BCIS 4640 - Administrative Problems in Information Systems
Spring 2007

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

                                                                                                                                          Office: BA 235C

Phone: (940) 565-3625                                                               Office Hours: 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Tue & Thu

E-mail: kohce@unt.edu                                                                                                 and by appointment

                                                                                                                                                                    

COURSE Description

Advanced analysis of business information systems. An integrated investigation of business computer information systems programming and systems development concepts. Use of project management methodologies, concentration on tools and techniques, formal presentations and group dynamics.

Course Objectives

·         Analyze a business need to develop an appropriate strategy for solving the problem and providing the required information service.

·         Describe the major alternative methodologies used in developing information systems and the considerations involved in choosing which methodology to use.

·         Understand the concept and practices of the object-oriented system development approach and associated tools and techniques.

·         Discuss and appreciate various issues of information technology project management.

 

PREREQUISITES

·         BCIS 4610 and 4620; ACCT 2010 and 2020 with grades of C or better; ECON 1100 and 1110; MATH 1100; MATH 1190 or equivalent; 2.7 UNT GPA (2.7 transfer GPA if no courses taken at UNT); a grade of C or better in each previously taken BCIS course, or consent of department.

 

TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS

·         Stephen R. Schach, An Introduction to Object-Oriented Systems Analysis and Design with UML and the Unified Process, McGraw Hill, 2004

·         ArgoUML Design and Analysis Tool, Supplementary CD to the Schach

·         Marchewka, Information Technology Project Management, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2006

 

GRADES

Point Distribution

 

Grading Scale

Component

Points

 

Percent

Grade

Midterm exam

300

 

90.0 – 100 %

A

Final exam

300

 

80.0 – 89.9 %

B

Team research project (report & presentation)

200

 

70.0 – 79.9 %

C

Quizzes, homework and assignments

150

 

60.0 – 69.9 %

D

Attendance & class participation

50

 

Less than 60%

F

Total

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

TEAM Research PROJECT

Each student is required to conduct research on a relevant topic as a member of team. Each team will select a topic related to the course and identify at least three published articles on the topic. These articles must have been published in 2003 or later. There are many publications available you may choose from in hardcopy and online. Computerworld, Communications of the ACM, Datamation, CIO Magazine and InformationWeek are just a few examples. Each team must (1) turn in a written synopsis of the articles, (2) turn in three potential multiple choice questions based upon your presentation, and (3) present the articles to the class. The written synopsis is due at the time of the presentation. Please attach a legible copy of the articles to your synopsis. Your work will not be graded unless the articles are attached. As you are preparing, please adhere to the requirements listed below:

Articles and Synopsis Report (100 points)

Prepare the synopsis report as follows:

·         Include at least three articles dealing with your research topic.

·         Between 3 to 5 double-spaced pages in length.

·         Free of typographical and grammatical errors.

·         All pages except the cover sheet must be numbered.

·         Provide references using the following format:

Sabherwal, R. and W. R. King, “Towards a Theory of Strategic Use of Information Resources,” Information & Management, 20, 3 (1991), 191-212.

·         Include summary of each article and its key points.

·         Discuss why these articles would be of interest to our class and how they compare to each other.

·         Attach a copy of the articles for the instructor.

·         Attach your three multiple choice questions with the correct answers indicated.

 

Presentation (50 points)

The presentation of your article should be a formal presentation, including the use of slides or other visual aids. Each team member must present. The presentation should last no longer than 30 minutes. Please provide the class with copies of your slides or send me your slides 1 week in advance so that they can be posted on WebCT.

Project Team and Peer Evaluation (50 points)

Each team will consist of three members. It is the responsibility of individual students to find colleagues to work with as a team. Once a team is formed, each member has obligation to stay and function as a productive team member until the completion of the project. Any disputes, conflicts and problems within a team must first be resolved among the members.

Each team will elect team leader who will be responsible for coordinating various project tasks and communicating with the instructor. You may also elect or assign different titles to team members, reflecting different duties and specializations. However, the performance of a team will always be graded as a single unit. That is, the team will get only one grade for their work. However, individual members will receive an adjusted grade at the end of the semester, which reflects the level of contribution as assessed by peers (see enclosed peer evaluation form).

All members of the team will receive the same grade for the presentation and the report. At the end of the project (after the report has been submitted), the team members will anonymously evaluate each other on their levels of contribution to the project. The result of this evaluation will determine the points each member will receive for the peer evaluation part of the project grade.


