2001-2002 University Catalog -- George Mason University 2000-2001 Catalog

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Management Information
Systems (MIS)

School of Management

If a student takes noncore, upper-level business courses prior to acceptance to the School of Management, those courses will not count on an undergraduate degree application for any major in the School of Management (except general elective credit). A grade of C or higher must be presented on the graduation application for each upper-level course in the major. Course prerequisites are strictly enforced. Degree status is defined as formal admission to the School of Management.


102 Spreadsheet Applications for Business (1:0:1). Hands-on course using a popular spreadsheet package. Business examples are used to teach the fundamentals of spreadsheets and their use in business applications.

201 Introduction to Computer-Based Management Information Systems (3:3:0). Corequisite: MIS 102. This course does not satisfy School of Management degree requirements for students admitted to the university in fall 2001 and later. An introduction to the components of the management information system (MIS) and their integration for managerial control and decision support. Analysis, design, and implementation of MIS software. Microcomputing lab for database and spreadsheet applications.

301 Introduction to Business Information Systems (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Introduction to fundamentals of hardware, software, networking, the Internet and its technology components. Role of technology in contemporary business. Basic relational concepts. Hands on experience in building business database applications and web sites. Projects required.

310 Introduction to Database Management Systems (3:3:O). Prerequisites: MIS 301 or MIS 201 taken prior to fall 2001; degree status. Introduction to the principles of designing, maintaining, and manipulating databases. Emphasis is on relational databases. Applications are business oriented, such as accounts receivables, order entry, customer history, etc. Hands-on implementation using a software package is required.

403 Computer Systems Analysis and Design (3:3:0). Prerequisites: MIS 301, or MIS 201 taken prior to fall 2001, and 310; degree status: a programming course is recommended. Treatment of the life cycle of a computer information system with emphasis on information requirements analysis, feasibility studies, economics, systems design, equipment selection, and the implementation process. Term project required. Computing lab.

411 Management and Control of Information Systems (3:3:0). Prerequisites: MIS 301, or MIS 201 taken prior to fall 2001 and ECON 103; degree status. Discussion of the uses of an economics perspective to study issues arising in the management and control of information systems. Topics include cost/performance trends in information technology, software development cost estimation, systems project management, pricing computer services, and the strategic use of information technology.

420 Business Data Communications (3:3:0). Prerequisites: MIS 301, or MIS 201 taken prior to fall 2001; degree status. Broad introduction to technology components used in modern networks. Emphasis on the use of networks to facilitate business processes. Term project.

440 Business Applications of Artificial Intelligence (3:3:0). Prerequisites: MIS 301, or MIS 201 taken prior to fall 2001; degree status: a programming course is recommended. Broad introduction to applications of artificial intelligence. Emphasis on the use and application of expert systems and natural languages in business and public sector organizations. Term project.

491 Seminar in Management Information Systems (3:3:0). Prerequisites: MIS 301, or MIS 201 taken prior to fall 2001, and 310; degree status. Analysis of selected topics that highlight the latest developments in the information resource management field, including contemporary research findings and case studies of information systems in business and other organizations.

499 Independent Study in Management Information Systems (1-3:3:0). Prerequisite: Information resource management majors with at least nine upper-level MIS and/or INFS credits. Research and analysis of selected problems or topics in information resource management. Must be arranged with an instructor and approved in writing by the associate dean for undergraduate programs before registration. Written report required. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits if topics vary.


George Mason University: 2001-2002 University Catalog: Catalog Index: Course Descriptions:Management Information
Systems (MIS)