MIS180-8 Principles of Information Systems
Spring 2015
San Diego State University
College of Business Administration
Department of MIS
COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Robert Judge
Class Days: Tuesday and Thursdays
Class Times: 12:30-1:45
Class Location: HH-130
Office Hours Times (and by appointment): Mon 1-4:00
Office Hours Location: SSE-3114
Email: rjudge@mail.sdsu.edu (provide class and section)
Phone: 760-505-7075
COMMUNICATIONS
e-mail inquiries are welcome through rjudge@mail.sdsu.edu at any time for any questions you may have. Please include a
descriptive subject for your e-mail communications. BE SURE TO indicate your name, class and section or I will not respond to
your email. I have several classes and lack the time to dig around and find which class and section you are in.
Questions not to email me about:
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Anything already in the syllabus
What’s on the exam?
When is something due (read this syllabus)?
Is there extra credit (No)?
I am so close to a higher grade. Can I just have an additional point or two (No)?
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: None
Adding/Dropping Procedures: A crash list will be created the first day of class. Those students with the greatest number of units
will be provided any available seats. Dropping of the class will follow the rules stated by the university.
Course Overview
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: None
Fundamentals of information systems in business. Integration of information technology, e-commerce, systems analysis,
database management systems, networking, security, and collaboration. Application of concepts through developing solutions
to business problems using spreadsheets, database management systems, and web development tools/languages.
INTRODUCTION
The world’s technical knowledge is doubling every two years. Companies cannot afford to be static – they must change to face a
rapidly changing world. Their information services must operate 24/7 and have global reach. They need to be able to
understand their current processes and the information flows used to create value, and then identify ways to improve them.
Everyone in the organization must understand technology and adapt rapidly as that technology evolves. This course will give
you an introduction to the information systems and technologies used by businesses to gain competitive advantage. As a
practical application of the course reading and lectures, you will complete assignments using various software tools (Cognitive
mapping, Process flow, Spreadsheet, Database, etc.).
Why this is important to you?
1.
What are the generally agreed skills needed for the 21st Century? ( Article on 21st Century Skills needed by the
Workforce)
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Information and Technological literacy
Inventive and creative thinking skills
Collaboration and communication skills
Use of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities to achieve high levels of productivity
*** IS&T plays a role in all these!
2.
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Job Market (Article on the job market for MIS)
Computer System Analyst positions expected to increase 29% by 2016
This is 146,000 new jobs in the field bringing the total to 650,000
In 2009, the highest paid undergraduates from business schools were Information System Majors (Article on
highest paid business majors).
Student Learning Outcomes
BSBA students will graduate being:
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Effective Communicators
Critical Thinkers
Able to Analyze Ethical Problems
Global in their perspective
Knowledgeable about the essentials of business
MIS180 contributes to these goals through its student learning outcomes. All students will be able to demonstrate knowledge
and skills related to the application of Information Systems in organizations. In order to demonstrate acquisition of this
knowledge and skill, students are required to read assigned materials, participate in class discussions, and complete
assignments related to the course content. By the end of the course, students will be able to:
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Explain the importance of determining information system requirements for all management levels by describing the
differences between various types of information systems
Describe how information systems are developed
Describe the computer revolution and its impact on the way business is conducted
Use critical-thinking skills in identifying information systems problems and investigate existing literature about
hardware and software solutions to problems.
Know the components and functions of computer systems, both hardware and software.
Describe the advances in networking, data communications and the Internet and how they affect the way business is
conducted.
Identify which information technology tools are used to solve various business problems.
Display proficiency solving business problems using modern productivity tools (e.g., spreadsheet, database) or
creating custom programs.
Course Materials
Text: Baltzan, M: Information Systems, SDSU Edition (2nd Edition, 2011).
Microsoft Visio and Access software (This will be free through the Microsoft Academic Alliance Program - Dreamspark).
Instructions are posted in Blackboard on how to obtain a Dreamspark account, download software and install it. I will help you
only for the first two weeks – after that you are on your own. Please do not procrastinate.
Microsoft Excel software cannot be obtained through the program just mentioned. You can use the school's computers for
Excel assignments if you do not have a copy.
Free Mind software – Available for free download.
Tableau software - free student version available for download
VirtualBox if you have a MAC - This is free software that allows you to install Visio, Access, and Tableau on a MAC computer.
There is a document posted in Blackboard on how to do install this software.
Simnet online learning system for Excel and Access self-learning assignments
Course Structure and Conduct
This class is a lecture class with several assignments using the software listed above. The lectures will be posted in Blackboard
although they often change to various degrees as I review them prior to class. The changes generally are to add current
information. To help with assignments I will review each in detail during class, but I have also posted videos in Blackboard to
help you understand the software and how to do the assignments.
