Course Description:
The role of information in supporting business operations, managerial
decision-making and organizational strategy. Topics include technology
concepts, internet-worked enterprises, systems development and effective
management of information resources. Special emphasis is given to database
design and use. Other topics include: telecommunications, types of IS,
approaches to systems development, and security. Prepackaged software will be
used in case studies, problem solving, and simulation situations.
Overview:
Management information systems are an essential component of all
organizations and play a vital support role to other functional areas of an
organization: accounting, product design, production, purchasing, marketing,
customer/supplier relationships, and human resource management. Well-designed
information systems have the potential to dramatically improve a business's
competitive advantage.
The purpose of this course is to develop a body of information systems
knowledge and skills that has applicability to all business students.
Students will learn how to describe and analyze business processes with a
goal of designing or improving them- often by means of information
technology. Current and emerging trends in information systems will be
discussed from the perspective of managers. Case studies and a project allow
students to apply business information system analysis and design skills to
challenging business problems.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:
1. Understand the concept of a computer based information system including
detailed knowledge of the system components and how they evolve and interact.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of hardware and software.
3. Distinguish and relate transaction processing systems, management
information systems, decision support systems, expert systems, executive
information systems and knowledge management systems. Be able to compare
their components, major uses, benefits, and limitations.
4. Understand database management system concepts, functions, uses, and
types.
5. Understand the use of the systems development life cycle and alternative
analysis and design methods to solve business problems.
6. Understand the role of computer security, privacy, and ethics in today's
business organizations.
In
addition the student will have developed the following skills:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of issues and theories in information systems; and
apply their knowledge of information systems to solve business problems;
2. Model business processes using appropriate methodologies
3. Select appropriate technologies and systems to support organizational
objectives.
4. Be able to solve a database problem using appropriate design
methodologies. Demonstrate database creation, manipulation, queries, and
forms and reports generation.
Teaching Method:
The class will be taught as a combination of lectures, software presentations
and demonstrations, lab and homework exercises, and group discussion of case
studies.
Attendance Policy:
Your involvement in class discussions and activities are crucial for
your development as a professional. It is important for you to be
prompt and regular in attendance and current with the assigned
readings. I will expect you to ask questions during class, state
your viewpoints and opinions, and be prepared to answer questions from
the readings and discuss the case studies.
With appropriate documentation, I will excuse
absences due to illness and/or emergencies (such as death in the
family.) An example of documentation is a note from your
physician, or the Health Services physician or Health Services nurse
indicating that you were ill and the illness prevented you from
attending class. Lack of documentation will result in an
unexcused absence. Students with more than three hours of unexcused absence do
not qualify for the grade of A, these absences, in fact, will result
in a letter-grade reduction in the final grade. The University
policy will be observed in cases of excessive absences. Regardless
of attendance, you are responsible for all material, assignments, and changes in assignments.
Ignorance of an announcement made in class is no excuse for failure to meet an assignment.
Grading: Final grade is calculated as follows:
Case studies and attendance: (5%): Case studies will be discussed on class. Your participation will be graded
These grades will include all lab assignments completed
in class and lab activities completed as homework. You may work with other students in solving the labs.
Major Project (20%): Students will be asked to make a presentation on a
contemporary topic or case study in information system management.
Average of 2 Exams (40%)
Final Exam 35%
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