Fall 2015: MSIS 110 – Introduction to
Computers and Information Systems
Section 01 Tues/Thur 11:00-12:15 W-1-020; Blue Lab
Section 10 Tues/Thur 12:30-1:45 W-1-046; Blue Lab
Instructor: Jon Frankel
Office: M-5-226
Phone: 617 287-7710
Email: jon.frankel@umb.edu
Office Hours:
Tues: 10:00 – 11:00
Thurs: 2:00 – 4:00
or by appointment
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the world of Information Systems from a business perspective.
You will learn about the hardware, software and network technologies that support a firm’s operations. We will
discuss trends and emerging technologies in MIS, as well as explore the issues arising from the use of computers
in the workplace. The course also offers an extensive hands-on component in the use of state-of-the-art
technology.
Required Course Materials
Text Books: All come packaged together at the bookstore or can be bought directly from the publisher at
http://shop.mheducation.com/mhshop/productDetails?isbn=1259574377 (LEAST $ OPTION)
1 - M:Information Systems 3rd Edition by Baltzan. McGraw Hill
2 - Simnet account at https://umb.simnetonline.com/ for MS Office hands on learning
3 – Connect account at www.mcgrawhillconnect.com for Cases, online quizzes, etc
Web Site: Lecture notes will be posted online at http://blogs.umb.edu/jonfrankel/
Attendance & Participation
You are expected to be in class, actively participating in our discussions. Not only do I want to ensure that you
comprehend the material - I am counting on your insightful comments on the subject matter to be shared with the
rest of us. If you absolutely can not make class, please let me know BEFORE the regular class meeting. Other
absences may affect your final grade. Of course, you are expected to catch up on any material covered during
any class that you miss.
I will come to class on time, with my cell phone turned off. I expect you to do the same.
Academic Honesty
The course is governed by the UMass regulations and procedures regarding academic Standards, Cheating,
Plagiarism, and the Documentation of Written Work as published in the Undergraduate catalog. Students caught
cheating or plagiarizing will flunk the course and may have a description of the incident attached to his or her
academic records. Don't do it.
Course Evaluation
CONNECT – LearnSmart / Assignments (10) – 2 points each. Each chapter has two short web based assignments to
reinforce the chapter concepts. Learnsmart is an adaptive tool that reinforces chapter concepts. Assignments are a short
case study that focuses on one key concept from the chapter. These short exercises are automatically graded
MS-Office Simnet Labs (9) – 1 or 3 points each - 23 points total. Simnet is the “Show Me, Guide Me, Let Me Try” tool we will
use to learn MS-Excel and MS-Access. We will be doing this work in the labs, and each week you will learn a new skill and
have to submit a “Challenge Yourself” assignment. There are 5 Excel assignments, and 4 Access assignments – for each
assignment, the Simbooks are worth 1 point each, and the Challenge Yourself is worth 2 points (note – 2 chapters do not have
a challenge yourself). More detail will be provided in class
Introduction to Programming (1) – 2 points. Our last lab will be an Intro to Programming. In Dec 2013, a national initiative
was launched to teach everyone what programming means. So far, 17 million people have tried it! We will be using Code.org
to learn what computer programming is all about.
Final Group Presentation – 10 points. In groups of three, you will be preparing a ten minute PowerPoint presentation on a
relevant company or topic of your choosing. Assume the audience knows nothing about your topic and educate us. You will
be evaluated on the powerpoint presentation, and the content of the presentation. Each member in the group will receive the
same grade. Sample topics will be presented in class. Presenting in class will be optional for extra credit.
Quizzes – 2 quizzes worth 10 points each.
Final Exam – 20 points. This will be a CUMULATIVE final.
Attendance/Participation – 5 points.
Letter grades will be assigned based on the total number of points you have earned.
Other Important Information
Disabilities: If you have a disability and feel you will need accommodations in order to complete course
requirements, please contact the Ross Center for Disability Services at ext 77430.
Broken Computers
A broken computer, lost file or uncooperative printer will not be accepted as an excuse. Practice good backup
procedures for all your data.
Questions
When a systems project is behind, or experiencing some difficulty, it is always best to raise the issue as soon as
possible. Likewise, I expect you to ask for help sooner, rather than later. I have a home phone, cell phone, office
phone and check email frequently.
Calendar – Agenda & Assignments
Week #/Date
Tuesday – Meet in Lab
Thursday – Meet in Wheatley
1 / Sept 8
Intro to course
* EXCEL LABS DUE Oct 15 *
* ACCESS LABS DUE Nov 19 *
Read Chapter 1: Business Driven MIS
2 / Sept 15
Excel Lab 1 – Basics
Excel – Work on own at Home!
3 / Sept 22
Excel Lab 2 – Formatting
4 / Sept 29
Excel Lab 3 – Formulas/Functions
5 / Oct 6
6 / Oct 13
Excel Lab 4 – More Formatting
(no challenge)
Excel Lab 5 – Charts
7 / Oct 20
8 / Oct 27
Review for Quiz
Access Lab 1 – Intro
9 / Nov 3
Access Lab 2 – Tables
10 / Nov 10
11 / Nov 17
Access Lab 3 – Forms/Reports
(no challenge)
Access Lab 4 – Queries, Advanced
12 / Nov 24
13 / Dec 1
Quiz – Chapter 5-8 & Appendix B, C
Code.Org Lab
14 / Dec 8
Chpt 9 Cont’d / Powerpoint Groups
Read Chapter 2 Decisions and Processes
Read Chapter 3 –
EBusiness
Read Online Appendix A –
Hardware and Software
Read Chapter 4 –
Ethics and Information Security
Quiz – Chapters 1 – 4, Appendix A
Read Chapter 5 –
Infrastructures
Read Chapter 6 & Appendix C
Databases & Business Intelligence
Read Chapter 7 & Appendix B
Networks: Mobile Business
Read Chapter 8 –
Enterprise Applications
Thanksgiving – No Class
Read Chapter 9 –
Systems Development
Group Presentations / Review for Final
Finals Week
Cumulative Final
Date? Wed 12/16-Tues 12/22/15
Submit (by Fri
11pm)
Connect – Ch 1
(late OK)
Connect –
Chapter 2
Connect –
Chapter 3
Connect (no LS)
Appendix A
Connect –
Chapter 4
Connect –
Chapter 5
Connect –
Chapter 6
Connect –
Chapter 7
Connect –
Chapter 8
Connect –
Chapter 9