Faculty
Link to CIS Department Personnel
Link to Profiles of Full-time CIS Faculty
Professors: Alan Benander, Barbara A. Benander, Adam M.A. Fadlalla, Paul J. Jalics, Chien-Hua (Mike) Lin, Santosh K. Misra (Chairman), Toshinori Munakata; Associate Professors: Timothy J. Arndt, Ben A. Blake, Donald G. Golden, Victor M. Matos, David R. McIntyre, Howard Paul, Michael A. Pechura, Janche Sang; Assistant Professors: Iftikhar Sikder; Term Assistant Professor: Jackie Woldering; Term Instructors: Stephen Adams, David Antolovich, Dennis Smolinski.
Course Descriptions
Note: see also CIS courses
IST 203 Software Tools for Personal Productivity (3-0-3) Prerequisites: None. Students with minimal computer skills will learn to enhance their personal productivity and problem solving skills by applying information technologies to problem situations. In this course, students acquire skills as knowledge workers through effective and efficient use of packaged software. Emphasis is on learning features of a suite of software including Windows operating environment, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, simple database operations, electronic mail, and the strategic use of the Internet. Return to top
IST 211 Fundamentals of Systems Development (3-0-3) Prerequisite: IST 203. Introduces the fundamental concepts of structured and object-oriented programming. Emphasis on small systems that knowledge worker may develop to enhance personal productivity. Introduces corporate databases and their use in small systems. Topics include event driven programming using Visual Basic, .NET, classes and objects, graphical user interfaces, data types, control structures, functions and subroutines, arrays, files, and the mechanics of running, testing and debugging programs. Return to top
IST 221 Information Systems in the Organization (3-0-3) Prerequisite: IST 203; co-requisite: OMS 201. Examines the role of Information technology in organizations from the perspective of the IT professional. Capabilities of current and emerging technologies are considered for their functional contributions to organizational effectiveness. In addition, business processes supported by IT are examined. Topics include hardware, software, networks, databases, system design, e-business, supply chain, global information systems, and ethical issues related to the use of information. Return to top
IST 305 Information Technology for Competitive Advantage (3-0-3) Prerequisite: IST 203. Examines the role of Information Technology in organizations from the perspective of non-IT business people. Concept of information, its role in the organization, and systems for functional and cross-functional support are examined. Strategic uses of information systems including decision support, e-business and supply chain are explored. Requirements for effective IT implementation and the crucial role of users in system development are studied. Also considered are the uses of databases and data warehouses. May not be used to satisfy B.B.A.-IS major-field requirements. Return to top
IST 311 Systems Development for the Organization (3-0-3) Prerequisites: IST 211, IST 221. Continuation of IST 211. Prepares students to design, implement, deploy, and maintain superior software solutions based on the VB.Net platform. Topics include the study of the .Net development environment, design and use of classes and other aspects of object-oriented systems, basics of design methodologies, logical and physical data definitions of basic and complex data types, design and implementation of algorithms, design and use of files, and program correctness issues. Return to top
IST 321 Systems Analysis Methods (4-0-4) Prerequisites: IST 211, IST 221. Presents basic systems principles and concepts; logical analysis, design, and modeling of information systems with emphasis on object-oriented methodologies; life cycle phases; use of the Unified Modeling Language, the Rational Unified Process, and Class-Responsibility-Collaboration (CRC) cards. A CASE tool is used to implement system features such as use cases, use case diagrams, class diagrams, sequence diagrams, collaboration diagrams, and state diagrams. Return to top
IST 331 Design and Implementation of DBMS (4-0-4) Prerequisite: IST 311. Students learn to develop a physical database based on a logical data model within the context of a commercial DBMS. Topics include conceptual, logical, and physical data models and modeling tools; structured and object design approaches; models for databases: relational and object oriented; design tools; data dictionaries, repositories, database implementation including user interface, data retrieval and maintenance, and reports; mastery of Structured-Query-Language (SQL) for retrieval, maintenance and administration; multi-tier planning and implementation; data conversion and post implementation review. Students construct physical database solutions using the .Net platform. Return to top
