CSS 335
Computers and Information
Processing
CONTRIBUTORS
The University gratefully acknowledges the contribution
of the following professionals to the completion of this
course.

Blair A. Smith, MBA, CDP, CDRP, Associate Dean,
College of Information Systems and Technology

Stephen Northam,
University of Phoenix

Claudia Avila, BSBA, Curriculum Development
Manager, College of Information Systems and
Technology

Adam Honea, Ph.D., Dean, College of Information
Systems and Technology
M.A.,
Faculty
Member,
Copyright  2001 by the University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
The University of Phoenix® and UniModuleTM are marks of Apollo
Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
Edited in accordance with University of PhoenixSM editorial standards
and practices. (Template U1.0)
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CSS 335 Computers and Information Processing
Overview
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces the fundamentals of computer systems and the role of information
processing in today’s business environment. An overview is presented of information systems,
systems development, operating systems and programming, database management, networking
and telecommunications, and the Internet.
TOPICS AND OBJECTIVES
Information Systems

Define the roles of information systems in business.

Define the System Development Life Cycle methodology.

Review basic hardware components of a computer.

Discuss trends in hardware.
Operating Systems and Programming

Distinguish between
applications.

Review common computer software.

Analyze the role of office automation.
operating
systems,
programming
languages,
programs,
and
Database Management

Define terminology used with databases.

Analyze the ways databases are used as components of business solutions.

Analyze database administration.

Demonstrate a Microsoft Access database.
Networking, Telecommunications, and the Internet

List business applications of telecommunications.

Define the terms and examine the technology of networks and telecommunications.

Analyze the role of the Internet.

Distinguish between the Internet, intranets, extranets, and e-business.
Business Systems Development

Apply the System Development Life Cycle methodology.
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DELIVERY METHODS
This module contains assignments and information for multiple course delivery methods.
ALL DELIVERY METHODS
These assignments are applicable for all delivery methods.
CLASSROOM
Students meet face to face with the instructor and their classmates.
ONLINE
Students meet via computer with the instructor and their classmates.
FLEXNET®
Classroom and Online delivery methods are combined.
DIRECTED STUDY
Student works one-to-one with the instructor.
In all cases, refer to the syllabus distributed by your instructor for a comprehensive listing of the
assignment descriptions and due dates.
ASSIGNMENTS DUE
CLASSROOM
All assignments are to be completed prior to the workshop in that they appear.
DIRECTED STUDY AND ONLINE
All assignments are to be completed during the workshop in that they appear.
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Student Materials
BOOKS, SOFTWARE, OR OTHER COURSE MATERIALS
O'Brien, James A. (2001). Introduction to Information Systems: Essentials for the Internetworked
Enterprise with E-Tutor (10th Edition). Boston, MA: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.
University of Phoenix approved style guide
“Library Handbook.” (Download from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.)
You are required to have the software specified below.

Microsoft Office Professional for Windows.

An e-mail address.

An Internet Service Provider.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.

Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher.

Virus protection software.
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
University Library Selected Readings Page:
http://www.apollolibrary.com/cp/ubm/cis319.html
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX MATERIALS
“Project Overview.” (NOTE: This material is found in the back of the module.)
“Directions for Completing Learning Team Log.” (Download from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.)
“Learning Team Log.” (Download from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.)
“Directions for Completing the Learning Summary.” (Download from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.)
“Learning Summary.” (Download from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.)
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CSS 335 Computers and Information Processing
Workshop One
Information systems

Define the roles of information systems in business.

Define the System Development Life Cycle methodology.

Review basic hardware components of a computer.

