IFS305 – Management Information Systems

W. R. Eddins, Ph.D.

Mission Statement: The Graham School of Business 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 Graham School of Business 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 / IFS305—Management Information Systems
Semester / Fall 2015
Faculty / W. R. Eddins, Ph.D.
Title / Associate Professor
Office Location / WBC 201
Office Hours / As posted on Moodle and on the instructor’s website
Email /
Website / http://faculty.ycp.edu/~weddins
Place, Days, & Times / WBC 310, IFS305.101 MWF 11-11:50a, IFS305.102 MWF 1-1:50p
Prerequisites / 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
Credit Hours / 3 credit hours
Textbook / Introduction to Information Systems 2nd Ed. (Wallace)
Case Project Book / 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 processes 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 their roles and how they interact.
3.  Describe the conceptual foundations, structure and technology of CIS; the role of CIS in support of management, users, and business functional areas; the implications and requirements of applying 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 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 projects, papers, and/or discussion questions on tests.
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. You will be informed in class and/or by the instructor’s website of any schedule changes. The exact due date of a test, lab and/or case project are provided separately. 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. Students must attend class in the appropriate section to receive participation points. No makeups are allowed for. There will be teamwork in this class. If you do not wish to participate, inform the faculty member as soon as possible so you can work individually.
Schedule for IFS305 Fall 2015
Wk # / Date - Mon / Activities (‘C’ is Chapter and ‘CP’ is Case Project)
1 / 8/31/2015 / Discuss syllabus, give CP 1, and Lab 1-YCP's Resources and Intermediate Excel
2 / 9/7/2015 / Labor Day (Mon), C01(3[1])-IS & People
3 / 9/14/2015 / C02(3)-IS & Strategy
4 / 9/21/2015 / C03(4)-ICT & Enterprise Architecture and C04(3)-DB & Data Warehouses
5 / 9/28/2015 / C04(3)-DB & Data Warehouses and C05(5)-IS for the Enterprise, CP 1 is due, and give CP 2
6 / 10/5/2015 / C05(5)-IS for the Enterprise, Test 1 (C1-4, p378-318[2])
7 / 10/12/2015 / C06(1)-Web, E-Commerce & M-Commerce and Lab 2-Setup Website
8 / 10/19/2015 / Fall Break (Mon & Tues), C06(1)-Web, E-Commerce & M-Commerce
9 / 10/26/2015 / C07(3)-BI & Decision Making
10 / 11/2/2015 / C08(1)-Collaborating, Test 2 (C5-8, p382-384)
11 / 11/9/2015 / C09(1)-Knowledge Management & E-Learning, CP 2 is due, and give CP 3
12 / 11/16/2015 / C10(3)-Ethics, Privacy & Security
13 / 11/23/2015 / Thanksgiving (Wed & Fri), C10(3)-Ethics, Privacy & Security
14 / 11/30/2015 / C11(1)-Systems Development & Procurement
15 / 12/7/2015 / C12(2)-Project Management & Strategic Planning
16 / 12/14/2015 / Lab 3-Grade Student Websites, and CP 3 is due during Lab 3
17 / Wed / Test 3 (C9-12, p385-387) IFS305.101 at 10:15a & IFS305.102 at 12:45p
This schedule is tentative and may be altered at the discretion of the instructor. The schedule for labs is given separately. The schedule above is a guideline as to what supporting information the student will be expected to cover on his/her own. 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/discussions before you come to class.

Grading:

The following represents the distribution of percentage values applied to course requirements:
Number / Percent
Chapter Tests / 3 / 45%
Case Projects / 3 / 45%
Participation (chapter quizzes and general) / 10%
It is the student's responsibility to be prepared to answer chapter questions in writing and discuss case materials during in-class discussions. Failure to be prepared and/or participate will result in a reduction of your grade in the case project and/or participation categories.

Grading Policy:

Final Grade / % Range / Description
4 (Excellent) / 100.0 – 90.0 / 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.
3.5 (Very Good) / 89.9 – 87.0 / 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.
3 (Good) / 86.9 – 80.0 / 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.
2.5 (Above Average) / 79.9 – 77.0 / 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.
2 (Average) / 76.9 – 70.0 / 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.
1 (Below Average) / 69.9 – 60.0 / This grade denotes below average understanding of the subject matter. It represents work that falls below the acceptable standard.
0 (Failure) / 59.9 – 0 / 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.
I (Incomplete) / N/A / 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.
W (Withdrawal) / N/A / 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.”
P (Pass) / N/A / This grade denotes passing in special Pass/Fail courses.
F (Fail) / N/A / This grade denotes failure in special Pass/Fail courses.
AU (Audit) / N/A / 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 promptly notify the student in writing and obtain confirmation of notification from the student. The faculty member 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. The faculty member has full discretion to determine a suitable penalty for the student, up to a course grade of 0. This discretion is limited to the course in which the dishonesty took place. Students may not withdraw from a course in which they have been accused of academic dishonesty, unless and until the accusation is withdrawn by the faculty member or is overturned by the Student Welfare Committee or the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Students who believe they have been unjustly charged or sanctioned 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 the case of an egregious first offense, the faculty member may request that the Student Welfare Committee conduct a hearing and determine a sanction, which may involve academic probation, suspension or dismissal from the College.

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 probation, 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.

Students with Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability in need of a classroom accommodation and have not already registered withLinda Miller, Director of Disability Support Services, please contact her at 815-1785 o discuss policies and procedures related to disability services and to establish the accommodations for which you are eligible.

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 Blackboard 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 Blackboard--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:

·  Arrive on time and don’t skip classes.
·  Cell phone use is prohibited entirely.
·  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 or any unapproved electronic devices of any type.
·  No exiting and reentering the classroom during quizzes or tests without instructor’s approval.

Attendance Policy: