iSYS 215: Fundamentals of Information Systems
Contents
This course is a continuation of iSYS 210. The course introduces students to object-oriented concepts and programming techniques, including how to use essential data structures. The course focuses on problems in information systems, and provides a brief overview of the field. The student will be expected to produce larger IS applications.
This course (iSYS 215) is a prerequisite for the following iSYS course(s):
This course is normally scheduled every fall and spring semester.
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under construction...)
The following content areas will be covered.
- Algorithm Development (about 4 hours)
- Implementing Simple Algorithms (about 2 hours)
- Analysis of Algorithms (about 4 hours)
- Object-Oriented Concepts (about 7 hours)
- Data Structures (about 14 hours)
- Design, Test, Debug (about 4 hours)
- IS Types (about 2 hours)
- IS as a Strategic Component (about 2 hours)
- Software Life Cycles (about 2 hours)
- File Applications (about 2 hours)
- Analysis and Design Tasks (about 4 hours)
- IS Development Testing (about 2 hours)
- Programming Environments (about 4 hours)
- Hardware/Software Inter-organizational System (about 1 hour)
- Evolution of IS Use (about 1 hour)
- E-Commerce Functionality (about 5 hours)
- Ethics and the IS Professional (about 1 hour)
- IS Careers (about 1 hour)
- Individual Privacy Concerns (about 1 hour)
Additional topics may also be covered based on time and student interest.
By the end of this course, you should be able to
- implement algorithms for component problems involved in complete information system applications
- discuss the process of algorithm and structured code development
- compute the runtime complexity class of an algorithm empirically
- given a complexity class, construct an application which has runtime behavior that behaves according to the complexity class
- utilize classes which involve elements of the "hierarchy of data" (bit, byte, fields, records, files, database) as a basis for the solutions to problems
- write and implement a class containing a constructor and other several methods, then use that class from another class
- demonstrate the ability to use a list data structure in an application
- demonstrate the ability to use a queue in an application
- demonstrate the ability to use a stack in an application
- demonstrate the ability to use a tree in an application
- demonstrate the ability to use an array in an application
- classify a given test as black-box or white-box
- distinguish between the terms test and debug
- explain how GUI testing tools can test user interfaces
- explain how to use "print" statements to reveal a bug
- explain the process of designing a computer-based solution to a problem, and how developing a computer-based solution differs from development of a manual solution
- explain the relationship between design, implementation, and testing
- explain when it is appropriate to use a debugger
- explain why a bug can appear only sporatically
- give examples of appropriate tests for validating a method with several parameters and one return value
- define the classifications of information systems, e.g., TPS, DSS, ESS, WFS
- explain data administration and access to corporate and alternate information resources
- explain strategic relationship of IS activities to enhancing competitive position
- explain the differences between managing IS&T, IRM, Systems Development, Systems Maintenance, Systems Operations
- explain the differences between strategic, tactical and operational level applications
- explain the strategic role of information systems in organizations
- explain how formal software development techniques can contribute to the success of software and system development efforts
- explain how to ensure acceptance and incorporate standards compatible with successful life cycles
- explain IS life cycle phases and concepts and alternatives
- explain life cycle concepts used to engage in and complete a project of considerable size and scope, involving teams
- explain how to access records in an indexed data file from a high-level language
- explain the concept of indexed files
- explain the difference between a text file and a binary file
- explain each of the steps commonly used in systems analysis
- explain how to find requirements
- define program tests and system tests
- utilize programming environments available for business application development
- list hardware and software system components commonly utilized in implementation of inter-organizational systems
- explain technologies and their relevance to individual information technology
- explain the impact of internet technologies on the evolution of organizations
- define the nature of relationships between customer, business, and government
- identify customer problems identification, tracking, notifying, and resolution
- identify several shopping sites, information providers, map systems, securities traders, virtual communities, entertainment, education, news, library, and other types of sites
- identify specific business relationships, for example, EBay (C2C), Yahoo (portal), GeoCities (virtual community), E-trade (securities exchange)
- identify trans-border issues including regulations, payment processing and delivery mechanisms
- explain ethical considerations of software usage, sales, distribution, operation and maintenance
- explain ethical issues and arguments and failed approaches as a function of power and social context
- list and define common careers and career paths in Information Systems
- list obligations for protection of individual privacy as well as organizational security in inter-organizational systems
Final textbook choice is determined by the instructor, who may
choose a textbook similar to one the following. This list can give you an
idea of the course topics, coverage, and depth.
- Rainer, Turban, Potter, Introduction to Information Systems: Supporting and Transforming Business, Wiley, 2006(ISBN: 0471736368)
- Tymann, Schneider, Modern Software Development Using Java: A Text for the Second Course in Computer Science, Course Technology, 2003(ISBN: 0-534-38449-8)
Additional readings may be assigned by the instructor.
