MASTER SYLLABUS
School Of Business Administration, Sonoma State University
BUS 319, Introduction to Management Information Systems 4 units
I.
Catalog Description: Study of characteristics of computer-based information systems
in organizations. Topics include MIS theory, concepts and issues; systems analysis and
design; database design using the relational database model; data communications and
LAN; and specific implementation in areas of manufacturing, accounting, finance,
human resources and marketing. Prerequisite: computer competency.
II.
Prerequisites:
Courses: BUS 219, CIS 101, or appropriate transfer course.
Justification: Computer competency is the ability to use an Intel PC under the Windows
operating system, and to use the software in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint), e-mail and a web browser. BUS 319 strives to impart to students an
understanding of information systems’ structure, development, use, and importance to
the survival of an organization. Students will be exposed to these concepts in lecture
and thru the solution of applications exercises that require the abilities defined as
computer competency.
III. Course Learning Outcomes: After completing this course the students should be able to:
A. Recognize the competitive and strategic significance of an information system to
an organization in a case or actual business situation
B. Describe the procedures for developing and managing an information system, so
the system furthers the strategic, marketing, financial, or operational plans of an
organization
C. Appraise the need for collecting reliable data and using it to support their work group.
D. Analyze a business situation to determine the information system needs and apply
the systems development steps required to construct the solution.
E. Judge the appropriateness of an information system in a given business situation.
IV. Course Materials: Both a textbook and software packages are required for this course.
The textbook will be determined by the instructor with the approval of the Course
Coordinator for adjunct faculty. The software packages will be those supported by the
University in open labs for word-processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentations,
database, Web browsing, e-mail, and collaborative group work. In addition the
instructor may select additional software packages considered necessary for completion
of the course projects.
V.
Teaching Methods: This course utilizes an cross functional approach. Projects,
applications exercises and cases used to impart the course content will be incorporated
from the all functional areas of business. Teaching methods may include lecture, group
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discussion of current events, presentation and discussion of cases, applications
exercises, and group projects.
To provide the students with sufficient skills to develop the solutions to the application
exercises, and projects and analyze information systems’ appropriateness, a minimum
of one-fourth of the contact hours should be dedicated to instruction in a computer lab.
Any teaching methods used in addition to the methods presented above will be
determined by the instructor.
VI. Evaluation Tools: This course should include sufficient computer exercises to show
the development of an application for a work group or organization information system.
These exercises should contain a database component, a quantitative analysis
component, a network component and their integration. Any additional evaluation
methods, such as quizzes or homework, will be determined by the instructor.
VII. Course Content:
A. Course Topics:
1. Technology concepts that provide a framework for understanding the
development, management, and effective use of information and information
systems in an organization
a. Mainframe and personal computer hardware.
b. System software for PC and mainframe computers and their relation to
end user applications.
c. Information and communications concepts, telecommunications hardware,
software, , data communications and telecommunications models, the
Internet, the Web, and intranets. Characteristics of effective information,
and future trends in telecommunications.
d. Database management systems concepts, development, and use. Database
components, architectures, data resources, data modeling, and, data
retrieval.
2. Applications of information systems in business enterprises.
a. The use of information systems for business operations, including accounting,
finance, marketing, manufacturing, and human resource information systems.
b. The fundamentals of electronic commerce, including business to consumer,
business to business, electronic data transfer, electronic payment and security.
c. The use of information systems and software in enterprise collaboration
and workgroup management, including intranets, externets, groupware,
and conferencing.
d. The use of internal and external information and models for managerial
decision support, including executive information systems, expert systems,
and artificial intelligence.
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e. Strategic roles of information systems in business quality, business
process reengineering, and competitive and survival issues.
3. Systems development and management concepts emphasizing the users’ role and
responsibilities
a. System development cycle, system analysis, system design, prototyping
and information modeling tools, problem identification, requirements
specifications, feasibility assessment, and user interface design
b. Managing change and implementing computer and information systems in
organizations
c. Problems in global management of information resources, and technologies,
global strategies, cultural, political and geoeconomic challenges.
d. Security and ethical challenges of information technology including
control issues, auditing, privacy issues, computer crime, and health issues.
B. Interdisciplinary Content:
Minimum Number of Class
Hours Devoted to Topic
International/Global
Ethical Issues
Political Issues
Social Issues
Legal/Regulatory Issues
Environmental Issues
Technology Issues
Demographic Diversity
Required Graded Work
Other Than Exams?
1.5
1.5
.25
.5
.5
.25
28
.5
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
C. Interdisciplinary Skills:
Required Graded Work
Other Than Exams?
Oral Communications
Written Communications
Critical Thinking
Working in Teams
No
Yes
Yes
Optional
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