___________________________________________________________
Rod
Sink
Phone: 815-753-1287
Office:
328 Barsema
Email: rsink@niu.edu
Internet Homepage: http://users.foxvalley.net/~rsink
(Link provided in Blackboard in Announcements)
___________________________________________________________
Required Textbook(s)
DeKalb and Rockford:
Haag,Baltzan,Phillips, Business Driven Technology, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin.
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 has evolved at an exponential pace from the
centralized "glass-house" philosophies, through the distributed and
client/server perspectives and now back again to the server-centric web enabled
applications with robust user interfaces. Our personal lives are being reshaped
by the implementation and utilization of microcomputer applications with almost
total 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
environment.
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 text 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
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 make-up 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 (or announced time for online delivered classes) 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.
All assignments are to have a cover page. The cover page is to contain the following information in the upper right-hand corner:
- Your Name(s)...........Rod Sink
- Our Class Identifier...OMIS351-1
- Assignment Identifier..Lab 1
Group Assignments
At the discretion of the instructor, there may be class GROUP ASSIGNMENT(s) for each of you to complete with classmates. This assignment will have deliverables DURING the semester. This will be in groups of small numbers.
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 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 - 10 points each
- 120 points total (estimate)
- Lab Assignments - 20 points each
- 100 points total (estimate)
- Group Assignment - 50 points (if assigned)
- In-class/Attend/etc. - 3 to 5 points each
- Number determined by Instructor and course progress.
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...weekly, day and time announced in class.
Tentative Course Schedule...see link on course materials web page.