Fundamentals of Information Systems and Quantitative Methods

BUS 5505

Fall Semester 2010

Instructor: / QM – E. Fran Smith. / IS - E. Fran Smith
Prerequisite Course(s): / None. Admission into the MBA program is required.
Office Hours: / Monday: 3:45–6:45
Tuesday: 10:00-11:15; 5:15-6:45
Wednesday: 3:45-6:45
Thursday: 10:00-11:15
Office Location: / 109 McCartha Hall
Office Telephone: / 334-670-3705/334-670-3143
334-670-3599 FAX
Email: /
Web Site: / Course on BlackBoard / troy.blackboard.com
Time Of Class: / 1:00 pm to 3:45 p.m. Wednesday
Class Location: / MCCartha 119D
Course Description: / A survey of key concepts in statistics and information systems that provides a foundation for further study in graduate quantitative methods and management information systems. Students must earn a grade of “B” or better (At least a “B” in each component) in the course.
Text: / Quantitative Methods
Lind, Marchal, & Wathen. Basic Statistics for Business & Economics, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2008, 6th ed.
Information Systems
Essentials Of Management Information Systems (9.th ed.) by Kenneth C. Laudon & Jane P. Laudon, Prentice Hall.
Additional Materials / McGraw-Hill CONNECT PLUS Access Code
USB key for storing assignments
Grading Methods: / Quantitative Methods
There will be three exams and homework. The weights are as follows:
Exam 1 [Chapters 1-4]: 25%
Exam 2 [Chapters 5-8]: 25%
Exam 3 [Chapters 9-10, 13 and 14]: 25%
Homework: 25%
Information Systems
There will be three exams, homework and quizzes. The weights are as follows:
3 Exams: 30% each
Exam 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 10)
Exam 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6, 11)
Exam 3 (Chapters 7, 8, 9, 12)
Homework and Quizzes: 10%
Final course grade is found by averaging the two course grades. HOWEVER, BOTH INDIVIDUAL COURSE GRADES MUST BE A “B” OR HIGHER TO RECEIVE A “B” OR HIGHER AS THE FINAL GRADE.
Course Objectives: / On completion of the statistics part of the course, the student should be able to:
Quantitative Methods
1. Compute and interpret summary measures of business data, and construct tabular and graphical summaries of business data.
2. Compute probabilities, and apply probability theory to business problems.
3. Forecast future levels of inventory, staffing, or customer demand in an apt business scenario. Develop and apply simple linear regression models and multiple regression models (if time permits).
4. Analyze sample data and apply basic statistical hypothesis-testing to draw inferences about a sample population relevant to business.
5. Explain the value and limitations of statistical analysis.
Information Systems
1. Identify the categories, components and functions of computers and information systems.
2. Describe the information systems building blocks, including input, output, storage, data sources management, and telecommunications.
3. Describe the design, development, testing, and operation processes of information systems.
4. Identify sources of threats to information security, security measures that can be taken, and network security defenses that can be utilized.
5. Describe legal, moral, and ethical issues in IT to include privacy and the impact of business systems on society.
Sorrell College of Business Mission Statement / Through operations that span the State of Alabama, the United States, and the world, Sorrell College of Business equips our students with the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies to become organizational and community leaders who make a difference in the global village and global economy. Through this endeavor, we serve students, employers, faculty, and Troy University at large as well as the local and global communities
Sorrell College of Business Vision Statement / Sorrell College of Business will be the first choice for higher business education students in their quest to succeed in a dynamic and global economy. Sorrell College of Business will create the model for 21st century business education and community service.
Troy University Mission Statement / Troy University is a public institution comprised of a network of campuses throughout Alabama and worldwide. International in scope, Troy University provides a variety of educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for a diverse student body in traditional, nontraditional and emerging electronic formats. Academic programs are supported by a variety of student services which promote the welfare of the individual student. Troy University's dedicated faculty and staff promote discovery and exploration of knowledge and its application to life-long success through effective teaching, service, creative partnerships, scholarship and research.
Course Purpose: / To provide a survey of information systems and quantitative-methods concepts for the MBA program. Required for MBA students who lack a business, accounting, or business-related degree from a school holding specialized accreditation for their business programs.
Course Requirements: / See Additional Materials.
Classroom Administration: / Be punctual. Those coming late to class must wait outside until I recognize them and motion for them to enter. Students needing to leave early for an appointment should clear this with the instructor. Any student who becomes ill and must leave class or miss class should go to the student health center. Documentation from the student health center should be provided to the instructor upon returning to class.
Homework, Quiz & Test Policies: / Late assignments will not be graded. There is no makeup for quizzes.
