Management Information Systems

MIS 320 Fall 2001 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

Texts

McKeown, Patrick G., Information Technology and the Networked Economy, Harcourt College Publishers, Orlando, FL, 2001

Gaskill, Dennis, Web Site Design Made Easy, Morton Publishing Company, Englewood, CO, 2001

Readings from the WWW.

Recommended: Any Intermediate to Advanced MS Office book

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. Students will learn many of these concepts through the process of proposing, planning, and developing a Web site. The modes of instruction for the second topic area also 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

A project, homework, and an exam are used to help teach and assess concepts related to the course objectives. The project require students to propose a Web site, discuss the strategic benefit of the Web site, develop a project plan, design a site map, build a series of Web pages, and propose an implementation plan that facilitates the success of the Web site. Several factors are used to evaluate the project, including the benefits of the potential Web site (as it relates to objectives of the organization), the quality of the Web site, 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).

Finally, the exams assess all the objectives in the course.

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 20%, Midterm 20%, Final 20%, Homework 30%, Class Participation 10%.

Outline and Course Schedule

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

Aligning IS With Organizations

Basics of HTML

Planning and Developing IS

Advanced HTML

Databases and Other Information Technology

Other IT Concepts

The final exam is Dec. 20th at 8:00 AM.

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.

Course Policy

Group Work on Homework Assignments

Unless homework is explicitly 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.