Office Hours: 1/2 hour before and after each class session and other times by appointment
Pre-requisite: All undergraduate prerequisite courses or permission of the lecturer
Course Credit: 3 semester hours
TEXTBOOK:Systems Architecture: Hardware and Software in Business Information Systems, by Stephen D. Burd. Second edition, 1998. Publisher: Course Technology, Cambridge, MA.
HANDOUTS: Will be distributed from time-to-time; you will be responsible for this material also.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an overview of basic computer concepts as they apply to MIS professionals. Emphasis is on basic machine architecture including data storage, data manipulation, and the human-machine interface including the basics of operation systems, algorithms, and programming languages. In addition, the basic concepts of data organization including data and file structures are examined. Emerging trends in computer technology and their impact on organizational systems are also discussed. Students will be required to complete programming projects.
Application Programming Project--Each student will be expected to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) that describes a unique user situation of the student's choosing. This must involve at least two different activities from a list of activities that will be passed out along with the formal assignment memorandum. Once the RFP has been reviewed by the instructor and the proposal presented to and critiqued by the class, then the student will be required to program the two separate activities (or modules). There are several assignment due dates for this project, which must be met; however, only one grade is given on the entire project, so students have until the next to the last class session to incorporate instructor comments into the final project. The purpose of this assignment is to help the student understand the overall process while working specifically on some of the topics addressed in the class.
Vocabulary Quizzes-There will be three vocabulary quizzes covering the key terms presented at the end of the chapters covered in the immediately preceding classes (since the last quiz). These quizzes will likely be of the fill-in-the-blanks/short answer/matching variety.
Contributions to Literature Review-Students are expected to: 1) provide a list of at least two references, one from the text and one external to the text, and 2) present a brief synopsis of a topic (such as the use of ADA in the military) with references to the class. The latter item should be a five-minute presentation and a one-page handout for the class members.
Class Participation-Students will be graded on the quality of their classroom participation. Graduate students are expected to be able to discuss the concepts in the book and demonstrate their application of the materials through discussion of real-world problems.
Midterm/Final--The midterm and final will consist of short answer essay questions related to the goals listed at the beginning of each chapter and a comprehensive exam question similar to that actually given on the comprehensive exams. This portion of the tests (worth 100 points) will be graded exactly like the comprehensives; that is: 75% for content, 15% for English and organization, and 10% for references.
COURSE POLICIES/EXPECTATIONS:
The following policies apply to this class. These policies are generally reflected in the graduate catalog.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular class attendance is expected. If you should miss a meeting, it is your responsibility to obtain information concerning the material covered and upcoming assignments. If there is a quiz or other assignment due on that class period, previous arrangements should be made with the instructor whenever possible. Please note that those students receiving tuition assistance from the Federal Government must not miss three consecutive class meetings without prior approval, or the education Services Officer (ESO) must be notified by the instructor.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:Students are expected to do their own work. Cheating on tests, plagiarism on written assignments, or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in a "0" for the assignment. Note that a D or an F usually results in at least 60 or 50 points, where violation of academic honesty results in none. See the European Division Catalog for the UMUC policy on academic dishonesty and plagiarism.
ASSIGNMENT/TEST SCHEDULES: Students are expected to hand in all assignments and complete all tests on the days they are due. If a student fails to complete any assignment or test, the resulting grade will be a "0," rather than an "F." Any other assignments will be marked down half a letter grade for each half week the assignment is late. Quizzes cannot be made-up unless the student had an excused absence. Major tests can be made up only if prior arrangements are made with the instructor.
CLASS PREPARATION: Students are expected to come to class prepared. This means they should have read the materials assigned for class for that session and have prepared any pertinent assignments. Quizzes may be given on the reading assignments before they are discussed in class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives for this course are listed as "Chapter Goals" at the beginning of every chapter. The questions on the midterm and final will be directly related to these goals, even though the topic may not be covered in class. At the end of the class the students should be able to:
1. Define/describe the basic terms and processes related to computer systems architecture
2. Describe the various types of operating systems and be able to distinguish among them so as to apply the appropriate one to a given situation
3. Explain how the various major components of computer operating systems perform their tasks and relate to the hardware used to perform said tasks so as to be able to use the appropriate component or diagnose problems in a given situation
4. Describe the various types of computer languages (machine, assembly, and high-level) used to perform tasks and demonstrate the use of one or more of these computer languages
5. Illustrate the concepts related to data base and data storage management (both hardware and software) and apply such knowledge in a computer program
6. Illustrate the concepts related to data communications (both hardware and software) and apply such knowledge in a computer program
7. Describe the process for developing applications and be able to apply the process to a real-world situation
8. Describe the technological trends in computer development and discuss ethical issues surrounding the use of computer technology in the global community
9. Be prepared, at an introductory level, for the more advanced Management Information Systems courses that follow
Please note that there are various levels of learning that must take place before a subject matter is fully mastered. These levels (Bloom, 19xx) are: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. An introductory course of this nature focuses on the first three levels, while the more advanced courses focus more on the latter levels of learning. The activities and assignments for this course are designed to help the student know, comprehend, and apply the basic concepts of systems architecture.
