IS Department

Below is the list of Graduate Courses Offered

Graduate Courses (all of the following courses are 3 credits)

Core courses:

• MBA 510 - Quantitative Tools for Management
• MBA 540 - Operations Management
• MBA 580 - Information Systems

IS Department Electives:

IS 610 - Analysis and Design of Information Systems
The System Development Life Cycle begins with some recognition of a problem or some request for change. The systems analyst is generally responsible for processing such requests through to complete system specifications, and may also function as a project leader through system installation. This course begins with initial problem investigation, and proceeds through feasibility analysis, requirements determination, general design and implementation planning. Students learn the process and products of systems analysis through a combination of textbook readings, lectures, and systems analysis assignments that are based on a case description. Structured methodologies and CASE tools, such as the dataflow diagramming approach, are used. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 620 - Data Base Management
This course is devoted to the design, implementation and management of data base systems. Concepts of a data base are discussed, data base models are developed, and the role of the data base administration function is presented. Additional topics include: evaluating data base management systems and extensions to data mining. A course project is required of all students.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 621 - Computer-Based Statistical Decision Making
The purpose of this course is to enhance the data analysis capability of the business researcher. An in-depth study of a statistical package is undertaken. Frequent use of the computer is expected in order to deal effectively with the data analysis requirements of complex business problems. Topics include: forecasting, analysis of variance, multiple regression, correlation, statistical experiments, methods of statistical sampling, multivariate statistical modeling. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 510

IS 622 - Risk Management Decision Technology
This course focuses on the decision technology to support risk management for an organization. Methods to plan for business continuity given the inherent aspect of uncertainty and risk will be a focal issue. Topics include: project risk, risk assessment, business impact analysis, sources of knowledge, data and analytical models, simulation and gaming, forecasting, geographical information systems, feasibility analysis of alternatives, implementation and effectiveness testing. A broad spectrum of threats, vulnerabilities and risks will be addressed and the most practical analytics useful in developing strategies and plans to prevent and mitigate risk will be addressed.
Prerequisite: No prerequisite required.

IS 625 - Audit and Control of Informatics
This course emphasizes the operational audit of a computer information system. Every aspect of the computing environment will be examined. Topics include: planning and conducting the audit, organization, systems of controls, computer assisted auditing techniques, physical security of data processing facilities, encryption and the particular considerations pertaining to a networking and data base environment. This course will be of interest to financial auditors who desire exposure to auditing in a computer environment. The course will feature the use of a generalized audit software system. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 626 - Analytics of Strategic Corporate Planning
This course focuses on the issues surrounding the development of a strategic corporate planning model for an organization. Topics include: the differences among planning, modeling and forecasting, the role of internal and external data bases, determining measures of effectiveness, politics of corporate modeling, portfolio modeling, integrating functional subsystems, and approaches to corporate modeling. Several case studies will be discussed. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 510

IS 628 - Total Quality Management
The purpose of this course is to understand the concept and meaning of Total Quality Management and to relate these quality management principles to present and future production and operations management philosophies. Topics covered include: strategic quality planning, quality assurance, statistical quality control, customer satisfaction, management and analysis of quality data, employee involvement, continuous improvement, and supplier quality. Issues of implementation will permeate throughout the course. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 540

IS 635 - Modeling Competitive Marketing Applications
This course provides an in-depth study of marketing models and related analytical techniques. The model concept is defined, alternative model representations are given, and potential benefits from using models are discussed. The student deals with model building concepts and criteria, model specification based on intended use and desired level of detail, objective and subjective parameterization, and validation. Implementation issues are examined, such as model use, organizational aspects of model building, and evaluation of models on a cost-benefit basis. The model building process is examined through case studies that address critical marketing decisions.
Prerequisite: MBA 510 and MBA 560

