Designed for students who have no background or limited background in microcomputer usage. Topics covered include fundamental use of a microcomputer-operating system, spreadsheet software, and database software. Students perform a variety of exercises using these tools. Students must have command of this material before taking STA 8000, CIS 9000, and other MBA program courses.
Credit for this preliminary course does not count toward the master's degree. The course may be waived based on appropriate undergraduate course work, documented work experience, or the equivalent.
CIS 9000 Information Systems for Managers
3 hours; 3 credits
Survey and analysis of information systems and their role in business strategy. The course surveys the various genres of business information systems, including transactions processing systems, management information systems (MIS), decision support systems (DSS) and executive support systems (ESS), and expert systems. The course surveys information technologies such as hardware, software, data storage, and telecommunication and provides an analytical basis for the selection of appropriate business strategies in these areas. The course also considers timely issues of emerging technologies, social and ethical concerns, and security and control issues. The course assumes facility with spreadsheet and operating systems software prior to entry.
Prerequisite: CIS 8000 or equivalent; pre- or corequisite: ACC 9100.
CIS 9310 Object-Oriented
Programming I
3 hours; 3 credits
Object-oriented approach to business software development. The need to produce error-free software that is reusable and maintainable has led to a programming paradigm built upon the assignment of responsibilities to objects, and upon the abstraction of the objects to form classes. This course will teach the basic concepts of encapsulation and inheritance. Computer projects will be implemented in a widely used object-oriented programming language. No prior knowledge of computer programming is required.
Prerequisite: CIS 9000.
CIS 9340 Principles of Database
Management Systems
3 hours; 3 credits
Fundamental concepts and techniques in the design, implementation, and use of databases. Architecture and evolution of database management systems and database administration are introduced. Conceptual data modeling and relational, network, and hierarchical data models are examined. Students learn abstract query languages such as relational algebra, relational calculus, and 4GL languages such as SQL. Database design and normalization are examined in detail. Security and recovery of databases and ethical issues are also discussed. Students implement a small-scale business application utilizing a database in a term project.
Prerequisite: CIS 9000 or STA 9750 or OPR 9750. No credit for students who have completed CIS 9742.
CIS 9350 Networks and
Telecommunications
3 hours; 3 credits
Key technical and managerial issues in the development of the telecommunications resource by organizations. The course covers technology (the underlying technology of information communications facilities, networking systems, and communications software), architecture (the way in which hardware, software, and services can be organized to provide computer and terminal interconnection), and applications (how information communications and networking systems can meet the cost constraints and requirements of today's business).
Prerequisite: CIS 9000.
CIS 9365 Operating System
Principles
3 hours; 3 credits
Introduction to operating systems and the role they play in modern computer-based business information systems. The course will focus on the components that constitute operating systems and on the facilities and services provided by these systems. Students will be taught how to differentiate between the various types of operating systems and to select an appropriate system to support an organization's information-processing needs. Topics to be covered include resource allocation and scheduling, file management, storage management, and hardware support for operating systems. The course includes a survey of currently available operating systems such as UNIX, DOS, OS/2, and MVS.
Prerequisite: CIS 9000. No credit for students who have completed CIS 9769.
CIS 9410 Object-Oriented
Programming II
3 hours; 3 credits
Advanced business software development. The emphasis is to use the extensibility of an object-oriented programming language to produce reusable and maintainable modules such as linked lists, hash tables, inverted files, and B-trees. The algorithms needed to implement these modules will be covered. Projects will be written in an object-oriented programming language.
Prerequisite: CIS 9310.
CIS 9420 Mainframe Computer
Applications in Business
3 hours; 3 credits
Crucial characteristics and dynamics associated with the design and implementation of mainframe computer applications typologies prevalent in business settings. The impact of such applications on business processes is analyzed and contrasted with that of systems based on alternative hardware/software platforms. Practical and ethical issues affecting applications development in these environments are highlighted, and case studies of actual systems are evaluated. Students are required, as members of project teams, to design, code, and test prototype applications that incorporate modular design techniques, report generation, data code manipulation, array processing, sequential and non-sequential file management, utility functions, security concerns, command language considerations, and testing/debugging challenges.
Prerequisite: CIS 9490. No credit for students who have completed CIS 9758.
CIS 9440 Database Management
Systems II
3 hours; 3 credits
Advanced course in database management systems that builds on the concepts covered in CIS 9340 and emphasizes development of integrated business applications. Various issues in database design and implementation are studied in detail: conceptual data modeling, concurrency control, data integrity and security, transaction processing, query processing and optimization, database backup and recovery, and database administration. Object-oriented data models, distributed databases, databases and knowledgebases, and implementation of relational database management systems are also discussed. Students develop database applications from the initial analysis and conceptual design stage to their full implementation.
Prerequisites: CIS 9000, CIS 9340.
CIS 9467 Microcomputers:
Contemporary and Emerging
Applications
3 hours; 3 credits
Designed to encourage an awareness of how microcomputers can be of service in enlightened and emerging ways and to enable graduate students to develop the capability of implementing state-of-the-art microcomputer solutions in their professional environments. This course gives students the background to contribute to re-engineering old processes and automating new ones with microcomputer- based solutions in such areas as business, the arts, government, health care, nonprofit organizations, and other contemporary situations. The course is mainly projects- oriented and involves students in (1) microlab hands-on exercises with emerging applications such as knowledge-based, or expert, systems and work-group decision support systems, (2) a team-developed microcomputer application project, (3) a presentation/discussion of a Òtechnology updateÓ topic, (4) short exercises on hardware and software evaluation and selection, in addition to case discussions.
