Master of Business Administration

Systems Architecture introduces the student to operating system concepts. Emphasis is given to main memory, the processor, microcode, I/O devices, secondary storage, machine cycles, architectures, memory management, deadlock, scheduling and queuing, job control language, spooling, time sharing, shell scripts, pipes, filters, paging, segmentation, thrashing, virtual memory, communication protocols, etc. UNIX, Open VMS and other operating systems are discussed.

Required for the concentration.

This course focuses on the fundamental concepts pertinent to business requirements analysis and systems engineering, modeling, and design of information systems. The course uses a multimedia approach to address the management of resources, clients, elicitation of requirements from the user, architecture design evaluation, and the use of tools and techniques for designing large-scale information systems, small, targeted systems and decision support systems. Course format includes hands-on usage of computer aided systems engineering (CASE) tools, interactive cases and discussions on current trends in information systems analysis and design, as well as relevant lessons in systems project management. Students will also gain an in-depth understanding of the roles of prototyping, rapid application development and objectoriented design.

Required for the concentration.

The course follows the ANSI architecture standard for database development and focuses on the development and design of relational databases from a conceptual modeling direction. The class uses, specifically, the entity-relationship model for conceptual design and formulation of database concepts followed by relational theory, including normalization. This will be followed by implementation issues, including a brief introduction to structured query language. A small database development and implementation project is required in order to show the interplay between the design and development issues covered in the class and the actual implementation of the corresponding design. A research component is also required which allows the student to investigate other areas of database development and use that may be of specific interest.

Required for the concentration.

This course addresses the identification, analysis and provision of mitigating controls with respect to information technology systems risk management. It addresses all aspect of information technology including computer installations, application development and maintenance, networks and the management of different types of information technology projects. Special attention is devoted to the particulars of the ISO Layers Security, Database Management Systems, Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, and Electronic Commerce systems. Case studies are used to develop an understanding of the establishment and enforcement of risk mitigating controls to assist management in the successful operation of the business.

The concepts involved in Decision Support Systems (DSS) were first articulated under the term Management Decision Systems. The systems are often seen as interactive computer-based systems which help decision-makers utilize data and models to solve un- or ill-structured problems. Decision support systems couple the intellectual resources of individuals with the capabilities of the computer to improve the quality of decisions.

In today’s world, information technology (IT) is evident in almost every aspect of life. It is difficult to imagine a workplace without computers, banking without ATM machines, or grocery stores without bar code readers at the checkout. While much attention has been focused on the use of these machines to revolutionize business, until recently there has been little discussion of the ethical dilemmas that, if not created by IT, are amplified by its use. It has been said that every new age requires a new set of moral and ethical values. Indeed, mankind has entered a new age with the computer/information revolution, and it is time to review the ethical impact of this technology. This course attempts to address this need. The course will also address ethical and legal issues involved in electronic business.

This course is a composite course covering two distinct but related areas: networking and telecommunications. Networking generally refers to shared computer programs, data and resources (such as printers, disk space, etc.), and telecommunications generally refers to voice and data communications. They are different in their content and objectives, yet similar in their use of technology and are becoming more closely linked and integrated because of that technology. Thus, the course provides an introduction to these two merging fields.

Required for the concentration.

This course is considered to be the capstone course for the MS-ISM program. It provides an in-depth perspective of the tools and techniques of project management for business and technology projects, as well as unique challenges of large-scale program management. Course content deals with planning, scheduling, organizing, and controlling projects including strategy formulation, organizations and the role of teams, prioritization and evaluation of projects, hands-on usage of leading project management tools, technology projects, and the development of life cycle, communications, risk management, scheduling, earned value analysis and project leadership. Students gain the necessary skills and experience to successfully lead and align projects and programs to meet the organizational strategy vision.

Required for the concentration.