Management Information Systems (MIS)

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.

Related Mason Website: School of Management (http://gbi-sba.gmu.edu/)

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. 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. Micro computing lab for database and spreadsheet applications.

310 Introduction to Database Management Systems (3:3:O). Prerequisite: MIS 201, 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 201, 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 201 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). Prerequisite: MIS 201, 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 201, 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 201, 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.

492 Field Experience in Management Information Systems (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Senior standing. Faculty-governed field experience in a Northern Virginia business. Teams of students, matched with client firms through the Entrepreneurship Center, propose action plans relating to a major problem or opportunity faced by the company.

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 undergraduate program director before registration. Written report required. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits if topics vary.

720 Business Systems Development (3:3:0). Prerequisite: MIS 600 or MBA 663. Study methods and tools for analyzing and designing business information systems with an emphasis on business processes. Topics include data modeling, process modeling, interaction analysis, and user interface.

740 Business Applications of Telecommunications (3:3:0). Prerequisite: MIS 600 or MBA 663. Introduction to telecommunications technology and its applications in business, including LANs, PBXs, voice services, mobile communications, and ISDN. Applications in manufacturing and service sectors, along with regulatory issues and impact of globalization.

760 Human Engineering Issues in Computer Systems Design (3:3:0). Prerequisite: MIS 600 or MBA 663. Surveys the various human factors and ergonomic aspects of computer systems, including hardware and information displays as well as human factors principles of software design. Return on investment in alternative human factors decisions examined in applied settings. Cases and laboratory.

792 Topics in Management Information Systems (3:3:0). Prerequisite: MIS 600 or MBA 663. Significant information resource management topic is selected for detailed coverage. Examples of such topics are computer security, life cycle management of EDP systems, and electronic commerce. Term project.

796 Independent Study and Directed Readings (3:3:0). Prerequisite: MIS 600 or MBA 663. By special arrangement with professor and approval from the graduate program director.