Syllabus

Overview: Learn how information systems contribute to the value of a business, the fundamentals of how these systems work, and contribute to their improvement and development. Topics include business information systems technology control, the strategic role of IT, the business applications of networks, databases and Internet technologies, and the development and implementation of information systems.

As a part of this class you will work on a group project that will be an application of many concepts we have covered in class. This will be an incremental project requiring you to complete multiple deliverables and give an oral presentation at the end of the course.

Other Prerequisites: BA 213, BA 275, junior standing.

Learn how information systems contribute to the value of a business, the fundamentals of how these systems work, and contribute to their improvement and development. In any small to large-scale business, information systems play a much larger role than personal productivity tools like Microsoft Office. The coverage of Information Systems will begin by defining an information technology infrastructure, and developing an understanding of both its technological (hardware, software, data, and networks) and human (people, values/culture, and management system) components. 

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Communicate – verbally and in writing – in acceptable business English about information technology practices and principles
• Match information technologies with business needs and opportunities
  Successfully collaborate with others, and use project management practices to work on group tasks.
• Design a relational structure of common complexity and can distinguish good from bad data models
• Use a relational database system to build tables, forms, queries, and reports.
• Explain how the Internet works, recognize the limiting and enabling factors of the underlying technology, and describe the forces governing modern day computing
  Recognize the operational and strategic opportunities of web services and XML-based data communications.
• Describe the values and challenges of IT governance for business organizations, such as the COBIT and ITIL models
• Explain basic ideas about open source technologies and application development strategies
• Recognize security and privacy issues associated with controlling information and sharing data.
  
  

This Class As Business: You are business majors and this class is intended to prepare you for the world of business. Consequently, expect the class to reflect a business atmosphere. For example the class lecture is roughly equivalent to a company meeting, so be prepared and participate. Labs and in-class exercises are opportunities to interact with co-workers, so be courteous and collegial. Your assignments are submissions to clients, supervisors or co-workers, consequently your grades reflect potential for promotions, raises or layoffs.

Technical Hands-on: You will learn a number of new computer programs and technical concepts that challenge most students. For this reason, lab time is very important, and using the lab notes and other materials provided can provide you with much of the assistance necessary. In many cases step-by-step documentation and videos are available allowing you to repeat the exercises and gain full understanding of concepts. You are encouraged to use these resources before seeking outside help. Failing that, please contact the TA for tutoring assistance. Most of the software can also be downloaded so you can even work at home.

Professionalism and Workmanship: All submissions must be hard copy from a computer printer; no loose leaf pages torn out of a spiral notebook. Looks count, so ensure you have a heading with your name, class & section, date and title of your submission.

Assistance from Others: You are to do your own work on all exams. However, outside consultation on individual assignments is acceptable, provided you cite any work not entirely your own. If a submission relies too heavily on outside help, you may not receive full credit. However, if you receive outside help and do not document the help you are liable to receive an F on the assignment and fail the course. Here is an example of acceptably documenting outside help on an assignment:

"I received help from James Nashburn to normalize my database "

Group Assignments: most of your course work will be completed in a group that is selected at random. Each team member is expected to contribute equally to the project, and this will require initiative. Simply waiting for your team to assign you a task to complete is not acceptable. Additionally, you are expected to be professional and courteous to each member of your group. In business it is not acceptable for personality differences between co-workers to affect your work. Likewise, in your group project you are expected to set aside any differences and focus on producing the best results.

Academic Dishonesty: Any case of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the course.  Students are expected to know and understand these policies and regulations.  If there is any doubt about their meaning and interpretation please ask for an explanation. Direct or indirect use of student work from previous terms to complete your exams or assignments is a violation of academic honesty. If you turn in all or part of someone else's work as your own or allow someone else to turn in your work as theirs, then you have committed a violation of academic honesty and will be dealt with in accordance with regulations of the University.  If you would like to know more about how this works, I recommend reading more about the University's Office of Student Conduct.

Behavior in class: Behavior in class should be professional at all times. 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.  Please keep the side conversations to a minimum and turn your cell phones off during class. No headphones may be used during class. If you need to leave during class, please exit quietly

Discrimination and harassment: Discrimination and/or harassment will not be tolerated in the classroom. In most cases, discrimination and/or harassment violates Federal and State laws and/or University Policies and Regulations. Intentional discrimination and/or harassment will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office and dealt with in accordance with the appropriate rules and regulations.

Attendance: Your class participation grade will be partially based on your attendance in class. I will not take attendance every class, but when i do take attendance, it will be either at the beginning of class or at the break. If you are unable to attend a class session, it is your responsibility to acquire the class notes, assignments, announcements and so on from a classmate. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes, late assignments will be deducted 10% and assignments more than 2 days late are not accepted.

Students with Disabilities: Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098.

Syllabus:  This syllabus and schedule are a guide, not a contract. They will change during the term as I attempt to provide the most compelling and useful learning experience possible.   If things do not make sense, please talk with me. As changes are made, I will announce them in class. You should check the syllabus at least once a week for course updates.  Not reading the syllabus does not constituent a valid excuse for missing a milestone.

You are expected to read any reading assignment prior to class attendance. Quizzes may be given on reading assignments. Additionally, you may choose to print out the class lecture slides before class to take notes digitally.

The course text is "MIS and Database Concepts," a Custom Business Resources textbook.
 
The textbook alone will not be adequate to meet all the learning objectives of this course. Electronic supplemental readings are also required, and are posted on the syllabus. In many cases, copyright restrictions preclude posting the supplemental readings on the web and you will have to login to Blackboard to access them.

Announcements: I will use Blackboard to communicate announcements, changes in schedule or assignments.  Students are expected to check Blackboard and email daily.

Assignments:  The class schedule will indicate the required reading and any deliverables due for that day. Class notes are also available and valuable for exam preparation.  Late assignments will be deducted 10% and assignments more than 2 days late are not accepted.

Quizzes: You can expect quizzes throughout the term on material which was covered in a previous class but has not yet been covered on an exam. I will discard the lowest of your quiz scores, but there is no make up for a missed quiz.

Assignments & Homework:  Start your assignments early! Frequently, students that wait until the day prior end up getting stuck on some technical point they do not know how to resolve and fail to complete the assignment on time. Start assignments as soon as they are discussed in class so that you can get assistance if needed and complete the assignment on time. Ask questions in class if you are unsure of how to complete something.

Group Projects: You will be broken into groups for part of the course to complete a project. You will peer evaluate one another and grades on the project reflects the contribution and spirit of cooperation demonstrated.

Course Grades:   Letter grades will be assigned according to the number of points accumulated on activities and exams. The following table will give you a general sense of how I intend to evaluate your performance.

Participation: Participation will be an evaluation based on your attendance in class, contributions to your group project, and level of participation in class. I will assign a participation grade based on how much students contribute to the value of class. Good attendance, being prepared for class and participating in discussions are examples of how you can get a good participation score.  Being late, absent, disruptive, sleeping, or not participating in discussions are examples of behavior that will lower your participation grade.

Grades will be assigned based on the following scale: