Course Philosophy:

Computers and information systems (IS) have profoundly and permanently changed the way
organizations conduct business and individuals manage their personal lives. Information, and
the computer systems that process it, are increasingly seen as strategic resources. This course is
intended to enable you to make business decisions about IS design, acquisition and management.
Equally important, the course is intended to give you hands-on skills in IS implementation and
evaluation.

Many public-sector organizations have difficulty identifying and addressing information systems
needs; some do not yet see IS as a tool that can help them deliver more and better services. For
example:

 The health care industry uses separate information systems devoted to insurance claims,
patient records, diagnostic support and other areas, but does not have industry-wide
standards on electronic record-keeping that would allow integration of these separate
systems.

 Community-based organizations deliver valuable services such as job training, housing

development and family counseling, but much of the information related to these services
is stored on paper, making program evaluation difficult.

 Public school planners would like to have data on student attendance and performance
available for on-demand analysis and decision support, but much of this data is stored
on mainframe computers and made available only in certain formats or at certain times.

It is hoped that this course will enable you to serve as an interface between persons focused on
organization policy and those focused in IS operations, especially in the public sector. In
addition, this course serves as an introduction to more advanced IS courses offered by the Heinz
School.

Database technology is perhaps the most important and fundamental part of computing in
organizations. Data stored in databases are those necessary to carry out the objectives of
organizations. Relational database design and technology are also the most complex and
difficult components of organizational computing that we will encounter. Hence, a major portion
of the course is devoted to database design and implementation.

The Web offers new opportunities for information sharing and commercial transactions
throughout and among organizations of all kinds. In fact, it will cause a revolution in computer
use throughout the public and non-profit sectors. Hence, this course introduces Web authoring
and database applications.

Finally, database and Web-based computing are subsets of larger information system issues of
applications development management, network infrastructure design, public access to
information technology, data confidentiality and security. Hence, this course also addresses IS
policy, project management and architecture (hardware/software/networking) issues.
Class Project:
The instructor will divide the class into teams of 8 - 10 students apiece to work on a single
project. Team members will be in the same lab section to facilitate working on projects during
lab and workshop times. Each team will work independently and in parallel on a single project
identified by the instructor. Factors affecting a project's grade will include:

 quality of system components,

 quantity of non-trivial components, and
 cohesiveness and attractiveness of the total system.

It is not necessary that team projects be of professional quality. However team projects should
reflect:

 a thorough understanding of the problem at hand,

 a consistent, parsimonious design and
 attention to ease of use.

Individual team member grades are based on the overall project grade, plus an adjustment
reflecting written peer reviews (details on peer reviews are attached to this syllabus). For
example, it is possible for an individual to get an "A" on a "B" project or a "B" on an "A"
project. "Free riders" get failing grades on projects, regardless of the quality of the group
project.

This year’s project will be an administrative support system for local home-delivered-meals
("Meals-on-Wheels") providers.

Past MIS student projects have included:

 Tracking participation of individuals in job training and job skills programs

 Identifying illegal firearms dealers and purchasers for the ATF National Tracing Center
 Organizing historical data on arts organization performances

Course Schedule
(Please refer to course Web page and b-board for changes)

Part I: Introduction to Information Systems

1. (8/24) Lecture 1: Overview of Information Systems

 [Optional reading: Stair and Reynolds, pp. 1-26, 32-33]

a. Information system definition

b. Types of business information systems
c. IS demo with source code: Access, Web
d. Role of IS in the organization
e. IS in the Heinz School curriculum
f. IS careers
2. (8/26) Lecture 2: IS Architecture and Applications

[Note: this lecture will meet at 8:00 AM in HbH 100. Regularly scheduled class lab sessions
in HbH A100 are cancelled.]

[Reading: Stair and Reynolds, pp. 82-113, 136-181, 326-327]

a. Hardware: input, processing and output devices

b. Software: systems and application software
c. Telecommunications and networks
d. Internet, intranets and extranets
e. IS case study: the Heinz School LAN and CMU's Andrew system
3. (8/27) No Workshop (Heinz School IS orientation sessions)

Back to the Top

Part II: Database Design and Implementation

4. (8/31) Lecture 3: Overview of the Relational Database Model

[Reading: Rob and Coronel, pp. 56-94]

[Honework #1 due: IS design and management issues]

a. Table structure of a relational database

b. Primary keys, foreign keys, and non-key attributes
c. Computer demo (WTIS): components of a database management system (tables,
forms, queries, reports, macros, and program modules)
5. (9/2) Lab : Entering and Viewing Data in Access

[Work through pp. 3-67, Access 2000 Step by Step]

a. Entering data with forms and subforms

b. Working with datasheets
c. Sorting and filtering data
d. Using a report
 e. Creating mail labels
6. (9/3) No Workshop (Heinz School IS orientation sessions)
7. (9/7) Lecture 4: More on the Relational Database Model

[Reading: Rob and Coronel, pp. 56-94]

[Homework #2 due (Database application analysis; elementary data

analysis)]

a. Many-to-many relationships and linking tables

b. Joining tables
c. Data quality issues: codes, referential integrity
d. Data cleaning
e. Computer demo: table joins and options for controlling data quality
8. (9/9) Lab: Building Access Database Tables, Controlling Data Quality and External
Data

[Work through pp. 71-136, Access 2000 Step by Step]

a. Building tables using a Wizard and in design view

b. Building relationships in tables
c. Building validation checks, referential validity, and combo boxes in forms
d. Controlling tab order in a form
e. Setting default values and making data required
f. Using cascading updates and deletes in many-to-many relationships
g. Using subforms and subdatasheets
h. Working with external data: linking, importing and exporting tables
9. (9/10) Workshop: Access tutorial, homework assignment
10. (9/14) Lecture 5: Complex Databases & Entity Relationship Model

[Read Rob and Coronel, pp. 188-225; handout "The Ten Things You Need
to Know About Relational Database Design"]

[Homework #3 due: database designs]

a. Complex database examples

b. Entity and relationship types
c. Cardinality of relationships
d. User views
e. Tracking service delivery life cycles
11. (9/16) Lab: Access Forms

[Work through pp. 181-193, p.198 ("Step 5"), 203-219, 255-257 (except
"Step 4"), Access 2000 Step by Step]

a. Creating a form with subform

 b. Calculated controls
c. Modifying forms
d. Including images on forms
12. (9/17) Workshop: Access tutorial, homework assignment
13. (9/21) Lecture 6: Database Case Study

[Reading: Rob and Coronel pp. 226-249; 681-691]

[Homework #4 due (database designs)]

a. Relational databases vs. non-normalized data tables (data warehouses)

b. Automating a manual information system
c. Steps for database design
d. Case study [bus garage]
14. (9/23) Lab: Case Study Database Implementation
15. (9/24)Workshop: Case Study Database Implementation
16. (9/28) Lecture 7: Query Logic and Design

[Reading: "QBE and SQL Query Notes"]

[Homework #5 due (case study implementation)]

a. Logical and arithmetic expressions

b. Query by Example (QBE) interface
c. Structured Query Language (SQL) commands
d. Data aggregation
e. Using parameters in queries
17. (9/30) Lab: Query by Example (QBE)

[Work through pp. 139-180, 195-199 (except "Step 4"), Access 2000 Step by
Step]

a. Creating queries using the Query Wizard

b. Expressing logical and arithmetic expressions in the QBE grid
c. Joining tables in a query
d. Aggregating data by grouping
e. Calculating new fields
f. Crosstab queries
g. Adding parameters to a query
18. (10/1) Workshop: Continuation of Query By Example, Review for Midterm
19. (10/5) Exam 1: IS fundamentals, Database Design, Queries

[Homework #6 due (simple QBE queries)]

20. (10/7) Lab: Access Macros

a. Macro demo
 b. Macro replication
21. (10/8) No Workshop
22. (10/12) Lecture 8: Designing Reports and Macros

[Reading: "Access Macro Notes", "Macro Actions and DoCmd Methods"]

a. Data aggregation for management

b. Organizational hierarchy and reporting needs
c. Components of an Access report
d. Advanced macros
e. Case study/demo
23. (10/14) No Lab (Heinz Midsemester Break/Network New York)
24. (10/15) No Workshop (Heinz Midsemester Break/Network New York)

Back to the Top

Part III: Project Management, Application Development and the Web

25. (10/19) Lecture 9: Project Introduction & Project Management

[Reading: McLeod and Smith, pp. 1-35, 73-76, 128-142]

a. Project requirements
b. Team structure
c. Project management software
d. IS project management issues
26. (10/21) Lab: Access Reports

[Work through pp. 221-254, 257-258 (except "Step 3"), Access 2000 Step
by Step]

a. Building detail and summary reports

b. Creating grouped reports
c. Report formatting
27. (10/22) Workshop: Project98

[Work through Project98 course tutorial]

28. (10/26) Lecture 10: Systems Analysis and Design

[Reading: Rob and Coronel, pp. 318 - 324; McLeod and Smith, pp. 115-
123; Shelly, Dashman and Rosenblatt, pp. 4.1-4.50]

[Homework #7 due (macros and reports)]

 [Project assignment #1 due (draft project database design, project work
schedule)]

a. Criteria for information system feasibility

b. Systems analysis and design life cycle
c. Data flow diagrams and business processes
d. Prototyping systems
29. (10/28) Lab: Creating a Web Site

[Work through Microsoft FrontPage 98 Illustrated Standard Edition]

a. Creating a Web site

b. Designing a homepage
c. Insert files and existing Web pages to a site
d. Create hyperlinks
e. Formatting pages
f. Creating tables
g. Working with static and animated graphics
h. Create an image map with hot spots
i. Adding sounds and movies
j. Creating a form and standard controls
k. Creating frames
30. (10/29) Workshop: Continuation of Building a Web Site
31. (11/2) Lecture 11: Web Design How-To's and Web-Enabled Access

[Project assignment #2 due (Project case analysis, database E-R

diagram, context diagram)]

a. Hyperlink field data type in Access tables and on forms

b. Import HTML tables, HTTP, and FTP server data
c. Static Web publishing of Access tables, queries, and reports
d. Fundamentals of dynamic Web-enabled databases
32. (11/4) Lab: Exam 2 (using computers)
33. (11/5) No Workshop
34. (11/9) Project Meeting: HbH 1000

[Project assignment #3 due (Web site with project problem

statement, data flow diagrams, and initial Access database design)]

35. (11/11) Lab: Internet-Enabled Access

[Work through pp. 261-284, Access 2000 Step by Step]

a. Hyperlinks to database components, Office applications, Web sites

b. Publishing database objects as static Web pages
c. Creating data access pages
 36. (11/12) Workshop: Project Work
37. (11/16) Project Meeting: HbH 1000
38. (11/18) Lab: Project Work
39. (11/19) Workshop: Project Work
40. (11/23) Project Meeting: 1000HB

Project and Peer Evaluations due at 5:00 PM Wednesday November 24

41. (11/25) No Lab (Thanksgiving Break)

42. (11/26) No Workshop (Thanksgiving Break)

Back to the Top

Part IV: IT Implementation and the Public Sector

43. (11/30) Lecture 12: IT Implementation and Management

[Reading: Rob and Coronel, pp. 614-615, 622-650, 654-660, "Improving

the Placement Process for Allegheny County Children and Youth
Services"]

a. Client-server systems
b. Networking and IS infrastructure design
c. Application case study
44. (12/2) Lecture 13: IT in the Public Domain

[Reading: "Falling Through the Net - Defining the Digital Divide"]

a. Universal access to IS: hardware, software, networking

b. Community access to public-sector IT applications
c. Data security and confidentiality
45. (12/4) No Workshop

[Homework Assignment #8 due at 5:00 PM Friday, December 4 (white

paper on project implementation issues)]

No Final Exam

End of Semester

Homework #1 due 8/31: IS Design and Management Issues

Microsoft Word Format
Homework 1

PDF Files
Homework 1

Homework #2 due 9/7: PowerPoint Presentation on Database, Elementary Data Analysis

