Bad Aibling, Germany

2000-2001 / Term IV

Lecturer: Anthony D.West

Credit: 3 semester hours of credit.

Prerequisites: Graduate program prerequisite course (or) lecturer's permission.

It is nearly impossible to manage a modern day organization without some knowledge of Information Systems. Using Information systems necessitate an organization to understand the technology and management practices that shape these Information systems. This course will impart that knowledge to the student. Major topics will

Include: Hardware, Software, Management and Business practices, Databases, Networks, Communications, Inter/Intra nets, and function area Information Systems.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Master the applications necessary in using the computer as a problem-solving tool.

• Manage in an IT environment using these acquired tools.

• Apply the systems approach model in solving Information resource problems.

• Explain why Information systems are so important in today's corporate world.

• How to transform Organizations and Management.

• Understand the major challenges in building and using Information Systems in organizations.

• Describe the role played by the 6 major types of information systems in organizations.

• Discuss the relationships between information systems.

• Define strategic Information Systems and why information is considered a strategic resource.

• Understand Information Systems and the levels of strategy used in business.

• Understand managerial thinking and decision-making.

• Describe how Information Technology has changed the management process.

• Understand ethical, social and political issues raised by information systems.

• Identify hardware components and their respective generations.

• Identify software types and their generations.

Computation of final grades:

Exams will consist of T/F, Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the Blank, and Essay.

Each group will take assigned case and apply germane topic for their bi-weekly presentations...example Group 1 will apply Hardware concepts (chapter 4) to their case presentation then as a review explain the major concepts in chapter 4.

Groups will build information from each chapter into your final project. Use each chapter as a guide for your comprehensive exam and final research paper.

Using APA (American Psychological Association) or Turabian stylized format, write a 7-10 page research paper on an assigned topic. Build on the paper using in-class discussions, textbook offerings, internet usage and external sources.

O'Brien, James A., MIS: Management Information Technology in the Internetworked Enterprise (4^th edition), New York: Irwin / McGraw Hill, 1999. (MIS see below)

Bruner, Robert F., et al, The Portable MBA (3^rd edition) New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1998. (MBA see below)

Attendance policy: Students should attend at least 80% of the class to be successful.

Presentations: Each student will make 1 or more presentations to the class. The instructor will decide the topic, length and ancillary presentation aids.

I will be available before and after class (please let me know if you need an appointment).

Mr. West holds:

- A Bachelors of Arts degree in political Science from Bowie State University,

- A Masters of Science degree in Administration (MSA) from Central Michigan

- A Masters of Science degree in Database systems and Computer Security from the University of Maryland.

- I have 30 years of computer science experience (including Programmer, Systems Analyst, Data Flow Manager, Project Manager, Contracting Officers Technical Representative, Information Systems Security Officer).

- I have 22 years of managerial experience.

- I am certified as a professional Senior Computer Scientist, Senior Data Flow Manager, Senior Education and Training officer, and Chief Information Officer within the DoD.

- I am certified on the DoD Technical Track and on the Managerial Track as a graduate of the Mid-level Management Development Program.

- I am a level III Computer Systems Acquisitions specialist.

- Phone: 08034307674 (please call before 2100)

- e-mail: Tony0705@aol.com

- Mail: CMR 407

BOX 179

APO AE 09098

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