In addition to the academic objectives, students are expected to improve their skills in the following areas:
1. Critical Thinking: Students should improve their ability to analyze computer user situations and make appropriate suggestions for resolving computer software and hardware needs. The application programming project in this class encourages students to think critically about real-world situations.
2. Writing Skills: Students should improve their writing skills through the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP) and formal reporting on the major project and on the mid-term and final.
3. Oral Presentation Skills: Students should improve their presentation skills through their oral reports on the major project, class discussions, and group presentations.
4. Computer Skills: Students are expected to improve their computer skills by using word processing and programming language(s) for the completion of the assignments in this class. The use of the Internet and e-mail are also encouraged.
LECTURER INFORMATION
Teaching Philosophy-I believe students learn best when learning is fun and applied to real-world situations and when students are involved in the process. Therefore, students are expected to participate in discussions, work in groups to resolve in-class exercises, assist their fellow students when possible (without doing their work for them), and to ask questions when there is confusion. I believe that every student starts out with an A in the class and through his/her behavior illustrates to me that they are unworthy of an A. As an instructor, it is my job to facilitate the learning process, but I can't do so unless I have feedback as to what may be impeding that process.
Biography-After obtaining a BA from the University of Chicago in Anthropology, Dr. Mock worked for IBM for 15 years, primarily in the technical writing field as writer, editor, manager, and second-line manager. Her highest position was as the division's publications coordinator in the Systems Architecture Department reporting to the General Systems Division Vice President of Manufacturing. She has worked with the IBM 1800MPX system, the 360 and 370 systems, the system/34, /36, and /38, among others. For several years she was a member of an application development team working in the manufacturing, health, education, and banking industries. After leaving IBM, she worked as an consultant to the IBM Corporation, the American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Time Systems International, and Zygonic Technologies.
In 1981 she received her MBA from Emory University and completed her Ph.D. at Georgia State University in Management in 1992. Since that time she has been teaching business courses at Piedmont College in northeast Georgia and at Fort Valley State University in central Georgia. She has been a member of the UMUC faculty for two years, teaching in both the MIS and PUAD programs.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Topics Discussed
Activities
Class 1a
Aug. 26
Introduction to course, lecturer, and class members; Architecture overview; Careers and Resources; Systems Administration; Developing an RFP; Computer Systems Security and Physical Environment; Technological Trends; Ethical Issues
Lecture(s); board analysis of existing level of knowledge; Group development of RFP and presentation to class; Group discussion on ethics; Assignment: Read Chapters 1 & 15
Class 1b
Aug. 26
HISTORY--History of Computer Hardware; Computer Hardware: processors, functions, and components; Performance Measures and Design Functions; History of Software; Programming Languages; Systems Software; Systems Development
Lecture(s)/discussions; Possible video; Hardware demo; Software demo; Examination of various links; Assignment: Read Chapters 2 and 3
Class 2a
Aug. 27
Data Representation: math, physics, signals, goals; representation of numbers, characters, and functions; memory addressing; data structures
Data Storage--Alternatives and Tradeoffs; Storage Devices; CPU Memory Access
Lecture(s)/discussions; Oral presentations; Chapter 6 exercises; On-line links to INTEL and other processors; Assignment: Read Chapter 6
Class 3a
Sept. 9
PROCESSOR PERFORMANCE ISSUES--Processors and Instruction Sets; Instruction Formats; Clock rates; of RFPs; CPU registers and word size; Processor Implementation; Future Trends
Quiz on Chapters 1, 15, 2 & 3; Lecture(s)/discussions; Hardware demo; Chapter 5 exercises; Assignment: Read Chapter 5; Application Program Module RFP due
Class 3b
Sept. 9
System Integration and Performance--System Bus; Logical/Physical I/O; Device Controllers; I/O Processing; I/O Storage Device Performance Issues; Application development: Compilation; Support libraries; Intrepreters; Debugging; Programming languages and development tools
Data and Network Communication: Overview; Encoding Methods; Transmission Media; Channel and Media Organization; Coordinating Communications
Lecture(s)/discussions; Demonstration; Chapter 8 exercises; Assignment: Read Chapter 8; Quiz on Chapters 6, 7, and rest of 11; Application Program Module #1 due
Class 4b
Sept. 10
Distributing Computer Resources--Network services; Network Architecture; Open Systems Integration Network Layers; Standard Network Architecture
Lecture(s); possible field trip; Group exercise on distributing systems; Assignment: Read Chapter 9
Class 5a
Sept. 23
Summary of First Half; Current Trends in System Architecture
Midterm on Chapters 1-6, 11, & 15 PLUS Quiz on Chapters covered since last quiz.
ADVANCED TOPICS: Input/Output Service Functions; Command Layer; Network I/O
Quiz on Chapters covered since last quiz.Group exercise on following I/O commands through the service layers depending on the type of system; Assignment: Read Chapter 14; Literature references due
Class 7b
Oct. 7
Solving User Problems; The Role of a Systems Developer
Presentation of Programming Modules by students; Q & As; possible Guest Speaker; SOCRATES
Class 8a
Oct. 8
Review of the Course Content; Analyzing Systems Design and RFP Responses
Final on Chapters 1-15
Class 8b
Oct. 8
Summary of class concepts
Presentations of projects by students; Q & As; Complete project assignment due
Search
MyUMUC
WebTycho