Earl N. Phillips School of Business
High Point University
Course Syllabus
IT for Decision Support
MIS 1100
Spring 2011
Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Mike Collins, Ph.D.
Webpage: www.highpoint.edu/~mcollins
Office Hours: Posted
Office: Phillips Rm# 224
Office Phone: 841-4522
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
An introductory course in problem solving in a business context using spreadsheets and databases. This course
prepares students to use information technology to solve business problems in other courses such as accounting,
finance, and operations management.
Students will also acquire basic hardware, software, and data
communications literacy. Three credits.
P RE RE Q U I S I T E ( S ) :
None
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to provide the students with an introductory overview of the management information
systems (MIS) environment. From this course students should learn the following objectives:
1.
2.
Have an introductory-level understanding of the nomenclature of MIS.
Have a working understanding of spreadsheet and database applications and how these types of
applications can be applied using business applications and examples.
Ho n o r Co d e :
The High Point University Honor Code expects all students to act in a manner so as not to infringe upon
the rights and responsibilities of others. It is crucial to the development of a college student that one have
the right to learn and prosper in a society free from fraudulence and dishonesty. It is the responsibility of
each student to help maintain such a society.
The High Point University Honor code affirms that:
 Every student is honor bound to refrain from conduct which is unbecoming of a
University student and that brings discredit to the student or High Point
University.
 Every student is honor bound to refrain from cheating.
 Every student is honor bound to refrain from collusion.
 Every student is honor bound to refrain from plagiarism.
 Every student has the right to report an honor code violation.
Full details of the High Point University Honor Code are found in the Student Handbook.
Text and required materials:
Text: Pearson publishing custom package with MyITLab (available in the HPU
bookstore)
ISBN: 10: 0-5589-4943-6
USB compatible flash drive (any size is fine)
Grading Scale:
The grades will be computed according to the following schedule.
Gr a d i n g P e r c e n t a g e s :
9 3 % th r o u g h 1 0 0 % A
9 0 % th r o u g h 9 2 % A -
88%
83%
80%
78%
th r o u g h
th r o u g h
th r o u g h
th r o u g h
89%
87%
82%
79%
B+
B
BC+
7 3 % th r o u g h
7 0 % th r o u g h
6 8 % th r o u g h
6 3 % th r o u g h
6 0 % th r o u g h
< 60% F
77%
72%
69%
67%
62%
C
CD+
D
D-
Grading weights:
 Examinations: 50%
 Out of Class Projects: 15%
 Quizzes: 25%
 In-class Materials: 10%
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Teaching Method:
1. Lectures: Important material from the text and outside sources will be covered in class. Students should
plan to take careful notes as not all material can be found in the texts or readings. Discussion is
encouraged as is student-procured outside material relevant to topics being covered.
2. Assignments: End of chapter activities and online activities will be assigned weekly to reinforce material in
the text. These assignments may require the application of various software packages.
3. Quizzes: Occasional unannounced quizzes will be given to help ensure students stay up with assigned
material.
4. Exams: several exams will be given. The exams will be closed book/notes and will test assigned readings
and material discussed in class. Reference note sheets may be allowed on the exam day. The final exam will
not be comprehensive in nature. However, the instructor reserves the right to retest on material that was
not appropriately comprehended. These items will be noted prior to the exam.
5. Participation: Student participation will be graded by the level of class participation and in-class
assignment completion.
Projects:
Each student must complete – independently – all assigned projects. Late projects will not be accepted
without penalty. Any two projects obviously written by the same individual will both receive zeros. Projects
must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Partial credit will be awarded for all
work complete or incomplete.
Policies:
Participation: The student is expected to attend all sessions, participate in class discussions, and
participate in class activities.
Class Attendance: All students are expected to attend class and be prepared. Failure to do so may alter
final grades since a portion of the final grade is based on in-class quizzes. If a class is missed, it is the
student's responsibility to obtain assignments, lecture notes, etc.
Quizzes: There will be several quizzes administered throughout the semester. No late or make-up quizzes!
Quizzes may be administered at any time during the class period and will cover material from the present
topic area and/or assignment. Some quizzes will be unannounced.
Projects: Several projects will be assigned throughout the semester. Assigned projects will be due at the
beginning of class on the date provided. Late projects will be accepted with a 15% penalty per day.
Tests: Various tests potentially consisting of multiple choice, true/false, short answer, hands on skills
assessment, etc. will be given during the semester. Each test will cover the material presented just prior to
the test.
Make-up Exams: There are no make-up exams. Students missing an exam due to a pre-arranged
excused absence will be allowed to count the final as double. Only official excuses will be accepted. Any
uncoordinated, unexcused exam will result in a score of 0 for that exam.
Incomplete Grades Policy: Incomplete grades will be given only under the most extreme situations.
Documented extended illness or prior approved extended absence from the University by the class
instructor or the Dean of Academic Affairs are two of a very select set of scenarios in which an incomplete
may be given in the class. In this type of situation, all class assignments remain firm; however, the
individual is not penalized so long as any make-up work is completed within a mutually agreed upon time
period.
Course Evaluations: Course evaluations will be conducted during the last week of the class in the Spring
semester of 2011.
Students Needing Academic Accommodations: Students who require classroom accommodations due to
a diagnosed disability must submit the appropriate documentation. Appropriate documentation can be
secured through the Academic Services Center. It is your responsibility as a college student to advocate for
yourself. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Standards of Honesty: High Point University's policy on academic dishonesty will be strictly followed in

this course.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by
failure on exam, paper or project; failure in course; and or expulsion from the University. For more
information refer to the "Academic Dishonesty" policy in the University Undergraduate Catalog. For this
class, it is permissible to assist classmates in general discussions of computing techniques. General advice
and interaction are encouraged. Each person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the
assigned projects, assignments, and tasks. In other words, students may not "work together" on graded
assignments.
Any student who cheats during an examination or who assists another student in cheating during an
examination will automatically fail the exam at the minimum. The case will also be forwarded to the Dean
of Academic Affairs for University action. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized crib sheets
or notes, copying answers from another student’s exam, unauthorized use of any device to aid in the
examination, or gaining unauthorized access to the exams or its answers prior to the assigned date.
Your Responsibility:
In order to understand and make effective use of computer information systems, you must understand the
fundamentals, vocabulary, models, and techniques. These will be provided in the textbook and classroom
lectures. It should be noted that being prepared, coming to class and taking notes are essential for doing
well in this course since some of the material and techniques are not covered in your text.
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