MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

INSY689

(4 credits)

Septermber 1995

Ron Vyhmeister (vyhmeisr@andrews.edu)

I. OBJECTIVES

The general objectives of this class include:

1. to provide a historical context for the use of computers in modern business,

2. to discuss relevant computer hardware and software concepts,

3. to present specific dependence of business practices on computers,

4. to describe management information systems,

5. to depict a typical business computer system lifecycle,

6. to introduce the systems analysis process,

7. to consider management concerns in the selection, use, and maintenance of an integrated computer based information resource.

II. DESCRIPTION

TOPICS:_______________ 4 credits

Topics in information systems such as: human-computer interfacing, software engineering research techniques, forth-generation languages, ethics. May be repeated for different topics to a total of 8 credits.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Covers the use and effect of computer information processing in a business environment with emphasis on management; computer systems theory; business computing equipment; management concerns such as decision support systems, computer security, and data base management; management information systems; system life cycle; and systems analysis and design.

1995-96 Andrews University School of Business Bulletin

III. LEVEL

This course is intended for the graduate MBA student to acquaint him or her with the general uses of the computers in a business environment. It is expected that each student be familiar with elementary uses of the computer, in particular, the use of a word processor and spreadsheets is required for assignments and the term report.

IV. OUTLINE

A. Introduction

1. Course requirements

2. Grading

B. Computers

1. Hardware

2. Software

3. Historical context

C. Information Systems

1. Organization

2. Strategic Role

3. Management

D. Data Processing Environment

E. Information structure

F. Communications

G. Systems Analysis

1. Life Cycle

2. Design

3. Implementation

H. Decision Support Systems

I. Managing Information

1. Data

2. Resources

V. TEXTS AND REFERENCE

A. Text

Laudon, Kenneth C. and Laudon, Jane Price, Management Information Systems: Organization and Technology, 3rd ed., Macmillan Publishing Co., 1994.

ISBN 0-02-368121-7

B. Reference

Martin, E. Wainright, et al, Managing Information Technology, What Managers Need to Know, 2nd ed., Macmillan Publishing Co., 1994.

Parker, Charles S., Understanding Computers & Information Processing, Today and Tomorrow, 4th ed., The Dryden Press, 1992.

Roche, Edward M., Managing Information Technology in Multinational Corporations, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1992.

Schultheis, Robert and Sumner, Mary, Management Information Systems, The Manager's View, 2nd ed., Irwin, 1992.

VI. STRUCTURE

A. Attendance

Every student is expected to attend all scheduled class activities. There is no explicit attendance portion of the grade for lecture; however, excessive absences will jeopardize your final grade.

B. Lectures

The lectures should cover most of the material, although students are expected to read the assigned text material. Opportunity will be provided for questions and answers as well as discussion. Anything presented in the lectures may appear on a quiz or the final exam.

C. Schedule

A schedule will be distributed showing the approximate topics covered in the class presentation and the appropriate reading, due dates and deadlines for the homework and the report, and the date of the final exam.

Generally, it is anticipated that each student will spend approximately seven weeks full-time on this course. By "full-time" it is meant time outside the normal working hours. Of these seven weeks, two are spent prior to the two-week intensive class presentation, two weeks of class attendance, and three weeks working on assignments, term paper, and preparation for the final exam. While there are assignments due during the two-week class presentation period, these will tend to be smaller and less time consuming since a large portion of non-working hours will be spent in class.

D. Deadlines

The teacher realizes that each student is working full-time and that work or family pressures may make it necessary to request a temporary postponement of turning in one or more assignments. In order to provide flexibility, each assignment is given a due date and a full-credit deadline. Note, even though the assignment will be accepted at the full-credit deadline for full-credit, it is due at the indicated due date. It is to the student's advantage to have the assignments ready at the time they are due. The extended time is for consideration that some flexibility may be needed. Also the schedule indicates dates when the assignment will be accepted for partial credit. Exceptions to the stated deadlines may be made on an individual basis. As much consideration will be given as possible; however, it is the responsibility of each student to discuss with the teacher in advance any exceptions to the stated deadlines for turning in assignments. If you have not made arrangements, then the teacher may not accept the late work or may heavily discount it--in no cases will any late penalty be greater than those specifically published in the schedule.

During the period of time that the class is meeting, assignments should be turned into the teacher. After the intensive time, they should be turned into theIAHE office. Make certain that each assignment is date stamped. They will be graded according to the time turned into the teacher or IAHE, whichever is earlier.

E. Academic Honesty

All work turned in for credit including homework assignments, quizzes, report, and the final exam is to be the work of the individual. For homework, students may ask questions of each other, discuss the problem and solution, and provide minimal assistance to others in the class. However, copying of written answers and solutions is contrary to the accepted procedure for this course. For the quizzes and the final exam, no consultation is permitted. The term report is to be the unique work of the individual student. Violation of the conditions for academic honesty are considered major infractions and will be dealt with according to the policies of Andrews University which, in the worst case, may result in an F being recorded for the course grade.

VII. GRADING

A. Homework

1. As assigned, generally case studies.

2. Students may ask questions of each other and the teacher, but the material turned in should be uniquely the result of the individual's analysis and synthesis.