IS 653 - Client/Server Applications with a 4GL
This course explores the critical role client/server systems play in supporting business organizations. The three components: client, server and networks are discussed. The role of standards in developing these systems is explored. Applications development with a fourth generation language is the vehicle used to expand on the client/server environment. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 655 - Business Applications Development Using Visual Basic
This course will emphasize computer applications development in order to implement solutions to systems in a business environment. The applications development tool of Visual Basic will be utilized. Topics will include problem identification, exploration of solution strategies, selection of appropriate development tools, solution development and implementation. Extensions to Microsoft Office Professional will be explored using Visual Basic. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 660 - Decision Support Systems
The focus of this course is centered on the concepts and methods used in the analysis and design of computer-based Decision Support Systems. Decision Support Systems are interactive computer systems that provide the user with easy access to decision models and data in order to aid managers in complex situation. Topics include models of decision making, development framework for DSS, interactive life cycle, DSS languages, senior management use, database requirements, group DSS knowledge-based systems and DSS applications. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 665 - Expert Systems for Business: Electronic-Commerce
The focus of this course is to provide the expertise needed in Electronic Commerce systems. The basic ideas of E-Commerce are introduced. We look at the different models of E-C such as business to business and business to consumer. The qualities and characteristics that make for successful E-Commerce businesses are described. We discuss online auctions and other internet based dynamic pricing models. We describe how artificial intelligence and intelligent agents will help in making future E business applications much smarter and more human like. We discuss the importance and possibilities for personalization and customization in current and future E-Commerce website development.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 666 - Current Topics Via Distance Learning
This course will be conducted on the Internet by the instructor. Students will interact with the instructor and one another using the communications platform on the Internet. E-mail, chat room, and other vehicles will be utilized. Each trimester the course will focus on a different contemporary theme that is of interest to the business community. Individual research on the topic conducted by the student will be presented to the community and discussed in an open forum setting. At this time, the course is focused on an introduction to electronic commerce. 
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 681 - Security and Privacy on the Internet
This course utilizes both chat rooms (synchronous) and discussion groups (asynchronous) communications modalities to explore the major issues and debates surrounding workplace security and privacy. The following topics are covered: general privacy issues and legislation, E-Mail and voice-mail monitoring, E-Commerce security, Internet usage monitoring, and market databases and consumer privacy.
Prerequisite: MBA580

IS 684 - Internet Based Applications and Development
Students will evaluate current connection technologies such as dial-up, DSL, T1, fiber optics, etc.services will be surveyed. There will be discussion of server hardware, operating systems, web-server software, firewalls, Internet appliances, and Internet application development tools.  Internet applications such as IP Telephony, Business to Consumer, and Business to Business will be investigated.  Students will use an Internet applications software development tool to construct and publish a web site.
Prerequisite: MBA580

IS 685 - Introduction to Data Mining
Modern computational technologies based on the Internet and electronic commerce allow business organizations to capture, store and warehouse vast quantities of data.  Data mining is concerned with the task of extracting information and knowledge from this data that can be used to help an organization function more effectively. Governmental agencies, particularly those interested in homeland security, are using data mining to help in many tasks required for national security.  In this course we shall discuss a number of the latest state of the art technologies that are used in data mining.
Prerequisite: MBA580

IS 690 - Managing Network-Based Applications
This course presents an introduction to the technical and organizational skills necessary for building, implementing, and maintaining a telecommunications system. The topics covered include data transmission, voice communication, distributed networks, value-added carriers, and telecommunications architectures. The case studies will focus on evaluation the design, implementation and management of telecommunications systems. A course project is required.
Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 699 - Independent Research in Information Systems
This course provides selected students with the opportunity to conduct in-depth research in areas of specific interest as determined by the students and faculty mentor. Independent Research may be undertaken with the approval of the student's faculty mentor and the chairperson of the Department of Information Systems as one of the final courses in the program.

IS 990 - Special Topics in Information Systems
This course will be conducted on the Internet by the instructor. Students will interact with the instructor and one another using the communications platform of the Internet.
Each trimester the course will focus on a different contemporary theme that is of interest to the business community.

IS 990 - Special Topics: Data Mining
Modern computational technologies using the internet and electronic commerce allow business organizations to capture, store and warehouse vast quantities of data.  Data mining is concerned with the task of extracting from this data, information and knowledge that can be used to help an organization function more effectively.  Furthermore governmental agencies, particularly those interested in homeland security, are using data mining to help in many tasks required for national security.  In this course we shall discuss of a number of the state of the art technologies that are being used in data mining.  In addition to techniques for mining data tools for mining text will also be discussed. Prerequisite: MBA 580

IS 991 - Special Topics: Managing the IT Function
This course investigates the major strategic and operational issues involved in the successful management of an organization’s information technology initiative.  Selected topics include the following: IT Strategy, Budgeting for IT, ROI for IT, Overall IT Security Strategy , the CIO/CTO function and Staffing IT in a global environment.
Prerequisite: MBA 580