ITOM 2308
Course Syllabus – SPRING 2014
1)
2)
Course Information:
1. ITOM 2308, Sections 001, 002, and 003
2. Information Systems for Management
3. Spring 2014
4. Classes are held in 188 Crow Building.
a. Section 001: 9:00am Monday/Wednesday/Friday
b. Section 002: 10:00am Monday/Wednesday/Friday
c. Section 003: 2:00pm Monday/Wednesday/Friday
5. ITOM 2308 Web Site: http://jcollins.cox.smu.edu/2308/2308.html
Faculty Member Contact Information:
1. Jim Collins
2. 397 Crow Building;
3. Office Hours: 3:00pm - 3:30pm MW; and 2:00pm - 3:30pm TT
4. Email Address: jcollins@smu.edu
3)
Enrollment is restricted to 40 students per section.
4)
Course Description:
This course gives students a basic understanding of the role played by information systems in business organizations. Information
systems based on advanced computer and telecommunications technologies are fundamentally changing how businesses operate,
how competition among firms plays out, and how entire industries are organized. All business students, regardless of specialty,
should:

develop an appreciation for the critical impact of information systems on business practices,

acquire basic literacy in the terms and concepts surrounding information technology,

develop an understanding of their future role -- whether as an end user or an information systems professional -- in the
development and use of information systems, and

develop an understanding of the ethical issues involved in information systems and technology.
Covers the use of computer technologies for the management of information resources in business. The use of spreadsheet
analytical tools for data analysis, reporting and forecasting are covered. Database design and implementation for data storage,
retrieval, aggregation and reporting are also covered; as well as the creation of web pages using HTML. Laptops equipped with
the Windows operating system (Windows 7 or 8) and Microsoft Office are required for use in class. Prerequisite: ITOM 2305, or
STAT 2301 or 2331, or EMIS 3340 or 5370. Reserved for pre-business and Cox majors/minors only.
You should note the use of the term "management" in the course title. Although this course will give you an understanding of basic
technological principles, the primary focus of the course is on the business and management issues associated with the use of
information technology. This course will prepare you to be a knowledgeable "information technology generalist" with a fundamental
understanding of the use of information systems in supporting and managing a business enterprise.
You should also note the term "information" in the course title. Information is central to managerial control of a business enterprise.
In this course, we will come to see information systems in relation to the problems of controlling both the internal operations of the
business and the business's external relationships, including those with suppliers, customers, and competitors.
Finally, you should note the term "systems" in the course title. A system brings together interrelated or interacting components to
form a logical, cohesive whole. One purpose of this course is to instill in students a systems approach to developing and managing an
enterprise's information resource.
Information Technology and Operations Management (ITOM) is concerned with designing systems that combine people, computers,
communications systems, and mathematical models to assist the decision function in organizations. In addition to a good background
in business fundamentals, business students must have knowledge of information systems (IS). ITOM courses help business students
prepare for careers in systems analysis, information systems management, information systems consulting as well as finance,
marketing, real estate, and other business careers.
5)
Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives for ITOM 2308:

Demonstrate knowledge of productivity software
a)
b)