Discuss trends in hardware.
ASSIGNMENTS
ALL DELIVERY METHODS
Read Chapters 1 and 3 in Introduction to Information Systems: Essentials for the Internetworked
Enterprise.
CLASSROOM
1. Read the following items, available at http://ecampus.phoenix.edu:
a. “Learning Team Charter”
b. “Directions for Completing Learning Team Log”
c.
“Learning Team Log”
d. “Directions for Completing the Learning Summary”
e. “Learning Summary”
2. Select Learning Team members who will work together throughout the course.
3. Suggest an appropriate Learning Team Meeting location.
ONLINE
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop as instructed in the course syllabus provided
by your instructor.
2. Select Learning Team members who will work together throughout the course.
DIRECTED STUDY
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop, as instructed in the course syllabus by your
instructor.
2. Prepare a 4-6 page paper (350 words per page) answering the following questions:
a. What are the implications for management of the reduction in cost of hardware with time?
b. What are the implications for management of the reduction in size of hardware with time?
c.
What are the implications for management of the increase in power of hardware with
time?
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Learning Team Meeting One
Time: 5 hours
ASSIGNMENTS
CLASSROOM AND ONLINE
1. Review the objectives from Workshop One and discuss additional insights and questions that
may have arisen.
2. Complete the assignment due for Meeting One in the University of Phoenix Material “Project
Overview” (Note: This material is found in the back of the module.)
CLASSROOM
1. Create the Learning Team Charter.
2. Prepare the Learning Team Log.
3. Identify your next Learning Team Meeting location.
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Workshop Two
Operating Systems and Programming

Distinguish between
applications.

Review common computer software.

Analyze the role of office automation.
operating
systems,
programming
languages,
programs,
and
ASSIGNMENTS
ALL DELIVERY METHODS
1. Read Chapter 4 in the text.
2. Answer Application Exercises 1, 2, and 3 in Chapter 3 and Application Exercise 1 in Chapter
4.
CLASSROOM
1. Submit the appropriate completed sections of the Learning Team Logs and the Learning
Team Charter.
2. Suggest an appropriate Learning Team Meeting location.
ONLINE
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop as instructed in the course syllabus provided
by your instructor.
DIRECTED STUDY
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop, as instructed in the course syllabus by your
instructor.
2. Prepare a 4-6 page paper (350 words per page) answering the following questions:
a. What are the advantages and disadvantages of virtual offices, including telecommuting?
b. What are the management issues concerning virtual offices?
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Learning Team Meeting Two
Time: 5 hours
ASSIGNMENTS
CLASSROOM AND ONLINE
1. Review the objectives from Workshop Two and discuss additional insights and questions that
may have arisen.
2. Complete the assignment due for Meeting Two in the University of Phoenix Material “Project
Overview” (Note: This material is found in the back of the module.)
CLASSROOM
1. Prepare the Learning Team Log.
2. Identify your next Learning Team Meeting location.
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Workshop Three
Database Management

Define terminology used with databases.

Analyze the ways databases are used as components of business solutions.

Analyze database administration.

Demonstrate a Microsoft Access database.
ASSIGNMENTS
ALL DELIVERY METHODS
1. Read Chapter 5 in the text.
2. Prepare a 2-3 page paper (350 words per page) analyzing the use of databases in your
organization. Include what database applications are used (Microsoft Access, DB2, Oracle,
etc.). Conclude by proposing improvements. For large organizations, restrict the scope of
the paper to the department in which you work.
CLASSROOM
1. Submit the appropriate completed sections of the Learning Team Logs.
2. Suggest an appropriate Learning Team Meeting location.
ONLINE
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop as instructed in the course syllabus provided
by your instructor.
DIRECTED STUDY
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop, as instructed in the course syllabus by your
instructor.
2. Prepare a 4-6 page paper (350 words per page) answering the following question:
What are all the databases associated with the contents of a wallet?
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Learning Team Meeting Three
Time: 5 hours
ASSIGNMENTS
CLASSROOM AND ONLINE
1. Review the objectives from Workshop Three and discuss additional insights and questions
that may have arisen.
2. Complete the assignment due for Meeting Three in the University of Phoenix Material
“Project Overview” (Note: This material is found in the back of the module.)
CLASSROOM
1. Prepare the Learning Team Log.
2. Identify your next Learning Team Meeting location.
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Workshop Four
Networking, Telecommunications, and the Internet

List business applications of telecommunications.

Define the terms and examine the technology of networks and telecommunications.

Analyze the role of the Internet.

