Management Information Systems

MIS 320 Fall 1999 Syllabus


Contents

[Instructor | Text | Prerequisites | Overview of Course | Grades ]
[Outline and Course Schedule | Participation ]
[Course Policy | Group Work on Homework | Late Homework |
Late Projects | Class Preparation | Students with Disabilities ]


Instructor

Name: Dirk Baldwin
Email: baldwin@uwp.edu
Office: MOLN 355
WWW: http://www.uwp.edu/academic/mis/baldwin
Phone: 595-2449
Office Hours: 10-11:30 AM M, 3:15-5 PM W, 8-9 AM F

Texts

Laudon & Laudon, Essentials of Management Information Systems, Prentice Hall, 1999.

Grauer & Barber, Exploring Microsoft Office 97: Professional, Prentice Hall, 1998

Prerequisites

CSCI 106, ACCT 201

Overview of Course

Information Systems (ISs) are fundamental to any organization. Managers must be able to use ISs, identify potential IS projects, manage aspects of an IS, and participate in IS development. This course has two primary topic areas. First, the course exposes students to IS software and hardware. Through labs, homework and projects, the student will be able to use and build systems with a variety of information system tools, including the Internet and database packages. Second, the course focuses on strategies and techniques for information systems use, development and management. Topics include information system types, development methodologies, design models, implementation techniques, strategic IS planning, process improvement, and IS quality control. The modes of instruction for the second objective include lecture, readings, class discussion, class presentations and cases.

Objectives

The business undergraduate program has defined five performance objectives for this course. According to this guide, upon completion of this course, the student should:

  1. Be able to use computer technology in decision making
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the MIS functional area and its integration with other areas
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of information systems as a management resource
  4. Apply data processing, management information systems, and decision support systems to problems and issues in various functional areas of business
  5. Demonstrate effective written communication on a business problem or issue.

This course will meet these requirements and more.

Assessment

Two related projects and homework are used to help teach and assess concepts related to the course objectives. The projects require students to identify a potential IS project, redesign a business process, select/justify an IS solution, and specify an implementation plan. Several factors are used to evaluate the project, including the benefits of the potential IS project (as it relates to objectives of the organization), the quality of the redesigned business process, the quality of the justification, and the completeness of the implementation plan. These factors are directly related to objectives 2-4 above. The writing quality (evaluated in terms of writing style, grammar, and logical flow of the argument) will account for at least 10% of the project grade (objective 5).

The course also requires the completion of homework assignments. Many of these assignments require the use of computer technology to solve a business problem (objective 1 and 4). The computer related assignments lead the student through the process of gathering data, storing data, using the information for decision making, and presenting the information. Other homework assignments are managerial in nature (objectives 2-3).

Grading Policy

Grades are assigned as follows: 92-100% A, 90-91% A-, 87-89% B+, 82-86% B, 80-81% B-, 77-79% C+, 72-76% C, 70-72% C-, 60-69% D, less than 60% F. Final grades are based on the following percentages: Project 1 30%, Project 2 30%, Homework 30%, Class Participation 10%.

Outline and Course Schedule

The following outline and schedule may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

The Nature and Importance of Effective Information Systems

Date

Reading

HW

Subject

Sept. 3     Introduction and Overview of Course
Sept. 8     Course Administration: WWW notes, e-mail newsgroups
Sept. 10 MIS Chpt. 1   The Role and Importance of IS
Sept. 13 The Vasa Capsizes HW 1 Success vs. Failure of IS; An IS Framework

Finding Data, Collecting Data, and Communicating through IT

Date

Reading

HW

Subject

Sept. 15 MIS Chpt. 5 and 6   Hardware and Software Review,
Networks and Telecommunications
Sept. 17 MIS Chpt. 8   Browsing the WWW. Looking at Census data etc.
Sept. 20 MIS Chpt. 9.1   Advanced e-mail, FTP