Tentative Project Timeline:

Date

Due

Jan 30

Team formation – Each student is responsible to find team members to work with throughout the semester. Make up a name that will represent your team. (Team mascot optional)

Feb 13

Topic selection – Each team should select a topic related to topics discussed in the book or in class during. The instructor will approve the suggested topic or advise to choose another. To avoid delay in topic selection, teams are advised to provide a backup topic along with their first choice.

April 24 & May 1

Presentation and report due – Each team will make a 30 minute presentation during the last two weeks of the semester. Date and time of the presentation will be arranged later.

 

ATTENDANCE and Class participation

Regular and punctual attendance for the full class period is expected. Attendance will be recorded. You must attend the entire class to avoid being recorded absent. Any student whose absences exceed the equivalent of two weeks of the class without proper notice may be dropped by the instructor with a WF for nonattendance.

You are expected to come to class prepared. That means you will need to read the assigned chapters before coming to class and be prepared to discuss them. Attendance and class participation represent 50 possible points of your final class grade. I will assign your class participation score based upon your attendance and the contributions you make in class as follows:

Category (Points)

Criteria

A

(45 - 50 points)

Asks good questions, makes valuable observations, and answers questions effectively on an ongoing basis.

B

(40 - 44 points)

A frequent participant, but all questions, answers, or observations are not always effective, or not on an ongoing basis, or tends to discourage effectiveness

C

(35 - 39 points)

Only participates infrequently, or questions/answers do not reflect adequate preparation, or late to class

D

(30 - 34 points)

Very rare participation, or question/answers reflect little or no preparation, or very late to class

F

(0 - 29 points)

Displays no sign of life, or is absent for entire class

 

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS

Consult the University of North Texas Student Handbook (www.unt.edu/student/code.htm) for guidelines and policies regarding student academic conduct.

Scholastic integrity must be exhibited in your academic work, conduct, and methods. Course work for which you receive an individual grade must be your original, individual effort. If any evidence of copying, cheating, or any other form of academic dishonesty on all or part of any of your graded course work, you (and any others involved) will be given a zero for that work. A second incident will result in a grade of F in this course and a recommendation for further action by the Dean of Students. 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The College of Business Administration complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disability. If you have an established disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request accommodation, please see your instructor as soon as possible.


CLASS SCHEDULE

Spring 2007

 

 

Week

Topic

Reading

Assignment

OO

PM

1

Jan 16

·   Introduction to the course

 

 

 

2

Jan 23

·   PART 1 - Introduction to UML and the Unified Process

1. Introduction to IS

2. How IS Are Developed

3. OO Paradigm, UML and UP

 

1-3

 

 

3

Jan 31

·   PART 2 - UML and the Unified Process I

4. Requirements Workflow I

5. Requirements Workflow II

4-5

 

Get research project team

4

Feb 6

6. OO Analysis Workflow I

7. OO Analysis Workflow II

8. OO Design Workflow

6-8

 

 

5

Feb 13

9. Workflows and Phases of UP

10. More on UML

9-10

 

Select team research topic

6

Feb 20

·   PART 3 - Major Topics in Systems Analysis and Design

11. CASE

12. Teams

13. Testing

11-13

 

 

7

Feb 27

14. Management Issues

15. Planning and Estimating

·   Review of Object-Oriented Analysis and Design

14-15

 

 

8

Mar 6

Midterm

 

 

 

9

Mar 13

Spring Break

 

 

 

10

Mar 20

·   Nature of IT Projects

·   Conceptualizing and Initiating IT Project

·   Developing Project Charter and Baseline Project Plan

 

1-3

 

11

Mar 27

·   Human Side of Project Management

·   Defining and Managing Project Scope

·   Work Breakdown Structure and Project Estimation

 

4-6

 

12

Apr 3

·   Project Schedule and Budget

·   Managing Project Risk

·   Project Communication, Tracking and Reporting

 

7-9

 

13

Apr 10

·   IT Project Quality Management

·   Managing Organizational Change, Resistance, and Conflict

·   Procurement, Management and Outsourcing

 

10-12

 

14

Apr 17

·   Project Leadership, Ethics, and Multicultural Projects

·   Project Implementation, Closure, and Evaluation

 

13-14

 

15

Apr 24

·   Team Presentations

 

11-12

 

16

May 1

·   Team Presentations

·   Course Review

 

13-14

Team research report due

 

May 8

·   Final

 

 

 

 


 

BCIS 4640

Spring 2007

Dr. Chang Koh

 

 

Name: