INSY 481 -- Systems Analysis, Fall 1995

INSY 481
Systems Analysis I

Fall, 1995
Instructor:       Ron Vyhmeister
E-Mail:             vyhmeisr@andrews.edu
Office:             CSH 215A, 471-3458
Home:               473-3732 (before 10 pm)
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-5:00 pm. Other times by appointment.


Course description

Provides a methodical approach to developing computer systems including systems planning, analysis, feasibility study, design, testing, implementation and software maintenance. The role of the systems analyst and causes of systems failure are stressed throughout. Hardware/software selection is also discussed. No programming assignments are involved; however, the course builds upon concepts to which the student has been exposed in pevious classes. Prerequisites: COSC 163 and INSY 241

Textbooks:

Burch, John G. Systems Analysis, Design, and Implementation. Boston, MA: Boyd & Fraser Publishing, 1992.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

1.   Describe the major phases of the system development life cycle from
     memory.

2.   Produce a structured system specification for a simple system.

3.   Develop cost-benefit analyses, gather data, and exercise project control.

Proficiency in the following tools will be expected: 

     Data Flow Diagrams                 Structured English
     Data Dictionary                         Decision Trees
     Entity-Relationship Diagrams

Grading and course policies

Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

A	95%  	Midterm Exam	30%
A-   	90	Final Exam		35%
B+   	87	Assignments         
B    	83          & Quizzes	35%
B-   	80        
C+   	76
C    	71
C-   	65
D	55
Late work receives a grade of 0. I will grade it for your edification, if you would like. If you must be late to (or miss) some class period or test, please make arrangements before-hand. I do not make arrangements after the fact, and missing a test or quiz means a 0. Quizzes will only be handed out to those who are there at the beginning of the quiz. If you are late, you will not be given the opportunity to take the quiz. Quizzes may or may not be announced. You are responsible at any time for the material covered the last class period, as well as the assigned reading for the current period.

Except when specifically told otherwise by the instructor, everyone should work on their own. If you do work with a friend, make sure that your work is not a copy of theirs. If cheating does occur, a grade of "F" will be assigned for the course.

Homework submission may be required in electronic format. You should own at least two (2) 3.5" HD disks for your work and backups.


Assignments

Article Reviews

Three journal article reviews will be required. Each article chosen should be current and correspond to the topics being covered in the course. Each review should be one or two pages of word processed text. The review should contain a critical analysis of the article and your personal thoughts on the article.

Assignments in Class

There will be regular assignments in class. The due date will be announced as they are assigned.



Course Schedule

September 26
Introduction, course Overview
Chapter 1: System Development Methodologies
Chapter 2: Taking a Structured Approach and Using Modeling Tools
October 3
Chapter 2: Continued
Chapter 3: Systems Development Management and Automation
October 10 Chapter 3: Systems Development Management ... (cont.)
Chapter 4: Systems Planning
October 17 Chapter 5: Systems Analysis
October 24 Chapter 6: General Systems Design
Chapter 7: System Evaluation and Selection
October 31 Exam 1: Chapters 1-7
November 7 Chapter 8: Designing the Systems Output
Chapter 9: Designing the Systems Input
November 14 Chapter 10: Designing the Systems Process
Chapter 11: Designing the Systems Database
November 21 Chapter 11: Designing the Systems Database (cont)
Chapter 12: Designing the Systems Control
November 28 Chapter 13: Designing Networks
Chapter 14: Designing Computer Architectures
December 5 Final Exam