6)
Decision Analysis using Spreadsheets (Excel)
Database Management Systems (Access)
Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of computer programming
a)
developing web sites using the Hypertext mark Up Language (HTML)
Demonstrate knowledge of impact of computers on ethical issues and information
Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of computer technologies on society/cultures and individuals
Acquire basic literacy in the terms and concepts surrounding information technology
Develop an appreciation for the critical impact of information systems on business practices
Gain a fundamental understanding of the use of information systems in supporting and managing a business
enterprise
Required Text(s) and Equipment:
Microsoft Excel 2010 COMPLETE, Shelly-Cashman Series, ISBN 978-0-538-75005-9
Microsoft Access 2010 COMPLETE, Shelly-Cashman Series, ISBN 978-0-538-74862-9
You will need a laptop computer equipped with the Windows 7 or 8 operating system to bring to class. We will perform
exercises in class dealing with Excel, Microsoft Access, and will create web pages using HTML.
You will need Microsoft Office with Excel and Access. Office 2010 or Office 2013 is okay. This software is available on the
computers in the BIC (Business Information Center) on the ground floor of the Maguire Building.
7) Grading Policy:
Your course grade will be determined by a course average in which test constitute 70% of the
sum of the test grades and 30% of the computer exercises. The lowest grade of the outside
exercises will be ignored in calculation of the average if you have handed in all of the
assignments during the semester. The average of the homework exercises represents 30% of
your final grade. All exercises are graded on the basis of a 10.0 as being perfect. No lab
exercise will be accepted after that assignment has been graded.
Lower Limit
of
Class Avg
Letter
Grade
94.0
A
90.0
A-
87.0
B+
84.0
B
There will be 2 tests and 12 or 13 Lab exercises to be handed in and evaluated.
80.0
B-
Your letter grade is determined from this course average from the scale shown on this page.
77.0
C+
8) Final Exam:
A comprehensive final exam is not given in this course, although the last test will be
administered at your scheduled final exam time.
74.0
C
70.0
C-
67.0
D+
64.0
D
60.0
D-
0.0
F
Your final course average will be determined by taking 70% of the sum of the test grades and
adding to that your exercise average times 3.0.
Course Average=.7*(Sum of Test Grades) + 3*(Exercise Average)
9) Attendance Policy:
As you've heard by now, there's a strong correlation between class attendance and the final
grade you receive. If you do miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining notes and
assignments. The professor has the right to drop you from the class (with no recourse to the
student) if you miss 3 consecutive classes. If you have an excused absence, course work made
be made up or ignored in computing your final course average. See Topics 12 and 13, below for
what constitutes an excused absence.
10) Course and Instructor Policies
Tests and exams must be taken at the designated times. If you are ill or called away on a family emergency, it is your
responsibility to notify the professor before the test. A written excuse will be required in this event. Check with me on
the form and content if it becomes necessary to take a make-up test.
All communications devices must be turned off during the class.
This is the policy instigated by the Provost's office on October 3rd, 2001:
"Verification of medical illness and request for an excused absence from class will be handled in one of two ways. A
physician or staff member from health/counseling and testing will provide either (1) a hand written note on a Health
Center prescription form or 2) a signed letter written on Health Center stationery. Excused medical absences shall have
specific dates of time periods indicated. Encounter Forms and Walk-Out Statements verify a student's visit to the Health
Center BUT DO NOT INDICATE AN EXCUSED MEDICAL ABSENCE."
The university honor code is in effect in this course. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the honor code and its
ramifications. One thing I might add is that it is not legal to have copies of any former tests for this course (if any exist).
This is an unfair advantage and is unethical and illegal. Students who violate University rules on academic dishonesty
(the SMU Honor Code) are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or
dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the
University, policies on academic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
As you've heard by now, there's a strong correlation between class attendance and the final grade you receive. If you do
miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining notes and assignments.
11) Disability Accommodations:
Disability Accommodations: Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first be registered with
Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for
accommodations. Students may call 214-768-1470 or visit "http://www.smu.edu/alec/dass" to begin the process. Once
registered, students should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements.
12) Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities:
Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity should be given the
opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the
responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or
other missed assignment for making up the work. (University Undergraduate Catalogue)
13) Religious Observance:
Religiously observant students who wish to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their
professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of
making up any work missed because of the absence. (See University Policy No. 1.9.)
14) Assignments and Academic Calendar:
Also, see "Spring 2014 Course Schedule" at the 2308 Web Site.
(See the schedule on the next page.)
The Fall 2013 Schedule
Week
Monday
Date
Topics
1
Aug
26
2
Sep
2
Discussion of 2308 web site. Software needs for class. How to
download files from web site. Moving Averages as a forecast
method.
 Labor Day Holiday on Monday 
Forecasting: Creating an Excel worksheet to compute a moving
average forecast, Exponential Smoothing.
Excel: Printing a worksheet; other Excel operations and
functions. Using absolute cell references in a formula. Using the
"Solver" add-in, and setting up a Data Table in a spreadsheet.
Forecasting: Time Series Analysis and Regression Analysis Excel:
Trend projection with regression analysis Developing a forecast
for a time series using Excel.
Forecasting: Linear Regression Analysis.
3
Sep
9
4
Sep
16
5
Sep
23
Sep
30
6
7
Oct
7
8
Oct
14
9
Oct
21
10
Oct
28
Nov
4
Nov
11
11
12
13
Nov
18
14
Nov
25
Dec
2
Dec
9
Various
dates
15
16
Decision Making: Using Expected Values. Excel: Using Excel in
Decision Analysis: SUMPRODUCT, MIN, MAX, and VLOOKUP.
Using Excel to manage information: IF, FREQUENCY, COUNTIF,
and Pivot Tables.
Test 1 over Forecasting on Thursday & Friday.
Getting started with Microsoft Access. Managing data using a
relational database management system. Developing Queries
using QBE(query-by-example).
Fall Break Monday and Tuesday 
Developing Advanced Queries using QBE Database
Test 2 over Excel on Thursday & Friday.
Database Design Concepts and Referential Integrity. Developing
Queries Using the Structured Query Language (SQL)
Creating simple screen forms in ACCESS
Creating Multi-Table Forms and Form details
Introduction to the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): HTML:
Creating web pages using HTML.
HTML: Web page design details: Fonts & Colors Displaying
graphics images on a web page. Using hyperlinks in web pages.
Test 3 over ACCESS on Wednesday and Thursday.
Web page design (setting up tables)
Networks, the Internet, and Electronic Commerce. Ethical Issues
with Information Systems.
Creating tables on a web page.
Thanksgiving Holiday on Wednesday thru Friday 
Telecommunications: Telcomm concepts; Networks, the
Internet, and Electronic Commerce
Social & Global Issues with Information Systems
(Classes meet on Monday, only.)
Test 4 will be given at the scheduled final exam time for your
class.
Text Pages
Chapter 6-2; EX 1-35
Chapter 6-2
Chapter 6-2
EX 36-53; EX 162-164; EX
245-251; EX 370-371
Chapter 6-3 & 6-4;
EX 66-121; and Excel
Lecture Notes
Chapter 6-5; EX 494-499;
Excel Lecture Notes
EX 164-166, EX 338, EX
312-316, EX 499-522; and
Excel Lecture Notes
EX 164-166, EX 338, EX
AC 2-38; AC 42-48; AC 7484
AC 90-106; AC 116-123;
AC 319-322
AC 185-191;
Lecture Notes on SQL; and
AC 418-451
AC 243-255; AC 274-318;
and AC466-493
HTML01.pptx &
HTML02.pptx
HTML02.pptx;
HTML03.pptx
HTML04.pptx
PP Slides on Telcomm & Ecommerce; and Ethics
Notes. HTML04.pptx
PP slides on Telecomm &
E-commerce
PowerPoint slides on
Global & Social Issues
See the final exam
schedule