BCIS 5090
Introduction to Management Information Systems
Online Course Syllabus
Information Technology and Decision Sciences Department
College of Business
University of North Texas

Overview

This course is an in depth analysis of management information systems and how they are used in business. The central message of the course is that information, not money or technology will be the primary economic unit of business in the twenty-first century. This course examines the relationship between management information systems, information technology and the management of the modern enterprise. Topics include the analysis of management information systems as an organizational strategy, the characteristics of management information systems, the building of management information systems and the use of management information systems.

Required Materials

Laudon, K. C. and Laudon, J. P., Management Information Systems, Prentice Hall, 10th, ISBN 0132382350,  2007. For additional information regarding this text go to: http://www.prenhall.com/laudon/.

Please do not order the international edition of this textbook since it does not contain exactly the same material, content and exercises.

OR

Online eTextbbok: Laudon, K. C. and Laudon, J. P., Management Information Systems, Prentice Hall, 9th, 2006. For additional information regarding this eTextbook go to: http://www.safarix.com

OR

If you do not have a text when the course starts you can check out a copy for a few hours at a time from the reserve desk in the main library (Willis Library) on the UNT campus.

Course Instructor:

Dr. Tom Richards, ITDS Department, College of Business, University of North Texas. Office: Room 202 COBA. Office phone: 940-565-4284 or 940-565-3110. Home Phone 940-566-5287. Email richardt@unt.edu.

Office Hours:

Since this course is an online course with no campus components the instructor will not hold regular office hours. You are welcome to call him at home using the phone number listed above. If you wish to meet with the instructor call him at home to make an appointment.

How this Course is Offered and Organized

Two sections of this course are offered each term. Each section is an eight weeklong internet course. Section 1 will meet the during the first eight weeks of the semester and section 2 during the last eight weeks of the semester. You may enroll in only one of these sections.

This method of instruction is completely dependent on the Internet using online web based instruction with no classroom meetings. Students will need to have access to a computer and a means of connecting to the Internet. To access this course point your browser http://webct.unt.edu/ . If you do not have computer access, UNT has available facilities on campus 24/7.

International students please note that this course does not have on-campus exams, does not require the participation in an on-campus lecture or lab activity, nor are any other on-campus experience integrated into this course. Please see the end of this document for additional details.

Learning Goals

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

·         Interpret and explain the importance of management information systems to the enterprise.

·         Explain and illustrate the theory of management information systems

·         Formulate examples of the use management information systems as an economic unit of business in the twenty-first century.

·         Identify, discuss and analyze how the management of information is essential for an enterprise to achieve a position of competitive advantage in a global business environment.

·         Identify and describe how information technology is used to support the goals of management information systems in the modern enterprise.

·         Describe the skills and procedures necessary to analyze, design and implement management information systems.

Course Requirements:

This is an intensive eight-week short course with a number of weekly activities, which must be accomplished. These activities include weekly assignments, weekly participation in online discussions, quizzes and exams. These activities are completed according to a fixed schedule. This is not a self-paced course.

Important Notice for F-1 Students

To comply with immigration regulations, an F-1 visa holder within the United States may need to engage in an on-campus experiential component for this course. This component (which must be approved in advance by the instructor) can include activities such as taking an on-campus exam, participating in an on-campus lecture or lab activity, or other on-campus experience integral to the completion of this course.

This type of activity is not available in this course.

Because the decision may have serious immigration consequences, if an F-1 student is unsure about his or her need to participate in an on-campus experiential component for this course, s/he should contact the UNT International Advising Office (telephone 940-565-2195 to get clarification immediately.

Procedures for Dropping this Course

We infrequently have a student who must drop this course due to family, schedule or work related issues.  The following procedure has been approved  by the COBA Master’s Program Committee:

Withdrawal and course refund – Withdrawal from this course is at the discretion of the student.  The drop deadline is listed in both the current Graduate Catalog and the semester schedule.  The College of Business Administration will not approve nor recommend course refunds beyond the 12^th class day at the beginning of each long semester.  This policy applies to other sections of this course taught in the second half of the term. 

Courses that start the second half of the semester may be dropped within the deadlines specified in the current catalog and schedule or within two weeks of the course starting.  Instructor approval is required and a drop form must be signed.  Students should then go directly to the Graduate Programs Office, BA room 229 for assistance in completing the process.

Incomplete grades are not available to students enrolled in this course.  Please report to the ITDS office in the College of Business to obtain the instructors signature since they have authorization to sign my signature.