Microsoft Word Format

Homework 2

PDF Files
Homework 2

Homework #3 due 9/21: Database Designs, Excel Exercises

Microsoft Word Format

Homework 3

PDF Files
Homework 3

Homework #4 due 9/28: Database Designs

Microsoft Word Format

Homework 4

PDF File
Homework 4

Homework #5 due 10/5 : Simple QBE Queries

Microsoft Word Format

Homework 5

PDF File
Homework5

Homework #6 due 10/12: Advanced Queries and Forms

Microsoft Word Format

Homework 6

PDF File
Homework 6
Homework #7 due10/22 : Macros and reports

Microsoft Word Format

Homework 7

PDF File
Homework 7

Part I: Introduction to Information Systems

1. (8/24) Lecture 1: Overview of Information Systems

Power Point Format
Lecture 1 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 1 Notes

2. (8/26) Lecture 2: IS Architecture and Applications

Power Point Format
Lecture 2 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 2 Notes

3. (8/27) No Workshop (Heinz School IS orientation sessions)

Part II: Database Design and Implementation

4. (8/31) Lecture 3: Overview of the Relational Database Model

Power Point Format
Lecture 3 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 3 Notes

5. (9/2) Lab : Entering and Viewing Data in Access

6. (9/3) No Workshop (Heinz School IS orientation sessions)
7. (9/7) Lecture 4: More on the Relational Database Model
Power Point Format
Lecture 4 Notes
 PDF Files
Lecture 4 Notes

8. (9/9) Lab: Building Access Database Tables and Controlling Data

Quality and External Data
9. (9/10) Workshop: Access tutorial, homework assignment
10. (9/14) Lecture 5: Complex Databases & Entity Relationship Model
Power Point Format
Lecture 5 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 5 Notes

11. (9/16) Lab: Access Forms

12. (9/17) Workshop: Access tutorial, homework assignment
13. (9/21) Lecture 6: Database Case Study
Power Point Format
Lecture 6 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 6 Notes

14. (9/23) Lab: Case Study Database Implementation

15. (9/24) Workshop: Case Study Database Implementation
16. (9/28) Lecture 7: Query Logic and Design
Power Point Format
Lecture 7 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 7 Notes

17. (9/30) Lab: Query By Example (QBE)

18. (10/1) Workshop: Continuation of Query By Example, Review for
Midterm
19. (10/5) Exam 1: IS fundamentals, Database Design, Queries
20. (10/7) Lab: Access Macros
21. (10/8) Workshop: Macros Homework Assignment
22. (10/12) Lecture 8: Designing Reports
Power Point Format
Lecture 8 Notes
 PDF Files
Lecture 8 Notes

23. (10/14) No Lab (Heinz Mid-semester Break/Network New York)

24. (10/15) No Workshop (Heinz Mid-semester Break/Network New
York)

Part III: Project Management, Application Development and the Web

25. (10/19) Lecture 9: Project Introduction & Project Management

Power Point Format
Lecture 9 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 9 Notes

26. (10/21) Lab: Access Reports

27. (10/22) Workshop: Project98
28. (10/26) Lecture 10: Systems Analysis and Design
Power Point Format
Lecture 10 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 10 Notes

29. (10/28) Lab: Creating a Web Site

30. (10/29) Workshop: Continuation of Building a Web Site
31. (11/2) Lecture 11: Web Design How-To's and Web-Enabled Access
Power Point Format
Lecture 11 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 11 Notes

32. (11/4) Lab: Exam 2 (using computers)

33. (11/5) No Workshop
34. (11/9) Project Meeting
35. (11/11) Lab: Internet-Enabled Access
36. (11/12) Workshop: Project Work
37. (11/16) Project Meeting: HBH 1000
38. (11/18) Lab: Project Work
39. (11/19) Workshop: Project Work
40. (11/23) Project Meeting: 1000 HBH
41. (11/25) No Lab: Thanksgiving Break
42. (11/26) No Workshop: Thanksgiving Break
43. (11/30) Lecture 12: IT Implementation and Management
Power Point Format
Lecture 12 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 12 Notes

44. (12/2) Lecture 13: IT in the Public Domain

Power Point Format
Lecture 13 Notes

PDF Files
Lecture 13 Notes

45. (12/4) No Workshop