3. All material that is turned in must be neat and typed.

4. Answers should be marked and questions clearly identified and arranged in order for each assignment.

5. Each assignment should bundled and turned in separately, even if more than one is being turned in at the same time.

6. Fasten all the material together for each assignment.

7. Late assignments turned in without excuse up until the final deadline will be graded and the points discounted--see schedule for exact dates--the general scheme is:

on time graded for 100%

up to two weeks late graded, then multiplied by 0.75

two to three weeks late graded, then multiplied by 0.50

three to four weeks late graded, then multiplied by 0.25

after four weeks graded, then multiplied by 0.00

a. for the first one or two assignments, this general scheme will be compressed so that opportunity will be provided for graded assignments to be returned before subsequent ones are due--for the last assignment or two, the time may also be compressed.

b. provision is made for exceptions negotiated in advance.

c. it is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the teacher for exceptions to the published deadlines.

d. late penalties will not change a final grade from a C- to a D or from a D to an F; that is, any grades of D or F will be recalculated without the late penalties--if the recalculated are indeed higher, then a C- or D will be assigned, respectively.

e. no assignments after the last published date (25% credit deadline of the last assignment) will be accepted without prior arrangements.

8. With an acceptable excuse and prior agreement with the teacher an assignment may be turned in late without penalty.

9. All assignments presented to the teacher will be given a final grade: that is, there is no "pre-grading" nor can assignments be "corrected" after grading for additional points.

10. Questions concerning grading should be addressed to the teacher as soon as possible--where appropriate, upward changes for errors in grading will be made.

11. Some extra credit homework may be assigned.

12. No makeup work on assignments on an individual basis. Assigned extra credit is available for all students.

13. Will be graded according to the thoroughness of the answer--a minimal answer, even though correct may not receive full credit--a superior answer may receive extra credit points.

14. Any extra credit marks will be applied only to homework; that is, the maximum number of points any given student may receive for the homework portion of the grade is the total possible for homework.

15. All homework must be turned in by the time of the final exam.

16. Counts 30% toward the final grade.

B. Report

1. A research paper discussing the use of the computer in some area of business.

2. It should be typed, double-spaced, a 10 to 12 point font, standard margins, should include a cover page, and the text pages numbered.

3. The length should be eight to twelve pages of text.

4. There should be bibliographic references (at least 4) listed on a separate bibliography page and appropriate footnotes or endnotes for specific information and quotes.

5. The grading will be based upon:

content 25%

logical presentation 20%

grammar and spelling 20%

bibliography 15%

neatness 5%

length 5%

overall subjective 10%

6. The paper is due approximately two weeks after the intensive class periods. It may be turned in for full-credit by the time of the final exam and for partial credit according to the schedule. All exceptions must be cleared in advance with the teacher.

7. Counts 25% toward the final grade.

C. Quizzes

1. Several unannounced will be given.

2. Will cover the material designated which will include: lectures, homework, and reading assignments.

3. Lowest one will be discarded.

4. No makeup quizzes will be given.

5. Generally, 10-15 minutes, in class, no notes, closed book.

6. Typically short answer, fill-in-the-blank, explanation.

7. Quiz total counts10% toward the final grade.

D. Final Examination

1. Comprehensive.

2. May include a case study.

3. Two hours (however, three hours will be permitted), in class, no notes, closed book.

4. All students are expected to sit the final exam at the same time--any exceptions must be requested and acceptable arrangements made with the teacher in advance, except for extreme emergency situations

5. Counts 35% toward the final grade.

E. Summary

Homework 30%

Report 25%

Quizzes 10%

Final 35%

100%

Grades will be computed from the class distribution of the weighted percentages from the above items.

Grades will be distributed approximately:

90% - 100% A 65% - 70% C+

85% - 90% A- 60% - 65% C

80% - 85% B+ 55% - 60% C-

75% - 80% B 45% - 55% D

70% - 75% B- 0% - 45% F

The grade intervals may be lowered slightly depending upon the final class distribution; that is, the A grade may be lowered to 89 or 88%. The percent level for a given grade will not be raised.

F. Deferred Grade

1. If requirements for the course are, by prior arrangement, not met by the last deadline date, then a deferred grade (DG) may be reported to the Record's Office.

2. The maximum length of time to satisfy all the requirements for the course; that is, the time for the DG to be made up is one year from the date of the beginning of the two-week intensive class presentation--at that time the DG will be changed to the grade earned.

G. Withdrawal

1. A student may, after registering, request a Withdrawal from the course in accordance to the University policy.

a. during the two-week intensive portion, the student should notify the teacher--do not simply discontinue attendance.

b. after the two-week intensive (after the registration forms have been turned in to the Record's Office for permanent recording), then the procedure is to make a formal request on a School of Graduate Studies petition form stating clearly why the student is requesting a Withdrawal--it is the student's responsibility to make the request in writing.

c. Generally, no withdrawals are granted if requested after the time of the final exam.

2. After a Withdrawal, there would be no further participation in the course activities.

3. Generally, for a Withdrawal that is requested during the two-week intensive period there is no permanent transcript record; for those granted after the two-week intensive, the transcript will record the course with a W.

4. No course with a W can be applied to meeting a degree requirement--for credit to be given the course in its entirety must be repeated.