Management Information Systems
Spring 2015
MIS140-603 Management Information Systems
Monday/Wednesday 1:30 — 3:00 pm
DePaul Center 8208
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Students will be notified prior to changes and changes will
be posted on the Desire2Learn class site.
Instructor Information
Instructor: Diane Tarkowski
Email: dtarkows@depaul.edu
Phone: 312/362-8770
Note: Please have MIS140-603 in the subject line of all email messages
Office: DePaul Center 6000
Hours: Before class and by appointment
Course Description
This course covers information systems within organizations. It addresses how information technology (IT) supports
business operations and management. Topics include strategic uses of IT, databases, data warehouses, decision support,
artificial intelligence, e-commerce, systems development, IT infrastructure, security, emerging trends, social, ethical and
legal considerations.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students should:
1. Understand the concept of an organization as a system; how information is used to integrate the various parts of an
organization; the nature of information; the information needs of managers; and, how functional and management
information systems support management decision-making at all levels; effects of information technology on
management processes.
2. Learn how management information systems are developed and managed to help users meet their information
needs, user roles in MIS system development, and how to communicate effectively with MIS professionals.
3. Be able to apply these concepts and theories to business situations through conceptual and hands-on use of
selected information technologies.
4. Understand both the legal and ethical principles that affect the use of IT.
5. Recognize core business technologies that drive competitive organizations.
6. Design basic relational models, understand various types of data relationships, the purpose of primary keys, and
the analysis of data utilizing databases and spreadsheets.
Required Text
Management Systems for the Information Age – Haag, Cummings, and Phillips 9th edition.
Teaching Methods
Classes consist of a combination of discussion, lecture, demonstration and hands-on learning. Reading the assignment
before class contributes to a more interesting class with discussion and questions. Try to participate in discussions.
Attendance
Before the beginning of class, students should sign in. Once class is in progress, students need to check in either at the break
or end of class to sign in. Students missing more than one class must provide adequate documentation (doctor’s note, etc.)
to excuse their absence. A penalty of 2 points will be assessed for each unexcused absence.
Grading
Component
Quizzes
Group Research Project
Individual Research Paper
Assignments
Participation
MIS140-603
Percentage
40%
25%
10%
20%
5%
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Management Information Systems
Spring 2015
Letter Grades
Letter
A
AB+
B
Scale
93-100%
90-92.9%
87-89.9%
83-86.9%
Letter
BC+
C
C-
Scale
80-82.9%
77-79.9%
73-76.9%
70-72.9%
Letter
D+
D
F
Scale
67-69.9%
63-66.9%
0-62.9%
Assignments
All assignments should be turned in to D2L (Deisre2Learn) at the beginning of class on the due date. Emailed assignments
will not be accepted. If special circumstances arise and you notify me prior to the due date, your assignment may be
accepted late with a penalty.
Quizzes
The five multiple-choice quizzes cover concepts and terms from the 9th edition of the textbook, slides and lecture. Each quiz
is scheduled for the 20 minutes at the beginning of class with no extensions for late arrivals. Only the four highest scores
count towards your final grade. There will be no makeup quizzes. Students must bring their own pencil and eraser for
quizzes. Note that students who choose to use an older textbook need to know the material in the 9th edition.
Group Research Project
Each team consists of 4-5 individuals. If a team member drops the course, the remaining members will be expected to
complete the project on time. Each team must divide the work equitably. Please document any conflicts in D2L’s discussion
forums and attempt to resolve the conflicts before bringing them to my attention. Under no circumstances should a conflict
be brought to my attention after the project has been submitted. The instructor has the right to reduce an individual’s grade
if that the individual did not contribute significantly to the project. Each individual should complete their work on time,
attend any team meetings and produce quality work. You can turn in a draft for feedback if you wish. I do not grade drafts.
Each team chooses a team leader who will be responsible for turning in the final project. The final project will only be
accepted from the team leader before or on the due date. During the final class session, each team presents a 10-15 minute
presentation on their research project. Project details will be provided during the course.
