COURSE SYLLABUS

CIS 430 - ADVANCE TOPICS IN INFORMATION SCIENCE FALL 1997

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. M. Aminilari, ABD

OFFICE: COMBS 319

TELEPHONE: 3-2770

OFFICE HOURS: TTh 12:00-3:00

And others by appointment only

TEXT: (1) Decision Support Systems: A Knowledge Based Approach. Clyde W. Holsapple and Andrew B. Whinston West, 1996

(2) . Welcome To Multimedia, Linda Tway, MIS, 1992.

(3). Visual Basic 4, Designed for Windows 95 Users, Ralph Duffy

DESCRIPTION: The course is designed to expose fourth year students to a comprehensive understanding of decision support systems (DSS) possibilities and to impart practical DSS development skills. We will examine the DSS field's historic backgrounds, its concepts and the applications of these concepts in business organizations, contexts for DSS usage, and emerging trends in DSS research and practice. Our focus will be on Knowledge Management Techniques and Computer-based DSSs. The student will undertake a hands-on project familiar with business problems, and are sufficiently proficient in the use of computer hardware, some applications software and/or programming languages.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

- Be able to describe the general characteristics of DSSs, especially in contrast to the characteristics of electronic data processing (EDP) and Management information systems (MIS).

- Recognize numerous DSS variants such as expert systems (ES), group decision support systems (GDSS), organizational decision support systems (ODSS), executive information systems (EIS) etc.

- Be able to clearly distinguish between a DSS and a DSS development tool.

- Be conversant with basic DSS terminology including language system, knowledge system, and problem processing system.

- Be exposed to a wide variety of knowledge management techniques that can be applied in DSSs.

- Be acquainted with cross disciplinary contributions to the DSS field.

- Have developed his/her own DSS.

- Be prepared for independent, critical study and assessment of publications in the DSS field.

Methods of Instructions:

Readings: Lectures will mainly follow from Clyde W. Holsapple. Laboratory exercises involve with developing Multimedia Decision Support Systems.

Attendance: Attendance to all lectures is strongly recommended and active participation is encouraged.

Project: - The student will develop a prototype DSS in his/her own area of choice. The development consists of analysis, design and implementation.

- Students will use multimedia ToolBook software to develop his/her own project. Selected project will be upon pre-approved by instructor.

- A written proposal describing your project should be submitted by Oct. 7. An interim project progress report must be submitted on Nov. 2. You should also turn in the final project materials on or before the last day of project presentation/demonstration during the final exam week. Detailed contents and issues that should be addressed in the project proposal, interim project progress report and a check list for final project materials will be given to you in class under a separate handout.

Article: - Each student will present time to time an article of his/her choice from library research in the environment of Decision Support Systems.

Exams: - There will be two exams covering lectures and discussions.

- Makeup exams are permitted only in an emergency that may cause a student to miss an exam on the scheduled day and time. A valid documentary proof attesting the emergency circumstance may be required.

Presentations:- Each student will make two presentations:

The first will be the article presentation and the second will be a presentation and demonstration of the DSS prototype developed by you.

- Policy concerning the presentations will be elaborated in class.

- Specific presentation dates and times for each student will be designated in class.

- As with exams, each student is expected to do his/her presentation as scheduled unless when faced with an emergency circumstances.

Grading Policy:

To receive full credit, work must be submitted/presented by the assigned date. There is a deduction of 10% of the total available credit for each day your work is late.

Graded work will receive a numeric score as be fitting the quality of performance. The following relative weights will be assigned to graded work:

- Exams (2) 40%

- Assignments 10%

- Project

Proposal 5%

Presentation 10%

Written DSS 20%

- Article Presentation 15%

Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:

90-100% A

80-89% B

70-79% C

60-69% D

0-59% E

SCHEDULE of ACTIVITIES: (This is a guide only and may be changed based upon the needs of the class.)

Date Topic

Aug. : 19 Introduction

Aug. : 21 & 28 Chapter 1

Aug/Sep.: 2 & 4 Chapter 2

Sep. : 9 & 11 & 16 Chapter 3, Lab Work (MM) Chapt. 1-5

Sep. : 18 & 23 & 25 Chapter 4, Lab Work (MM) Chapt. 6,7

Sep. : 30 EXAM #1

Oct. : 7 & 5 & 10 Chapter 5, Lab Work (MM) Chapt. 8

Oct. : 21 & 23 & 28 Chapter 6, Lab Work (MM) Chapt. 9

Oct. : 24 & 26 & 31 Chapter 7, Lab Work (MM) Chapt. 10

Nov. : 30 & 4 Chapter 8, Lab Work (MM) Chapt. 11

Nov. : 6 EXAM #2

Nov. : 11 & 13 & 18 & 20 Article Presentation On GDSS

Nov.: 24 –28 Fall Break

Dec: 2 & 4 & 9 Project Presentation/Demonstration

Final Week Project Due