IFS305 – Management Information Systems
W. R. Eddins, Ph.D.
Mission Statement: The Department of Business Administration at York College provides distinctive, high
caliber business education that prepares individuals for successful careers and personal growth. We provide
students with an education that encourages intellectual development while also meeting the specific needs of
the business community through a dynamic, experiential business curriculum.
Vision Statement: The Department of Business Administration at York College will be recognized as a
leading business educator in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our business students will be regarded as the best and
most sought after graduates due to exceptional academic preparation, professionalism and integrated business
problem-solving experiences.
Course
Semester
Faculty
Title
Office Location
Office Hours
Email
Website
Days, Times & Place
Prerequisites
Credit Hours
Textbook
Case Project Book
IFS305—Management Information Systems
Fall 2014
W. R. Eddins, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
WBC 201
As posted on Moodle and on the instructor’s website
weddins@ycp.edu
http://faculty.ycp.edu/~weddins
IFS305.101 on MWF at 11-11:50a in WBC 310 and IFS305.102 on MWF at 11:50p in WBC 310
1) IFS105 with a grade of 2 or better or pass IFS100; 2) MGT150 with a grade of 2
or better; and 3) Business Major with Sophomore/Junior standing OR course
required for the student's major
3 credit hours
Using MIS 6th Ed. (Kroenke)
Problem Solving Cases in MS Access and Excel 12th Ed. (Monk, Brady & Cook)
Description (from College Catalog):
A comprehensive discussion of the role of computer based information systems in modern organizations.
Integrates managerial and computer knowledge towards identifying and solving information problems.
Computer literacy is extended to MIS literacy by means of hands-on project cases in Decision Support
Systems. This is a writing intensive and critical thinking course.
Instructor's Educational Philosophy:
“And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.” By Geoffrey Chaucer. Also, see my papers link.
Core Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to exercise critical thinking and writing skills in order to:
1. Align Management of Information Systems (MIS) with business goals using Professor Michael
Porter’s techniques.
2. Analyze an MIS as a system, categorize the sub-systems as components of Computer Information
Systems (CIS), and discuss how they interact.
3. Describe the conceptual foundations, structure and technology of CIS; the roll of CIS in support of
management, users, and business functional areas; the implications and requirements of applying
IFS305 Syllabus
Fall 2014
Page 1
global CIS; and e-commerce and emerging telecommunications technologies such as the Internet.
4. Use and create an information-based Decision Support System (DSS) and/or a Database
Management System (DBMS) that support improved decision-making and problem solving by
means of automation, innovation and/or improved management insight.
5. Discuss the impact of security and ethics on MIS development, operations, and our daily lives.
6. Demonstrate application software skills in a DSS and/or a DBMS and apply critical thinking and
problem solving skills by analyzing, designing and solving complex business problems through
written case applications, papers, and/or discussion questions.
7. Apply collaboration techniques and information system collaboration tools that support
innovation, decision making, and learning.
Schedule and Class Policies:
There will be a total of three tests. NO student will be exempt from any test without prior approval of the instructor.
The date listed below is the Monday of the week. You will be informed in class and/or by the instructor’s website if
any schedule changes. The exact date of a test or lab will be announced in class. A missed test or case project will
result in a grade of zero without prior approval of the instructor. No exiting and reentering the classroom during a test
is allowed without the approval of the instructor. Complete requirements for case projects will be handed out in a
separate document and will include the due date for that case. Students must attend class in the appropriate section to
receive participation points for chapter quizzes. No makeups are allowed for chapter quizzes. There will be teamwork
in this class. If you do not wish to participate in teamwork, inform the faculty member as soon as possible so you can
work individually.
Schedule for IFS305 Fall 2014
Activities (‘C’ is Chapter and ‘CP’ is Case Project)
Wk #
Date - Mon
1
8/25/2013
Discuss syllabus, give CP 1, and Lab 1-YCP's Resources and Intermediate Excel
2
9/1/2013
Labor Day (Mon), C01(3)-Importance of MIS
3
9/8/2013
C02(3)- Collaboration IS
4
9/15/2013
C03(4)-Strategy & IS and C04(7)-Hardware, Software & Mobile Systems
5
9/22/2013
C04(7)-Hardware, Software & Mobile Systems and C05(5)-DB Processing
6
9/29/2013
C05(5)-DB Processing, Test 1 (C1-4), CP 1 is due, and give CP 2
7
10/6/2013
C06(3)-Data Comm. and the Cloud and Lab 2-Setup Website
8
10/13/2013
Fall Break (Mon & Tues), C06(3)-Data Comm. and the Cloud
9
10/20/2013
C07(6)-Processes, Orgs & IS
10
10/27/2013
C08(6)-Social Media IS, Test 2 (C5-8)
11
11/3/2013
C09(2)-Business Intelligence Sys, CP 2 is due, and give CP 3
12
11/10/2013
C10(5)-Development Processes
13
11/17/2013
C10(5)-Development Processes
14
11/24/2013
Thanksgiving (Wed & Fri), C11(1)-IS Management
15
12/1/2013
C12(7)-Info Security Management
16
12/8/2013
Lab 3-Check & Grade Student Websites, and CP 3 is due during Lab 3
