DSC340 Business Information Systems Syllabus Summer 2008
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1. Contact information
CRN: 21633: Monday - Thursday, 3:30pm – 5:50pm (Lillis 211)
Website:
http://isom.uoregon.edu/dsc340
Instructor: Dr Grant Castner
Email:
gcastner@lcbmail.uoregon.edu
Phone: (541) 346-4893
Office location: 479 Lillis
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 1:00pm – 3:00pm or by appointment
2. Overview
Business information systems are an integral component of all organizations. Well designed information
systems (IS) have the potential to dramatically improve a business’s competitive advantage. In this
course, you will gain an understanding of the most fundamental and vital aspects of IS, both as an academic
area of interest and as a profession. The subject of IS deals with how corporations structure, store,
retrieve, and process data and information to support business operations. Specific topics include information-systems
analysis and design, database design and implementation, managing information technology infrastructure,
eBusiness, and information-systems security.
The course is an exciting combination of business concepts and practical applications. We start by looking
at how organizations plan and design information systems at a conceptual level. The history of information
systems (including very recent history!) is replete with stories of companies spending millions of dollars
on new hardware and software only to find that it didn’t meet their requirements. The objective of systems
analysis and design is to avoid these pitfalls by carefully planning and documenting the costs, requirements,
and estimated benefits of the new system.
We then look at database design and development. Databases form the basis of almost every information
system. If we can not easily enter, store, and retrieve information in a useful format, then the information
system is virtually worthless. We will first look at how to design a database before proceeding to implement
a database-based solution.
The next section looks at the topic of eBusiness – business conducted over networks such as the Internet.
Most eBusiness applications rely on databases. We look at the different eBusiness business models before
developing a database-driven web site.
The final topic delves into the important topic of information security. Now that we have developed
a database-driven eBusiness application, how do we protect the personal and business data we control
from threats such as viruses, hacking, phishing, and employee fraud?
For information on topics, please consult the
DSC340 website.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Recognize potential opportunities of information systems for competitive advantage;
- Demonstrate knowledge of issues and theories in information systems;
- Model business processes using appropriate methodologies;
- Develop information systems to solve business problems; and
- Select appropriate technologies and systems to support organizational objectives.
The following table lists the assessment requirements for DSC340.
| Description |
Weighting |
Due dates and times |
| Exam 1 |
50 points |
See
Class Schedule |
| Exam 2 |
50 points |
| Assignment 1 |
55 points |
| Assignment 2 |
45 points |
| TOTAL: |
200 points |
|
4.1 Attendance and Participation
Participation requires that you contribute to class discussions, small group activities, and in-class
project work. Useful participation requires completing the required readings before class. Attendance
at all classes is important and failure to attend class will negatively affect your grade.
4.2 Exams
There is a midterm exam and a final exam.
- Exam questions are based only on the conceptual material from the slides and class discussion. In other
words, there are no questions about Microsoft Access or Microsoft Expression Web on the exams.
- Both exams are online but completed in class.
- Use the readings to improve your understanding of the material covered in classes but any material
in the readings that is not discussed in class in not examinable.
- The exams are not cumulative.
- Exam study guides are available from the DSC340 website.
4.3 Assignments
There are two assignments. The first assignment requires that you analyze a business situation, create
relevant data flow diagrams and then design and develop the database for your information system. The
second assignment involves developing a web site for your information system. Assignments must be completed
in groups of three. Please see the
DSC340 website
for more information.
Peer evaluations are required and are considered in determining your assignment scores.
The assignment grading will include feedback meetings with all group members soon after the
submission date. The meetings allow for detailed feedback to be provided. All group members must be able to answer questions about all parts of the assignments.
Your ability to answer to these questions is considered when determining your assignment scores.
There is no textbook for this course. All readings are available from the
Class Schedule.
See the
Class Schedule.
Students have one week after the release of results for a particular assessment item to query their
grade. This time limit does not apply to receiving feedback on an assessment item. Students must see
me during office hours if they have any questions about their results and should have specific questions.
Do not simply ask for a re-grade. Please note that any request to re-examine a result may lead to an
increase or decrease in grade.
Please note the University policy on plagiarism below. Further information is available from
http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students/.
It will be strictly enforced in this course.
All work submitted in this course must be your own and produced exclusively for this course. The use
of sources (ideas, quotations, paraphrases) must be properly acknowledged and documented. For the consequences
of academic dishonesty, refer to the Schedule of Classes published quarterly. Violations will be taken
seriously and are noted on student disciplinary records. The computer-based nature of this course means
that you have to be especially careful in citing sources for your material, especially material taken
from websites. If you are in doubt regarding the requirements, please consult with the instructor before
you complete any requirement of the course.
7.3 Late work
All assessment items must be submitted on time. Late work will be assessed a 10 percent per day penalty.
If you require additional time due to illness or other substantial hardship, please talk to me well
in advance of the due date.
7.4 Examination Policy
Exam times are listed in the course requirements above. These times cannot be rescheduled and therefore
it is your responsibility that you are present at all exams. If you cannot sit for an exam due to medical
reasons, a doctor’s note is required. Exams will not be rescheduled due to early travel plans.
7.5 Email Policy
- Always include [DSC610] in the subject.
- Do not send the same/similar e-mail more than once. Request a delivery receipt if you are concerned
about e-mails not being delivered.
- Please do not e-mail me about when grades will be posted. I will keep you up-to-date on grading progress.
The University of Oregon is committed to making available to all its students the opportunity for an
excellent and rewarding education. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provide federal guidelines which help the University ensure that students
with documented disabilities have equal access to this opportunity.
If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make
arrangements to meet with me as soon as possible. Please request that the Counselor for Students with
Disabilities send a letter verifying your disability.