THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Faculty of Management Management Information Systems 321 Course Outline -- Winter 1999 NAME OFFICE PHONE OFFICE HOURS E-MAIL Section Time Abhijit Gopal SH 324 220-7432 TBA gopal@ucalgary.ca L. 07 09:30-10:45 Abhijit Gopal SH 324 220-7432 TBA L. 08 11:00-12:15 Joe Compeau SH 329 220-3732 TBA jcompeau@ucalgary.ca L. 09 12:30-13:45 Joe Compeau tba tba TBA L. 10 14:00-15:15 Frank Thirkettle SH 326 220-8672 TBA thirkett@ucalgary.ca L. 11 1530: - 16:45 Joe Compeau SH 329 220-3732 TBA jcompeau@ucalgary.ca L. 12 17:00-18:15 Mimi Hurt tba 220-3814 TBA mhurt@ucalgary.ca L. 93/94 18:30-21:20 TUESDAY ONLY Course Description and Objectives The use of Information Technology (IT) permeates business organizations at every level. This course is designed to respond to the need to understand the nature of this technology and be then able to harness it effectively in the context of business solutions. Key to this approach is the development of "survival skills", and the appropriate contexts in which to use them. Students are especially encouraged to reflect on how they are learning as well as what they are learning. With the rapid and continual change in technology, the only way one can truly "survive" is by learning how to learn about new things. Existing knowledge is only of limited use and only for a short time. The objectives of the course are to: Î Provide an understanding of IT-based business structures. Ï Explain the terminology and concepts associated with various technologies used in business information systems (hardware, software, applications, etc.). Ð Determine where IT can be used effectively within an organization and how existing IT can be improved, how to go about the process of providing a business solution. Ñ Explore broader social issues associated with computer usage. Such issues include protection of privacy, professional ethics, computer crime, career opportunities and the impact on employment. Instructional Design The instructional design of MGIS 321 includes lectures, exercises, and demonstrations. A creative mix of theory, real world situations, exercises and current IT events and trends will be offered to fulfill the above stated objectives. Students are expected to complete textbook readings prior to each class. The course consists of 2.5 hours of class time per week with an expectation that students will spend approximately 6 hours per week of additional time on the assigned readings, lab work, and appropriate study. Textbook Discovering Computers 98, A Link to the Future, ITP Nelson (1998), Shelly Cashman Waggoner. Manuals #Microsoft Access 97, ITP Nelson. #Microsoft Excel 97, ITP Nelson. (The textbook and the manuals come as a bundled package from the bookstore).
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Page 2 GRADING COMPONENTS THE FINAL GRADE FOR THE COURSE WILL BE DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS: Midterms (2) = 30% Spreadsheet Assignment = 15% Internet Assignments (1) = 10% Database Assignment = 15% Final Exam = 30% TOTAL: = 100% @ Note: Assignments handed in late will be penalized on a graduated scale: 10% per day late up to 1 week. Assignments handed in more than 1 week late will receive 0 marks. No calculators will be allowed in the quizzes or final examination. Midterm Dates/Locations: "Friday: February 5, 1999 17:00 to 19:00 ST 140, 141, 148 "Friday: March 19, 1999 17:00 to 19:00 ST 140, 141, 148 For each assignment, please make yourself a full backup of all paper and files you submit. Not only is this standard practice in business, but it will also ensure you of having a copy of your assignment should it be mislaid for any reason. You should also make regular backups DURING the creation of your assignment as well; this will guarantee you have at least a partial copy to fall back on should your work be lost or corrupted while you are doing it. Deferrals Deferrals will only be granted for the following reasons: LIllness LDeath of a Family Member LReligious Conviction LDomestic Affliction L These must be supported by appropriate notification to your instructor within 48 hours of their occurrence. Appropriate proof must also be supplied immediately upon the conclusion of the illness or other difficulty. If you make plans or travel arrangements which conflict with any of the examination or assignment dates in this outline, do not expect a deferral to be granted. If you ALREADY have a commitment (as of January 11, 1999), please bring your written documentation to your instructor for consideration no later than January 14, 1999. Please note that the final examination could be scheduled ANY TIME during the period of April 20-29 (inclusive), 1999, hence you should not make plans for this period until you know the exact date of the exam. The examination timetable is generally available about the middle of the term. Be sure you consult it carefully. Computer Virus Precautions As a precaution against transporting computer viruses to on-campus equipment and subsequent users, students are requested to scan all disks that have been used in off-campus equipment and other Lab machines (using the software available in the Labs) prior to loading them into on-campus computers.
