This is an archived copy of the 2012-2013 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

Management Information Systems

Administered by the Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems

Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curriculum in business, major in management information systems (MIS).

The MIS Program is designed to provide students with a strong educational foundation that prepares them as information system (IS) or information technology (IT) professionals. The academic program consists of a specially designed curriculum that emphasizes technical, conceptual, analytical, interpersonal, and managerial skills necessary for envisioning, designing, implementing, and supporting information systems for organizations in the globally networked environment. The program offers students comprehensive technical and managerial training on developing, using and managing information systems and information technology to provide effective information services to organizations of various sizes and types.

The program will: impart knowledge of existing and emerging information technologies and their impact on information systems functions; train to critically analyze business processes, identify inefficiencies and problems, assess information requirements, create business solutions and technical specifications; provide expertise to design and develop business applications using the latest technologies; provide expertise in the latest networking and Internet-based technologies; develop interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with various business and technical clients; and provide managerial skills to manage information systems related projects.

The MIS major requires students to take 18 credit hours in the management information systems area, including 12 credit hours of required core courses and 6 credit hours of electives. The required core courses are:

MIS 331	Intermediate Business Programming	arr †
MIS 432	Information Systems Analysis	arr †
MIS 433	Database Management Systems	arr †
MIS 437	Project Management	arr †
† Arranged with instructor.

The remaining 6 credits can be taken from the department approved electives, preferably with the specified clusters that focus on specific IT job related knowledge and skills (application development, IT infrastructure and security, business analytics, and supply chain technology). Students are encouraged to take electives that cover multiple clusters to enhance marketability and career flexibility.

The department also offers a minor for non-Management information Systems majors in the College of Business. The minor requires 15 credits from an approved list of courses, of which 9 credits must stand alone. The 15 credits must include MIS 330 Management Information Systems. Students with declared majors have priority over students with declared minors in courses with space constraints.

Graduate Study

The Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems participates in the M.S. in Information Systems (M.S.I.S), the full-time and part-time Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and the Ph.D. in Business and Technology programs. The department also participates in an interdepartmental M.S. in Information Assurance as well as in a master’s and Ph.D. program in Human Computer Interaction.

The M.B.A. is a 48-credit, non-thesis, non-creative component curriculum. Thirty of the 48 credits are core business courses and the remaining 18 credits are graduate electives. Students may obtain a specialization in technology and innovation management within the M.B.A. program.

The M.S.I.S. is a 30-credit (minimum) curriculum designed around three interrelated areas – business foundation, IS core, and electives. All students are expected to be familiar with basic computing skills before entering the program. The M.S.I.S. program will educate students on applying IS theory and concepts to modern IS development through classes that enable them to learn and use the latest software in application projects. Students graduating from the program will have advanced technical and managerial skills to develop and manage information systems projects.

The Ph.D. in Business and Technology is a 56-credit curriculum (minimum) which includes a 12-credit dissertation designed around four interrelated areas—core, specialization, minor, and research methods—and the dissertation. The Management of Information Technology (MIT) specialization examines issues related to the development, building, management, and use of information and knowledge-based technologies. Such technologies enable users to collect organizational data, provide a platform for organizing and disseminating the data, and offer operational, decision support, and knowledge management tools through which users can leverage data and information for making better organizational decisions. Students in the MIT specialization will study areas such as information technology analysis and development, database and knowledge management systems, decision support and data mining, human computer interaction, system security and integrity, and project management and collaborative teamwork.

Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

MIS 207. Fundamentals of Computer Programming.

(Cross-listed with COM S). (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: MATH 150 or placement into MATH 140/MATH 141/MATH 142 or higher
An introduction to computer programming using an object-oriented programming language. Emphasis on the basics of good programming techniques and style. Extensive practice in designing, implementing, and debugging small programs. Use of abstract data types. Interactive and file I/O. Exceptions/error-handling. This course is not designed for computer science, software engineering, and computer engineering majors. Credit may not be applied toward graduation for both Com S 207/MIS 207 and Com S 227.

MIS 330. Management Information Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: COM S 103, BUSAD 150
The role of information technology in organizations. Overview of methodologies for design and development of systems including decision support systems, expert systems, data bases, end-user computing, etc. Computer applications relate concepts to practice. Lecture and laboratory work emphasizes the enabling role of IT in contemporary organizations.

