Drexel University College of Computing and Infomatics
INFO 101 Intro to Information Technology
Term Offered - Online
(3-0-3)
Carl Drott
Office: Rush 336
Email: drott@drexel.edu
Office Hours: TBD
Website: testbed.cis.drexel.edu
Required Course Materials
Book: Principles of Information Systems, Stair and Reynolds, Course Technology, 12th Edition, ISBN-13: 9781133629665
Note: This is the 12th edition
Catalog Course Description
Introduces the basic knowledge and techniques required to use computing effectively in organizations. Explores information systems,
information technology and software concepts with an emphasis on how computing can be used to help organizations meet their goals
Prerequisites, Co-requisites & Restrictions
No pre-requisites
Curricular Role (Course Purpose)
This is a required course for all iSchool majors except the BS in Software Engineering. It is usually taken first term of the first year. It
may also be taken by students in other majors who want to gain an introduction to information systems and information technology
Course Rationale
This course provides a foundation of concepts and terminology related to information systems and information technology.
Learning Outcomes (Statement of Expected Learning)
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:





Define characteristics of computing devices including functions and operations of basic hardware components
Define and discuss types and key characteristics of operating systems and application software
List basic functions of major types of organizational information systems
Explain uses and types of organizational information systems
Describe the process of developing information systems
Presentation
Lectures, exercises, and class participation
Coursework
The course is made up of 5 key items and 1 optional item:
1.
Readings: Each weekly assignment will indicate the readings for the course that week. Details about the readings can be found
under the “Weekly Assignments” section of the course.
2.
Weekly Discussion Participation: Every week I will post several questions in the discussion board. Comments on other
student’s posts should have substance. That is, simply saying “I agree” or “me too” is not sufficient
Drexel University College of Computing and Infomatics
For participation, I expect a minimum 9 posts (questions, observations, comments, etc) from each student
during THE TERM -- that is, about 1 post every week. Good students will obviously do more. When posting
on the board, quality and relevance are more important than length.
The discussion week starts on Monday and ends Sunday midnight – Please do not add materials to a week’s
boards after this time
A discussion implies responding to the ideas of others. (Hint: “Yeah, that’s right.” Does not constitute
discussion) Read and respond with ideas. Students who habitually wait until Sunday night to post are not
contributing as much as those posting earlier thus giving greater opportunity for responses.
3.
Exams: There are two exams during this course. Both exams will be an independent, individual open book exam with hopefully
interesting and intriguing questions for you to answer. Exam 1 will cover the material from Weeks 1 – 4 and Exam 2 will cover
material from Weeks 6 – 10. Both exam’s will consist of multiple choice and true/false type questions.
4.
Homework: Details about the homework assignments can be found under the “Homework Assignments” section of the course.
Assessment (Include Grading Matrix and Scale)
Class participation, homework, project, discussion participation, midterm and final exam.
Course Calendar
This is a tentative outline of when the various topics will be covered. The outline could change during the term if certain subjects
warrant more time, or for any other reasons of necessity. Exact information about homework, exams and the project will be given out
during class.
Important: The Fall Term actually has 11 weeks in it because of Thanksgiving. No class events are scheduled for that week
Reading
Reading
Home
Chapters Supplement1
Week
Topics
Work /
(Stair &
(Snyder)
Exams Due
Reynolds)
1 Sep
21
2 Sep
28
3 Oct
5
4 Oct
12
1
Part I – Information Systems in organizations


An Introduction to Information Systems
Information Systems in Organizations.
Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Part II – Information Technology Environment


Representing Information Digitally
Hardware: Input, Processing, and Output Devices


Software: Systems and Application Software
Database Systems, Data centers and Business
Intelligence
Chapter 04
Chapter 05


Networks and Telecommunications
Networks Fundamentals and the Web
Chapter 06
Chapter 7
Chapter 03
Chapter 3
Optional Supplemental Book: Fluency with Information Technology, 5th Edition, Lawrence Snyder, Addison Wesley. You do not
have to purchase this book. Copy of referenced chapters are available in course blackboard shell.
Drexel University College of Computing and Infomatics
5 Oct
19
6 Oct
26
7
Nov
2
8
Nov
9
9
Nov
16
Nov
23
10
Nov
30
11
Exam 1 –Continue the web.
Chapter 6

Chapter 07

Internet and the Web: basic concepts, search
engines, applications and use
Locating Information on the Web
Exam 1
Chapter 5
Part III – Key System Applications


Electronic and Mobile Commerce
Enterprise Systems
Chapter 08
Chapter 09


Information and Decision Support Systems.
Knowledge Management and Specialized
Information
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Part IV – Systems Development


Systems Development: Investigation and
Analysis.
Systems Design, Implementation, Maintenance,
and Review.
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Thanksgiving
Part V – Information Systems in Business and Society

The Personal and Social Impact of Computers.
Chapter 14
Chapter 11
Finals Week
Exam 2
Note that there are actually 11 weeks in the Fall term because of Thanksgiving. No class activity is expected during that week.
Academic Policies
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Academic Dishonesty Policy: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp
Academic Integrity Policy: http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/judicial/honesty.html
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities requesting accommodations and services at Drexel
University need to present a current accommodation verification letter (AVL) to faculty before accommodations
can be made. AVL's are issued by the Office of Disability Services (ODS). For additional information, contact
ODS at www.drexel.edu/ods, 3201 Arch St., Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215.895.1401 (V), or
215.895.2299 (TTY). http://www.drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/students/
Course Drop Policy: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course_drop.asp
Course Change Policy: Course information contained in this syllabus may be subject to change during the term at the
instructor’s discretion. Changes will be communicated during class meetings.
Course Withdrawal Policy: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course_withdrawal_policy.asp
Academic Honesty
The Drexel University Academic Honesty Rules and Procedures (as stated in the Student Handbook,
http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/studenthandbook) will be adhered to strictly. Students who commit plagiarism or other
forms of academic dishonesty may receive an “F” for both the assignment and the course.
Drexel University College of Computing and Infomatics
All work must be your own. Any plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. All students are bound by
Drexel’s University Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty Policy. Please review the policy in the University Student Handbook.
You are encouraged to discuss homework assignments and classes with other students, but all work submitted for grading
must be your own work or the work of your project group (for group projects if assigned). It is not permitted to work with
any other students on individual course exams at any time. Submitted student work may be processed via automated tools
(for example Turnitin). Here are some suggested sources for understanding plagiarism
http://www.library.drexel.edu/resources/tutorials/plagiarism/plagiarism.html
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/
http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/hc/plagiarism.html
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
The iSchool has implemented a policy that requires all students to certify the work they submit is their own. This certification
must be completed once at the start of the term and will cover the entire term. Below is the Academic Honesty Certification
to complete. You will complete the Academic Honesty Certification online. In the course shell will be an assignment where
you will complete the certification during the 1st week of class. No work in the course will be graded until the student
submits the certification and will be treated as late until the certification is completed.
Certification
I certify that: ___________________________
This assignment is entirely my own work.
I have not quoted the words of any other person from a printed source or a website without indicating what has been
quoted and providing an appropriate citation.
I have not submitted any of the material in this document to satisfy the requirements of any other course.