Syllabus - CIS 211 - Management Information Systems

Learning Goals

Stated broadly, there are two learning goals in this class.

1. Students learn about the role of and use of information systems in businesses and other organizations
2. Students learn to use some key pieces of software that commonly appear in information systems, including Access (databases), Excel (spreadsheets), Visio (flowcharts and process analysis), and Web development tools

By completing various in-class labs, reading exercises and homework assignments, students should acquire or improve a number of skills that can help them excel as business professionals familiar with information systems.

1. The ability to identify how a specific information system can assist an organization gain a strategic advantage or fulfill a strategic initiative such as supply-chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM) or enterprise resource planning (ERP)
2. The ability to explain at a high level how the Internet works and how organizations can engage in e-Business
3. The ability to explain various processes that comprise an entire business organization, including the ability to visually depict processes using Microsoft Visio
4. The ability to identify and explain a variety of important meta-issues in information systems, including the concepts of information security and information privacy
5. The ability to implement a simple database using Microsoft Access by constructing tables, views (queries), and reports
6. The ability to identify quantitative business problems and solve the problems using Microsoft Excel
7. The ability to create a simple Web page using a simple text editor

Basic Course Information

Meeting Times	Mondays & Wednesdays from 1:40 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Meeting Place	202 Lindner Hall
Required Textbook	Business Driven Technology (3rd edition) by P. Baltzan, A. Phillips, & S. Haag ISBN: 9780073376745 Web site: http://www.mhhe.com/bdt3e/
Prerequisites	None

Evaluation

Methods	Method Value Quantity Total Points Guided Reading Exercises* 10 *13 120 Homework Exercises 60 8 480 Midterm Examinations 100 2 200 Final Examination 200 1 200   Grand Total 1000 There are at least 13 Guided Reading Exercises during the semester, each worth 10 points. The top 12 scores in this category will be summed to calculate the final grade.
Final Grades	The instructor bases final grades solely on the total number of points earned on graded material, subject to the lower bounds given below. The instructor assigns a final grade of F for any total at or under 629 points. 930 900 870 830 800 770 730 700 670 630 A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D

General Policies

Academic Integrity	Part of every evaluation of student performance is the application of the Elon Honor Code. The instructor expects that students thoroughly understand the Code but welcomes any questions about the application of the Code to this class. As provided by the guidelines of the Code, the instructor will assign a sanction as deemed appropriate to any student found to have violated the Code.
Exercises	Each exercise includes a deadline, delivery instructions, and formatting instructions. Late work is not accepted. 10% penalty for work delivered not according to instructions. 10% penalty for improperly formatted work. These policies are in place to ensure timely grading, feedback, and return of submitted work. Students who believe that there is unnecessary delay in grading should consult with the instructor as soon as possible.
Examinations	Students may request to take an exam prior to the examination date. The request should be made as early as possible but must be made at least one week prior to the examination date. Students who do not make such a request and are not in attendance on the examination date have an opportunity to take the exam at a different time only under exceptional circumstances, such as family or medical emergencies.
Grade Changes	Students may request a grade change on any graded material subject to the following constraints. All requests must be made within one week of the time the instructor assigns the grade (regardless of whether the student is present when the instructor assigns the grade). All requests must be made via email and must include a justification for the request. Students should be aware (perhaps beware) that grade change requests could result in a re-examination of the grading on all portions of the material and thus a change from a higher score to a lower score.
Attendance	The instructor expects regular attendance by students but there is no explicit evaluation based solely on attendance. In the case of absence, students must first consult with a classmate about missed material prior to seeking assistance from the instructor.

Additional Information

Accommodations	Students who desire accommodations based on a disability of any kind should follow the procedures as outlined by Disabilities Services.
Religious Holidays	Students who desire special class arrangements (including but not limited to deadline extensions) due to the observance of a religious holiday should follow the procedures as outlined by The Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.
Mobile Devices	Except for laptop computers and wristwatches, personal electronic devices are not to be used during class meeting times. Students found to be using such devices will be excused from class.
Communication	The instructor will make heavy use of email to communicate with the class and strongly recommends that students check their elon.edu email at least once every 24 hours. Students who need immediate assistance should attempt to visit the instructor in his office or call his office phone number prior to using email to communicate since the instructor checks email only a few times per day.
Changes	The instructor reserves the right to alter the syllabus at any time. The instructor will describe any major changes through email or classroom announcements.