MIS180 (Online) – Principles of Information Systems – Spring 2015
Management Information Systems - San Diego State University
Course Information
Instructor:
Robert O. Briggs, Ph.D.
Office:
Office Hours:
Office Phone:
E-mail Address:
Course Page:
SS 3202
Thursdays 2:00 – 3:30 PM
(619) 500-6140
mis180briggs@gmail.com Special e-mail just for this class!
http://Blackboard.sdsu.edu/
Graduate Assistant:
Office:
E-mail:
Sameep Kodia
SS3202
mis180briggs@gmail.com
Course Overview (if you read this now, the course will make more sense)
In today’s global economy, information is power, and knowledge is king! An information system (IS) is a way to create value
with information. In the information age, the information system (IS) often is the organization.
You have come to SDSU to prepare yourself to be a leader. Think of this as a self-defense course. If you know a handful of core
IS concepts, you will be able to lead effectively in the information age, like genius. This course is designed to introduce you to
those concepts.
Even if you choose not to be an IS professional, you will be leading IS professionals engaged in success-critical initiatives. In this
class you’ll learn the foreign language of IS, and you’ll learn enough to hold your own with the IS professionals who think you
can be snowed with technical jargon.
To meet this goal, MIS 180, has been designed as an introductory course, designed to give you a broad overview of information
systems, and of information technology as it is used to support business processes and decision-making activities. We will
examine the difference between data, information, knowledge, and wisdom, so you’ll know what to ask for to lead more
effectively. We will explore the critical difference between information systems and information technology (IT), so, without
being a technical expert, you will nonetheless be to propose sound investments in information systems, and perhaps to rescue
others from foolish investments.
You will gain some familiarity with spreadsheets and databases, and learn when each will be most useful to you as a leader and
to the people you lead. You’ll just dip a toe into web development and computer programming – just deep enough so that,
when a computer programmer says to you, “Computers can’t do that!” You’ll be able to say, “Yes they can…” and you’ll be
right. You won’t be an expert, but you will not be a push-over either.
We will explore IS careers like Chief Information Officer and Chief Knowledge Officer and other opportunities. We will examine
several models that give you ways to think about creating value with information. We will talk about the benefits your
organization may gain from a solid information technology infrastructure. All this knowledge can make you a powerful leader.
With great power comes great responsibility. We will therefore spend time thinking about a range of ethical considerations for
leaders in the information age.
Note: MIS 180 is NOT a generic course in computer literacy and is not a course in computer applications programs. To be most successful in
this course you should have basic knowledge of elementary computer operations, word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, and Web browsing.
R. Briggs
MIS 180
Spring 2015
2
Course Learning Outcomes
MIS 180 is part of the SDSU College of Business BSBA Program.
BSBA students should graduate being:
• Effective Communicators
• Critical Thinkers
• Able to Analyze Ethical Problems
• Global in their perspective
• Knowledgeable about the essentials of business
MIS 180 contributes to these goals through its student learning outcomes:
 Explain the importance of determining information system requirements for all management levels by describing the
differences between various types of information systems.
 Describe how information systems are developed.
 Describe the computer revolution and its impact on the way business is conducted.
 Use critical-thinking skills in identifying information systems problems and investigate existing literature about hardware
and software solutions to problems.
 Know the components and functions of computer systems, both hardware and software.
 Describe the advances in networking, data communications and the Internet and how they affect the way business is
conducted.
 Identify which information technology tools are used to solve various business problems.
 Display proficiency solving business problems using modern productivity tools (e.g., spreadsheet, database) or creating
custom programs.
 (http://cbaweb.sdsu.edu/assessment/slo)
Course Materials
Required Textbooks and Instructional Materials
1.
2.
Principles of Information Systems custom bundle (ISBN: 9781259606823) This bundle contains the following
components:
 Baltzan, M: Information Systems, 3e, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2015
 SIMnet 2013 – In Practice – Office – Custom – SDSU Software Suite
 McGraw-Hill CONNECT software linked to the Baltzan textbook. This is included in the bundle and has a set of
useful resources related to the textbook.
You can purchase the bundle at the SDSU campus bookstore for a discount price of $133.49. You receive a discount on
both the required textbook and required simulation software because it is bundled together. Until you purchase your
textbook from the SDSU bookstore, you can use one free chapter at http://www.coursesmart.com.
It is highly recommended to purchase the bundle arranged for you at the SDSU bookstore because of the deep discount.
The required materials WILL be used throughout the semester. Additionally, some of the assignments will require that you
have your own individual account to access the materials. I know the price of tuition and textbooks is on the rise, most
textbooks alone used for these types of courses are usually around $200 – please take advantage of the bundle.
