Revised Feb 2, 2018

CS 490: Information Systems Management

General description

This course introduces how business and technical considerations are integrated into the design, implementation, and management of information systems. Students explore various business and management information systems and the environments they function in. Students also gain knowledge of the theory and practical application of information systems and their implementation in the business community.

Logistics

Audience

• CS major students. Usually taken in fourth year. CS 490 appeals to students interested in information systems and business and systems management.

Normally available

• Winter and Spring

Related courses

• Pre-requisites: CS 350 or SE 350; Computer Science students only

For official details, see the UW calendar.

Software/hardware used

• Word processor, diagram tools, and system prototyping tools

Typical reference(s)

• K. Pearlson and C.S. Saunders, Managing and Using Information System, 5th ed., 2012

Required preparation

At the start of the course, students should be able to

• Read a specification for a computer program and design and/or implement a working prototype
• Choose appropriate data structures, algorithms, languages, and libraries to solve a variety of programming problems
• Select and use suitable editors, development environments, and tools as part of the programming process

Learning objectives

At the end of the course, students should be able to

• Explain some important state-of-the-art MIS systems
• Create specifications and other documentation for programs that explain how to run and/or maintain them
• Describe how IT improves business performance through automation and business intelligence
• Describe an IT infrastructure and estimate its cost
• Evaluate the trade-offs between various system development methodologies
• Translate a business problem into a computer science problem

Typical syllabus

Information systems (1.5 hours)

• Introduction to information systems (technologies, organization, management issues in information systems development)

Business information systems (9 hours)

• Overview of concepts, technical considerations and applications of various business information systems, such as banking, finance, insurance, marketing, manufacturing, production, human resource, and office information systems (may include local business and industrial systems)

Information systems in management (9 hours)

• Concepts, technical issues and applications of management and executive information systems, decision support systems, expert systems in business, and various strategic information systems

Managing information systems (7.5 hours)

• Structured information systems planning
• Information system resource procurement
• Data resource management
• Information systems operations
• Telecommunications and distributed systems

Information systems development (6 hours)

• System requirements creation
• Information system design and implementation
• Systems development project management
• End user development

Other issues in information systems (3 hours)

• Education of executives and users
• Computer security
• Disaster planning and recovery