Management Information Systems Course Descriptions

MIS 100: Computer Introduction with Applications, 2 credits

This course introduces students to basic computer usage and principles including hardware and software components. Students will practice with and use current operating systems, word processing, and presentation graphics programs. Students will learn how to create business presentations and documents.
Prerequisite: NONE. This course in intended for non-computer majors.

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand basic computer terminology and concepts.
2. Understand fundamental computer hardware and software concepts.
3. Have knowledge of a personal computer's operating system.
4. Understand files and folders including use and maintenance.
5. Know how to create, delete, copy, and move folders and files.
6. Understand the major functions, uses, and commands of word processing.
7. Understand the major functions, uses and commands used with presentation programs.

MIS 104: Operating Systems, 1 credit

This course introduces students to the fundamental hardware and operating system components of a personal computer. The students will do projects to master the operating system environment. The student will also learn to use electronic mail.

Goals and Objectives
By the end of the course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand and identify the hardware components of a personal computer.
2. Understand the basic operations of a computer operating system.
3. Use the operating system to create and maintain files and folders.
4. Access the Internet and utilize electronic mail to send messages, edit text, and process attachments.
5. Use the operating system to monitor system performance and security.

MIS 105: Spreadsheet and Database Principles, 4 credits

This course introduces students to the basic principles of spreadsheet and database management programs. It includes hands-on computer experience using currently popular spreadsheet and database programs. Students will be able to organize and manipulate data to accomplish specific business processing objectives. Students will learn how to create, save, retrieve, display, and report information using spreadsheet and database programs.
Prerequisite: MIS 104. This course is intended for non-computer majors.

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the use, functions, and commands of electronic spreadsheets.
2. Know the meaning and use of generic spreadsheet terms.
3. Know how to perform standard file and data manipulation tasks inside spreadsheets.
4. Understand features of database programs and be able to accomplish basic file and data manipulation commands.
5. Understand the concepts of text and field data and how they are arranged for computer processing.
6. Know basic database terms, including field, record, and file.
7. Know the difference between program files and data files.
8. Know how to perform standard file, data, and field manipulation tasks inside database programs.

MIS 107: Word Processing, 1 credit

This course teaches students to produce announcements, letters, memos, research papers, resumes, and other documents for personal or professional use. This course also includes formatting, graphics, and design enhancement functions which give students the skills needed to produce appropriate academic and business communications.
Prerequisite: MIS 104

Goals and Objectives
By the end of the course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Use character, paragraph, and document formatting to produce professional and appealing documents.
2. Use templates to produce business-related documents, like memos and resumes.
3. Understand and produce research papers in APA style.
4. Create, edit and insert columns, tables and charts.
5. Use tools to edit, review, and electronically mail documents.

MIS 109: Presentation Software, 1 credit

This course allows students to learn the basics of presentation software to combine graphics, text, tables, audio and video into a computerized slide show. This course will teach the students to create and deliver a professional slide show presentation.
Prerequisite: MIS 104

Goals and Objectives
By the end of the course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand and use different slide views to create and edit slide shows.
2. Utilize text, bullets or lists, tables, audio and video in slides.
3. Use, handouts and notes to augment slide shows.
4. Apply master slides, graphics, color schemes and design templates to slide show creation.
5. Add transition and animation effects to slide shows.
6. Create and deliver a professional presentation using presentation software.

MIS 110: Introduction to Computer Applications, 4 credits

Introduces students to computers and their role in society today and in the future. Includes hands-on computer experience with computer hardware, operating systems, word processing, presentation graphics, database, and spreadsheet programs.