MIS 331. Intermediate Business Programming.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 207/COM S 207 or COM S 227
Introduction to the concepts and use of data structures, file accesses and object oriented programming methodologies in contemporary business environments. Application development environments will be covered.

MIS 431. Advanced Business Programming.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 331
Advanced software development and topics in contemporary programming languages. Topics include basic syntax, advanced programming techniques, file structures and management, database access, algorithm design, web forms and graphical user interfaces.

MIS 432. Information Systems Analysis.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 330
Critical analysis of business processes, data and process modeling, feasibility studies, CASE tools, and developing system design specifications. Nonmajor graduate credit.

MIS 433. Database Management Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in MIS 331
Database design, development, and implementation. Focus on data models, both classical and object oriented. Uses relational and/or object oriented database management systems. Nonmajor graduate credit. Only one of MIS 423 and MIS 433 may count towards graduation.

MIS 434. Electronic Commerce Strategy.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 330, MKT 340, SCM 301
Overview of business strategies and technologies used for electronic commerce. Emphasis is on the strategic, operational, and technical issues associated with global electronic commerce using class lecture/discussion and case studies. Nonmajor graduate credit.

MIS 435. Information Systems Infrastructure.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 330
Overview of Internet and telecommunications technology used in business applications. Understand Internet and network protocols, network and application architectures, design, and implementation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

MIS 437. Project Management.

(Cross-listed with SCM). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Equips students to support team activities in the general project management environment and better manage their careers. Practical experience using project management techniques and tools. Course topics include project initiation and execution, risk assessment, estimating and contracts, planning, human factors, and standard methods. Nonmajor graduate credit.

MIS 438. Information Systems Development.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 432, MIS 433, credit or enrollment in MIS 435
Design of business systems using contemporary tools and methods such as SQL, CASE tools, OOD tools, etc. Focuses on synthesizing concepts from earlier MIS courses. Nonmajor graduate credit.

MIS 439. Topics in Management of Information Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Prereq: MIS 330, permission of instructor
A variety of topics will be covered and topics may vary between semesters. Some of the topics are information resources management, electronic commerce, decision support systems, and expert systems.

MIS 440. Supply Chain Information Systems.

(Cross-listed with SCM). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 330, SCM 301
Internal and inter-organizational information systems necessary for a supply chain to achieve competitive advantage. Topics include: design, development, implementation, and maintenance of supply chain information systems; enterprise resource planning; advanced planning and scheduling, manufacturing execution systems; and the interface between manufacturing planning and control processes, logistics processes, and the information system.

MIS 445. Enterprise Systems and Architecture.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 435
Contemporary theories, concepts, and practices in network infrastructure, network design, and information security. Design, install, and administer a complex network infrastructure. Study security threats and attacks and countermeasures. Investigate exposure to attacks, firewalls, and development of intrusion detection systems. Other security topics such as risk management, IT audit, and security regulations will also be addressed.

MIS 490. Independent Study.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. Prereq: MIS 330, senior classification, permission of instructor

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:

MIS 501. Management Information Systems.

(2-0) Cr. 2. Prereq: Enrollment in MBA program or departmental permission.
This course exposes the student to current theories and practices appropriate for understanding the role and application of information systems for individuals, organizations, and society within a globally competitive context. The course focuses on information technology and its uses in improving work practices, products, and tools for individuals and organizations. The course also addresses issues pertaining to current and emerging topics in the development and use of technology, the role of technology in and its alignment with organizational strategy and sustainable business practices, information system planning and the development of enterprise architectures, and human interface and personal characteristics in the design and use of technology.

MIS 532. Advanced Business Software Development.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 531 or equivalent
A survey of business-oriented programming languages with emphasis on state-of-the-art development techniques for business software. Topics include object-oriented and Internet programming issues and methods.

MIS 533. Data Management for Decision Makers.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 501
Addresses data needs of functions such as marketing, finance, and production. Advanced skills needed to design, develop and use database, data warehousing and data mining systems for effective decision support. Emphasis on importance of contemporary technologies.

