New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
Computer and Information Science Department (CIS)
CIS677:
Information System Principles, Spring 2001
Professors: Michael
Bieber, and Michael
F. Smith
Quick Links: [677 Home] [Schedule: Weds/DL] [WebBoard] [To Know] [Links] [Homeworks]
This course introduces the field of Information Systems&endash;the study of how people and organizations should use information technologies effectively. We examine the major areas in the field, analyzing the major issues, trends and problems. We survey the role of information systems in organizations and how they relate to organizational objectives and organizational structure. We discuss basic concepts such as the systems point of view, the organization of a system, the nature of information and information flows, as well as how people process information and related cognitive concepts. We also examine various types of information system applications.
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As a graduate-level course, which is part of the pre-Ph.D. core (as well as a required course for those stopping with their Masters degrees), CIS677 highlights both the current and the base foundation research literature in the field of information systems. This means that we shall be analyzing current trends and events in light of the research that supports and explains them. Many of the articles are "assumed knowledge" for further graduate study at NJIT. The reading load is heavy, and it will have a research-oriented flavor.
Note: The course pack will be available in Mid-September. Details will be posted on-ilne.
Class members must make four commitments to CIS677. First, we expect you to read all the assigned readings (text chapters and additional readings) and to participate in the on-line discussion of these. Second, your classmates and we will rely on you to be a good team member on the class mentoring sessions and on the semester project. Third, we expect you to participate in classroom discussions. Fourth, you will be responsible for the materials discussed in all classes and readings, even if you miss classes. If you need to miss a series of classes, please let Prof. Bieber or Smith know in advance.
Class members come to CIS677 a myriad of backgrounds, experiences and opinions. Some of you will have no IS experience at all! Everyone will benefit from everyone else's knowledge. We are structuring the class to encourage discussion, both during class and on-line in-between classes. During both, we expect everyone to join in the discussion.
We shall be using the WebBoard Computer Conferencing system (http://webboard.njit.edu). You can access WebBoard from your computer and modem at home, from the labs at NJIT (and Rutgers), or from any computer with access to the Internet network. Our class will have several "conferences" or discussion areas, once you log on. You will be responsible for the contents of the appropriate administrative conferences for your section, as well as all other appropriate conferences.
In addition, any project or mentoring team in the class can ask the professor to create a private WebCT conference for that team.
There will be several major activities/assignments over the semester. Each will be described in a separate handout.
We shall have a single on-line final examination which will take place over the last three weeks of the semester. More details will follow.
Unfortunately, we must address plagiarism or copying work that other people have written in homework, reports, articles or on the Web. If you are going to use more than a few words from someone or somewhere else you must put it in quotation marks and you must cite it (say where you found it). If you paraphrase information from someone or somewhere else, you do not need to put it in quotation marks, but again you must cite it. Generally there is nothing wrong with incorporating other people's ideas to a limited degree, but you must make it clear when you are using and building upon other people's ideas. Plagiarism can result in failing the course and being put on probation. This unfortunately has happened to several students in the past in CIS677.
We shall grade according the following scheme (which, like every other aspect of the course, is subject to change based on the good judgment of your professors):
This page: http://www.cis.njit.edu/~bieber/CIS677S01/syllabus.html