SYLLABUS		FALL, 2009
BSAD 141Z3	Management Information Systems
INSTRUCTOR(s): Thomas Chittenden - PROFESSOR INFO PHONE: 656-8311 OFFICE: 305 Kalkin OFFICE HOURS: T & R 7:45-8:30 or by Appointment E-MAIL: Thomas.Chittenden@uvm.edu		COURSE INFO: MEETS: TR 5:00-6:15 LOCATION: 004 Kalkin

Pre-requisites:

Students required to bring laptop with BSAD software to all classes; Required Course Fee of $20; CE students only and instructor permission; Degree students should register for BSAD 141 C.

Goals & Objectives:

The course is designed to familiarize students with the basic conceptual issues underlying the use and design of information systems (IS) and the basic techniques to model and assess the information needs of managers. The central objective of the course is to expose students to the importance and significance of IS in today's personal and professional environment. The course focuses on a series of techniques and theoretical frameworks to support the analysis/critique of current computer-based information systems and the design of improved ones.

The emphasis is on understanding the complexities and difficulties of using, modeling, designing, and implementing an information system. Introductory courses in information systems tend to concentrate on either technology or programming. This course provides the practical tools and a conceptual background for understanding the rationale behind information systems, especially information systems that support the decision-making activities within an organization.

The course has the following objectives for the semester:

Learn how to document and analyze the business processes (e.g. order fulfillment, revenue collection, etc.) found in a variety of businesses by using each of the following:

• Data Flow Diagrams (reading and creating with Microsoft Visio)
• Entity Relationship Diagrams (reading and creating with Microsoft Visio)
• Relational Database Designs (reading and creating with Microsoft Word)

Understand the issues associated with management of data (storage, retrieval, and security) in contemporary organizations by learning how to implement and use a simple workgroup information system developed using prototyping and a relational database management system (Microsoft Access 2007).

Learn a traditional systems development methodology (feasibility, systems analysis, development &/or acquisition of hardware & software, design, and implementation) used to develop new and improved information systems.

Understand the fundamental concepts of information systems and explore the personal and organizational uses and significance of IS in a rapidly changing digital world.

Books & Materials

Experiencing MIS 2nd Edition, Kroenke, David, Prentice Hall Publishing, ISBN: 9780136078685.

This is a new text. Do NOT confuse this textbook with an earlier version "Using MIS" by the same author and publisher.

MIS Cases; Cynthia Gardner & Eugene Rathswohl. ISBN 978-0-470-10122-3

I encourage you to read common business publications such as the Wall Street Journal (the School is able to give you a 50% discount on the subscription price), the Financial Times and weekly magazines like Business Week, The Economist, or Fortune magazine. If you read an interesting article dealing with management information systems, bring it to class and I will count it towards your class participation grade.

You will be held accountable to staying current with the major headlines of US mainstream media. The best way to do this is to stay current with a media outlet of your choice. My personal recommendations would be MSNBC.com, CNN.com or the Wall Street Journal. The very frequent in-class quizzes will more often than not include questions relevant to current events relating to both Business and World Affairs.

In addition to the mainstream media, IS related articles will be posted to the course submit folder. These articles will contribute to class discussion and may be considered relevant quiz content.

Grading:

Exam Comments:

There will be 2 exams in this course. These exams will require your mobile computing device to be fully functional with the required class software to be installed, running and functional.

Attendance Policy:

10% of your course grade will be based on your class participation. This will be assessed based on your class discussion contributions (quality, not quantity) and your course perceived attitude (somewhat subjective).

Additional Comments:

Attendance is not required nor counted. Expect almost daily quizzes on lecture and reading content that act as a proxy attendance mechanism. Quizzes are a very effective way to cement concepts, assess understanding and provide follow up review materials for course exams. Expect 15-20 quizzes over the entire semester which will be multiple choice, short answer, activity based, or essays.

In-Class Quizzes CANNOT be made up. Quizzes are returned within one week of taking them and due to the frequency of them, there will be no quiz make ups at all. One or two extra credit opportunities will be offered at some point in the semester to offset any missed or poorly-performed in-class quizzes.

These quizzes will be on-line or paper. It is your absolute responsibility to maintain your credentials to access this UVM hosted service. Any problems accessing this site MUST be addressed outside of class.

These quizzes will be conducted at the beginning or end of class. If students arriving late to class become a common and distracting occurrence, the quizzes will be held at the beginning of class. Regardless of when the quiz occurs, there are absolutely no make-ups for in class quizzes unless verifiable documentation is presented related to a family emergency or severe illness.

Academic Honesty

The principal objective of the policy on academic honesty is to promote an intellectual climate and support the academic integrity of the University of Vermont. Academic dishonesty or an offense against academic honesty includes acts that may subvert or compromise the integrity of the educational process. Such acts are serious offenses that insult the integrity of the entire academic community.

Offenses against academic honesty are any acts that would have the effect of unfairly promoting or enhancing one's academic standing within the entire community of learners which includes, but is not limited to, the faculty and students of the University of Vermont. Academic dishonesty includes knowingly permitting or assisting any person in the committing of an act of academic dishonesty.

The policy distinguishes between minor and major offenses. Offenses purely technical in nature or in which the instructor does not perceive intent to achieve advantage are deemed minor and handled by the instructor. Major offenses are those in which intent to achieve academic advantages is perceived. A full statement of the policy can be found in the Cat's Tale. Each student is responsible for knowing and observing this policy.

Classroom Code of Conduct

Faculty and students will at all times conduct themselves in a manner that serves to maintain, promote, and enhance the high quality academic environment befitting the University of Vermont. To this end, it is expected that all members of the learning community will adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Faculty and students will attend all regularly scheduled classes, except for those occasions warranting an excused absence under the policy detailed in the catalogue (e.g., religious, athletic, medical).
2. Students and faculty will arrive prepared for class and on time, and they will remain in class until the class is dismissed.
3. Faculty and students will treat all members of the learning community with respect. Toward this end, they will promote academic discourse and the free exchange of ideas by listening with civil attention to the comments made by all individuals.
4. Students and faculty will maintain an appropriate academic climate by refraining from all actions which disrupt the learning environment (e.g., making noise, ostentatiously not paying attention, and leaving and reentering the classroom inappropriately).
5. Food and drink are not allowed in classrooms.

Instructors will inform students of any special/additional expectations.