This class has a considerable amount of assignments and opportunities to contribute to the class discussion. It is always a good
idea to read the assigned material in advance of the class. You will get far more out of the discussion and lecture. We will start
each class with a discussion of what is in the news related to technology and how that technology affects sustainability, and its
potential for positive and negative impacts on businesses.
Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact
Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact
Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations
based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student
Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Assessments and Grading
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments must be turned in with the file name of your “lastname_firstname_assignment”
(e.g. Judge_Robert_cognitive map). A minimum of 5 points will be deducted for each
assignment that this is not followed. Late is late for assignments – no partial points, no
makeup!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Produce a Cognitive Map on a provided MIS topic area (see list of topics below): Expectations (low "B"), are that the
map will have a minimum of:
o 50 child nodes (content)
o 10 hyperlinks
o 10 notes
o Some structure: Color, fonts, clouds, etc.
Produce a Process flow map. Expectations (low "B"), are that each process map will have:
o Minimum of 30 blocks (including several decision blocks)
o Represent the process logically
o Include key parameters for several key blocks (time, cost, key resources such as labor and equipment)
o Incorporate color, formatting and a legend for clarity
Excel and Access online course (SIMNET). Instructions on how to access and use Simnet will be provided on
Blackboard and in class. Be sure to sign up for Your CLASS and SECTION # --- or lose your points.
Excel and Access practical business analysis (detailed instructions will be provided through Blackboard and in class).
The Excel portion requires you to activate macros so that a dialog box appears for you to enter your Name and Red-id
appears. If the dialog box does not appear for you, change your macro security settings or use a school computer. See
me if still a problem. Failure to enter such information will result in a loss of a minimum of 50% of the possible
points. The Access database must be saved as a .mdb or .accdb file. If saved as a file type .laccdb, you will lose a
minimum of 50% of the possible points.
Tableau visual data analysis. Failure to "Save as" a Tableau Workbook Package (.twbx) will result in a loss of a
minimum of 50% of the points. You will create 3 charts and a dashboard. 20 points will be awarded for accomplishing
this correctly. Up to an additional 5 points will be awarded for using special features of Tableau to make it easy for the
user to select out a subset of the data to emphasize.
There will be 9 quizzes worth 20 points each (one for each chapter). You will have only 10 minutes to complete each
quiz - so be prepared before you start. All quizzes will be accessed through Blackboard. Late is late for quizzes – no
partial points, no makeup!
Suggested Topics for Cognitive Map Assignment:
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Cloud computing
Outsourcing MIS
RSS Feeds
Security
Social Networking (Blogs, Forums, Communities of Practice)
Simulation
Search engines
Robotics
Data Mining
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Knowledge management
Decision Support Systems (DSS)
Virtual communities
Nanotechnology
Sensor technology & networks
Open source software
Peer to Peer networks
Web 2.0
Communication technologies
Server Virtualization
Client Virtualization
Sustainability (environmental efforts related to MIS)
Agile programming methodology vs. Waterfall methodology
Semantic web
Quantum computing
Encryption
Worms & Trojan Horses
MIS workplace productivity improvements (Economics)
MIS labor market analysis
Technology acceptance models (TAM, UTAUT, etc.)
HCI (Human Computer Interface)
CMMI, COBIT, ITIL
Grading:
Course grades will be assigned in accordance with San Diego State University policy (see General Catalog). Undergraduate
grades shall be: A (outstanding achievement, available only for the highest accomplishment), B (praiseworthy performance,
definitely above average), C (average, awarded for satisfactory performance, the most common undergraduate grade), D
(minimally passing, less than the typical undergraduate achievement), F (failing).
The final grade will be based on the percent of the total available points received against the following scale:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
93 - 100%
90 - 92.9%
87 - 89.9%
83 – 86.9%
80 – 82.9%
77 – 79.9%
73 – 76.9%
70 – 72.9%
67 – 69.9%
63 - 66.9%
60 - 62.9%
< 59.9%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
GRADE COMPONENTS
Students are graded on the following components of the course found in table 1. You are responsible to monitor your grades.
If something is not correct, you need to bring it to my attention immediately, not days or weeks later. I will have sympathy early
but not later.
Table 1: Your course grade will be based on the following weighted components
Assignments
Process Flow
Chart
Scoring Methodology
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30 + Blocks
2 + Swimlanes
2+ Blocks (color coded with data)
Use of Legend
Reference indicators
Number of
Assignments
or
Submissions
Points per
Assignment
Total
Possible
Points
1
50
50
Excel (Simnet)
Point for each question correctly
answered
3
29,38,44,17
128
Access (Simnet)
Point for each question correctly
answered
2
45,27
72
Point for each question correctly
answered
4
24, 22, 12,
12
70
Point for each question correctly
answered
4
25, 24, 10,
16
75
1
Excel (30)
50
Excel Projects
(Simnet)
Access Project
(Simnet)
Excel/Access
Files for assignment in Blackboard:
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Tableau
Import files into Excel
Merge manually and answer
questions using a pivot table
Export to Access
Create Query to answer question
Import the 3 tables from Excel.
Access (20)
1
Create 3 charts that visually represent
the answers to the Excel/Access
assignment questions and incorporate
in a dashboard
Cognitive map
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50+ Nodes with informative
content
10+ Hyperlinks
10+ Notes
Use of color, structure, and icons
20
20
+ 5 bonus
points
possible
1
50
50
Quizzes
Score
9
20
180
Midterm
Score
1
300
300
Assignments
Final Exam
Scoring Methodology
Number of
Assignments
or
Submissions
Points per
Assignment
Total
Possible
Points
1
300
300
Score
Total
1295
Do not ask for a few extra points or an assignment to make up points at the end of the
semester. The grade breaks are hard and fast. You have many assignments, quizzes and
exams to make up points for one poor showing. It is only fair to all the students.
Grade of Incomplete. A grade of Incomplete (I) indicates that a portion of required coursework has not been completed and
evaluated in the prescribed time period due to unforeseen, but fully justified, reasons and that there is still a possibility of
earning credit. It is your responsibility to bring pertinent information to the instructor and to reach agreement on the means by
which the remaining course requirements will be satisfied. The conditions for removal of the Incomplete shall be reduced to
writing by the instructor and given to you with a copy placed on file with the department chair until the Incomplete is removed
or the time limit for removal has passed. A final grade is assigned when the work agreed upon has been completed and
evaluated. An Incomplete shall not be assigned when the only way you could make up the work would be to attend a major
portion of the class when it is next offered. Contract forms for Incomplete grades are available at the Office of the Registrar
website
Tentative Course Schedule
The following Table 2, introduces the sessions in this course. The specific scope of each week may be modified throughout the
course – but any changes will be well communicated in class. All assignments are due end of day Sunday on the week they
appear in the table below (Sunday is the last day of the week). All assignments must be submitted through Blackboard.
Table 2: The course schedule, including topics and class activities listed by week, is presented in the following table
Class
Dates
Session Topics, Demonstrations, and Hands-on work
1/22
Understand the role of MIS in business strategy and competitiveness. MIS
Roles and responsibilities, Porter's 5 force model, Value Chain analysis
Chapter 1
Other activities:
Special Office hours
to help with software
installation will be
stated in class
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1/27
and
1/29
Did You Know?
Review Syllabus and learning objectives
DreamSpark service - how to access it (2 weeks help!)
Setting up the MAC to use PC software
Systems as enabler of cross-functional processes. Input – process – output
(I-P-O)
Readings and due
dates for
Assignments
Chapter 1
Quiz # 1: Due 2/1
Other activities: Review use of Visio for process flow mapping and how to
do the assignment (due 2/15)
2/3
and
2/5
MIS Support for Decision making process, Measuring success.
Chapter 2
Class
Dates
Session Topics, Demonstrations, and Hands-on work
2/10
and
2/12
Business processes, Artificial intelligence (Expert, Neural, Genetic, Agents,
VR).
Other activities: Tools you should be familiar with (Google refined
searches, Scholar, Wolfram Alpha, etc.)
2/17
and
2/19
2/24
and
2/26
3/3
and
3/5
3/10
and
3/12
WWW - business "disruptor", advantages/challenges and types of
Ebusiness, Describe the major forms of E-commerce.
Readings and due
dates for
Assignments
Chapter 2
Quiz # 2: Due 2/15
Process Flowchart:
Due 2/15
Chapter 3
Other activities: How to sign up and use SIMNET for Excel and Access
assignment
SimNet Excel
assignment # 1 and 2:
Due 2/22
Discuss how e-commerce is made secure. Web 2.0
Chapter 3
Other activities: Setting up your B2C – just how hard is it: Tools and costs.
Quiz # 3: Due 3/1
Polices: privacy, ethical and acceptable use of company systems. Security:
people vs. technology.