17
12/15/2013
Test 3 (C9-12) during Finals period (check YCP website for specific date)
This schedule is tentative and as such may be altered at the discretion of the instructor. The schedule for labs and case
project requirements are given in separate documents. The schedule above is a guideline as to what supporting
information the student will be expected to cover on his/her own for the period indicated. Failure to read the assigned
material in advance and be able to answer in-class chapter quizzes will be reflected in the student's grade for
participation and demonstrated understanding. You must read the assigned text chapter and be prepared for
case/problem discussions and/or quizzes before you come to class.
IFS305 Syllabus
Fall 2014
Page 2
Grading:
The following represents the distribution of percentage values applied to course requirements:
Item
Number Value
Chapter Tests (100 each)
3
45% of your total test grades divided by 300 points
Case Projects (100 each)
3
45% of your total test grades divided by 300 points
Participation (see below)
?
10% of your participation points divided by total participation points
Participation points are given for chapter quizzes, in-class exercises, or other accomplishments. It is the student's
responsibility to be prepared during class to answer chapter quiz questions in writing and to discuss concepts and case
materials. Failure to be prepared and/or participate may result in a reduction of your participation grade. There are no
makeups for participation points.
Grading Policy:
Final Grade
4 (Excellent)
% Range
100.0 – 90.0
3.5 (Very Good)
89.9 – 87.0
3 (Good)
86.9 – 80.0
2.5 (Above
Average)
2 (Average)
79.9 – 77.0
1 (Below
Average)
0 (Failure)
69.9 – 60.0
76.9 – 70.0
59.9 – 0
I (Incomplete)
N/A
W (Withdrawal)
N/A
P (Pass)
F (Fail)
AU (Audit)
N/A
N/A
N/A
Description
This grade denotes accomplishment that is truly distinctive and decidedly outstanding. It represents a high
degree of attainment and is a grade that demands evidence of originality, independent work, an open and
discriminating mind, and completeness and accuracy of knowledge, as well as an effective use of the
knowledge.
This grade denotes mastery of the subject matter. It represents very good achievement in many aspects of the
work, such as initiative, serious and determined industry, the ability to organize work, and the ability to
comprehend and retain subject matter and to apply it to new problems and contexts.
This grade denotes considerable understanding of the subject matter. It represents a strong grasp and clear
understanding of the subject matter and the ability to comprehend and retain course content.
This grade denotes above average understanding of the subject matter. It represents a good grasp of the
subject matter and the ability to comprehend and retain course content.
This grade denotes average understanding of the subject matter. It represents the grade that may be expected
of a student of normal ability who gives the work a reasonable amount of time and effort.
This grade denotes below average understanding of the subject matter. It represents work that falls below the
acceptable standard.
This grade denotes inadequate understanding of the subject matter. It signifies an absence of meaningful
engagement with the subject matter and that the student is not capable of doing or understanding the work or
has made little or no effort to do so.
The student may request permission from the instructor to receive an incomplete prior to the final
examination and must present extraordinary reasons for the petition. The Instructor should indicate on the
Attendance/Final Grade Record the required work the student must do to complete the course. Any grades of
“I” not removed within two calendar months after the end of the semester will automatically be changed to
“0” in the Records Office. Grades of incomplete should only be provided to students who have completed a
substantial portion of all course requirements.
Students are permitted to withdraw from courses without penalty up to the ninth Friday of the fall or spring
semester. Corresponding deadlines are set for all other semesters (e.g., summer sessions). Withdrawal after
that time shall result in a grade of “0.”
This grade denotes passing in special Pass/Fail courses.
This grade denotes failure in special Pass/Fail courses.
This grade indicates that a student is registered for a course but receives no credit.
Academic Integrity:
York College’s mission statement stipulates that strict adherence to principles of academic honesty is expected of all students. Therefore, academic dishonesty will
not be tolerated at York College. Academic dishonesty refers to actions such as, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabricating research, falsifying academic
documents, etc., and includes all situations where students make use of the work of others and claim such work as their own.
When a faculty member believes a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the faculty member must inform the student in writing and then has ten
business days from that written notification to the student to report the incident to the Dean of Academic Affairs and the Department Chair. Documentation related
to instances of academic dishonesty will be kept on file in the student’s permanent record. If the academic dishonesty is the student’s first offense, the faculty
member will have the discretion to decide on a suitable sanction up to a grade of 0 for the course. Students are not permitted to withdraw from a course in which
they have been accused of academic dishonesty.
