MIS 180 – Principles of Information Systems
Class Location/Time: Section 1, Rm. EBA-347 Mon/Wed 2:00-3:15pm
Instructor: Robert Judge
Email:
rjudge@mail.sdsu.edu
Phone:
(760) 505-7075 mobile
Office Hours (SS -3114): Tues 9-11:00 and Thurs 2-5:00, and by appt.
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: None
Fundamentals of information systems in business. Integration of information technology, ecommerce, 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 is this important to you? What are the generally agreed skills needed for the 21st Century?
1. ( http://www.metiri.com/21st%20Century%20Skills/PDFtwentyfirst%20century%20skills.pdf)
 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. Job Market (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos287.htm)
 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
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 1 of 9

In 2009, the highest paid undergraduates from business schools were Information System
Majors (http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~cba/ids/images/Job-projections.pdf).
BSBA Goals
BSBA students will graduate being Effective Communicators, Critical Thinkers, Able to
Analyze Ethical Problems, Global in their perspective, and Knowledgeable about the essentials
of business. This class contributes to those goals through its student learning outcomes.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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:
1. Understand the importance of determining information system requirements for all
management and employees by developing an understanding of the differences between
various types of information systems
2. Understand how information systems are developed
3. Understand the computer revolution and its impact on the way business is conducted
4. Become familiar with critical-thinking skills in identifying information systems problems
and how to investigate existing literature about hardware and software solutions to
problems.
5. Know the components and functions of computer systems, both hardware and software.
6. Become familiar with the advances in networking, data communications and the Internet
and how they affect the way business is conducted.
7. Identify which information technology tools are used to solve various business problems.
8. Develop proficiency solving business problems using modern productivity tools (e.g.,
spreadsheet, database) or creating custom programs.
REQUIRED RESOURCES
Texts/Software:
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:
https://e5.onthehub.com/WebStore/Security/Signin.aspx?ws=253e9522-f19b-e011-969d0030487d8897&vsro=8&rurl=%2fWebStore%2fProductsByMajorVersionList.aspx%3fws%3d2
53e9522-f19b-e011-969d-0030487d8897%26vsro%3d8%26JSEnabled%3d1). 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 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.
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 2 of 9
Free Mind Software – Available for free download http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Tableau software - free student version available for download
http://www.tableausoftware.com/academic/students
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 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 with no partial points given!
1. 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.
2. 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
3. Excel and Access online course (SIMNET). Instructions on how to access and use Simnet
will be provided on Blackboard and in class.
4. 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.
5. 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.
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 3 of 9
6. 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.
Class Attendance and Participation:
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.
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
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 4 of 9
COURSE SCHEDULE
The following outline 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 (shown in RED in the table below ) 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. It is HIGHLY advisable to complete the readings prior to
class.
Class Dates
Module/
Topic
Week 1
Why MIS?
Week 2
Week 3
Strategic
Decisions +
Processes
Week 4
Strategic
Decisions +
Processes
Week 5
Ebusiness
Session Topics, Demonstrations, and Hands-on
work
8/25 & 8/27
9/3
Understand the role of MIS in business strategy and
competitiveness. MIS Roles and responsibilities, Porter's
5 force model, Value Chain analysis
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)
Review use of Visio for process flow mapping and how
to do the assignment
Readings/Assignments
Chapter 1
Download Visio (see
instructions in Blackboard
- MSDNAA service)
Special Office hours
(SSW-2601) to help with
software installation on
9/5 from 12:30-5:00
Chapter 1
Quiz # 1: Due 9/7
9/8 & 9/10
MIS Support for Decision making process, Measuring
success.
Chapter 2
9/15 & 9/17
Business processes, Artificial intelligence (Expert,
Neural, Genetic, Agents, VR).
Tools you should be familiar with (Google refined
searches, Scholar, Wolfram Alpha, etc.)
WWW - business "disruptor", advantages/challenges and
types of Ebusiness, Describe the major forms of Ecommerce,
Chapter 2
Quiz # 2: Due 9/21
Process Flowchart: Due
9/21
Chapter 3
SimNet Excel assignment
# 1: Due 9/28
Discuss how e-commerce is made secure. Web 2.0
Setting up your B2C – just how hard is it: Tools and
costs.
How to sign up and use SIMNET for Excel and Access
assignment
Polices: privacy, ethical and acceptable use of company
systems. Security: people vs. technology.
Chapter 3
Quiz # 3: Due 10/5
Simnet Excel assignment
# 2: Due 10/5
9/22 & 9/24
Week 6
Ebusiness
9/29 & 10/1
Week 7
Ethics and
Information
Security
10/6 & 10/8
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 5 of 9
Chapter 4
Quiz # 4 : Due 10/12
Simnet Excel assignment
# 3: Due 10/12
Class Dates
Module/
Topic
Session Topics, Demonstrations, and Hands-on
work
Readings/Assignments
Chapter 5
Quiz # 5 : Due 10/19
SimNet Access skills
assignment #4: Due 10/19
Week 8
Infrastructure
and
sustainability
Week 9
10/13 &
10/15
What is MIS infrastructure? Backup and recovery.