Importance of Keeping Current:

It is very important that you read all course materials posted on WebCT before you start participating in this course. The course instructor will post each week under the weekly activities icon the activities you are to complete during the current week.  The announcements function in Vista will be use to provide a quick method for the instructor to communicate with the class. You are responsible for checking for these messages and emails from the instructor several times a week.

Homework:

We have a number of activities which must be completed in a timely basis. Late work will not be accepted.  This is a large class and you must properly identify your homework, email messages and postings in the forums. You will not receive credit for your work unless you follow the procedures stated in this and other documents.

Course Grades and Grading:

Grades for homework and other activities will be posted once a week usually on the weekend following the week just completed. Please look under the “Grading Rubrics” icon for grading details. Please check grades weekly since corrections will not be made if you do not inform the instructor within one week after the grade has been posted.

Please note that incomplete grades will not be given in this class. You have a number of other options if you find yourself falling behind in this course including dropping the course.  Please see details in the course syllabus.

Instructor Availability:

You have several ways to contact the instructor. For private email messages use WebCT PRIVATE MAIL (email). The instructor will not respond to emails using his UNT email address (richardt@unt.edu) . You may also use the phone number found in the course syllabus.  If you leave a message on his home answering machine clearly and slowly state your name and phone number(s). Please do this twice since the answering machine does not always record clearly when you are using a cellphone.

All email messages which ask a question of Dr. Richards must be clearly identified as such by including the subject of the email in the subject line .  You can expect the instructor will check his email several times a week.

Attendance:

When taking an online course regular attendance and regular participation are both important learning activities. Attendance is noted by your logging on WebCT/Vista, reading forum postings, completing homework assignments, reading course announcements, reading requirements and procedures, and reading email messages. All of the above are recorded by Vista and are an important part of this course.

Participation requirements for online Discussions:

To maximize your learning, you are expected to participate actively in weekly discussions. The purpose of course discussions is to stimulate academic debate, learn from the ideas of other class members and replace classroom discussions which are so important in a regular on-ground class.

Participation is accomplished by posting messages in the discussion forums. Both the quantity and quality of your participation will be evaluated. You will want to read, analyze and respond to questions and comments from the instructor and fellow students. Substance in these responses is important. One means of doing this is to add additional information to the discussion topic.

You will need to provide reactions to other learners' responses to discussion questions (DQs). The responses to other learners' postings should add to the substance of the posting, request clarification, provide a different perspective, or challenge the assertions made by providing real or hypothetical scenarios that the original posting does not adequately address. At the same time, it is also good practice to provide normal, supportive comments.

Your postings should be made in timely fashion. Please see the Weekly Schedule. Timely postings are very important because they catalyze discussions. Late postings (Sunday night) usually are made in isolation and do not contribute to the debate or learning. Below average participation will be noted and impact your course grades.

Computer Access and Use:

If you do not own or have access to a desk top or lab top computer UNT has computer labs available 24 hours a day. If you are using your own equipment, it is not unusual for students to have equipment problems and/or communication problems when enrolled in on-line courses. Equipment failures or lack of access are not an excuse for non-participation or late assignments. Always have an alternative method of access to this online course via back-up computers, using a friend’s machine, using family member’s machine, using machines in the UNT labs or using a machine at work.

Please be aware that there can be interaction problems between your ISP and WebCT/Vista, in particular AOL and WebCT/Vista. Please check with WebCT support for full details at 940-565-2324 and also click on the "Run a Browser Check" icon when you log onto WebCT/Vista.

Course Evaluation:

At the end of this course please fill out the online course survey form. This is a required activity.

Format Requirements for all assignments submitted to the instructor:

For all homework and reports please use 12 pitch Tahoma font, single-spaced text, use one-inch margins, use page footers and use page numbers. Please place your name, chapter number, date and title on the top of the first page or on the title page. Most work is submitted via as a Word attachment using Vista's drop box system. Please place your last name and subject title in the name of the file you are attaching. For example: “Smith homework assignment 01.”

If you are submitting written materials such as a report, make sure that main and supporting points are easily identifiable, plausible, sophisticated, insightful, and clear. Be sure your structure is evident, understandable, and appropriate. Use headings and subheading as needed. All evidence must be properly cited to buttress main points. Be careful in the integration of quoted material. Try to insure that your analysis shows depth, creativity, crispness and clarity in relating evidence to main and supporting points. Check your logic so it is identifiable, reasonable, sound, and successfully anticipate counterpoints. Keep in mind that excellent writing mechanics including proper sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Be careful in your transitions from point to point. Remember that paragraphs should be supported by solid topic sentences. Your format should adhere to current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).  You can purchase this document in the UNT bookstore.

8/24/2007