If you choose not to purchase the bundle you will need to purchase both the Baltzan textbook (ISBN for book only:
9780073376912) and to purchase SIMnet. Note, the bundle components are not discounted if purchased separately.
IF YOU BUY SIMnet SERVICE SEPARATELY FROM THE BOOK, it must be purchased at:
https://sdsu.simnetonline.com/Students/CombinedLogin.aspx.
 Click the “No, I need to buy a license” link.
 Enter the appropriate information/answers for each of the steps.
 On the Enroll step, be sure to select the class in which you are enrolled
 On the Shop step, in the “Select the product required for your class,” choose “SIMnet 2013 – In Practice – Office –
Custom – SDSU ($74.50)”
You must have access to Office 2013 software to complete the Excel and Access assignments. You may purchase a deeply
discounted copy at the SDSU campus bookstore, or use the computers in the SDSU library, which are available 24/7.
R. Briggs
MIS 180
Spring 2015
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Table 1.
MIS 180 Spring 2015 Course Schedule. Includes dates, readings and assignments, and Quizzes and Exams.
Date
Lecture Topics
Readings &
Assignments
Quizzes and
Exams: Thurs
12:01 AM - 10:00
PM
1
JAN 22
About this Class. What is an information System? What is information?
Information Professions. Why do IS grads earn the highest starting
salaries? IS Vs. IT. Syllabus Review.
Syllabus
Start MS Excel 1
Academic
Integrity Quiz
2
JAN 29
Treasure Maps for Value Creation: Porter’s Models, problem solving,
inspired reuse of information. SIMNET access.
Baltzan Ch 1
Start MS Excel 2
Quiz 1
3
FEB 5
First look at Spreadsheets.
Baltzan Appendix A (Online). Find it here:
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073376914/student_view0/app
endices.html
Baltzan Ch 2
Baltzan Appendix A
START MS Excel 3
Quiz 2
4
FEB 12
IS Ethics: Computer crime, social justice, IS security. A second look at
Spreadsheets.
Baltzan Ch 4
Start MS Excel 4
Quiz 3
5
FEB 19
EXAM 1
Thurs
All SIMNET
Excel Assignments
Due
Exam 1
6
FEB 26
What you need to Lead: Data vs. Information vs. Knowledge vs. Wisdom.
A first look at databases.
Baltzan Ch 3
Start MS Access 1
Quiz 4
7
MAR 5
A second look at databases. Insights on Data Quality; Data Warehousing.
Baltzan Appendix C (Online) here:
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073376914/student_view0/app
endices.html
Baltzan Ch 6
Baltzan Appendix C
(Online)
Start MS Access 2
Quiz 5
8
MAR 12
IS Professions. The value of a solid IT Infrastructure.
Baltzan Ch 5
Start MS Access 3
Quiz 6
9
MAR 19
EXAM 2
Thurs
SIMNET Access
Assignments Due
Exam 2
MAR 26
How Computers Work. Intro to BASIC Programming.
Find Baltzan Appendix B (online) here:
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073376914/student_view0/app
endices.html
Baltzan Ch 7;
Appendix B
Quiz 7
10
Available 12:01 AM – 10:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours from when you start.
Available 12:01 AM – 10:00 PM Thurs 10/23
Duration: 2 hours from when you start.
MAR 30-APR 3 - SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES OR OFFICE HOURS. HAVE FUN!
11
APR 9
A second look at BASIC.
Psuedocode: show the IT pros that computers “CAN do that.”
Baltzan Ch 8
12
APR 16
Intro to HTML. Key concepts for Systems Development;
Baltzan Ch 9
Quiz 9
13
APR 23
EXAM 3
Thurs
BASIC Assignment
Due.
Exam 3
14
APR 30
Big Data / Data Analytics
15
MAY 7
Disruptive Technology – success or defeat. On leading well.
16
MAY 14
FINAL EXAM Thurs
Available: 12:01 AM - 10:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours from when you start.
Available: 12:01 AM - 10:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours from when you start.
HTML Assignment
Due.
Quiz 8
Quiz 10
BASIC - HTML
Quiz 11
Big Data and
Disruptive Tech
FINAL EXAM
R. Briggs
MIS 180
Spring 2015
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Assignments
Specific instructions for all assignments, projects and exams will be posted on Blackboard.
There will be assignments related to Excel, Access, HTML, and BASIC. BASIC is a very simple programming language that will
give you the power to hold your own in conversations with IS/IT professionals you lead. By doing the assignments and projects,
you are preparing not only to answer examination questions, and also to succeed as a leader after graduation.
You will need the use of a computer for all assignments.
