Prerequisites

MIS 101, MIS 120, MGMT 102.

Course Description [Top]

MIS 160. Systems Development Life Cycle I. Student teams analyze and design business information systems of moderate complexity to solve the information needs of "real clients" including, but not limited, to developing new systems and redesigning, or intergrading existing systems. We study various analysis and design methodologies and we use the most current Project Management and UML tools in our projects. Students are involved in several team development and leadership activities and are required to produce oral and written reports. Note: The project will be continued in MIS 161; therefore, taking MIS 160 and MIS 161 in consecutive semesters is highly recommended. Prerequisite: MIS 101, MIS 120, MGMT 102. 3 units.

Course Objectives [Top]

• Think and work as a professional consultant
• Become a dependable team player and a leader
• Learn to learn
• Prepare yourself for the "real world"
• Develop systems development  skills
• Synthesize skills and knowledge from other classes into an innovative technology solution

Course Methodology

I will not lecture on the material of this book "cover to cover". Lectures will be presented to supplement the subject covered in the text. In most cases, I will explain the most important topics covered in each chapter, then we will work cooperatively to analyze and understand the use of the subject matter in organizations. You are expected to have completed the reading assignments prior to class and to participate in class discussions.

Systems Development Methodology [Top]

We will follow the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology in our class. A methodology includes the Models, Tools and Techniques for systems development. 

Models

We will use the Unified Modeling Language (UML) 2.0.

Tools

• Microsoft  Project 2007 or later for Project Management
• Microsoft Visio Professional 2007 for UML modeling 
• MySQL 5.0 or later for data storage
• Microsoft Office 2003 or later for project documents

Note that we do not have the time to explore in detail these tools. You must spent time outside class to learn how to use these tools and complete the assigned work.

How to download the software tools?

The MIS area has subscription to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), which give faculty and students access to many titles of Microsoft software. Most of the software is downloadable, so there is virtually no cost to you. 

If you are interested, complete the http://www.csus.edu/indiv/v/velianitis/msdnaa.htm form and will prepare you for access (must use your Saclink ID). 

Please visit the following link to see a partial list of available software. http://msdn08.e-academy.com/elms/Storefront/Home.aspx?campus=csus_mis 

Techniques

We will use specific techniques as guidelines for development activities or tasks (i.e., 
Economic Analysis Techniques and Interviewing Techniques). You can use your own techniques only after prior approval. 

Systems Development Project [Top]

Details on this project can be found in the Assignments page.

I will give two in-class term examinations and one final. Each exam consists of twenty five multiple-choice questions, ten identification questions and two essay questions. You will need a scantron form 882 to answer the multiple-choice questions; I will provide you with paper for the identification and essay questions. Examination material will be drawn from the textbook reading, any other assigned readings, and class lectures and discussion. Emphasis will be placed on the conceptual understanding of the material and NOT on memory alone. Understanding the application of the concepts will greatly enhance your grade. 

No make-up examination will be given without the prior approval of the instructor. If you fail to take the exam, without valid documentation, I will prepare a different exam which you will take at 75% of its grade value.

Final grades will be assigned according to the total points you have obtained through exams and group homework assignments relative to the total possible number of points. 

Your grade is also affected by the number of unexcused absences. You are allowed to have 3 unexcused absences. For each absence after your allowance, 10 points will be deducted. Note that absences are only excused for a valid reasons (health problems, jury duty etc) and MUST be accompanied with documentation (i.e., health center note with a phone number to call for questions) provided within a week of returning to class.

Pluses and minuses will be awarded along the extremities (i.e., greater than 3% below the upper limit and less than 3% of the lower limit, respectively). 

Based on the total points, your grades will be assigned as follows:

Grading system may change for compelling reasons.

Academic Dishonesty

Unfortunately, the subject of academic dishonestly must be discussed for those who are inclined toward such activities. The university's policy is discussed in the following paragraphs. Please, there is no need to engage in any unethical behavior in this class! If you need help, my door is always open.

Academic dishonesty involves acts which may subvert or compromise the integrity of the educational process of the university. Included is any act by which a student gains or attempts to gain an academic advantage for him/herself, or another, by misrepresenting his/her, or another's work or by interfering with the completion, submission, or evaluation of work. These include, but are not limited to, accomplishing or attempting any of the following acts:

• Using any materials that are not authorized by the instructor for use during an examination.
• Copying from another student's paper during an examination.
• Collaborating (i.e., talking, passing notes and/or signals, etc.) during an examination with any other person by giving or receiving information without specific permission of the instructor.
• Stealing, buying or otherwise obtaining information about an unadministered examination.
• Substituting for another person or permitting any other person to substitute for oneself to take an examination.
• Submitting another person's work as yours either in its original or altered form.
• Giving someone else your work to fulfill his/her assignment.
• Using the assignment of another class to fulfill an assignment for this class without authorized consent of the instructor.
• Plagiarizing

Violations of proper ethical conduct will NOT be tolerated. A failing semester grade will be assigned to all involved parties (NO exceptions). Severe cases of academic dishonesty will be handled at the university level.

If you are aware of any academic dishonesty, please notify me either personally (your identity will remain confidential) or anonymously. Cheating devalues everyone's grade and degree, including your own.

Incomplete (I) and Unauthorized Withdrawal (WU) Grades

An incomplete grade (I) will only be issued in accordance to College of Business Administration policy. Among the conditions imposed by the instructor that must be met are: (1) a current passing grade (70 percent or better), (2) the successful completion of all prior assignments and exams, and (3) an unforeseen and unusual event beyond your control which prevents you from completing the semester, and can be documented and verified (employment-related events do not qualify). (4) An incomplete will only be considered after it has been determined that a withdrawal (W) cannot be issued. If you do not meet (1) through (4), you do not qualify for an incomplete. As stipulated by the University, an incomplete cannot be assigned when it is necessary for the student to attend additional class meetings to complete the course requirements.

Unauthorized Withdrawal (WU) indicates that a student did not officially withdraw from the course but failed to complete it. Among the conditions imposed by the instructor that must be met are: (1) a passing grade (70 percent or better) at the time that the student stopped attending classes, (2) attendance stopped before the 11th week of the semester. If you do not meet (1) and (2), you do not qualify for an unauthorized withdrawal (WU) grade and as a result you will be assigned a failing (F) grade.

Other

Laptop and cell phone regulation: No photographing, recording or text messaging is allowed without permission of the instructor.

If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss your accommodation needs with me after class or during my office hours early in the semester.

A disruptive student is a student who engages in classroom behavior that interferes with the process of teaching and learning. If a student is disruptive to my class, I will follow the Procedures for dealing with incidents of disruptive behavior described in the DEALING WITH INCIDENTS OF DISRUPTIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM document (http://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/UMD03250.htm).