INSTRUCTOR: Charlotte Eudy McConn, M.S., CDP          
                   Prof. McConn's Web site
   Phone: 949-5292,                       Office:145 Library Building

TEXTs: 1)Intro to Information Systems, by Rainer, et. al., Wiley, 2009, 2nd  ed., ISBN: 978-0-470-1690-1.  
       2)(optional)MS Office Excel 2007,  by Grauer, Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0-13-222077-6.
 Access to course material is through the ANGEL Course  Management System (CMS),http://cms.psu.edu.  

* Course Description

* Course Objectives

* Course Outline

* Class Policies & Grading

* Flu Precautions & Protocols

* Angel Logon,(Submit labs, check due dates)

Why should business majors be interested in this course?

    Today we are in the information age and in a highly competitive global economy. 
Global access to markets and competitive advantage are critical to business.  
To be competitive in today’s business environment requires that companies be able
to process large amounts of data, have immediate access to information, and 
access networks to reach out to employees and customers anytime and anywhere. 
Businesses need computer information systems to function effectively. 
An information system includes the technical components of hardware, software, 
networks, and the organizational components of data, people, and procedures.
In this course, you will study these components of information systems and 
how they affect the management and operations of business.

    On a personal level, improving your computer skills will make you more personally
productive and improve your career opportunities.   Most career paths require you
to use computer systems to perform your job duties on a daily basis. 
As of Fall, 2007, MIS 204 now contains a hands-on skills component and you will 
have the opportunity to practice your computer skills to create a simple web-site, 
use simple data base tools, and analyze data using Excel spreadsheets.  

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:(from the Penn State Catalogue)
       MIS 204 is an introduction to the use of information systems in 
business organizations and its impact on management decision making. 
The student learns the components of business computer systems 
including networks, hardware, types of software, data organization and 
protection, management issues, ethics and security issues. 
Opportunities on the internet, computer hardware and software decision 
strategies, use of computer systems to track daily business 
transactions, and use of technology to gain the competitive edge in 
business are discussed. 
This is a required course for BA, BSB, 2BA, and ALBUS students.  

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

   1) Describe the components of a computer information system 
including hardware, software, data, networks, people, and procedures.

   2) Provide an understanding of the strategic role of information 
systems in organizations, and the use of information systems in decision 
making.

   3) Describe the types of computer networks currently in use in 
business,  government, and education, and uses of these systems to 
exchange information and communicate with business partners and customers.
   
   4) Analyze the information needs of a typical business.

   5) Describe the importance of and ways to implement security proceedures 
in information systems.

   6) Improve personal computer skills 
       a)web site creation, electronic portfolio, and E-commerce
       b)MS Office tools for data analysis using spreadsheets and data bases.

MIS 204 - TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

     Check the Angel course management system for course topics by week, 
assignments, tests dates, and other course announcements. 
     Briefly, topics covered in this course include:

Module 1:  
  Introduction, The Components of Information Systems
  Information Systems and the Structure of Organizations
  Ethical and social issues
  Introduction to data base management systems.

	TEST: Chapters 1 thru 4 & Technical Guide 3 (25% of grade)
		
Module 2: 
  Networks 
  E-Commerce
  Wireless networks and Security
	
	TEST: Chapters  6,7, Technical Guide 4 & notes (20% of grade)
		
Module 3:  
  Managing Information Systems 
  Functional areas of business and data analysis that supports those functions
  Managers and Decision Making
  Building Systems (Systems Life Cycle)
	
	TEST: Chapters 8, 10 & notes (10% of grade)


Open book online-quizzes: (5% of grade)

 Students must complete a short online quiz for each chapter reading in the 
Rainer text by specific target dates.  No exceptions will be made to these 
dates, so look at the chapter materials as soon as you can and complete the 
quizzes early.

Hands-On Skills Labs: (30% of grade)

 Computer labs assignments will be given throughout the semester.  
 Check Angel for specific instructions.

Team Project: (10% of grade)
 Two to three person teams will be formed at the beginning of the semester to
create and present(or submit) a design for a start-up business at the end
of the semsester.  This project must include a short business plan, hardware, 
software, network components, and IT policies and security procedures.
It must also include policies that emloyees must follow and an on-going employee 
training plan.  Grading of team projects requires participation and documentation 
of each team member's contribution to the project and a peer evaluation of each 
member. More information can be found on the Angel course management system.