MIS 111: Introduction to Management Information Systems, 4 credits

Students in this course explore current concepts and technologies in the field of Information Systems. Students learn how information systems give a business or organization a competitive edge by providing technologies that help managers plan, control and make decisions. Course includes topics such as hardware and software components of an information system, e-business concepts and implementation, and a survey of common information systems used today.
Prerequisites: MIS Major or approval of Department Chair

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the role of information systems in a business or organization.
2. Understand the differences in the various types of information systems, such as Transaction Processing, Decision Support Systems, Executive Information Systems, Geographic Information Systems and Expert Systems.
3. Understand the role played by various information technologies, such as database management systems and telecommunications in today’s information systems.
4. Understand the fundamental hardware and software components of an information system.
5. Describe the systems development life cycle and identify various methodologies for its implementation.
6. Understand the importance of addressing security issues in today’s information systems.
7. Understand the ethical and social issues related to information systems.

MIS 115: Computer Operating Systems, 4 credits

Students will become familiar with digital computer operations. Students will develop a more thorough understanding of the hardware-software interface, which must exist. This course includes hands-on experience using different operating system programs.
Prerequisite: MIS 111

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Be able to explain the function of major components of computer hardware including single user systems and multi-use systems.
2. Be able to explain the software hardware interface concepts used today.
3. Examine operating system environments including single and multiple program systems.
4. Be able to explain the functions of operating system programs.
5. Be able to explain the major concepts of command languages and job control languages.
6. Have examined trends and alternatives used in operating system design.
7. Be able to explain some data communications methods and terms.
8. Have examined the major current operating systems.

MIS 120: Introduction to Programming Languages, 4 credits

This course introduces students to the basic elements, structure, and use of programming languages. Students become familiar with the problem solving process used in programming. The student will examine the different approaches to programming: structured programming, object oriented programming, and event driven programming. This course includes hands-on experience developing, coding, and testing simple programs.
Prerequisite: MIS 115

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Have studied the syntax and structure of various programming languages.
2. Have examined program types.
3. Have examined program and data design methods.
4. Have studied and written simple programs.
5. Have examined the differences in structured programming, object-oriented programming, and event-driven programming.

MIS 130: Information Technology Infrastructure

Students will develop a thorough understanding of the current operating systems, networks, and communications infrastructure. This course includes an understanding of the functions of operating systems, fundamental automated data and voice communications concepts and terminology, and modes of data transmission, transmission media and different types of networks.
Prerequisite:  MIS 111

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the function of operating systems.
2. Understand commercial and private communications media.
3. Understand the development and potential future of business communications.
4. Understand current software trends for data communications.
5. Understand networks and network design fundamentals.

MIS 125: ERP Systems, 2 credits

This course introduces students to the concepts used with Enterprise Resource Planning. Students examine the relationships and interdependence of programs used to create information systems for organizations. Accounting systems and inventory models will be featured. Various delivery methods including the Internet, Intranets and Extranets will be discussed. Centralized and distributed systems will be examined.
Prerequisite: MIS 115

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Have studied the development and use of ERP Systems.
2. Have examined Manufacturing Resource Planning Systems, including use and development.
3. Have studied centralized and distributed approaches used with information systems.
4. Have examined Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and Payroll systems.
5. Have examined inventory control applications including invoicing, purchasing, and maintenance programs.
6. Have studied the use of the Internet, Intranets and Extranets as delivery and processing methods.

MIS 160: Advanced Spreadsheet and Database Usage, 4 credits

Students will learn how to accomplish specific business processing objectives by organizing and manipulating data in an electronic spreadsheet. This course covers both and intermediate and advanced features of spreadsheets and database management programs. This course includes hands-on computer experience using currently popular spreadsheet and database programs.
Prerequisite: MIS major or concurrent enrollment in MIS 104 or Department Chair approval

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the use, functions, and commands of electronic spreadsheets.
2. Know how to correctly use absolute and relative cell references.
3. Know how to use functions in formulas, especially financial and statistical functions.
4. Know how to organize and format worksheet contents for effective presentation.
5. Know how to create charts from data in a worksheet.
6. Understand how to use the data management features of a spreadsheet application to perform data analysis that includes filtering, subtotals, pivot tables and pivot charts.
7. Understand the use and functions of database programs.
8. Know how to create and use SQL statements and examine them using a database management program.
9. Understand table creation and maintenance in a database system.
10. Know how to create and use queries including cross-tab, parameter, and action queries.
11. Know how to create and use forms for both screen and report usage in a database system.
12. Understand the function and use of macros in a database system.
13. Understand database import and export features and data sharing between applications including WEB pages.
14. Understand password protection and permission usage to secure database objects.

