graphics and Web Design

This course is designed for students who want to use the computer as a creative tool. This class will enable the students to understand the basics of using graphics applications and how they relate to web design. Students will learn simple HTML and JAVA codes, simple graphics creation, and how to import these graphics into a web page or site . They will learn to publish the completed pages using Microsoft Frontpage and other web site creation applications. Students will also use applications such as the CorelDraw Suite and the MS Office Suite.

 

Extra-curricular Activities

Web Club

This is an after-school, project-oriented, elective class. Students in the class will learn about digital photography, computer networks, web publishing, and web design. Students in the course help to maintain Mercy High School’s public web site. They also develop new ways for teachers, students, and the Mercy community to use the Web.

 

Technology Resources

Room 320 is the teaching lab, with 30 seats, where most of the Business/Technology classes are taught.

 

Room 319 is one of the open labs, which also has 30 seats. Room 319 is open for most of the school day, and students are allowed to complete their assignments, research, and study there. Teachers will occasionally bring their classes to this lab for research purposes.

 

The Library Annex has 10 computers and the Library has seven. Both areas are open during the school day for students.

 

The Science Department has four labs: Rooms 304, 306, 311 and 119. These computers are for the Science Department use and may be open for science projects at various times.

 

Room 206 also has six computers. These are used by students for Social Science classroom work.

 

The Achievement Center has four computers that allow the tutorial staff to work with students.

 

There are eight computers in the Publication/Media Room on the fourth floor.  These computers will be used by Achievement Center students during the day and for extra-curricular activities such as Yearbook and Legacy after school.

 

The Art Departments has two student computers in the Art Room. There are also two computers in the fourth floor AP Art Lab.

 

There are also four student computers in the Counseling Center, and one in the Infirmary (across from Ms. Ortiz’s office).

 

In addition, there are five computer carts with projectors, that include VCR/DVD Players. Rist Hall has a 13 foot by 10 foot screen with a projector mounted on the ceiling.  The projector is connected to a computer and a DVD/VCR. A projector is also mounted in the Mercy Theater with a computer and DVD player attached.