Distinguish between the Internet, intranets, extranets, and e-business.
ASSIGNMENTS
ALL DELIVERY METHODS
1. Read Chapters 6 and 7 in the text.
2. Complete Application Exercises 4a (at least three books and at least three Web sites), 4c (do
not exchange lists with fellow students) and 4d in Chapter 6.
3. Which web sites did you use to complete the Application Exercises? Describe the quality of
the user interface.
CLASSROOM
1. Submit the appropriate completed sections of the Learning Team Logs.
2. Suggest an appropriate Learning Team Meeting location.
ONLINE
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop as instructed in the course syllabus provided
by your instructor.
DIRECTED STUDY
1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop, as instructed in the course syllabus by your
instructor.
2. Prepare a 4-6 page paper (350 words per page) answering the following questions:
a. What are the security challenges of the Internet?
b. What are the regulatory challenges of the Internet?
c.
What are the productivity issues of the Internet?
d. Are there ethical issues of the Internet?
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Learning Team Meeting Four
Time: 5 hours
ASSIGNMENTS
CLASSROOM AND ONLINE
1. Review the objectives from Workshop Four and discuss additional insights and questions that
may have arisen.
2. Complete the assignment due for Meeting Four in the University of Phoenix Material “Project
Overview” (Note: This material is found in the back of the module.)
CLASSROOM
1. Prepare the Learning Team Log.
2. Learning Summary.
a. As a team, review the “Directions for Completing the Learning Summary” and “Learning
Summary.” These materials can be downloaded from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu.
b. As a team, complete the Learning Team Table section of the Learning Summary. Be
sure to discuss the learning team charter goals and results, then provide reflective
commentary.
c.
Individually, complete the Individual Questions for Reflection.
d. Be prepared to submit and discuss the Learning Summary in Workshop Five.
e. Each team member should submit one copy to the faculty member and retain one copy to
help write his/her Learning Team Charter in the next course.
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Workshop Five
Business Systems Development

Apply the System Development Life Cycle methodology
ASSIGNMENTS
ALL DELIVERY METHODS
1. Read Chapter 10 in the text.
CLASSROOM
1. Submit the appropriate completed sections of the Learning Team Logs.
2. Submit the Learning Summary. Each team member should submit one copy to the instructor
and retain one copy to help write his/her Learning Team Charter in the next course.
ONLINE
1. Submit your end of course survey as instructed by University administration.
DIRECTED STUDY
1. Prepare a 4-6 page paper (350 words per page) answering the following question:
Why do many businesses not use the System Development Life Cycle?
2. Submit your end-of-course survey as instructed by University administration.
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University of Phoenix Material
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The objective of the Learning Team project is to introduce you to the methodology used to
develop systems in either a single-user or a multi-user environment, and to familiarize you with
the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). You will be introduced to SDLC in Week One.
System solutions are a large capital investment in today’s business world, and the application of
such large investments must be based on specific business needs and subsequent returns.
System projects are being held accountable for meeting business needs. It is therefore critical to
identify and articulate, both verbally and quantifiably, those business needs in order to obtain
successful information technology solution projects.
PROJECT MEETINGS
Meeting One: Business Problem Statement
Select a business situation that requires a systems solution. Write an executive summary (one
page, 350 words) that states the business need to be solved, identifies the purpose of the project,
and lists constraints and assumptions used in defining the project.
Meeting Two: Business Requirements Definition
Write a 2-4 page (350 words per page) paper that would identify the business requirements
definition in the form of business topics, such as:

Inventory tracking

Accounting

Marketing communication

Marketing research

Sales – projection, actual

Salesperson production

Manufacturing production

Service tracking
Besides a listing of requirements, you may want to use process flow charts, procedures, or policy
statements to articulate the business requirements in terms of specific process or business
development needs.
Meeting Three: Solution Design
Write a 2-4-page paper (350 words per page) to include software and hardware
recommendations for the information technology solution.
Meeting Four: Project proposal
Submit a 5-10 page paper (350 words per page) summarizing the project proposal.
Microsoft PowerPoint presentation of the project for grading.
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Prepare a
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PAPER AND PRESENTATION
During Workshop Five, each Learning Team will submit a project proposal and a Microsoft
PowerPoint presentation of the project for grading.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The Learning Team will be graded on the scope and depth of research, the quality of analysis,
and recommendations. Refer to the materials, “Standards for Written Work,” and “Standards for
Presentations,” found in the Program Handbook.
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