MIS 205: Introduction to Database Management Systems, 4 credits

This course introduces students to the basic concepts and principles of data management in a business environment. Various approaches to data management are discussed with focus being placed on relational database management systems. Students will learn to design and implement databases that can be used for processing transactions.
Prerequisite: MIS 111 & MIS 105, or MIS 160

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of file-oriented systems and database management systems.
2. Understand the fundamentals of the relational model and relational databases.
3. Analyze data requirements and represent data requirements using an ERD.
4. Design databases to incorporate data integrity and security.
5. Acquire an introductory knowledge of SQL.
6. Implement a relational database solution that includes forms and reports to produce meaningful information, which can be used in the decision making process.
7. Understand the primary functions of administrating a database in an enterprise environment.
8. Understand the differences between transaction processing databases and databases used for analytical processing.

MIS 214: Business Application Programming I, 4 credits

This course introduces students to the elements of business programming using a selected programming language. The student will practice designing and writing business application programs.
Prerequisite: MIS 120

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the elements of business applications.
2. Understand syntax and error handling processes in a popular business programming language.
3. Understand structured programming components.
4. Understand the steps in the program development cycle: analyze, design, interface, code and test.
5. Understand how to use programming tools such as flowcharts, pseudo code and hierarchy charts to develop and document programming algorithms.
6. Have written programs used in business processing.

MIS 215: Business Application Programming II, 4 credits

This course advances the students knowledge of programming concepts and design principles acquired in Business Application Programming I. Students will develop more advanced algorithms and use more difficult data structures. Concepts of GUI and event-driven programming will be introduced.
Prerequisite: MIS 214

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Be able to develop programs requiring the use of more difficult data structures.
2. Have developed a more thorough understanding of the complete process of program development.
3. Understand how to incorporate information stored in a database into an application.
4. Understand the elements of graphical user interface programming.
5. Understand uses of control and audit trails in programming.

MIS 216: Business Application Programming III, 4 credits

This course introduces students to the syntax and logic structure of a popular programming language not previous studied. This course will include data types, variables, decision and iterative control structures, arrays, classes, exception handling and graphical user interfaces.
Prerequisite: MIS 215

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
2. Be able to analyze, plan, code and debug business applications using a popular programming language.
3. Be able to compare popular programming languages and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.
4. Understand object-oriented concepts and design methodologies.

MIS 225  ERP Business Applications – SAP

This course introduces students to the concepts used with Enterprise Resource Planning. Students examine the relationships and interdependence of programs used to create information systems for organizations. Accounting systems and inventory models will be featured. Various delivery methods including the Internet, Intranets and Extranets will be discussed. Centralized and distributed systems will be examined.
Prerequisite: MIS 215

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Have studied the development and use of ERP Systems.
2. Have examined Manufacturing Resource Planning Systems, including use and development.
3. Have studied centralized and distributed approaches used with information systems.
4. Have examined Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and Payroll systems.
5. Have examined inventory control applications including invoicing, purchasing, and maintenance programs.
6. Have studied the use of the Internet, Intranets and Extranets as delivery and processing methods.

MIS 300: Directed Study, 1 to 5 credits

Appropriate research of business-related problems in the computer/data processing field fitted to the need of the specific student as determined by his/her interests, aptitudes and abilities.
Prerequisite: MIS or CIM major and Junior Status and Faculty Approval

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand current business-related computer/data processing problems.
2. Have conducted original research concerning the chosen business problem.

MIS 310: Communications and Networking, 4 credits

This course provides an introduction to fundamental automated data and voice communications concepts and terminology. Modes of data transmission, transmission media and different types of networks are discussed.
Prerequisite: MIS 115

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand commercial and private communications means.
2. Understand the development and potential future of business communications.
3. Understand current hardware trends and operation concepts.
4. Understand current software trends for data communications.
5. Understand communications system design criteria.
6. Understand networks and network design fundamentals.