You will need the use of a PC running the Windows operating system for the BASIC assignment. Computer labs with Windows
machines are available 24/7 in the library.
Life is full of unexpected problems and situations. Assume that you may encounter difficulties such as Internet problems, printer
problems, parking or traffic delays, lines in the computer lab, delays at work, etc. Make sure to start assignments early, and
plan for exams ahead of time so you don’t get caught by an unexpected event and miss valuable points to obtain the grade you
want.
I anticipate that some students may miss assignments during the semester for a variety of reasons. Rather than try to judge
which situations are “excusable” and which are not, the policy of this class is:





Start assignments as early as possible. You may run into trouble and need help.
To receive credit for an assignment, you must be complete and submit it as directed in the assignment.
All assignments are due electronically before 10:00 PM Pacific Time on the due date.
Late assignments will not be accepted for any reason.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP ASSIGNMENTS FOR ANY REASON.
Quizzes and Exams



All quizzes and exams are open-book. They are designed so that people who already understand the material can complete
them in the time available, but people who have not yet learned the material will not be able to look up the answers in the
time available.
Most weeks there will be a short quiz about material covered that week in the textbook or lectures.
o All quizzes and exams will be on Thursdays.
o Each quiz will be worth 20 semester points toward your course grade.
o All quizzes will be administered online through Blackboard.
o Each quiz will be open on test day from 12:01 AM to 10:00 PM.
o You will have 45 minutes to complete a quiz once you begin.
o Your lowest quiz will be dropped before your final course grade is calculated.
o THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP QUIZZES FOR ANY REASON.
o Life happens. It may be that something will come up this semester to prevent you from completing a quiz. I
therefore built a get-out-of-jail-free card into the course: I will drop your lowest quiz score before calculating your
final semester grade. So, if you have to miss one quiz, don’t worry about it – I’ve got you covered.
There will be three unit exams and a comprehensive final exam.
o All of the exams have 50 questions and all are equally weighted at 150 semester points toward your course grade.
o All exams will be multiple choice.
o Each unit exam covers topics, including homework, readings, lectures, and video, etc., assigned during the current
unit; however, key points and important details from previous units may be reemphasized in each exam.
o You will have 2 hours to complete an exam once you begin.
o Dates for each exam appear below in the class schedule below.
o EXAMS CANNOT BE TAKEN AT ALTERNATIVE TIMES. THEY MUST BE COMPLETED THE DAY THEY ARE DUE.
o EXAMS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 10:00 PM ON THE DAY THEY ARE ASSIGNED
O THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS FOR ANY REASON.
O I CANNOT CHANGE THE DATES/TIMES OF A FINAL EXAM, SO PLAN YOUR TRAVEL ACCORDINGLY!
If you know now that you cannot submit assignments and complete exams on the days they are due, I encourage you to drop
the class and take it at a different time when your schedule will accommodate it.
R. Briggs
MIS 180
Spring 2015
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Grading
There is no way around it. This is a tough course. I am, however, a good teacher. If you hang in there with me, you will be OK.
As soon as you find you are in trouble, come see me during office hours and I will help you get back on track. At the end of the
semester, it will be too late.
You may earn up to 1000 points during the semester, as follows:
ASSIGNMENT, QUIZZES &
EXAMS
GRADING METHODOLOGY
TOTAL
POSSIBLE
POINTS
SimNet MS Excel (8 tasks)
Online assessments, graded
50
SimNet MS Access (8 tasks)
Online assessments, graded
50
Submitted through Blackboard
Assignments feature. Credit/no credit
Submitted through Blackboard
Assignments feature. Credit/no credit
HTML
BASIC programming
Weekly Quizzes
50
50
(11 Quizzes; Lowest score
dropped)
Administered through Blackboard’s test
feature. (There will be 11 quizzes; the
lowest score will be dropped)
200
Three unit exams and one
final Exam
Administered through Blackboard’s test
feature.
600
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE FOR THE SEMESTER
1000
Reevaluation of scores. Scores for assignments, quizzes and exams will be posted on Blackboard. In most cases, the scores will
be posted within one week of submission of work. You are responsible for keeping track of your posted scores. If you would
like an assignment/exam/quiz to be re-evaluated, you have two (2) weeks from the date the score is posted to send an email
or come to office hours to ask for a re-evaluation. After the two-week time period, assignments/exams/quizzes will not be reevaluated and the grade for that work is final.
Course Grades
This is a difficult course that covers many valuable concepts in a short period of time. Therefore, scores on quizzes and exams
tend to be low. I therefore curve the grades upward at the end of the semester to assure a normal distribution of grades. After
each graded assignment or test I will post an approximate estimate of what your grade would be if the curve were made that
day.