MIS 534. Electronic Commerce.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 501
Overview of how modern communication technologies including the internet and world wide web have revolutionized the way we do business. Provides an understanding of various internet technologies and how companies are using the internet for commercial purposes. Explores future scenarios on the use of these technologies and their impact on various industries and the society.

MIS 535. Telecommunications Management.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 501
Issues involved in the management of telecommunications function. Overview of communications technology used in various business applications, local area network, wide area network, broad band network, wireless and voice networks. Internet technologies and protocols. Analyzing the strategic impact of these technologies on organizations. Strategic planning for telecommunications, including network planning and analysis.

MIS 537. Project Management.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 501
Prepares students to support team activities in the general project management environment and provides them with a working understanding of the full scope of project management activities. Students will also have practical experience using project management techniques and tools. Course topics include project initiation and execution, risk assessment, estimating and contracts, planning, human factors, and standard methods. The course follows the recommended content areas of the Project Management Institute, and provides students with a recognized foundational training in project management.

MIS 538. Business Process Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 501
Examine current and historical perspectives on business process management. Topics include process identification, mapping, and improvement. Additional topics will address business process automation and integration, business process outsourcing. Investigate current and potential tools and methods for business process management. Include process management projects.

MIS 539. Topics in Management of Information Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Prereq: MIS 501
A variety of topics may be offered in different semesters. Topics may include electronic commerce, information resources management, decision support systems, and expert systems.

MIS 590. Special Topics.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. Prereq: Permission of instructor
For students wishing to do individual research in a particular area of MIS.

MIS 598. Research Seminar in Management Information Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Graduate classification
Examines issues such as the nature and content of information systems research; aspects of starting and pursuing research topics in information systems; exploring and understanding relevant research methods and tools. Develop preliminary research proposals.

MIS 599. Creative Component.

Cr. 3. Prereq: Graduate classification, permission of supervisory committee chair
Preparation and writing of creative component.

Courses for graduate students:

MIS 601. Behavioral Issues in IS Research.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 501 or equivalent, enrollment in PhD program
The state of behavioral research in the IS function. MIS activities in an organization span the following three major areas: design and implementation of the MIS, use of the MIS, and management of the MIS function. Each of these processes is carried out at several levels: individual, group, organizational and inter-organizational. Identify behavioral issues of relevance for the cells defined by the process and level dimensions. Reading and discussion of the research literature surrounding the development, use, and implications of information technology.

MIS 602. Current Issues in IS Research.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 501 or equivalent, enrollment in PhD program
Three fundamental areas of Information Systems, namely, infrastructure, management, and processes. Infrastructure studies examine the IT architecture including computing, communication, data, and application. Management focuses on addressing the value added notion of IT. Finally processing addresses topics related to enabling role of IT in myriad of areas.

MIS 603. Seminar on IT Strategy and Structure.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 601
Strategic issues in IT management. Address issues such as aligning IT strategy with corporate strategy and functional strategies, IT structure, valuation, governance and control, and related topics. Provide students with research skills related to the boundary between IT and the firm's external environment.

MIS 604. Collaboration, Knowledge, and Intelligence in Organizations.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: MIS 601
Research issues in the emerging areas of collaboration, knowledge management, and enterprise intelligence. Topics will include emerging and contemporary technologies of Data Mining, Knowledge Discovery from Databases, Web Mining, organizational memory, and knowledge management.

MIS 650. Research Practicum I.

(1-0) Cr. 1. Prereq: enrollment in the PhD program
Preparation of a research manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed academic journal. Students will work with a faculty mentor on a research project.

MIS 651. Research Practicum II.

(1-0) Cr. 1. Prereq: enrollment in the PhD program
Preparation of a second research manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed academic journal. Although students work under the supervision of a faculty mentor, the students will take independent responsibility for the research project.

MIS 655. Organizational and Social Implications of Human Computer Interaction.

(Cross-listed with HCI). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Graduate classification
Examine opportunities and implications of information technologies and human computer interaction on social and organizational systems. Explore ethical and social issues appurtenant to human computer interaction, both from a proscriptive and prescriptive perspective. Develop informed perspective on human computer interaction. Implications on research and development programs.

MIS 699. Research.

Cr. 3-6. Repeatable. Prereq: Graduate classification, permission of dissertation supervisor
Research.