MIS 312: Web Page Concepts and Design, 4 credits

This course introduces students to Web page concepts and the principles of effective Web page and web site design. Topics include targeting the audience, layout techniques, mark-up languages, scripting, legal issues and development tools such as Macromedia.
Prerequisites: MIS 105 or MIS 111 or MIS 160

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the importance of usability and interface design in a web site.
2. Be able to create an effective Web page.
3. Understand how to use cascading style sheets.
4. Be able to create Web page forms.
5. Be able to create multimedia Web pages.

MIS 315: Networks and Network Operating Systems, 4 credits

Students use a hands-on approach to study computer networking and network administration. Students will learn the installation and use of various network operating systems. Network administration concepts will be stressed.
Prerequisite: MIS 310

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand networking systems.
2. Understand the development and potential future of business network systems.
3. Understand current hardware trends and operation concepts used with networks.
4. Understand the setup, maintenance, and administration of network systems.
5. Understand network design criteria.

MIS 316: System Security, 4 credits

Students learn the importance and cost of protecting information and information systems in a highly connected marketplace. They learn the basic concepts, methodologies and technologies available to design a security framework for a system. Students will learn to identify the security threats and develop appropriate strategies for addressing these threats.
Prerequisite: MIS 310

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the importance of planning and the implementation of physical security, operational security, application security, access controls and auditing.
2. Understand how to design and implement a business recovery strategy.
3. Understand how to use cryptography to hide information to secure its integrity and privacy.
4. Understand the role of network and internet security in the security framework.
5. Understand the ethical and legal issues related to information security.

MIS 318: Systems Analysis and Design, 4 credits

This course examines the various tools and methodologies for the development and implementation of a business information system. The systems approach is discussed in detail in conjunction with current concepts of systems analysis and design. The life cycle concept, the importance of implementing controls during the planning, analysis, design, implementation and evaluation phases of a management information system to solve business management problems are highlighted.
Prerequisite: MIS 205 and MIS 214 

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the life cycle of an information system.
2. Understand the processes and deliverables of the various phases in the systems analysis and design life cycle.
3. Understand the different methods and tools used in systems analysis and design.
4. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of structured and object-oriented analysis and design techniques.
5. Be able to document and analyze current business processes and systems.
6. Understand project management issues.

MIS 320: Advanced Database Applications, 4 credits

Students will examine the logical and physical organizations of data in an enterprise database. They will study the various access methods used to improve data retrieval and various database administrative issues, such as managing users, networking, partitioning, tuning, backing up database, and recovering a database and managing a distributed computing environment. Students will examine various enterprise and open source database management systems.
Prerequisite: MIS 160 and MIS 310 

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Learn how to write advanced SQL queries.
2. Understand the architecture and networking considerations for client/server and Web-based DBMS.
3. Be able to design a transaction processing database and a data warehouse database.
4. Understand the role databases play in Decision Support Systems.
5. Understand the various data access methods used in database management systems.
6. Perform database administration tasks: installing DBMS software, creating a database, tuning a database and performing backup and recovery operations.
7. Be able to compare some of the currently popular database management systems.

MIS 330: Project Management, 4 credits

Students will examine what skills, tools, and techniques are needed to effectively manage a project from its inception through its successful completion. They will learn how to control the scope, time, cost and quality of projects. They will gain hands-on experience in using project management software.
Prerequisite: MIS 105 or MIS 160 or MIS 111

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the constraints that affect project management.
2. Understand the project management framework, which includes the stakeholders, project management knowledge areas and project management tools and techniques.
3. Understand the phases of the project life cycle and how the project life cycle differs from the product life cycle.
4. Understand the main processes and deliverables in managing a project.
5. Be able to use project management software.
6. Know how to work within a group environment to maximize group effectiveness.