Maintainability, Portability, Reliability, and Scalability.
MIS and the environment (Sustainability)
10/20
Week 10
Data and
business
intelligence
Week 11
Data and
business
intelligence
10/20 &
10/22
Week 12
Mobile
Networks
11/3 & 11/5
MIDTERM - Bring Scantron form: 882-E:
Covers chapters 1 - 5
Data, information and Databases. Transactional vs.
Analytical processes. Timelines and Quality
Relational data bases.
MS Access vs. Excel assignment demo/explanation
Data warehouses and data marts. Making sense of all
that data - tools to help us. Evolving database
technologies: big data.
http://hanacba.testdrivesap.com/cba/#slideshow
Demo of GIS (Batchgeo.com)
Demo of Analytics software (KNIME)
Tableau demo and assignment review
Mobile network categories, providers, technologies and
protocols.
Week 13
Mobile
Networks
11/10 &
11/12
Business applications of wireless technology
Chapter 7
Quiz # 7: Due 11/16
Week 14
Enterprise
Resource
Planning
Week 15
Enterprise
Resource
Planning
11/17 &
11/19
Operations and Supply Chain Management (SCM)
strategies and fundamentals. Success factors.
FreeMind Demo (Blackboard)
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Quiz # 8: Due 11/30
.
Week 16
Systems
Development
12/1 & 12/3
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.
Demo of SAP
The SDLC and its seven phases. Agile system
development and its key principles. The importance of
TAM and UTAUT for implementation success.
Overview of Project Management: necessity and tools.
Week 17
Systems
Development
Week 18
12/5 & 12/10
Overview of Project Management: necessity and tools.
Demo of MS Project software
Chapter 9
Quiz # 9: Due 12/14
10/27 &
10/29
11/24
12/15
Final Exam - Bring Scantron form: 882-E
December 15 1:00 pm in EBR-347
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 6 of 9
Chapter 6
SimNet Access skills
assignment #5: Due 10/26
Chapter 6
Quiz # 6: Due 11/2
Excel Pivot table &
Access assignment: Due
11/2
Chapter 7
Tableau assignment: Due
11/9
Chapter 9
Cognitive map: Due 12/7
GRADE COMPONENTS
Students are graded on the following components of the course. 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.
Assignments
Process Flow
Chart
Excel (Simnet)
Access (Simnet)
Excel/Access
Tableau
Cognitive map
Scoring Methodology
30 + Blocks
2 + Swimlanes
2+ Blocks (color coded with data)
Use of Legend
Reference indicators
Point for each question correctly
answered
Point for each question correctly
answered
Files for assignment in Blackboard:
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.
Create 3 charts that visually represent
the answers to the Excel/Access
assignment questions and incorporate in
a dashboard
50+ Nodes with informative content
10+ Hyperlinks
10+ Notes
Use of color, structure, and icons
Number of
Assignments
or
Submissions
Points per
Assignment
Total
Possible
Points
1
50
50
3
29,38,44
110
2
38,14
52
1
Excel (30)
50
Access (20)
1
25
25
1
50
50
Quizzes
Score
9
40
360
Midterm
Score
1
300
300
Final Exam
Score
1
300
300
Total
1297
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.
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 7 of 9
The final grade will be based on the following scale:
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
COMMUNICATION
e-mail inquiries are welcome through rjudge@mail.sdsu.edu at any time for any questions
students might 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:
1. Anything already in the syllabus
2. What’s on the exam.
3. When is something due (read this syllabus).
4. Is there extra credit (No)
5. I am so close to a higher grade. Can I just have an additional point or two (No)
Students with Disability
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 I cannot
provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter
from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
SDSU’s policy on academic integrity is expressly integrated into this course. Any deviation
from the standards of this policy may result in a grade of “F” for the course.
HONESTY:
Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on an exam or
assignment, failure in the course, and/or expulsion from the college. For more information, refer
to the “Academic Honesty” policy in the student catalog
(http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fits.sdsu.ed
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 8 of 9
u%2Fdocs%2FTURN_Plagiarism_AcadSen.pdf&ei=hKgcSoOzJJyytAPUyv2NCg&usg=AFQjC
NEFuwRNvgA6C-5okEjjimj4-0fReQ&sig2=NMoSM4mz0-B-QOAUPvLEhw).
Plagiarism shall be defined as the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another,
whether purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the university as one’s own
work to fulfill academic requirements without giving credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall
include but not be limited to (a) submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; (b)
omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to another; (c) omitting
quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence, or part thereof;
(d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic
works, such as musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f) submitting
as one’s own work papers purchased from research companies.
Here is a link to the Library’s tutorial on Plagiarism:
http://infotutor.sdsu.edu/plagiarism/index.cfm
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.
IDS 180 – Principles of Information Systems - Page 9 of 9