TURNITIN
Students agree that, by taking this course, all required assignments may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to
Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism.
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MIS 180
Spring 2015
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GETTING HELP WITH COURSE CONCEPTS
Sameep Kodia and I are happy to assist you in learning the course material. During office hours you do not need an
appointment, simply come by with your questions. If need be, we can schedule meetings outside of office hours.
We will also be available to help via a special email address dedicated to this class: mis180briggs@mail.sdsu.edu. From M-F, we
will strive to respond to your email within 24 hours. We do not check the class email on weekends or holidays.
Prior to sending email with a question on the homework, check for postings on the Blackboard website.
Make sure to sign your email with your first and last name. EMAILS WITHOUT NAMES WILL NOT BE ANSWERED!
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
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 accommodations
based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student
Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
MIS 180 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICIES
Warning – Cheating: This class has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating!
The assignments, quizzes, and exams you submit must be entirely your own individual work. If you and another person work
together on assignments, you are cheating. If another person assists you in any way on a quiz or an exam, you are cheating.
Each student is responsible for doing their online assignments, quizzes, and exams independently.
Cheating occurs on both the supplying and receiving ends.
If you are involved in a cheating incident, you will receive an “F” in this course. Additionally, all cases of cheating will be
reported to SDSU’s Office of Judicial Procedures for University disciplinary action. According to the College of Business
Administration policy, cheating is considered cause for excluding a student from eligibility for admission to the College of
Business.
While it is okay to talk to other students to get help in course content and to understand an assignment, it is absolutely
wrong for you to be working with one or more other people on an assignment, quiz, or exam, even if you are sitting at
different computers, deciding what to put into the assignment. You are always allowed to ask the instructor or graduate
assistant for more specific help. If you have questions relating to this policy, please ask the instructor.
MIS 180 CHEATING POLICY
I apologize in advance for putting you through this; however cheating is on the rise at the University. The bottom line
is that the University and the business profession have no room for cheaters. If you cheat you will fail the class and the
infraction will be reported to the Office of Judicial Procedures and the College of Business Administration. The Office of Judicial
Procedures will decide upon any punitive sanctions that may be warranted. Punitive sanctions may include probation,
suspension, or expulsion. Additionally, the infraction will be reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities and
the College of Business Administration. The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities will decide upon any punitive
sanctions that may be warranted. Punitive sanctions may include probation, suspension, or expulsion. 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.
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MIS 180
Spring 2015
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There is a normal University appeal process for any disciplinary action but for this class there will be no further
warnings - cheating is cheating and if you’re caught once you will fail and no subsequent work will be graded. Further punitive
sanctions as mentioned above are possible.
The MIS 180 Course Syllabus includes the official course statement regarding cheating. This policy includes some
information to clarify and expand on that statement.
Some examples of CHEATING in MIS 180 include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Turning in someone else's work as your own (with or without his or her knowledge).
Working with or on another student’s computer account to complete assigned work.
Allowing someone else to turn in your work as his or her own.
Giving another student access to your computer files.
Several people developing one solution and turning in multiple copies, all represented (implicitly or explicitly) as
individual work.
Using any part of someone else's work without the proper acknowledgement.
Stealing an examination or solution from the instructor.
Getting answers from someone else during an exam.
Some Examples of Not Cheating in MIS 180 include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Turning in work done alone or with the help of the instructors or GAs.
Submission of one assignment for a group of students if group work is explicitly permitted (or required).
Getting or giving help on using the computer for the course.
Getting or giving help on how to solve minor syntax errors in BASIC or HTML assignments.
Discussion of course material for better understanding EXCEPT during a quiz or exam.
Discussion of assignments to understand what is required.
I expect you all to be honest and I will treat you as a colleague until this attitude is proven to be wrong. Remember that 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. IF YOU WORK IN THE COMPUTER LAB, OR ON A COMPUTER THAT IS SHARED WITH OTHER STUDENTS, DO NOT
SAVE ANY OF YOUR WORK ON THE COMPUTER’S HARD DRIVE. SAVE YOUR WORK TO YOUR USB DRIVE and take it with you.
Please acknowledge your acceptance of this policy by completing the MIS180 Academic Integrity Policy Quiz on Blackboard in
the Week 2 Folder before 10:00 PM Thursday, JAN 29. People who do not accept the policy will be dropped from the course.
Continuous Improvement
The course motto is Semper Gumbi – Always Flexible. This syllabus is preliminary and is subject to change at the discretion of
the instructor. Email suggestions for improving the class to mis180briggs@gmail.com. Each semester I incorporate ideas
student ideas the class processes.
The official communication channel for announcing changes will be the Blackboard Announcements feature.