Electives
Spring Semester 2009 electives offered by the Information Systems Program:
67-101 Concepts of Information Systems
6 units, full semester. Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30 - 3:20 pm
Instructor: Dr. Larry Heimann
This course provides an overview of the core concepts of information systems, and the impact of IS on the broader world. To this end, students will be exposed to the key concepts of people, process, and technology in information systems through lecture, case study, and project experience. Time in lecture will discuss topics such as the history of IS, the economics of information, as well as the key organizational and social issues. The class will study in detail the development of an IS project, and review some of the skills necessary for successful implementation of information systems. Finally, students will put these concepts into practice by working in small teams and using HTML, CSS, and javascript to create a website. This elective course is intended for first-year students in Information Systems; non-major students may enroll with permission from the program.
67-211 Introduction to Business Systems Programming
6 units, full semester. Thursdays 6:30 - 7:50 pm
Instructor: Dr. J. R. Scott
This course is an introduction to the COBOL programming language. In addition to the basic syntax of the language, the course presents several information systems applications and discusses their solution in COBOL. COBOL is the most widely used language in the business community. New versions of COBOL for Unix and PC's have enhanced its status in the programming world. This class is a combination of lecture, readings, and programming. Students leave the course with an understanding of the COBOL syntax and the data file usage. The instruction emphasizes the importance of design and maintenance as well as coding in developing business applications. No prerequisites.
67-301 Networks and Telecommunications
6 units, second-half mini. Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30 - 7:50 pm
Instructor: Tom Bajzek
This course will introduce students to the basics of telecommunications, including voice, data, video, and wireless, with an emphasis on data. The course will cover both technical and business aspects of networking, and will consider regulatory and industry factors affecting telecommunication networks. Students will be introduced to the concepts and terminology of networks, including layered network models, and to practical issues involved in designing, managing, and using networks and network applications. Learning will take place through assigned readings including current issues and events in networking, class participation, and homework assignments. Grades will be based on examinations, homework assignments, and contributions to classroom discussions. Junior or senior class standing required. Pre-requisite: one computer programming course.
67-309 Special Topics: Information Assurance and Security [Power to the Edge: Challenges to systems survivability in a net-centric world]
6 units, first-half mini. Mondays 6:30 - 9:20 pm
Instructor: Dr. Carol Sledge
This course is an overview of increasingly important aspects of systems development, operation and sustainment, namely information assurance, software assurance, survivability and security. As more and more functionality and dynamic decision-making are pushed down and out into the organization (power to the edge), assurance and security concerns, with their organizational and human dimensions, impact the fidelity of the data and the very survival of the organization. Topics include overview and definitions, defense in depth, legal and policy issues, principles of survivability and information assurance, risk management, insider threat, vendor and outsourcing issues, incident management and forensics. This class is a combination of lectures, readings, and discussion groups. Students will leave the course with an understanding of the various concepts and their impacts on systems and the organization itself. Student must have junior class standing or higher.
67-325 Global Systems Delivery Models
6 units, second-half mini, Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00 - 4:20 pm
Instructor: Dr. Jeria Quesenberry
Globalization and outsourcing of software services is now a mainstay of the business environment. The decision to outsource software services to providers in distant places has many risks and careful management of critical success factors is essential. As a result, students majoring in diverse areas such as information systems, business computer science, and many others will increasingly be involved as managers or technologists in projects engaging multiple providers and development teams in diverse locations. Management of these relationships will be an increasingly important skill for students expecting to fully participate in the emerging IT marketplace of the 21st century. This course introduces the business context and mechanics of outsourcing including offshore outsourcing. Students will learn how outsourcing works in practice and will study the associated economic, social, political and practical aspects. Students will also examine the effects of human diversity and cross-cultural considerations in the creation and use of information systems. Students must have sophomore class standing or higher.
67-326 Global Project Management
3 units, first-half mini course. Tuesdays 3:00 - 4:20 pm
Instructor: Dr. Randy Weinberg
In an increasingly interconnected world, products and services will be developed and delivered by teams of people in diverse locations working together. This course is a 3-unit module intended to introduce students to the 'art' of project management across geographical and cultural boundaries. The course will cover the basics of effective project management, cross cultural communications and the pragmatic aspects of getting things done. This course is open to students in all majors and will be presented from a managerial point of view and not delve into technical aspects of project management. A combination short readings, participation in class discussion and a non-technical short collaborative project will be expected of class participants. Students must have sophomore class standing or higher.
