Course: BUS 340.01
Semester: Fall 2020
Instructor: Christine Pitocco
Meeting Time: Online
Location: Online
Office Hours: Mondays 5-7 pm via Zoom (times slots will be available in order to limit waiting)
or other times by appointment
Instructor Contact Information: email: [email protected]
Course Description: An introductory course in management information systems (MIS). Its objectives are to develop a basic understanding of the concepts and techniques needed in analyzing, designing, and managing these systems, and to explore the applications of computers and information technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of individuals, groups, and organizations.
Required Texts & Other Course Materials:
Essentials of MIS Pearson 14/E by Laudon
(There is an ebook version that is much less expensive than a hard copy)
Instructions available for ordering in Blackboard course documents section
Course id: pitocco03651
Helpful Websites
Microsoft Excel tutorials:
Microsoft Access tutorials:
This is 2013 version but it is a good series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySyMn3H4rvg&list=PLhKFRV3-UgpeA_3wzRHF8AS8T7ppKvm9O
Student Learning Outcomes
College of Business Program Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking:
- Exams and Homework assignments
Leadership and team interaction
- The discussion of interactive sessions in class presented in teams
Course Specific Learning Outcomes
- Identify the importance of information technology role in managing a business
- Know information careers, information skills and knowledge needed
- Identify the role of technology in gaining a competitive advantage
- Evaluate ethical and social issues with the use of Information Technology
- Database management
- Information policy and quality assurance
- Describe Moore’s Law
- Analyze different Businesses such as Facebook, Amazon and Netflix and Google
- Explain the different types of Security Systems
- Explain the different methods to counteract Security breaches and Hacks to an online System
- Recognize the value of e-business
- Describe software applications that are of value to managers
- Understand Disruptive technologies and their impact on business
- Understand the changing role of managers
Course Requirements & Grading Information:
Exams (4@ 15%) 60%
Microsoft Excel &Access Assignments 25%
Discussion Board, Group 15%
No late homework or assignments will be accepted. Please do not ask for an extension.
Missing an Exam/Quiz will result in a grade of zero (exams will be scheduled online)
Exams will be timed and be on a specific date and time period. Please check the time and date.
Class Discussions (Participation grade)
Questions will be posted on Blackboard discussion. All students are expected to
contribute. Discussion contributions should be submitted in a timely manner so that responses may be made by your classmates. In other words, last minute contributions do not add to the discussion.
There is no extra credit for this course.
Etiquette Rules (sometimes referred to as Netiquette Rules)
Online Communication Guidelines and Learning Resources:
Maintain professional conduct both in the classroom and online. The classroom is a professional environment where academic debate and learning take place. I will make every effort to make this environment safe for you to share your opinions, ideas, and beliefs. In return, you are expected to respect the opinions, ideas, and beliefs of other students—both in the face-to-face classroom and online communication. Students have the right and privilege to learn in the class, free from harassment and disruption. The course follows the standards set in the Student Code of Conduct, and students are subject to disciplinary action for violation of that code. If your behavior does not follow the course etiquette standards stated below, the grade you receive for a posting may suffer. I reserve the right to remove any discussion messages that display inappropriate language or content.
Online Etiquette:
- Offensive language or rudeness will not be tolerated. Discuss ideas, not the person.
- Avoid cluttering your messages with excessive emphasis (stars, arrows, exclamations).
- If you are responding to a message, include the relevant part of the original message in your reply, or refer to the original post to avoid confusion;
- Be specific and clear, especially when asking questions.
- Use standard punctuation and capitalization. Using all UPPERCASE characters gives the appearance of shouting and makes the message less legible;
- Remember that not all readers have English as their native language, so make allowances for possible misunderstandings and unintended discourtesies.
Online Classes Require Better Communication:
It is important to remember that we will not have the non-verbal cues that occur in a face-to-face classroom. I cannot see the confused, frustrated, or unhappy expressions on your face if you encounter problems. You MUST communicate with me so that I can help. To make the experience go smoothly, remember that you’re responsible for initiating more contact, and being direct, persistent, and vocal when you don’t understand something.
My Role as the Instructor:
As the instructor, I will serve as a “guide” in our online classroom. While I will not respond to every post, I will read what is posted, and reply when necessary. Expect instructor posts in the following situations:
- To assist each of you when it comes to making connections between discussion, lectures, and textbook material.
- To fill in important things that may have been missed.
- To re-direct discussion when it gets “out of hand.”
- To point out key points or to identify valuable posts.
Discussion Board
For discussion board: students are to post a response to each discussion board thread (this includes threads posted by the instructor and the threads posted by each group). In addition, for each thread, students must provide a response to two other students’ postings. Students can expect to be participating in discussion board two – three times a week. It is suggested that students type responses to discussion board in Word, save your work, and then copy and paste your work in to discussion board; check spelling, grammar, word usage, etc. before posting to discussion board.
