Course Descriptions - I

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (IS)

IS 210. Introduction to Information Systems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: Math 105 or higher. An introduction to the information systems (IS) profession, including hardware, software, data, and procedural and human resource components. The course includes a survey of the IS life cycle, data communications, database management, MIS, electronic mail, graphics and other topics reflecting changes in the field.

IS 290. Special Topics in Information Systems. 1-5. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Selected special or current topics of interest to faculty and students.

IS 321. Project Management. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: IS 210. An introduction to the principles and application of project management techniques with an emphasis on the design and management of computer information systems projects. Topics include principles of management, quality assurance, project planning, work team design, project estimation techniques, project reporting, identifying and controlling project risks, budgets and managing people and project relationships.

IS 331. Database Design and Management. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 222. An introduction to database management systems. Alternative database models are compared and contrasted. Emphasis is on the design and management of organizational databases and on the role of the database administrator.

IS 340. Computer Applications in Statistics. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: IS 210. An introduction to use of computer based statistical techniques and applications in the analysis and interpretation of data. Topics include both descriptive statistics and inference methods.

IS 370. Current Topics in Financial & Accounting Information Systems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 222 and ACCT 202. A presentation of the current methods of organizing and manipulating accounting and financial data with the current computer technology for the information systems professional. This includes: Banking & Financial Institutions, Banking Software & Procedures, Corporate Finance, Investment and Financing Software, Capital Markets and Financial Services Software.

IS 375. Applications of Organization Concepts in Information Systems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: IS 321. Uses a systems theory approach to survey organization concepts relevant to the information systems profession. This course considers the work place in a top-down manner: the enterprise, the work group, and the individual worker in information systems. Compares and contrasts information, technology related communication media such as e-mail, voice mail, VTC, fax and groupware. Emphasizes the development of group communication skills.

IS 396. Cooperative Study. 1-3 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of coordinator of cooperative education/internship (Career Services). A supervised work experience program for a minimum of three academic quarters at a site in business, industry or government. For sophomore, junior or senior level students who wish to obtain successive on-the-job experience in conjunction with their academic training.

IS 398. Internship. 1-15 credit hours. A supervised, credit-earning work experience of one academic quarter with a previously approved business firm, private agency or government agency. Credit is allowed only in elective areas.

IS 400. Directed Study. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor, major area committee and department chair prior to registration. Up to five hours may be applied to the major area. Special topics of an advanced nature that are not in the regular course offerings.

IS 401. Decision-Support Systems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: IS 340, CS 360. The design and implementation of computer-based systems that provide quantitative information, derived from one or more databases, to support the decision-making process within the business organization. Topics include decision-making, information theory, knowledge representation and knowledge systems, artificial intelligence, expert systems, retrieval concepts and languages, decision support systems and development methodologies.

IS 416. Applications in Production Information Systems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 352, CS 360, IS 340. A survey of issues and concepts that contribute to the successful deployment and operation of a computer-based information system in a production environment. Additional topics include quality assurance in production systems, manufacturing systems, especially computer-integrated manufacturing and materials requirement planning.

IS 421. EDP Audit and Control. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 360, IS 321. An introduction to the fundamentals of Electronic Data Processing (EDP) auditing. Emphasis on EDP controls, types of EDP audits and concepts and techniques used in EDP audits. Exposure to risk and threat assessment, computer center operations, computer and data security, quality assurance in systems development and professional standards in the field of EDP auditing.

IS 425. End-User Systems. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 360, IS 331, and CS 352. End-Users Systems is a detailed study of the application of Information Technologies to the end user environment. Topics include the classification, evaluation, and integration of end-user technologies, methodologies for small-scale system development, Information Center functions, development and implementation of end-user training programs, Office Automation trends and practices, and strategies for implementing end-user systems.

IS 431. Information-Resource Management. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 360, IS 321, IS 370. A broad overview of the computer information systems management function. This course emphasizes computer information systems management with particular attention to the internal and external computer information systems environment, user services, hardware and software systems development, human resource management in computer information systems, legal issues, contracts, management reporting and strategic planning and control of the computer information systems function.

IS 441. Techniques of Data Communication and Networks. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 352 or DSC 301. An introduction to data-communication techniques, with an emphasis on understanding communications requirements and compatibility features. Topics include software, protocols, modems, simple networks, networking strategies, switching, transmission technologies and multiplexing.

IS 442. Local Area Networks. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 352. A presentation of Local Area Networks (LAN) for the information systems profession, including LAN hardware, LAN systems software, LAN application software, LAN installation, LAN administration. LAN administration topics include users, groups and security; printing; backup and recovery; and reactive and proactive management.

IS 451. Computer Law. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: IS 210. This course covers the broad areas of law that currently regulate much of the computer industry. The areas of law covered will include Intellectual Property (that is, Copyright, Patent, Trademark, and Trade Secret), Contract, and the United States Constitution. Computer crime, privacy, current technology, and the ethics of a computer professional are issues for classroom discussion.

IS 480. Advanced Topics in Data Communications. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: CS 450 or IS 441 or IS 442. This course introduces the student to the latest developments in the field of data communications and provides the student with the research tools required to remain abreast of this fast-developing field. Each student selects and present to the class a critical review of one paper from the current data communications literature on each of the following topics: hardware/software/protocols; security/encryption techniques or algorithms; administration/management; applications.

IS 490. Special Topics in Information Systems. 1-5 credit hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor and department chair. Selected special topics of interest to faculty and students.

INSURANCE (INS)

INS 352. Principles of Risk Management and Insurance. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: business majors: Admission to the Coles College of Business; non-business majors: 90 credit hours. This junior-level course is an introduction to the identification of risks and their management. Topics will include fundamental life, health, retirement, property and liability exposures and their management through avoidance, control, retention or transfer, Also covered will be the characteristics of life, health, property and liability insuring devices.

INS 452. Life and Health Insurance. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: business majors: Admission to the Coles College of Business and FIN 350; non-business majors: FIN 350. This course covers the nature and importance of life and health insurance risks and the uses of individual life and health insurance in managing these risks. A financial planning perspective which integrates the impact of life and health insurance on taxes, risk management, investment, retirement planning and estate planning is used.

ITALIAN (ITAL)

ITAL 101. Introductory Italian I. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: ENGL 099 and READ 099; no prior study of Italian or less than one year of high school Italian. Major emphasis is on the development of aural-oral skills; reading and writing skills are developed through the use of dictation, lab-exercises and compositions. Not open to native speakers of Italian.

ITAL 102. Introductory Italian II. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: ITAL 101, one year of high school Italian or the equivalent. A continuation of Italian 101. Not open to native speakers of Italian.

ITAL 201. Intermediate Italian I. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: ITAL 102, or the equivalent. Development of aural-oral skills continues to be stressed but greater attention is paid to obtaining accuracy in writing and to increasing vocabulary through reading of authentic texts and the use of the target language in context. Not open to native speakers of Italian.

ITAL 202. Intermediate Italian II. 5-0-5. Prerequisite: ITAL 201, or the equivalent. A continuation of Italian 201. Not open to native speakers of Italian.