WILMINGTON
UNIVERSITY COLLLEGE
OF TECHNOLOGY
MASTERS OF SCIENCE - INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGIES BASIC COURSE INFORMATION
COURSE TITLE:
5:00pm
IST Fundamentals
TERM: 2016 Spring 1 Thursdays, 12:00-
COURSE NUMBER:
IST 5500 (B1W06)
TEXTBOOK:
TITLE: Information Systems for Business and Beyond
AUTHOR: Bourgeois, Ph.D.
PUBLISHER: Open Text Book Challenge by the Saylor Academy
ISBN: 978-1-304-94348-4
FACULTY MEMBER, OFFICE HOURS/METHOD OF CONTACT:
INSTRUCTOR:
TELEPHONE:
E-MAIL:
WEB SITE:
OFFICE HOURS:
I.
Harold (Hal) Lowe
(856) 678-5657
harold.s.lowe@wilmu.edu
prof.hallowe.com
Normally, one hour before class
MAJOR INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
GOAL A: Become familiar with basic concepts of Information Technology and Information
Systems. Learning Outcomes - The student will be able to:
A-1. Define terms and concepts associated with Information Technology.
A-2. Define terms and concepts associated with Information Systems.
A-3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts in networking, databases, and computer
technology. GOAL B: Understand the value of IT/IS to the
business. Learning Outcomes - The student will be
able to:
B-1. Describe the function of Information Technology and Information Systems in business
organizations.
B-2. Demonstrate understanding of business processes for strategic advantage.
B-3. Demonstrate understanding of the people component in Information Systems.
B-4. Describe the phases of the Information System implementation process. GOAL C: Become familiar with the various components of an Information
System. Learning Outcomes - The student will be able to:
C-1. Describe the interaction of hardware and software in Information Systems.
C-2. Demonstrate understanding of the role of an Information System in turning data into
information.
C-3. Demonstrate understanding of basic computer networking concepts.
Page 1 of 4
Syllabus is sole property of Wilmington College
C-4. Describe the role of security in Information Systems technologies. II.
SUPPLEMENTAL OBJECTIVES
GOAL D: Become familiar with the American Psychological Association (APA)
format for writing style.
Learning Outcomes - The student will be able to:
D-1. Cite references in APA format.
D-2. Construct a research manuscript (document) in APA format.
D-3. Document tables and figures, headings, quotations, etc. in APA format.
III.
METHODOLOGY
Lectures, cases, reports, group and individual projects, and class discussions.
Students are expected to actively and fully engage in classroom discussions.
Assigned reports and presentations (structured external assignments) center upon
instructor approved topics. Student progress will be measured as follows:
Class participation:
Weekly articles:
Midterm report (APA):
Midterm presentation:
Final report (APA):
Final presentation:
IV.
10%
20%
20%
15%
20%
15%
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and prompt class attendance is an essential part of the educational experience.
Wilmington University expects students to exercise good judgment regarding attendance.
Students accept full responsibility for ensuring that work does not suffer from absences.
All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of each class on time.
Exceptions may be made for Wilmington University-sponsored or work-related
activities, illness, or valid emergencies.
V.
STUDENT ETHICS AND CLASS PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to behave ethically and honestly. The Wilmington University web
site, http://www.wilmu.edu/studentlife/acadintegrity.aspx provides clear guidelines
concerning plagiarism and cheating.
Students are expected to attend class and participate actively and in a positive way.
Questions and relevant observations are encouraged and enrich the experience of the
entire class.
Computers in the classrooms are intended to be used as tools to enhance the students'
learning experience. Instant messaging, gaming, emailing, and surfing the web are
distractions to the student, the surrounding students, and the instructor and constitute
Page 2 of 4
Syllabus is sole property of Wilmington College
inappropriate behavior. Students are ethically obliged to avoid these and similar
practices.
VI
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
A variety of learning activities will be provided including, but not limited to the following:

Selected chapter readings from the text. Students should read and be familiar the chapter
material and be prepared to discuss the material when called upon to do so beginning with
Week 1.

Case analysis and discussions. Based on the text (usually presented as questions) and
supplemented with case handouts. Students should read assigned text chapters prior to
attending class.

Lectures. PowerPoint presentations and supplemental videos provide the basis for most
lectures. Students may download copies of the PowerPoint presentations from the
Blackboard site.

Articles. Students will find a recent article (a.k.a. current events) relative to information
contained in one of the current week’s chapters. Students will prepare a 1 to 2 page summary
of the article for submittal, including their opinion of the article. Further, students should be
prepared to present the article to the class in a two or 3 minutes informal presentation (please
do not read the articles or your written summary).

Midterm assignment. Students will select an information technology (IT) topic that
interests them. They will submit a seven page report on the topic using APA format (see
“Final assignment” below before selecting a topic). Please submit the topic to the professor
for approval prior to Week 2. The paper shall conform to APA format.

Midterm presentation. Students should prepare a 7 to 10 minute presentation regarding their
midterm assignment (if you wish to use PowerPoint, you must submit the slides at least two
days before class: otherwise, you may use index cards or notes). It is expected that students
will be prepared to discuss an overview of the midterm assignment. Whether the student uses
PowerPoint, notes or index cards, the presentation should NOT be read.

Final assignment. Continuing the same topic selected for the midterm assignment, students
will submit a seven page investigation of the topic including how the IT is used or integrated
into a specific business or businesses and issues associated with the IT’s design, development
and implementation. The paper shall conform to APA format.

Final presentation. Students should prepare a 7 to 10 minute presentation regarding their
final assignment (if you wish to use PowerPoint, you must submit the slides at least two days
before class: otherwise, you may use index cards or notes). It is expected that students will
be prepared to discuss an overview of the final assignment. Whether the student uses
PowerPoint, notes or index cards, the presentation should NOT be read.
Page 3 of 4
Syllabus is sole property of Wilmington College
IX
CLASS SCHEDULE - OUTLINES – READINGS:
Week 1 – Course Introduction, chapters 1, 2 & 3; case studies & discussions
Week 2 – Chapters 4, 5 & 6; case studies & discussions; articles/current events
Week 3 – Chapters 7, 8 & 9; case studies & discussions; articles/current events
Week 4 – Midterm paper & individual presentations due
Week 5 – Chapters 10 & 11; case studies & discussions; articles/current events
Week 6 – Chapters 12 & 13; case studies & discussions; articles/current events
Week 7 – Final paper & individual presentations due
NOTE: Please submit written assignments in Blackboard prior to class.
Page 4 of 4
Syllabus is sole property of Wilmington College