| InterpretationPoints | Quality of posts | Frequency | Mechanics |
| Exemplary5, full points or higher | The comment is accurate, relevant, properly attributed and evidence-based as well as original and well written. Adds substantial learner presence to the course and stimulates additional thought about the issue under discussion. Collegial and friendly tone. | Participates steadily throughout the week (or module) and responds to instructor and/or peers on or before deadline.Students should post at least 1-2 times by midweek and 1-2 responses by week’s end to facilitate discussion.] | Free of spelling and grammatical errors. |
| Accomplished3 to 4 | The comment lacks at least one of the above qualities, but is above average in quality. Makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the issue being discussed. | 0ne or two minor errors. | |
| Developing2 to 3 | The comment lacks two or three of the required qualities. Comments which are based solely upon personal opinion or personal experience often fall within this category. | Few posts. Posts are bunched into one or two days at the end of the week. | |
| Needs work1 to 2 | The comment presents little or no new information. However, may provide social presence and contribute to a collegial atmosphere. | Few posts. Deadlines are not met. | Multiple spelling and grammar errors or inappropriate. |
Academic Integrity: Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person’s work as your own is always wrong. Faculty is required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. Faculty in the Health Sciences Center (School of Health Technology & Management, Nursing, Social Welfare, Dental Medicine) and School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty please refer to the academic judiciary website at: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/academic_integrity/index.html
Academic Dishonesty:
The College of Business regards any act of academic dishonesty as a major violation punishable by severe penalties, including dismissal from the University. University policy requires that instructors and GAs and TAs report all suspected cases of academic dishonesty to the appropriate Academic Judiciary Committee, which is empowered to take strong action against violators. Under no circumstances will the College of Business permit cheating of any kind. Many activities constitute academic dishonesty. The following list is not inclusive, only suggestive:
- Cheating on exams or assignments by the use of books, electronic devices, notes, or other aids when these are not permitted, or by copying from another student.
- Collusion: two or more students helping one another on an exam or assignment when it is not permitted.
- Ringers: taking an exam for someone else, or permitting someone else to take one’s exam.
- Plagiarizing: copying someone else’s writing or paraphrasing it too closely, even if it constitutes only some of your written assignment.
- Submitting the same paper in more than one course without approval of the instructors.
- Falsifying documents or records related to credit, grades, status (e.g., adds and drops, P/NC grading), or other academic matters.
- Altering an exam or paper after it has been graded in order to request a grade change.
- Stealing, concealing, destroying, or inappropriately modifying classroom or other instructional material, such as posted exams, library materials, laboratory supplies, or computer programs.
- Preventing relevant material from being subjected to academic evaluation.
Academic integrity is expected of all students at all times, whether in the presence or absence of members of the faculty. Understanding this, I declare that I shall not give, use, or receive unauthorized aid in this examination. I have been warned that any suspected instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the appropriate office and that I will be subjected to the maximum possible penalty permitted under University guidelines.*
Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) Statement:
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Student Accessibility Support Center, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, Room 128, (631)632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations, if any, are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/studentaffairs/sasc/facstaff/syllabus.php
Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Student Accessibility Support Center. For procedures and information go to the following website: https://ehs.stonybrook.edu/programs/fire-safety/emergency-evacuation/evacuation-guide-people-physical-disabilities
Critical Incident Management:
Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students’ ability to learn.
Blackboard:
You can access class information on-line at: http://blackboard.sunysb.edu. If you have used Stony Brook’s Blackboard system previously, your login information (Username and Password) has not changed. If you have never used Stony Brook’s Blackboard system, your initial password is your SOLAR ID# and your username is the same as your Stony Brook (sparky) username, which is generally your first initial and the first 7 letters of your last name.
If you are having trouble logging into Blackboard, you will need to log into SOLAR to verify your Net ID username & set your Net ID Security Question and Password. For more information, visit: http://clientsupport.stonybrook.edu/
If you are a student and continue to have a problem logging into Blackboard, you will need to bring photo ID to either the Melville Library SINC Site Room S1460 or the Union SINC Site Room 080 and speak to a Blackboard Administrator from Saturday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm.
Remote SINC SITE
For those students using a MAC, you will need to use the remote sinc site for Microsoft Access. Below is a you tube video that will show you how to use the sinc site remotely.
Class Schedule and Assignments
In addition to the Chapter readings below, I will be posting video clips and news articles as they pertain to this class. As companies transition to online, new technologies being used or used in a different way will be discussed.
Date Reading Chapters
Week 1 (8/24) Introduction 1
Week 2 (8/31) Competitive Advantage 2, 3
Discussion 1 posted (available until Sept 18th)
Excel Assignment Posted due 9/11)
Week 3 (9/8) Hardware and Software 5
Introduction to Microsoft Access (Echo tutorial)
Access Assignment Posted due October 2nd
Week 4 (9/14) Database Management 6
Microsoft Access (Echo Tutorial)
Exam 1 9/16 (available 24 hours 5pm to Thursday 5pm)
Week 5 (9/21) Enterprise Applications 9
Week 6 (9/28) Social and Ethical Issues 4
Diversity and Inclusion
Discussion 2 posted (available until October 16th)
Week 7 (10/5) Telecommunications 7
Microsoft Access (Echo Tutorial)
Access Assignment Posted due 11/06
Week 8 (10/13) Netflix, Moore’s Law
Social Media, Amazon
Exam 2 10/14 (available 24 hours 5pm to Thursday 5pm)
Week 9 (10/19) eCommerce 10
Discussion 3 posted (available until November 6th)
Week 10 10/26) Network Effects, Disruptive Technologies
Excel Assignment Posted due 11/27
Week 11 (11/2) Securing Systems 8
Week 12 (11/9) Decision making using technology
Exam 3 11/11 (available 24 hours 5pm to Thursday 5pm)
Access Assignment due 11/30
Week 13 (11/23) Thanksgiving Break
11
Week 14 (11/30) Building and Managing Systems 12
Exam 4 12/7 (available 24 hours5pm to Tuesday 5pm)
Assessment of student work
Grading Description:
100-92=A
91-89= A-
88-86= B+
85-82=B
81-79=B-
78-76=C+
75-72=C
71-69=C-
68-65=D+
64-60=D
<60=F