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Page 3 Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own and is defined as an act of Academic Misconduct at the University (see the University Calendar for the official University position). As all assignments in this course are to be done individually, working with someone else on an assignment will be considered plagiarism as well. Any student who plagiarizes or contributes to an instance of plagiarism will be penalized. Penalties will be in accordance with the academic misconduct policy stated in the calendar which could include failing grades on an assignment or the whole course. Dismissal from the University is also possible. Students who use any improperly licensed software or who contravene other licensing provisions in preparing assignment materials, will have their situation referred to the appropriate Dean for consideration under the student misconduct procedures. Lab Assignments There are three assignments to be done on an individual basis. All assignments are based on the materials taught in the labs. One assignment is a spreadsheet assignment that will be done using Microsoft Excel 97. The assignment is designed to allow the student to practice the spreadsheet skills required for advanced management courses. This assignment will also allow the student to practice sending a file over the internet using an e-mail application. Another assignment involves the Internet and entails using search tools and exploring the World Wide Web. A detailed description will be provided in class. The third assignment is a database assignment that will be done using Microsoft Access 97. Again this assignment is designed to allow the student to practice basic database skills required for advanced management courses. Detailed assignment descriptions and deadlines will be available from the course home page: http://www.ucalgary.ca/mg/mgis/courses/mgis321 Lab Manual and Disks To assist your learning of the software in lab, a manual consisting of four separate electronic documents is available over the internet at the MGIS 321 home page (indicated above). Two required disks may be purchased for $1.00/disk from CU$ Student Group, located in Scurfield Hall 302C, telephone 220-8655. Lab Responsibilities # Please read and abide by the rules regarding student misconduct (p. 49-52 in the University of Calgary 1998-1999 Timetable). # The lab supervisor is there to help with the equipment only, NOT with your assignment. Tutorial Assistants (who are different than lab supervisors), are provided to answer assignment questions. A Teaching Assistant schedule is posted in the Management Information Systems Area. # Very important: DO NOT change the machine settings!! # If these rules are violated, the lab supervisor has the full authority to have you leave the lab.
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Page 4 COURSE SCHEDULE DATE LEC. # TOPICS READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS Jan. 12 1 Course Outline / Overview Syllabus 14 2 Organizations & Information 1 SCW - Ch. 10 19 3 Organizations & Information 2 SCW - Ch. 1, SABRE Video Hardware 1: Computer Architecture SCW - Ch. 3 21 4 Hardware 2: Input, Output & Other Peripherals SCW - Ch. 4 Storage Devices SCW - Ch. 5 26 5 Hardware 3: Case Study Hand out Software 1: Types & Concepts SCW - Ch. 8 28 6 BUSINESS DAY - NO CLASS Feb. 2 7 Software 2: Application Software SCW - Ch. 2; SCW 10.13-10.17 Spreadsheet Design Materials presented in class 4 8 Spreadsheet Design / Review for Midterm #1 5 9 MIDTERM #1 Covers all material to this date. 9 10 Telecommunications 1: Introduction SCW - Ch. 6, Andy Grove video 11 Class off due to February 5 Midterm #1 16 11 Telecommunications 2: Protocols & Network Design SCW, Ch. 6 18 12 Internet SCW, Ch. 7 23 13 Electronic Commerce 1: Concepts & Issues Material presented in class 25 14 Electronic Commerce 2: Designing Web Pages Feb. 28 - Mar. 7 READING WEEK - NO LECTURES Mar. 9 15 Systems Analysis 1: Introduction In-class exercise 11 16 Systems Analysis 2: SDLC & Issues SCW - Ch. 11 16 17 Systems Analysis 3: Development Tools SCW - Ch. 12 18 18 Review for Midterm #2 19 19 MIDTERM #2 23 20 Databases 1: Data Design & Modelling Entity-Relationship Handout, SCW - Ch.9 25 21 Databases 2: Issues & Warehouses 30 22 Social Issues 1: Privacy & Ethics SCW - Ch. 13.20-13.27, Privacy Video Apr. 1 Day off for Midterm #2 6 23 Social Issues 2: Crime, Security & Disasters SCW - Ch. 13.1-13.20 Apr. 8 24 Social Issues 3: Teleworking, Distance Learning, & Material presented in-class Quality of Life 13 25 Social Issues 4: Future & IS Careers Chapters 12.48-12.56 15 26 Course Evaluation / Review for Final TBA FINAL EXAM Cumulative - covers all course material
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Page 5 MGIS 321 LABS - FALL 1998 Week of Topic January 11 No Lab January 17 Internet I - Messenger / Communicator / Navigator January 24 January 31 February 7 Internet II - Navigator / Messenger (advanced) Excel I - Introduction / Basic Formulas Excel II - Advanced Formulas February 14 Excel III - Open Lab for Assignment Cam Welsh not here this week February 21 February 28 Excel IV - Formatting Graphs Reading Week March 7 Access I - Databases / Tables Excel Assignment Due March 8, 4:00 pm March 14 March 21 March 28 April 4 Access II - Tables / Forms Access III - Queries Access IV - Queries/Reports Access V - Open Lab for Assignment April 11 No Labs Access Assignment Due April 12, 4:00 pm
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Page 6 Grading Scale The following grading scale indicates the expected ranges for specific letter grades. These cutoffs may be revised downwards at the end of the course based on students relative performance, but you will never get a lower letter grade than indicated here. For example 81.00% will always get you at least a B, 77.00% at least a B-, 73.00% at least a C+, etc. A common curve will be used across all sections and all instructors. Letter Number (%) Description A 92.00-100.00 Excellent, superior performance, showing comprehensive understanding of subject matter A- 89.00-91.99 B+ 86.00-88.99 B 81.00-85.99 Good, clearly above average performance with knowledge of subject matter generally complete B- 77.00-80.99 C+ 73.00-76.99 C 69.00-72.99 Satisfactory, basic understanding of the subject matter C- 66.00-68.99 D+ 63.00-65.99 D 59.00-62.99 Minimal pass, marginal performance generally insufficient preparation for subsequent courses in the same subject F 0-58.99 Fail, unsatisfactory performance or failure to meet course requirements All grades will be recorded as percentages and the final derived overall grade will be rounded to two decimal points before the letter grade is assigned. n:\outlines\321.f98