Prerequisite: CIS 9000.
CIS 9490 Systems Analysis and
Design
3 hours; 3 credits
Examination of the various tools, techniques, processes, and issues related to the analysis and design of business information systems. Hands-on experience is provided, using CASE technology. A major component of this course is a group project that develops an enterprise feasibility study, a working system prototype, and an overall systems development plan for a business or nonprofit organizational problem.
Prerequisites: CIS 9000, ACC 9100, FIN 9770, and MGT 9300 or PSY 9788.
CIS 9550 Emerging Trends in
Information Technologies
3 hours; 3 credits
Seminar-format course exploring important issues currently affecting the field of organizational computer systems and related information technologies. Students research and analyze emerging trends and their resulting business implications, choosing from among topics that address those issues. Written reports and oral presentations are required.
Prerequisites: CIS 9340, CIS 9350, CIS 9490.
CIS 9555 Information Technology in
Financial Markets
3 hours; 3 credits
Exploration of the application of information technology (IT) in the financial services industry. The student will learn how IT affects the financial services industry, survey the various forms of financial information systems, assess the potential for strategic advantage based on information technology, and measure Òvalue addedÓ by IT in the financial services industry. Topics will be covered through a combination of lectures, case studies, team projects, and software development projects.
Prerequisites: CIS 9000, FIN 9770.
CIS 9590 Information Systems
Development Project
3 hours; 3 credits
Students work in project teams to perform the entire project development life cycle, including analysis, design, and implementation of a prototype CIS business application. Students draw upon all previous business course experiences in selecting a target application; determining application requirements; performing feasibility, data, process, and constraint analysis; integrating hardware/software into a design specification; and performing the coding, testing, and documentation to implement the application. Project management techniques, including CASE technology, are required of all teams. Relevant ethical issues are discussed during all phases of the process.
Prerequisites: CIS 9490 and completion of 9 additional credits of CIS courses above the CIS 9000 level.
CIS 9610 Business Applications of
Expert Systems Technology
3 hours; 3 credits
Comprehensive understanding of how expert systems, also called knowledge-based systems, can leverage knowledge-worker decision-making processes and productivity in modern organizations. Students work in teams to develop a prototype expert system in an area of their choice. The project develops skills in modeling decision processes and converting the models into computer-usable form. Projects concentrate on enabling scarce and expensive human expertise to be more widely available at lower costs throughout an organization. Student teams also orally report on trends and organizational uses of related technology, such as neural networks and case-based reasoning.
Prerequisite: CIS 9000.
CIS 9700 Integrating Information
Technology and Business Processes
3 hours; 3 credits
Relationship between information technology and the fundamental processes driving the business enterprise. A distinguishing objective is to reorient students from a Òbusiness as usualÓ approach to information systems design toward an integrated, cross-functional reassessment of the critical processes of the firm. The role of information technology as both an objective of and a participant in effective change is emphasized in relation to crucial organizational, managerial, and cultural factors. Students work as members of project teams to analyze case studies of actual re- engineering efforts and to participate in original prototype exercises.
Prerequisites: CIS 9490 and 9 additional credits of CIS courses above CIS 9000.
CIS 9760 Computer Simulation for
Business Problem Solving
3 hours; 3 credits
Use of simulation as a management tool, applying dynamic, probabilistic simulation to a wide variety of business decision areas. Coverage includes financial planning models, inventory models, corporate models, and queuing models as they are currently used in the functional areas of business. Topics in simulation modeling and analysis are covered. Term projects include simulation using spreadsheets and GPSS programming. The relationship of these types of simulation to management games and expert systems is discussed.
Prerequisite: CIS 9000 or STA 9750 or OPR 9750.
CIS 9771 Special Topics in
Information Technologies
3 hours; 3 credits
Topic in computer systems and information technologies that is not covered in the regular curriculum. The area of study is determined each semester by the instructor offering the course. The course topic will be announced during the preceding semester.
Prerequisite: Departmental permission.
CIS 9776 Comparative Programming
Languages
3 hours; 3 credits
Detailed investigation of the structure and use of several programming languages. Topical coverage includes modular programming, storage allocation, data typing, local and global variables, functions and subroutines, and complex structures. A number of projects designed to understand programming language concepts will be assigned.
Prerequisite: CIS 9310 or CIS 9420 or CIS 9340 or departmental permission.
The following courses will be offered from time to time depending on student interest and faculty availability. The Department of Statistics and Computer Information Systems is, however, unable to predict the frequency with which these courses will be offered.
CIS 9101 Computer Hardware Concepts
CIS 9759 Advanced Programming Techniques
for Business Applications
CIS 9762 Assembly Language and Assemblers
CIS 9775 Input and Output Media and Devices
CIS 9777 Computer Applications in Public
Administration
CIS 99001 Research Methodology in
Computer Information Systems
(Seminar I)
CIS 99002 Research Seminar in Computer
Information Systems
CIS 99301 Research Methodology
(Thesis I)
CIS 99302 Thesis (Thesis II)