MIS 340: E-Commerce Development, 4 credits

This course focuses on the analysis, design and implementation of e-commerce businesses. Students will examine the marketing and legal issues related to an e-commerce business. They will work with various tools and technologies used in the development and management of an e-commerce business.
Prerequisite: MIS 312 

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand Internet and Web Infrastructure used with electronic commerce.
2. Understand various forms of electronic commerce: business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer.
3. Understand strategies for using electronic commerce in support of marketing activities.
4. Understand security threats and counter-measures used with electronic commerce.
5. Have a working knowledge of electronic payment systems.
6. Understand the use of electronic commerce tools and software products.
7. Understand the technologies used to implement and manage a Web server.

MIS 345: Web Development, 4 credits

This course provides a foundation in the development of client/server applications for the Web. Students will gain programming skills in a popular Web development language. Topics include HTML, XML, DHTML, CSS, scripting and server side components such as CGI, ASP, and PERL.
Prerequisite: MIS 120 and MIS 310

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand Internet and TCP/IP infrastructure used with business applications.
2. Study the use of Internet, Intranet, and Extranet delivery and processing systems.
3. Use Web Page programming tools including HTML, XML, DHTML, and CSS,
4. Study and use scripting tools and server side components including CGI, ASP, and PERL.

MIS 411: Software Engineering I, 4 credits

MIS major students apply the concepts learned in prior courses along with new knowledge about computer system analysis and design to step through the entire systems development life cycle in a team environment. Emphasis will be placed on the overall design of a business information system using a macro prospective.
Prerequisite: MIS 214 and MIS 320, MIS or CIM major, and the ability to complete MIS 416 and MIS 421

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand how to design effective and efficient computer system controls.
2. Understand project management and use project management software.
3. Understand the use of case tools for design projects.
4. Know the systems life cycle and use it for business application development.
5. Understand conceptual level system design techniques.
6. Know how to work within a group environment to maximize group effectiveness.

MIS 412: MIS Technologies Updates, 1 credits

Students survey information technologies that have emerged since the time they entered the MIS program at Northwood University. They will learn the importance of keeping their IT skills up-to-date.
Prerequisite: MIS or CIM major and senior status

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Review and study IT topics that are new or changed in the past three years.
2. Understand the methods and importance of keeping IT skills current.

MIS 416: Software Engineering II, 4 credits

Students use case modeling and project management tools in a project team environment to complete the physical level design of a business applications project. This course provides students with an understanding of the physical and logical organizations of data and the meaningful representation of data relationships.
Prerequisite: MIS 411, MIS major, ability to complete MIS 421

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand file structures and processing differences.
2. Understand methods of processing including access methods.
3. Understand the use and design of database management systems (DBMS).
4. Understand how to design system architecture, user interface and applications for a new information system.
5. Understand case tools and use these tools to complete a systems design.
6. Use project management software to monitor and control team project progress.

MIS 417: MIS Technology Strategies, 1 credit

Students examine information processing strategies that have emerged since the time they entered the MIS program at Northwood University. They will research and prepare a presentation covering their field of specialty within the IT Industry relative to changes being made in that specialty.
Prerequisite: MIS or CIM major and senior status

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Review and study IT topics that are new or changed in the past three years.
2. Understand the methods and importance of keeping IT skills current.

MIS 421: Software Engineering III, 4 credits

Students continue to work within assigned teams to develop the business systems designed in MIS 411 and MIS 416. Students will use various programming languages and database systems to develop components of the designed business application. A project implementation plan will be developed for the completed system.
Prerequisite: MIS 416

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the use and design of database management systems (DBMS).
2. Understand the use, design, and testing of programs for business systems.
3. Write, test, and implements programs using various programming languages.
4. Write, test, and implement application components using a database system.
5. Understand business computer system implementation methods.
6. Use project management software to monitor and control team project progress.

MIS 422: MIS Technology Trends, 1 credit

Students examine information processing trends that have emerged since the time they entered the MIS program at Northwood University. They will research and prepare a presentation covering their field of specialty within the IT Industry relative to future trends being made in that specialty.
Prerequisite: MIS or CIM major and senior status

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Review and study IT trends that are changing.
2. Understand the impact of changes in technology for IT specialties.