BA471: Management Information Systems Syllabus

Winter 2006

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Catalog Description: Application of computers to solve business problems, with an emphasis on the development and use of business information systems. The course assumes each student is already a competent user of various computer-based application programs such as word processing, database management systems, spreadsheets, and presentation graphics. PREREQ: BA 271, BA 275, BA 340, BA 350, BA 357, BA 390, and senior standing. Not open to students who have taken or are taking BA 370 or BA 378.

BA 471 is a 3 unit course

Informally: The rapid evolution and diffusion of information technology (IT) is transforming the way that many organizations operate. To be successful in the "information age," organizations will need people who understand how IT impacts organizational success. The BA 471 course has been designed to help OSU business students better understand how organizations may tap the potential benefits and reduce the risks associated with IT. Managers and functional specialists in finance, accounting, marketing, production and operations management, human resources, and international business will be able to perform their jobs more effectively and more efficiently when they understand how information systems are acquired and deployed.

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COURSE MATERIALS Textbook: Authors: Ralph Stair and George Reynolds   Title: Principles of Information Systems   Edition: Custom Edition (selected chapters from seventh edition)   Publication: Thomson Course Technology (© 2005) ISBN#: 1-4188-9584-9 Additional readings will be assigned. Most are noted on the course schedule. Some course material will be available in Blackboard. Return to Contents

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course will address the following College of Business Learning Outcomes

• College of Business Specific Learning Outcomes
  • Each student must understand and be able to use team building, collaborative behaviors and project management in the accomplishment of group tasks.
  • Each student shall demonstrate information technology skills as they apply to today’s business environment.
  • Each student shall be able to converse and to write at an acceptable level for business communications in English.
  • Each student can recognize and analyze problems and choose and defend resolutions for practical situations that occur in business operating within a global economy.

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STUDENT EVALUATION

Student evaluation will consist of two related areas: (1) the understanding of concepts and (2) the ability to evaluate and present technology-related information. Students will demonstrate their understanding of concepts by participating in classroom discussions and completing examinations. Students will demonstrate their ability to evaluate and present in the team research assignment.

Grade Component	Weighting
Midterm Examination	30%
Team Research, Presentation, and Project Report	30% (15% presentation,15% report)
Final Examination	30%
Participation	10%

Group Work: Students will organize into three-member teams. Group work and communication skills are critical for business success, especially in information systems development. Industry representatives repeatedly stress the importance of these experiences. Students will be encouraged to work as a team to prepare a report and a presentation on an important information technology topic. (See Group Presentation Description.) Every student will analyze, every student will present. Material from group topic presentations will show up on examinations.

Participation scores will be evaluated based on the quality of each individual’s contribution to the classroom lecture/discussion and group contribution.

• Attendance makes very little direct impact on the participation score.
• Contribution to Discussion: All business students need to demonstrate that they can meaningfully contribute in group discussions. If an individual comes to class every day, is polite, but does not make a strong attempt to participate in class discussion, then that individual will earn low credit for class contribution (60% of contribution points). Individuals who contribute occasionally (i.e., every week or so), but do not do much to advance the discussion will earn a somewhat higher grade (70-80%). Individuals who consistently contribute to the classroom discussions and advance discussions in a meaningful and productive way will receive the highest grades (90-100%).
• Group Participation: Students will be asked to evaluate the contribution of individual team members in the group research project. These evaluations will strongly affect the participation score. The instructor also reserves the right to reduce an individual's team research score if poor group contribution is noted.
• Cold-Calls: Students may be called upon in class to demonstrate a basic understanding of the assigned readings.

Exams:

• The midterm exam is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 15th (in class)
• The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, at 6:00pm

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GRADED DISCUSSIONS

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COURSE POLICIES

Academic Honesty Policy:

• Individuals are encouraged to discuss the projects and assignments outside of class and share ideas.  However, unless specified as a team assignment, each person must individually complete and submit his/her own work.  The submission of work to be graded which is not your own will be considered a violation of the rules of academic honesty and will be dealt with in accordance with University regulations (see http://www.orst.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm).  Possible penalties include, but are not limited to, a failing grade for the work in question, a failing grade for the course, and/or suspension from the College or University.

Behavior in Class:

• Behavior in class should be professional at all times. The atmosphere within the classroom should be the same as you might expect in a casual business meeting.  People must treat each other with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive.  Behaviors that are disruptive to learning will not be tolerated and may be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

Accommodations:

• Students who have any emergency medical information the instructor should know of, who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, or students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term. If additional assistance is required the student should contact the Office of Disability Services.

Discrimination or Harassment:

• Discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated in the classroom. Most cases of discrimination or harassment violate Federal and State laws and University Policies and Regulations. Intentional discrimination or harassment will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office and dealt with in accordance with the appropriate rules and regulations.
• Unintentional discrimination or harassment is just as damaging to the offended party, but it usually results from people not understanding the impact of their remarks or actions on others, or an insensitivity to the feelings of others. We must all strive to work together to create a positive learning environment. This means that each individual should be sensitive to the feelings of others and tolerant of the remarks and actions of others. If you find the remarks and actions of another individual offensive, please bring it to their attention. If you believe those remarks and actions constitute intentional discrimination or harassment, please bring it to your instructor's attention.

Arbitration:

• There will be a one-week arbitration period after graded items (projects, assignments, etc.) are returned.   Within that one-week period, you are encouraged to discuss any assumptions and/or misinterpretations that you made on the activity that may have influenced your grade.

Attendance:

• If you are unable to attend a class session, it is your responsibility to acquire the class notes, assignments, announcements, etc. from a classmate. The instructor will not give private lectures for those that miss class.  Missing announcements in class does not constitute a valid excuse for missing a course milestone.

Submission of Deliverables:

• Your performance in this course will depend on your ability to meet established milestones (that is, submit your work on time).  If you have a legitimate personal emergency (e.g., health problem) that may impair your ability to turn in an assignment on time, you will be expected to take the initiative to contact the professor before the due date/time (or as soon after your emergency as possible) to communicate the situation.

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