IT Architectures and Relationships to the Organization

Date

Reading

HW

Subject

Sept. 22 MIS Chpt. 2.1 HW 2 Aligning IS with an Organization
Sept. 24 MIS Chpt. 12.1-12.2, 13   Generic Types of IS (e.g.,DSS, TPS, EIS)
IS by organizational function
Sept. 27 MIS Chpt. 9.2-9.4 HW 3  

Managerial Topic: Planning IT for Organizations

Technical Topic: Storing Data and Using Database Management Systems

Date

Reading

HW

Subject

Sept. 29 Access Chpt. 1   Database fundamentals: Tables, Queries, Reports, and Forms
Oct. 1 Access Chpt. 2   Parameter Queries, Importing data.
Oct. 4 MIS Chpt. 2.2-2.3   Selecting IS for strategic impact
Oct. 6     Selecting IS for strategic impact
Oct. 8 Access Chpt. 3 HW 4 Access Macros
Oct. 11 Access App. C   Access and Word
Oct. 13 MIS Chpt. 10   Systems Theory
Process Improvement
Oct. 15   HW 5 BPR techniques
Oct. 18     BPR techniques
Oct. 20   HW 6 BPR techniques
Oct. 22 Access App. B
MIS Chpt. 7
  Proper Table Design
Oct. 25     Strategic Planning
Oct. 27     Strategic Planning
Oct. 29     Work on Project 1
Nov. 1   Project 1 Due Access
Nov. 3     Access

Analyzing Data

Date

Reading

HW

Subject

Nov. 5  Excel Chpt. 1   Pivot Tables
Nov. 8     Integrating Access and Excel
Nov. 10 Excel App. D HW 7 Data Mapping and Graphs

Information System Development and Project Management

Date

Reading

HW

Subject

Nov. 12 MIS Chpt. 11   Development Methodologies
Nov. 15     Life Cycle, Prototyping and Alternative Methods
Nov. 17     Buy or Develop, Implement
Nov. 19   HW 8 Economic Value of IT
Nov. 22 MIS Chpt. 14   Monitoring and Promoting Quality IT
Nov. 24     Monitoring and Promoting Quality IT

Presenting Information

Date

Reading

HW

Subject

Nov. 29 PowerPoint Chpt. 1   Enhancing a Presentation
Dec. 1 PowerPoint App. B   Multimedia
Dec. 3     Linking PowerPoint to other applications
Dec. 6 Word Chpt. 3 HW 9 Creating WWW pages
Dec. 8     Using FrontPage
Dec. 10     Advanced features of WWW creation
Dec. 13     Incorporating data from other applications into a WWW page.
Dec. 15   HW 10 Review

Dec. 17 Project 2 is Due

Class Participation

The class participation grade is subjective. The class participation grade is influenced by attendance, speaking in class, discussions outside of class, discussions through e-mail or news groups, and group evaluations.

Students will participate in homework groups. These groups will perform some of the identified homework together. In addition, students are encouraged to contact group members when help is needed on individual homework. Students will have an opportunity to evaluate the group and recognize outstanding members of the group. This feedback will be used to determine part of the class participation grade.

Course Policy

Group Work on Homework Assignments

Unless homework is explicitely identified as group homework, students must complete their own homework. Copying homework is not allowed. If help is needed, the student is encouraged to ask the professor or someone from the student's homework group. Homework groups will be formed at the beginning of the semester. Note there is a fine line between "help" and completing homework for a student. Students should be careful not to cross this line.

Late Homework

Homework must be turned in at the beginning of class. There is a 10% per day penalty for late homework.

Late Projects

Late Projects will be accepted only when the instructor, prior to the project due date, has approved the request to change the time. Approval will be given for illness, sickness or death in the family etc.

Class Preparation

Read materials before class. A portion of your final grade is based on class participation.

Students With Disabilities

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification from Disability Services, Wyllie Hall D175.


Last modified: November 29, 1999
Dirk Baldwin, MIS, UW-Parkside, dirk.baldwin@uwp.edu