Makeup exams will only be given for excused absences (see Attendance Policy).
Students must bring their student ID to all exams. Students will be told prior to each exam what resources may be used during that exam. Students will not be allowed to share resources.
Class Procedure and Requirements: / There are NO social promotions! Students must earn a passing grade by meeting course objectives.
Students are expected to:
1.  Punctually complete all assignments before the deadline.
2.  Be responsible for all instructions and assignments given in the course platform.
3.  Read the textbook material before the project covering that material. This leads to a better understanding of the material as well as the opportunity to ask questions about materials(s) in the text that were unclear or that the student did not understand.
4.  Complete all projects before the deadline date.
5.  No food, tobacco products, nor drinks are allowed in the computer labs.
General Supports: / The computer labs in 119 and 207 in McCartha Hall and Computer Works are available for student use.
Additional Services / AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
Troy University supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which insure that postsecondary students with disabilities have equal access to all academic programs, physical access to all buildings, facilities and events, and are not discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligible students, with appropriate documentation, will be provided equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills and potential through the provision of academic adaptations and reasonable accommodations. Further information, including appropriate contact information, can be found at the link for Troy University’s Office of Human Resources at http://www.troy.edu/humanresources/ADAPolicy2003.htm
Absenteeism: / Each student is expected to attend all scheduled events. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all information and materials during his or her absence prior to returning to class.
Attendance Policy: / If a student misses a class or lab it is his/her responsibility to obtain all information and materials presented (including materials covered, handouts, skills learned, and homework assignments) during his/her absence before returning to class.
I do not repeat lectures nor perform the tutoring function for students who are absent. Each absence will make the successful completion of this course more difficult. Roll will be taken at the beginning of the term for reporting to Financial Aid.
Cheating Policy: / It is expected that students will abide by the Honor Code, Academic Code, Technology Use Policy, and Standards of Conduct as outlined in the most current version of the Oracle, student handbook. Any student not abiding by these codes/policies/standards will be subject to the penalties outlined in the Oracle.
Course Outline And Dates To Remember: / A tentative list of topics to be covered from the text is included below. The topics are listed in the approximate order in which they will be covered. Text problems will be identified later. Please note that this outline is subject to change.
Week / Date / Chapter
1 / Aug 11 / Course Introduction, Intro to QM: Chapters 1 and 2
Aug 16 / Last day to add a course/drop a course without financial penalty/Withdraw from the University without owing full tuition.
2 / Aug 18 / Chapters 1 & 2
3 / Aug 25 / Chapters 3, 4 and 5
4 / Sept 1 / 9:00 – 10:30: QM Exam 1: Chapters 1-4
Chapters 6 and 7
5 / Sept 8 / Chapters 7, 8, and 9
6 / Sept 15 / 9:00 – 10:30: QM Exam 2: Chapters 5-8
Chapters 10 and 13
7 / Sept 22 / Chapters 13 and 14
8 / Sept 29 / 9:00 – 10:30: QM Exam 3: Chapters 9, 10, 13 and 14
10:30-11:45: IS – Chapter 1 and MYITLAB
9 / Oct 6 / IS: Chapters 2, 3
10 / Oct 13 / IS: Chapter 10
IS: Chapter 4
11 / Oct 20 / IS: Exam Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 10
IS: Chapter 5
12 / Oct 22 / IS: Chapters 6 and 11
13 / Nov 3 / IS: EXAM 2 Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 11
IS: Chapter7
14 / Nov 10 / IS: Chapters 8 and 9
15 / Nov 17 / IS: Chapters 9 and 12
Nov 24 / Holiday - Thanksgiving
16 / Dec 1 / IS Exam 3 Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 12
Cumulative Final Exam
Electronic Devices Policy / Per TROY Academic Operating Policy 8-1-07-08 (See http://www.troy.edu/academics/aop/documents/AOP_08-01-07-08.pdf)
Use of any electronic devise by students in the instructional environment is prohibited unless explicitly approved on a case-by-case basis by the instructor of record or by the Office of Disability Services in collaboration with the instructor. Cellular phones, pagers, and other communication devices may be used for emergencies, however, but sending or receiving non-emergency messages is forbidden by the University. Particularly, use of a communication device to violate the Troy University “Standards of Conduct” will result in appropriate disciplinary action (See pp. 42-52 of the Oracle.
In order to receive emergency messages from the University or family members, the call receipt indicator of devices must be in the vibration mode or other unobtrusive mode of indication. Students receiving calls that they believe to be emergency calls must answer quietly without disturbing the teaching environment. If the call is an emergency, they must move unobtrusively and quietly from the instructional area and notify the instructor as soon as reasonably possible. Students who are expecting an emergency call should inform the instructor before the start of the instructional period.