IST 341 Networks and Telecommunications ( 3-2-4) Prerequisite: IST 311. Basic knowledge of data communications and networking requirements, including appropriate technologies. Emphasis on analysis and design of networking applications in organizations. Management of telecommunications networks, cost-benefit analysis, and evaluation of connectivity options are also covered. Students learn to evaluate, select, and implement different communications options within an organization. Topics include telecommunication devices, media, systems; network hardware and software: network configurations; network applications; acquisition of network resources; distributed vs. centralized systems; architectures, topologies and protocols; installation and operations of bridges, routers and gateways; network administration; performance analysis; privacy, security, reliability; Installation and configuration of LAN and WAN; Internet and intranet. Return to top
IST 410 Object-oriented Programming for Information Systems (4-0-4) Prerequisite: IST 311. Advanced study of object-oriented methodologies and programming using the Java and the C# programming languages. Language syntax, error handling, object creation/destruction and memory allocation strategies are explored. Java GUI components, event handling and Web-based programming are introduced. Return to top
IST 420 Project Management for Information Systems (3-0-3) Prerequisite: IST 321. Focuses on models used in a software development project, including tools that improve project productivity. Topics include concepts of project management, task scheduling, cost estimation models, risk assessment and software maturity framework. Students use tools such as PERT/CPM and cases to gain depth in software project management principles and practice. Return to top
IST 430 Knowledge Management (3-0-3) Prerequisite: IST 221 or IST 305. Introduces theconcept of Knowledge Management and the systems that enable people to acquire, store, distribute and process knowledge. Define what knowledge is and the types of knowledge that exist. Understand how systems thinking is integral to understanding and managing knowledge. Other topics discussed include economic issues, acquiring, storing, distributing, and processing knowledge. Return to top
IST 450 Web-Based Programming (3-0-3) Prerequisite: IST 331. Course prepares students with skills for designing, programming, and publishing Web sites, as well as developing applications on the Web. Web-based applications are developed with emphasis on accessing database servers. Web site design concepts and tools are introduced including HTML, XML, Cascading Style Sheets, Active Server Pages, JavaScript, VBScript, and Web Services. Return to top
IST 461 Electronic Business (3-0-3) Prerequisite: IST 221 or IST 305. Electronic business is one of fastest growing business segments in today's environment. Course examines issues associated with electronic businesses and the Internet. Topics include business models and their sustainability, technology requirements, security, payment systems, e-Government and strategic issues. Return to top
IST 465 Enterprise Integration Systems (3-0-3) Prerequisites: Completion of all 200- and 300- level courses from the common body of knowledge, completion of the IST core, senior standing. Examines issues associated with enterprise systems, integrated and best of breeds. Examines impact of such systems on organizations and decision making issues. Topics include business processes, role of enterprise systems with relation to business processes, business process reorganization, acquisition and success issues associated with enterprise system implementation. Students get hands on experience in using SAP by creating a virtual enterprise of their own. Return to top
IST 490 Professional Internship (1-0-1). Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of a CIS Department faculty adviser. Work experience in a professional environment. The work performed must extend the academic curriculum and provide a meaningful learning experience in the student's area of interest. Term paper required. This course may only be taken once. Return to top
IST 493 Special Topics in Information Systems (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of iInstructor and department chair. Explores current issues or special topics in information systems. Topics and course requirements will be announced by the department. Return to top
IST 496 Independent Study (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisites: Senior standing; approval of faculty adviser and department chair. Enables qualified students to do independent work or investigate special areas of interest in information systems. Written proposal must be approved by a faculty adviser and CIS department chair; a written report must be submitted to faculty adviser. Return to top
IST 499 Honors Thesis in Information Systems (3 credits). Prerequisite: Restricted to senior IST honors students. Requires the honors student to conduct a piece of original research in information systems under the supervision of an IST faculty member. The thesis will be presented orally and submitted as a written report. Return to top