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Rod Sink Phone: 815-753-1287
Office: 328 Barsema Email: rsink@niu.edu
Internet Homepage: http://users.foxvalley.net/~rsink/toc.htm
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Required Textbook(s)
DeKalb and Rockford:
Haag,Baltzan,Phillips, Business Driven Technology, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 978-0-07-312368-4.
Miller, MIS Cases-Decision Making with Application Software, 3rd edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 0-13-221438-5
Course Description
Computers and computer technology has always had a strong influence on the way we do business, on the way we approach our jobs, and even on the way that we approach our personal lives. Consider the facts that stare us in the face over the past 20 years. The business computer environment is evolving at an exponential pace from the centralized "glass-house" philosophies towards the distributed and client/server perspectives. Our personal lives are being reshaped by the implementation and utilization of microcomputer applications both in our personal lives and connectivity to the world. The educational foundations are being revitalized by the infusion of technology that allows for lessons to exist in the classroom that could not be entertained just a few years ago. These are changes that have never been paralleled at anytime in the past.
From your perspective as a student, you will be facing a challenge in the work environment that is not going to allow you or your future employer to rest. Your employer will be looking for application of current day technology to remain competitive or to gain a competitive advantage. They will be looking for productivity gains in the work force...gains that can only be accomplished through the application of information technology. The key will be for you and your employer to not just use technology, but to build effective Information Systems that will address the needs of today and be flexible enough to solve the issues and problems of tomorrow.
Every business discipline from Sales to Personnel must be aware and able to apply technology to the tasks at hand. Do not obsolete yourself prior to graduation! You will need the knowledge of this course to become a well-rounded and valuable asset to a business situation.
This course is designed with the following general objectives:
| 1. | To establish a sound general knowledge of the computer and the Information Systems environment. This is intended to assist you in being aware and conversant in this technical world. |
| 2. | To instill a knowledge-base of the issues that business faces today and how technology will assist in addressing these issues. This is inclusive of understanding how to make yourself and your organization more competitive and successful, how technology can support the way we do business, and the ability to identify opportunities for uses of Information Systems and Technology. |
| 3. | To understand the responsibilities, functions, and practices of an Information Systems department within an organization. Every business function will find themselves in the middle of interfacing and utilizing the Information Systems department in one form or another. It is imperative that we understand the procedures that are practiced in this business function. |
| 4. | To acquire basic skills in Information Systems through the hands-on use of computer-based tools to address business scenario lab assignments. |
Text-based Learning Opportunities
As is true with most learning experiences, not all learning opportunities for the course will be covered within the classroom. The students will be expected to read assigned materials from the course texts and prepare themselves for quizzes and exams.
Laboratory-based Learning Opportunities
During the semester, you will be required to complete lab assignments dealing with spreadsheets and databases. The student will be expected to gather information, learn skills and complete the assignments by the specified due date.
Attendance Policy
The OMIS department has a class attendance policy. You may review this as a web page off of the OMIS web page suite.
Students are expected to BE ON-TIME AND ATTEND ALL CLASSES. If you are not in class, you are responsible for any materials covered in class. Make arrangements with a classmate/teammate for copies of work covered in class and any assignments.
Class Absences
Scheduled Misses - Need to be handled via email or phone message AHEAD OF MISSED CLASS. In the communication, identify yourself, class, section and, if applicable, when you will be making up a missed quiz or delivering collected assignments. With assignments, I expect you to work ahead of due dates.
For Interviews - Include, in your communication, the name of the company, the person you will be meeting, and a phone number for that person. Any work due on the day that is missed, is to be handed-in prior to the missed class.
Unscheduled Absences - Need to be handled via email or phone message as soon as possible. The expectation is later that day or early the next day. This will allow you to makeup any work missed and/or hand-in any work that was due in the class meeting. Make arrangements with a classmate for copies of work covered in class and any assignments. Include, if applicable, when you will be making up a missed quiz or delivering collected assignments.
If You Fail to Contact Me - If you choose to handle a missed class and missed work without prior contact or coordination, then do not expect me to make any allowances for you to makeup missed work.
Make-up Quiz or Exam
There will be no make-up quiz or examinations WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION AND COORDINATION with the instructor. However, please contact me if unusual and extenuating circumstances preclude you from taking a scheduled or announced exam. See attendance policy above.
Academic Accommodations for Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me within the first two weeks of class.
For All Assignments
All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date. A 50% penalty will be assessed for late assignments. Any assignment over a week late will NOT be accepted for any credit.
Late assignments are to be submitted to the OMIS office during normal business hours where they will be date/time stamped by the department secretary (request and ensure that this is done) and placed in my mailbox.
All assignments that require you to prepare written materials are to be prepared with an 11 font size, double-spaced and a front page of an OMIS351 Assignment Cover Page. The Assignment Cover Page and hardcopies are to be stapled together in the upper left-hand corner.
Lab Assignments
Lab assignments must be COMPLETED SEQUENTIALLY. NO CREDIT will be given for subsequent lab assignments after a skipped assignment. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have completed the necessary work and it is recorded for credit.
Lab Assignments are to be submitted with all hardcopies and a front page of an OMIS351 Assignment Cover Page. The Assignment Cover Page and hardcopies are to be stapled together in the upper left-hand corner.
Group Assignments
At the discretion of the instructor, there may be a class GROUP ASSIGNMENT for each of you to complete with classmates. This assignment will have deliverables DURING the semester. This will be in groups of 3 to 4 students. The group composition will be of your choice.
Only include a manila envelope if a diskette copy of work is required with the assignment. If a manila envelope is required, follow the same information guidelines as indicated for the case assignments above.
Workshops/Training
To support the computer applications that will be used with the lab assignments, the College of Business provides on-line computer-based training resources. Use as you see fit. Realize though that I expect you, as a young business professional, to be as self reliant as is necessary to complete your lab work...learn to help yourself...your employer will expect it.
Grading
The following is anticipated for use to compute a final grade for this course. Adjustments and modifications might be necessary and will be either noted in class and/or class announcements.
- Exam 1,2 and Final - 100 points each
- 300 points total
- Quizzes - 20 points each
No scores will be dropped to compute final percent and grade.
Summer Session will have adjusted assignments and point totals.
Final grades will be based upon the total points accumulated. The following scale will be used:
Percent,Grade and Definition
| 100% to 90% | A | Takes active interest in
the course, consistently Submits work of high quality. |
| 89% to 80% | B | Participates actively in
many course activities, Consistently submits work of good quality. |
| 79% to 70% | C | Limited involvement in
course activities,usually Submits work of average quality. |
| 69% to 60% | D | Definite lack of
participation in many course Activities, usually submits work below average. |
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is a major offense at Northern Illinois University. It diminishes the quality of the educational process and cheats those who may eventually depend upon our knowledge or integrity. The Student Judicial Code of Northern Illinois University defines academic misconduct as:
"Receipt or transmission of unauthorized aid on assignments or examinations, plagiarism, unauthorized use of examination materials, or other forms of dishonesty in academic matters."
While it is certainly reasonable to expect and at times encouraged for students to study together and counsel each other, it is, however, expected that any work submitted for grading to be the original effort of each student.
Any occurrence of cheating on an exam or copying an assignment will be handled by immediate course failure and course expulsion.
Honors Section Students...see link on course materials web page.
Web Update Postings...day and time announced in class.
Tentative Course Schedule...see link on course materials web page.