Maryland in Europe -- Graduate Programs

Bowie State University -- Management Information Systems

Credit

3 semester hours of credit 
Prerequisites: All graduate prerequisite courses or permission of the lecturer.

Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course should then be able to:

• Identify and understand the roles information systems play in organizations.
• Recognize the basic concepts that will be the foundation for subsequent MIS courses, including user requirements, information flows, and the nature of information systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic techniques and fundamental skills needed to describe and specify the structures and applications of information systems.
• Analyze different organizational situations where information technology is involved, and make recommendations for improvement in operations and in management information.
• Analyze and demonstrate the impact of advances in information technology on organizational variables.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the literature in information systems, or a field of their own interest (e.g., medicine) with a focus on the use of information technology in that field.

Text

O'Brien, James A., Management Information Systems: Management Information Technology in the Internetworked Enterprise
(4^thedition), New York: Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 1999. 
ISBN 0-07-115811-1
(MIS) 

Supplemental Text

Bruner, Robert F., et al, The Portable MBA
(3^rdedition), New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1998. 
ISBN 0-471-18093-9
(MBA)

Course Evaluation

Grades for this course will be based on: 

 
  Computation of Final Grades 

Exams will consist of essay questions. One or more essay questions will be designed to give students an idea of what to expect in the graduate comprehensive exam.

Students will be graded primarily on their written work. Good presentation skills are also important, however, and will help contribute to the grade. In both written assignments and verbal contributions, students are encouraged to follow the maxim, "Content before form".

Case studies will be one of the learning tools of this course. Unless otherwise instructed, students should be prepared for class discussions of the cases at the end of the assigned chapters in O'Brien (MIS). A group case study will give students the opportunity to look at a larger problem and solve it with teamwork.

Standards

Written assignments:

Black ink on white A4 or 8.5x11 paper, in a standard typewriter face such as Courier, or 11- or 12-point Times New Roman. Line spacing double-spaced or 1.5.

No color or graphics, except for (1) charts or maps generated by the student to convey substantive information; or (2) as an artifact of the subject being studied, in support of a point discovered or being argued by the student.

Where there has been research, use a consistent, generally accepted, format for citations.

Avoid heavy binders, unless you are prepared to supply packing material to facilitate their return by mail at the end of the term.

Presentations:

The use of computer-generated presentation systems is discouraged, partly because students are tempted to consume valuable time on special effects. On the first weekend, we will see what classroom facilities are available to help support presentations, and then set further standards.

Office Hours and Communication

Office hours: Before or after class, or by appointment. I will usually be on base Friday afternoon before each class weekend. At the first class meeting, we can choose to set other office hours if that will be useful to the students.

In between the weekend meetings, students may reach me by
 

I will try to keep a web site going during the term which may be helpful in disseminating information to the class: 
 
 

/~lmwhite

  Policies

Class attendance is expected. Keep in mind that one weekend is 1/4 of the course, a great loss of class time. Students are responsible for all material covered during lectures and discussions, as well as assigned textbook readings. In order for case studies to be given lively and effective class discussions, students should read them and think about them before class.

On such matters as exceptional grades, academic dishonesty and attendance, the policies of the current Graduate Catalog of the University of Maryland in Europe will apply to this course.

Instructor

Dr. White received a BA in Economics from Kings College and more recently, an MA in Organizational Development and a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems from The Fielding Institute. He worked for over 20 years as an analyst and program manager for the Department of the Army and Department of the Navy. He worked as a managment analyst and program manager for 10 years in industry. He has taught in higher education, adult education and industry in management information systems and computer applications. 

Tentative Course Schedule

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