What is MIS infrastructure? Backup and recovery. Maintainability,
Portability, Reliability, and Scalability. MIS and the environment
(Sustainability)
Simnet Excel
assignment # 3 and 4:
Due 3/1
Chapter 4
Quiz # 4 : Due 3/8
Simnet Access
assignment # A and
B: Due 3/8
Chapter 5
Quiz # 5 : Due 3/15
SimNet Excel
Projects skills
assessments: Due
3/15
3/17
and
3/19
Lecture 3/17 – Chapter 5
3/24
and
3/26
Data, information and Databases. Transactional vs. Analytical processes.
Timelines and Quality. Relational data bases.
MIDTERM 3/19 - Bring Scantron form: 882-E: Covers chapters 1 - 5
Chapter 6 &
Appendix C (only in
e-book)
Other activities: MS Access vs. Excel assignment demo/explanation
SimNet Access
Projects skills
assessment: Due 3/29
3/30 –
4/3
4/7
and
4/9
Spring Break
Data warehouses and data marts. Making sense of all that data - tools to
help us. Evolving database technologies: big data.
Chapter 6 &
Appendix C (only in
e-book)
Class
Dates
Session Topics, Demonstrations, and Hands-on work
Readings and due
dates for
Assignments
Other activities:
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Hana Demonstration
Demo of GIS (Batchgeo.com)
Demo of Analytics software (KNIME)
Tableau demo and assignment review
4/14
and
4/16
Mobile network categories, providers, technologies and protocols.
Business applications of wireless technology
4/21
and
4/23
Operations and Supply Chain Management (SCM) strategies and
fundamentals. Success factors.
Quiz # 6: Due 4/12
Excel Pivot table &
Access assignment:
Due 4/12
Chapter 7
Tableau assignment:
Due 4/19
Quiz # 7: Due 4/19
Chapter 8
Other activities: FreeMind Demo (Blackboard) – Cognitive Mapping (due
5/3)
4/28
and
4/30
Benefits of Customer relationship management (CRM). Business
intelligence – finding a competitive advantage.
Trends. The system to plan it all. Integrating the flow of business
transaction to improve control, accuracy, and responsiveness. Knowledge
management.
Chapter 8
Quiz # 8: Due 5/3
.
Cognitive map: Due
5/3
Other activities: Demo of SAP
5/5
and
5/7
The SDLC and its seven phases. Agile system development and its key
principles. The importance of TAM and UTAUT for implementation
success.
Chapter 9
Quiz # 9: Due 5/10
Other activities: Overview of Project Management: necessity and tools.
5/12
Final Exam - Bring Scantron form: 882-E
May 12 8:00 am in EBA-347
Changes to the course schedule, if any, will be announced in class.
Academic Honesty
The University adheres to a strict policy regarding cheating and plagiarism. These activities will not be tolerated in this class.
Become familiar with the policy (http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html). Any cheating or plagiarism will result in failing
this class and a disciplinary review by Student Affairs.
CHEATING:
The assignments, quizzes, and exams you submit must be entirely your own individual work.
If you and another person work together on assignments and the resulting two assignments are alike (or very nearly so), you
are cheating. Each student is responsible for doing the assignment independently. Cheating in IDS 180 includes sharing
solutions either by copying, retyping, looking at, or supplying a copy of a file/solution. Cheating occurs on both the supplying
and receiving ends. Do NOT leave copies of your assignments on the lab computers. If you do, and someone else uses it, you are
still responsible and involved in cheating.
The easiest way to comply with this policy is to avoid talking to others about the assignment while you are working at a
computer. While it is okay to talk to other students to get help in understanding what the assignment is, it is absolutely wrong
for you to be working with one or more people, even if you are sitting at different computers, deciding what to put in each part
of a worksheet, database, etc. You are always allowed to ask the instructor for more specific help. If you have questions relating
to this policy, please direct them to the instructor.
This class has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating. You have now been warned. If you are involved in a cheating incident you
will receive a grade of F in this course. Additionally, all cases of cheating will be reported to SDSU’s Center for Student Rights
and Responsibilities for University disciplinary action. Note: You are not eligible to use course forgiveness to replace a grade in
a course where you have been found guilty of academic dishonesty.
Note: During Exams you may not wear any hats or have turned on any electronic devices including but not limited to cell
phones, pagers, music devices, etc. Plan accordingly on exam days.
Plagiarism:
Examples of Plagiarism include but are not limited to:
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Using sources verbatim or paraphrasing without giving proper attribution (this can include phrases, sentences,
paragraphs and/or pages of work)
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Copying and pasting work from an online or offline source directly and calling it your own
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Using information you find from an online or offline source without giving the author credit
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Replacing words or phrases from another source and inserting your own words or phrases
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Submitting a piece of work you did for one class to another class
If you have questions on what is plagiarism, please consult the policy and this helpful guide from the Library