Students who believe they have been unjustly charged or sanctioned (in cases involving a first offense) must discuss the situation with the faculty member and have
10 business days thereafter to submit an appeal to Student Welfare Committee through the Dean of Academic Affairs. If an appeal is filed, the Student Welfare
Committee will then conduct a hearing to review the charge and/or sanction. In cases of a first offense, the faculty member may request that the Student Welfare
IFS305 Syllabus
Fall 2014
Page 3
Committee conduct a hearing and decide on the sanction, which can involve academic suspension or dismissal from the College, if the faculty member believes the
offense to be of an extremely egregious nature.
If the Dean of Academic Affairs determines that the academic dishonesty is the student’s second offense, the Dean will provide written notification to the student,
the faculty member, and the Department Chair. The Student Welfare Committee will automatically conduct a hearing to review the charge and decide on an
appropriate sanction, which will involve academic suspension or dismissal from the College. Students who believe the Student Welfare Committee has unjustly
sanctioned them may submit a written appeal to the Dean of Academic Affairs within 72 hours of receiving notification of the Student Welfare Committee’s
sanction.
Late Submission of Course Materials:
Students will be assigned several cases during the course to enhance the student's understanding of the material presented and its application. Cases will be prepared
and turned in via Moodle prior to the beginning of the class period on the date due. Sufficient time is allowed for students to complete the case assignments prior to
their due date. Cases will be reviewed, and discussed in class before and on the due date; therefore cases turned in late will NOT be accepted and NO credit will be
given without prior approval of the instructor. Cases must utilize the appropriate computer software and be submitted electronically via Moodle--cases will NOT
be accepted in any other format. Part of the required learning for this course will be the ability to submit casework electronically on time and in the designated
manner. The acceptable format for the preparation and submission of cases will be discussed in class. Specific groups of students may be assigned the
responsibility of presenting their case findings and leading the case discussion in class on the date due. During the second part of the semester, students MUST
work on the assigned cases collaboratively within their group. Group participation will be tracked and graded for those case projects. If you do not wish to
participate in teamwork, notify the faculty member as soon as possible.
Please note! Make sure to submit a copy of your work, keep a copy for yourself, and ensure that when you submit your work that you are finished and that the
version submitted is the one you want graded.
Classroom Code of Conduct:
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Arrive on time.
Don’t skip classes.
Cell phone use is prohibited entirely (turn them off or mute them before class begins).
In class use of tablet, laptop or notebook computers is encouraged except during tests.
Participation is essential.
Ask questions.
No music players of any type.
No unapproved electronic devices of any type.
No exiting and reentering the classroom during quizzes or tests without instructor’s approval.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance in this class is very important to your grade. You are responsible for your actions—you may come to class or not. However, the professor may record
attendance at the beginning of each class period in accord with governmental requirements and missing role and opportunities to contribute to class discussions may
impact your grade. The professor realizes that emergencies do arise; therefore it is your responsibility to discuss these events with the instructor ahead of the event.
There will be no exceptions. If you know you will not have the time to devote to this course and collaborate with your colleagues, please drop the course and take it
in a semester when you will have the time or change your course section for one that better fits your schedule.
Additional Information:
How to succeed:

Come to all classes. The lectures are designed to present the material you need to know.

Keep abreast of the chapter and case project assignment schedules to know what is coming up and when assignments are due.

Work on the assignments as soon as possible—the longer you wait, the less you remember of the in-class discussion. Once you fall behind it is unlikely
that you will be able to catch up.

Devote time and effort to your team and team assignments.
E-mail is a valuable tool for student/instructor communication. Following are some does and don’ts.
USE E-mail for:

Clarification of the details of assignments or projects (identify yourself, your section, and the specific question that you want answered).

Arranging appointments when office hours are in conflict with the student's schedule.

Apprising the instructor of interesting resources that may be useful for enhancing the class.
DO NOT use E-mail for:

Submitting case project assignments (will result in a grade of zero for the assignment).

Requesting information such as a re-lecture of material because of missing a class.
Remember, when you ask a class related question in an E-mail, be sure to include your class and section, and the project or assignment to which you are referring.
IFS305 Syllabus
Fall 2014
Page 4