Individual Research Paper
Technology and its applications change daily. Locate a current article (online or offline) describing a new technology or a
new application for an existing technology that you believe has a strong impact in today’s business world. The article should
be from a credible source. Once you have an appropriate article, write 2 paragraphs. The first paragraph summarizes the
article in your words. The second paragraph analyzes the impact the technology or its usage has on businesses. Think
critically about the technology and do not limit yourself to the views provided in the article. Note that your paper should
have an appropriate title, your name, the class number and section as well as a bibliography. The paper should use
grammatically correct English. You can turn in a draft for feedback if you wish. I do not grade drafts. Please properly cite
any quotes and do not plagiarize. TurnItIn checks all works against previously published or submitted papers and
plagiarism will result in penalties as outlined in the current DePaul University Undergraduate Bulletin and Student
Handbook.
Assignments
Two assignments demonstrating your ability to use reporting tools and analyze data also contribute to your grade. One
requires Microsoft Excel (Macintosh or Windows) and the other requires Microsoft Access (Windows). All DePaul
University labs have this software. This work will be turned in individually. Double-check all work.
Academic Honesty
The quizzes are closed quizzes; you may use only the materials provided by the instructor, your own memory, a pencil and
an eraser. This course adheres to the University's policies on plagiarism as stated in the current DePaul University
Undergraduate Bulletin and Student Handbook. University rules on Academic honesty will be observed and enforced.
MIS140-603
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Management Information Systems
Spring 2015
Disability
Students seeking disability-related accommodations should register with DePaul's Center for Students with Disabilities
(CSD) enabling you to access accommodations and support services to assist your success. They have two office locations:
Loop Campus - Lewis Center #1420 - (312) 362-8002
Lincoln Park Campus - Student Center #370 - (773) 325-1677
You may also contact me privately to discuss your challenges and how I may assist in facilitating the accommodations you
use in this course. This is best done early in the term, and all conversations remain confidential.
Course Schedule
Week
1
Dates
3/30/15
4/1/15
2
4/6/15
4/8/15
3
4/13/15
4/15/15
4/20/15
4/22/15
4
5
4/27/15
4/29/15
6
5/4/15
5/6/15
5/11/15
5/13/15
Topics
Orientation – Introductions
Course Overview
D2L usage and profiles
Chapter 1: The Information Age
Chapter 2: Major Business Initiatives
Extended Learning Module A:
Hardware/Software
Chapter 3: Databases and Data Warehouses
Assignments Due/Activities
Group Research Project (GRP): Teams
Assigned (4/1/15)
Extended Learning Module C: Database &
Entity Relationship Diagramming
Lab: Introduction to Microsoft Access
Quiz 2: Chapters 2 & 3 (4/20/15)
GRP: Outline (4/22/15)
Lab: Lewis 1308 (4/22/15)
Individual Paper due (4/29/15)
Lab: Lewis 1308 (4/29/15)
10
6/1/15
6/3/15
Chapter 4: Analytics, Decision Support…
Extended Learning Modules D: Decision
Analysis with Spreadsheet Software
Lab: Introduction to Microsoft Excel,
Microsoft Access Review
Chapter 5: eCommerce
Lab: Charts & Graphs
Chapter 6: Systems Development
Lab: Filtering, Pivot Table, Conditional
Formatting
Chapter 7: IT Infrastructure
Lab: Microsoft Excel Review
Chapter 8: Protecting People and
Information
Extended Learning Module H: Computer
Crime and Digital Forensics
Chapter 9: Emerging Trends and
Technologies
11
6/8/15
Group Presentations (11:45 AM to 2:00 PM)
7
8
9
5/18/15
5/20/15
5/25/15
5/27/15
MIS140-603
Quiz 1: Chapter 1 (4/6/15)
GRP: Topic Proposal (4/13/15)
Quiz 3: Chapters 4, ELM C & ELM D (5/4/15)
Lab: Lewis 1308 (5/6/15)
Access assignment due (5/13/15)
Lab: Lewis 1308 (5/13/15)
Quiz 4: Chapters 5 & 6 (5/18/15)
Lab: Lewis 1308 (5/20/15)
Memorial Day (5/25/15) – No class
Excel assignment due (5/27/15)
Quiz 5: Chapters 7 & 8 (6/1/15)
GRP: Work with group and/or consult with
instructor
GRP: Group Report & Presentation due
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