IFSM 300: Information Systems in Organizations (3). Prerequisite: IFSM 201 or equivalent. An overview of information systems, their role in organizations, and the relation of information systems to the objectives and structure of an organization. Information technology aspects, models of systems, and general theory of systems are discussed. Applications are considered, including production, budgeting, planning, decision support systems, and microcomputer applications in organizations.

Required Text:
Management Information Systems: New Approaches to Organization & Technology, Sixth Edition.  Laudon & Laudon. Prentice Hall, 6th Edition.

Course Objectives:
1.  To provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts of
     management information systems.
2.  To introduce the student to the most recent trends and issues in
     information systems and to establish an understanding of the need to
     anticipate opportunities and threats in the environment.
3.  To provide the student with sufficient background so that he/she will be
     able to identify and explain the important concepts and vocabulary in
     systems management.
4.  To familiarize the student with the scope and complexity of the MIS
     manager's responsibilities.
5.  To introduce the student to the nature of the computer as a
     problem-solving tool, the place of information systems within the firm,
     the place and responsibilities of the firm within the environment, and the
     importance of computer technology and software applications in today’s
     dynamic world.

Course Requirements:
IFSM 300 DE Requirements: Students must have Internet/Web access and be prepared to maintain a Home Page (extra credit) to participate in this section of IFSM 300. Students must read and follow the DE Requirements to participate in this course. WebTycho is the official University of Maryland University College distance delivery method. 

Learning and Participation: Learning means being involved, participating, and enjoying the class. Participation is the degree to which a student makes a responsible effort to communicate and makes a commitment to his/her partner or team and contributes to combined efforts. For participation the instructor is interested in quality as well as quantity.

Participation: Class participation - is required. It is the UMUC-ED DE Program Policy that students must participate, that is, read and respond to their e-mail three (3) or more times a week, during the first three weeks of the class. The policy of this Instructor is as follows: students must participate in the Distance Education discussions by reading, responding to their e-mail, by posting comments to the Conference discussions in WebTycho, and by completing (sending) assignments on the dates due. Also, the Instructor will advise students, who are not participating as required, to withdraw at four (4) weeks into the term if a student is risking a grade of F(n). Distance Education Attendance is directly related to the educational benefit received when discussions, cases, and class assignments are used in the virtual classroom. It is also a prime indicator of a student's interest and motivation. Losses resulting from lack of communication and participation are impossible to make up and almost always result in lower test scores and final grades.

Text Readings: The DE course will include Messages, discussions, class assignments and some Web assignments. Discussion (participation) questions are designed to reinforce the assigned text, to present additional material and real-world examples. Students are expected to participate by posting their comments to the WebTycho Conference as directed by the Discussion Topic for the Week. 

Team Work/Working together: Cooperation among students is encouraged, but must be acknowledged and credit given to all team members. Assignments will be restricted to individual work. Learn to think like a manager; you must learn to work together as a strong team.

Exams: The Final Exam will be open-book, take-home. It will be based on the text readings and related to the Web assignments. The Mid-Term Exam will be open-book, take-home. It will be based on the text readings and related to the Web assignments. Exams will consist of short essay questions or a case discussion assignment similar to those in the text and Web. At the text book's Web site there are on-line tests under each chapter. Students should take advantage of these tools as much as possible to prepare for exams. A make-up exam is given only for emergencies or illness that can not be avoided and must be verified in writing by a credible source. The instructor reserves the right to decide who is a credible source and if the emergency is warranted and that decision is final.

Exercises/Assignments: The main project/paper will be discussed as a Topic in Week 1 of WebTycho's Conference area. Conference responses should be posted on the due date or points may be lost.

Academic Integrity Statement:
Academic dishonesty is failure to maintain academic integrity. It includes, but is not limited to, obtaining or giving aid on an examination, having unauthorized prior knowledge of an examination, doing work for another student, and plagiarism. Academic dishonesty can result in severe academic penalty, including failure in the course and/or dismissal from the institution.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism: First incident: a zero on the assignment, no make-up. Second incident (by the same person): F(a) for the class.

Grading:   A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: <60

Virtual Office Hours: If a student has questions or problems with any specific text material or assignments, e-mail the Instructor anytime or discuss them during Virtual Office Hours. Other: Students may telephone (telephone numbers are in WebTycho) anytime during business hours or at home weekdays between 1900 - 2100 and weekends/holidays between 1200 - 2100.

DE Course Announcements and Information: Class announcements will be made three or four times a week, however, students should check WebTycho at least every Monday morning. Responses and comments will be made to students' contributions and responses to the Discussion Topics. 

Other: All completed exams and assignments will remain with the Instructor once submitted. Remember to keep a back-up of all submissions.

Please Note: This syllabus and schedule is tentative and subject to change. The Instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule and/or the syllabus for the successful progress of this Distance Education course. It is the student's responsibility to know if and when changes have been made to the syllabus and/or schedule by referring to WebTycho's Class Announcements and Smith's Web.