IS 495: Information Systems Practicum
(AKA Information Systems Capstone Course)
Syllabus
Class Meeting Hours: One-on-one meetings with me are scheduled by each student
Class Meeting Location: Kunsela Hall Room C120
Instructor: Christopher W. Urban
How to Address Me (in both conversation and in writing): Mr. Urban, Professor Urban,
Chris
How Not to Address Me: Urban (using my last name only is considered unprofessional and
rude)
Office Location: Kunsela Hall Room C120
E-mail: urbanc@cs.sunyit.edu
Telephone: 792-7229
Web Page: www.cs.sunyit.edu/~urbanc
Office Hours: www.cs.sunyit.edu/~urbanc/oh.htm
Required Textbooks: None
Course Description:
This is primarily a project-oriented course. IS 495 is designed to give senior-year students an
opportunity to develop and manage an information systems project. Ideally, students shall draw
upon their Computer Information Systems Program coursework to complete the project.
Students should use their “personal network of contacts” to find a real-world project in the public
or private sector; students shall complete these projects with little supervision from me. Project
management by each student is an integral part of the course experience. A project proposal that
includes scope, milestones, and deliverables is developed at the beginning of the course.
Progress reports and a final oral and written presentation will complete the capstone course
experience. Projects should focus on one aspect of Computer Information Systems such as
systems analysis and design, data base management, telecommunications, electronic commerce,
security, project management, expert systems, or management of information systems. Students
are evaluated by their project deliverables. This course should be taken in the final semester of a
student's program of study.
Course Objectives: The goal of IS 495 is to have students demonstrate the integration and
application of the major concepts of the SUNYIT Computer Information Systems Program. By
accomplishing this goal, students demonstrate that they are ready for positions that use
information technology to develop computer-based systems that support organizations.
Learning Outcomes: Students completing IS 495 will be able to:
 coordinate interdependent tasks and resolve minor project and personnel difficulties.
 produce deliverables that are free from errors and convey complete and relevant
information while successfully addressing project goals as defined in the statement of
work.
 engage external stakeholders for information, knowledge, and support.
 translate broad goals and objectives into measurable tasks and deliverables.
Time Requirements: Each student should spend 80 – 90 hours during the semester on IS 495.
Log: Each student develop and maintain a log of the time spent on their IS 495 project.
Meetings With Me: A timetable shall be established at the beginning of the course to meet with
me to periodically (every two weeks) to discuss your project status and progress.
Project Proposal: Each student shall submit project proposal that includes scope, milestones
and deliverables. This proposal is due to me via e-mail no later than noon on Friday, February 5,
2016. I will reply (approve/disapprove) project proposals by 8 AM on Monday, February 8,
2016. Disapproved projects must be resubmitted by Friday, February 11, 2016.
Project Proposal Format: Since the nature of the project will vary from one student to another,
the following is provided as a generic guideline. If you have specific questions, discuss them
with me. The project proposal must include the following components:
1. Project title.
2. Scope of project, the project purpose, problem at hand, project goals, project significance,
anticipated outcomes, and any limitations.
3. Explain how the proposed project fits with the SUNY Poly Computer Information
Systems Program.
4. Timeline with tentative deliverables (this table must be updated periodically as you
progress with your work).
Final IS 495 Project Submission Format: Each student shall write a paper that is
approximately 13 - 15 pages in length; this paper is due no later than Friday, April 22, 2016. The
Final IS 495 Project Submission Format shall include the items listed below.
(Note 1: some projects may not require all the items listed below and some project may require
other items. If source-code is part of the projects, that source code should be included as an
Appendix.
Note 2: a source-code appendix does not contribute to the 10 - 15 page length of the paper.)
PRELIMINARIES
Title Page
Executive Summary / Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Figures, List of Tables, List of Notations
CHAPTER I
Project Context
Purpose and Description
Objective of the Project
Scope and Limitations
Introduction
CHAPTER II
Review of Related Literature
CHAPTER III
Project Plan
Data Gathering Procedures
Source of Data
Software Model/ Paradigm
Methodology
CHAPTER IV
Requirements Analysis
Requirements Documentation
Design of Software, Product, and Process
Development and Testing
Description of the Prototype
Implementation Plan
Implementation Results
Results and Discussion
CHAPTER V
Summary
Conclusions and Recommendations
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
APPENDICES (as appropriate)
Only Relevant Source Code
Evaluation Tool or Test Documents
Sample input/output/reports
User Guide
Process/Data/Information Flow of the Project
Poster (required for all projects)
Final IS 495 Project Presentation: Each student shall develop and deliver a 10-minute
presentation for his/her project; this presentation shall utilize PowerPoint slides. All
presentations are tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2015.
E-Mail Communication With Me: All e-mail communications with me for IS 495 shall use
this subject line: IS 495 / Spring 2016 / XXXXXX YYYYYYY (replace the X’s at left with
your first name and replace the Y’s with your last name).
Evaluation and Grading: I will use the following criteria for grading.
 Grade of A: Work demonstrates a clear understanding of the material, but also a superior
ability to utilize that material. All criteria are met. The student’s work goes beyond the task
and contains additional, unexpected or outstanding features.
 Grade of B: Work demonstrates a good understanding of the material, and utilizes the
material well. The student meets the assignment criteria, with few errors or omissions.
 Grade of C: Work has a few significant flaws or shortcomings or may not address criteria or
may not accomplish what was stated in the proposal.
 Grade of D: Work has a many significant flaws or shortcomings or may not address criteria
or may not accomplish what was stated in the proposal.
 Grade of F: Work that is incomplete, inappropriate and/or shows little or no comprehension
of the project requirements.
The course will be letter graded. A student’s final grade will depend on the quality of the project
components.
 Initial Project proposal: 15%
 Periodic (fortnightly) updates: 25%
 Final Project Report Submission and Presentation: 60%
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