SYLLABUS

CIS 221 - Computers in Business

CIS.221.W01.2015WI (49466)
Karen Juday
Office Hours: By appointment
Phone: Office: (213) 740-1789
E-mail: juday@usc.edu

Cell: (231) 598-2315

Credit Hours: 3
IMPORTANT: In the event that the pace of the class needs to be altered to meet the educational
outcome, or new and innovative material needs to be introduced, the instructor reserves the right
to change the contents and format of this course.
TEXTBOOK: Baltzan, Paige. Business Driven Technology, 6th edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The management-oriented study of computer information systems in business, including model
building and decision support. Includes coverage of leading software packages used in business.
The purpose of this course is to provide insight into the applications of the computer in modern
business. You will study the components of a business computer system, typical applications, the
structure and use of files and databases, and the concepts of networking, teleprocessing, and
distributed systems. You will explore the techniques of business computer system development.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. 1.
Describe the relationships among people, information technology, and
information;
2. 2.
Describe the role and purpose of a database management system;
3. 3.
Explain the business value of integrating supply chain management, customer
relationship management, and enterprise resource planning systems;
4. 4.
Identify the different ways in which companies collaborate using technology
5. 5.
Describe how IT accelerates and enhances e-business;
6. 6.
Define the relationship between the systems development life cycle and project
management; and
7. 7.
Explain how the integration of business and technology is shaping 21st century
organizations.
COURSE RATIONALE
Computer literacy and proficiency provide strong preparation for a managers career. The
computer pervades business at every level. Literacy indicates the manager understands what the

computer can do; and its influence on business and society. Proficiency reflects the ability to use
the computer competently as an information tool. Computer literacy and proficiency generate a
synergy needed to cope with complex decisions in a systemic fashion.
METHODS OF EVALUATION
The following means of assessment will be used:
Class Participation - We will cover material from the text as well as additional materials each
week in class via discussion and activities. Students are expected to be prepared and actively
participate in these discussions and activities. For more information about participation
assessment, please see the Participation and Assessment Guidelines in Moodle.
Weekly Assignments - Each week we will complete assignments that will be submitted for course
credit. These assignments will only be accepted for course credit if they are submitted during
that week. If you are absent, you cannot receive credit for weekly assignments missed.
Exams Students will take exams upon completion of each unit in the textbook, covering basic
concepts and learning objectives. Each unit exam will count as 5% of the overall semester grade.
The final exam will cover concepts and objectives across the entire semester and will count as
10% of the overall grade.
Project Assessments Student learning will also be assessed using a project-based learning
approach. There will be three projects assigned during the semester that reflect the key concepts
targeted in the text and other resources included in this course via handouts, discussion, etc.
Make-up Exams
Requests to make up a missed exam must be made to the instructor. At the instructors discretion,
a make-up exam may be scheduled in the Academic Support Center (ASC) or online using
Moodle.
The ASC assists all MMCC students with textbook and academic reading; planning, drafting,
and revising writing assignments; and provides assistance with math needs. These services are
available free of charge to all students currently enrolled at MMCC. Students may drop-in or set
up an appointment with an ASC instructor. In addition, the ASC is the testing center for web
classes, proctored make-up exams, and test-outs.

SEMESTER GRADE
The total points possible will be computed for all assignments with the following weights
assigned in computing your final grade:
Assignment

% of Final Grade

Class Participation and Weekly Assignments

Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
5 Unit Exams (5% each)
Final Exam

20%
15%
15%
15%
25%
10%

GRADING SCALE
95 - 100 = A
90 - 94 = A87 - 89 = B+
84 - 86 = B

80 - 83
77 - 79
74 - 76
70 - 73

= B= C+
=C
= C-

67 - 69 = D+
64 - 66 = D
60 - 63 = DBelow 60 = E

CIS 221
Course Schedule
Module Week of

Activities/Topics

Chapter(s)
Covered
Ch. 1

Jan 12

Orientation to course syllabus, structure, materials,

expectations
Introduction to instructor and other students
Review Chapter 1
Class discussion topic
Student software assessment

Jan 19

Review Chapters 2-3

Class discussion topic
Module 2 Quiz

Ch. 2-3

Jan 26

Review Chapters 4-5

Class discussion topic
Project 1 Instructions
Project 1 Needs Assessment

Ch. 4-5

Feb 2

Unit 1 Review
Class discussion topic
Web Search/Internet Terms Resources
Project 1 software article
Unit 1 Exam

Feb 9

Review Chapters 6-7

Class discussion topic
Data quality exercise
Module 5 Quiz
Project 1 hardware article

Feb 16

Review Chapter 8
Class discussion topic
Project 1 due by midnight, Sunday

Feb 23

Mar 2

Unit 2 Review
Class discussion topic
Project 2 Instructions
Project 2 topic/rubric due
Unit 2 Exam
Review Chapters 9-10
Class discussion topic
Project 2 outline due

Ch. 6-7

Ch. 8

Ch. 9-10

--9

Mar 9
Mar 16

SPRING BREAK
Review Chapters 11-12
Class discussion topic
Unit 3 Exam

10

Mar 23

Review Chapters 13-14

Class discussion topic/activity
Project 2 due by midnight, Sunday

Ch. 13-14

11

Mar 30

Review Chapters 15-16

Class discussion topic
Project 3 instructions
Project 3 topic due

Ch. 15-16

12

Apr 6

Unit 4 Review
Class discussion topic
Project 3 research activity
Unit 4 Exam

13

Apr 13

Review Chapters 17-18

Class discussion topic/activity
Module 13 Quiz

Ch. 17-18

14

Apr 20

Review Chapters 19-20

Class discussion topic

Ch. 19-20

15

Apr 27

Review Unit 5
Class discussion topic
Unit 5 Exam
Project 3 due by midnight, Sunday

16

May 4

Units 1-5 Review

Class discussion topic
Final Exam

Ch. 11-12