Western Connecticut State University
MIS 260 – Information Systems Concepts
SECTIONS 04 AND 12
Course Syllabus
FALL 2009
Dr. Marie A. Wright Office Hours
MIS Department
Office: WS 142 Monday: 9:30 am – 10:30 am and 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Telephone: (203) 837-9344
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 10:30 am and 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
e-mail: wrightm@wcsu.edu
Web site: http://people.wcsu.edu/wrightm/ Thursday: 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Course Description
This course provides students with the information systems fundamentals necessary to operate effectively in a computerized business environment. The course provides an overview of the components, operations, and roles of information systems in business environments. Major concepts and recent developments in computer hardware, software, telecommunications, and database management technologies are presented, and the strategic, global, and ethical dimensions of information systems are discussed.
Course Objectives
By the conclusion of the course, you should be able to:
· Understand what computers do, how they are used, and the impact of technology on individuals and organizations in a society.
· Develop word processing and spreadsheet applications using Microsoft Word 2007 and Microsoft Excel 2007, respectively.
· Know the fundamentals of using the Internet, Microsoft Access 2007, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2007.
Course Format
The course will consist of lectures and laboratory work.
REQUIRED TextS
James A. O’Brien and George M. Marakas. Management Information Systems, Ninth Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2009.
David Beskeen, Carol Cram, Jennifer Duffy, Lisa Friedrichsen, Elizabeth Reding. Microsoft Office 2007 – Illustrated Introductory, Windows XP Edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Course Technology, 2008.
Letter Grade/Numeric Equivalents
A 93 and above B 83 - 86 C 73 – 76 D 63 - 66
A- 90 - 92 B- 80 - 82 C- 70 - 72 D- 60 - 62
B+ 87 - 89 C+ 77 - 79 D+ 67 - 69 F below 60
Grading
4 Classroom exams
3 highest exams, each worth 19% 57%
Lowest exam 13%
2 Lab exams
Word processing exam 15%
Spreadsheet exam 15%
100%
You are expected to attend every class. You are responsible for the material presented or assigned in class, whether in attendance or not. Makeup exams will be given only as a last resort, and will be considerably more difficult than the original exam.
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE: November 6, 2009
Proposed Course Outline
Note: This is a tentative course outline and may be subject to change at any time
August 31
Course introduction
Ch. 1 – Foundations of Information Systems in Business
Assignment: Read Ch. 1
September 2
Ch. 2 – Competing with Information Technology
Assignment: Read Ch. 2
September 7
Holiday
September 9
Lab: Word
September 14
Ch. 3 – Computer Hardware
Assignment: Read Ch. 3
September 16
Lab: Word
September 21
Ch. 4 – Computer Software
Assignment: Read Ch. 4
September 23
Lab Exam: Word
September 28
EXAM #1
Lab: Excel
Ch. 6 – Telecommunications and Networks
Assignment: Read Ch. 6
Lab: Excel
Ch. 6 – Telecommunications and Networks
Assignment: Review Ch. 6
October 14
NO CLASS
October 19
Ch. 5 – Data Resource Management
Lab: Access
Assignment: Read Ch. 5
October 21
Lab: Excel
October 26
EXAM #2
Lab: Excel
November 2
Ch. 7 – e-Business Systems
Assignment: Read Ch. 7
Lab Exam: Excel
Ch. 8 – Enterprise Business Systems
Assignment: Read Ch. 8
Ch. 9 – Electronic Commerce Systems
Assignment: Read Ch. 9
Ch. 10 – Decision Support Systems
Assignment: Read Ch. 10
EXAM #3
November 23
Lab: PowerPoint
HOLIDAY
Ch. 12 – Developing Business/IT Solutions
Assignment: Read Ch. 12
Ch. 13 – Security and Ethical Challenges
Assignment: Read Ch. 13
Ch. 13 – Security and Ethical Challenges
Assignment: Review Ch. 13
EXAM #4
Section 04 – 2:00 pm
Section 12 – 8:00 am
We will use this day as needed to compensate for class cancellations due to inclement weather, etc.