Information Systems Course Descriptions

MSIS - 611. Data Base (3)

Presents the concepts, principles, issues, and techniques for managing corporate data resources; techniques for managing design and the development of large database systems. The emphasis is on developing a thorough understanding of the principles of data modeling and the conversion of data models into working database systems.

MSIS - 612. Analysis, Modeling and Design (3)

Studies the systems development life cycle, analysis and design techniques, information systems planning and projects identification and selection, requirements collection structuring, process modeling, data modeling, interface design and data management, system implementation and operation, system maintenance, and change management implications of systems. The course utilizes current methods and tools, such as rapid application development, prototyping, and visual development.

MSIS - 613. Communications and Networking (3)

Examines telecommunication fundamentals, including data, voice, image, and video. The concepts, models, architectures, protocols, standards, and security for the design, implementation, and management of digital networks are studied, as well as local and wide networks, transmission and switching efficiency, and regulatory and technical environments. Topics include security, e-commerce, web sites, and middleware.

MSIS - 620. Economics for IS Managers (3)

Presents an overview of modern economic and financial theories relevant to understanding the costs, benefits, and processes by which proposed or current information systems can be evaluated. Students explore the economic impact of legal, regulatory, and political actions on the information industry. This course may be offered online.

MSIS - 624. Managing Projects and Change (3)

Explores the managing of projects within an organizational context, including the processes related to initiating, planning, executing, controlling, reporting, and closing a project.

MSIS - 625. IT Policy and Strategy (3)

Examines the top management perspective for aligning competitive strategy, core competencies, and information systems; the development and implementation of policies and plans to achieve organizational goals; defining the systems that support the operational, administrative, and strategic needs of the organization, its business units, and individual employees. Approaches to managing the Information Systems function in organizations are also explored, including examination of the dual challenges of effectively controlling the use of well-established information technologies while experimenting with emerging technologies, as well as the role of the CIO.

MSIS - 626. Capstone Project (3)

This course provides a broad survey of the individual, organizational, and cultural impact of information technology, in order to stimulate thoughtful reflection and debate upon the social issues provoked by current and projected uses of information technology. As part of this course, students will complete a capstone project.

MSIS - 631. e-Business Technologies (3)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the organizational structures and the technologies that support e-business. Topics covered include, e-business strategy, business models, governance structures, electronic markets, and e-business technological infrastructure.

MSIS - 636. Identity Management and Trust (3)

(Information Security Concentration)

Studies issues in identification, authentication, authoriza-tion, and trust for enterprise protective systems and drills down into the implementation of infrastructure, process, management, and policies to support these functions within the context of real enterprises.

MSIS - 647. Global Information Systems (3)

Studies both the flow of global data and major global data bases. Global data includes all forms of digital infor mation including Internet traffic patterns, cell phone usage, email, texting, video, audio, commercial transactions, software updates on globally-distributed systems, and other components of international data flow. Major global databases include such entities as various national privacy policies, international agreements on data transparency and data sharing, transportation tracking, passenger tracking, public health disease reporting, bioterrorism alerts, and computer viruses/malicious code tracking.

MSIS - 648. Enterprise Information Systems (3)

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems integrate all major business functions (finance, human resources, manufacturing, inventory, etc.) into an enterprise wide shared information systems network. By making information available across traditional business unit boundaries efficiency improves and gives rise to new strategic opportunities. Ultimately, such intranet information systems can be interlinked with other enterprise business partners (e.g. vendors, suppliers, financial institutions) to form powerful resource planning networks. This course will explore the technology and strategic use of enterprise information systems.

MSIS - 651. IT Security (3)

Studies contemporary issues of information security, including effective information security policies, risk assessment factors, internal application security, intranet vs. extranet security, firewalls and internet security, response to breaches of security, and operating a secure corporate network.

MSIS - 653. Network Security (3)

(Information Security Concentration)

Studies network management, architecture, controls, firewalls, network separation, gateways, virtual private networks, network security devices, sniffers, intrusion detection and response mechanisms, security-related protocols, network access and routing controls, network-based content controls, network-level encryption methods, and enterprise network infrastructure.

MSIS - 656. Business Intelligence and Data Warehouses (3)

Modern technology has the means of collecting every minute detail of a corporation's activity. To turn raw data into useful information and knowledge requires a judicious approach to extracting, cleansing, and aggregating data so that it can be used to support strategic decision making (e.g. forecasting and trend analysis, performance monitoring, etc.). This course builds on the Database course and extends the concepts learned there.

MSIS - 659. IT Audit and Forensics (3)

(Information Security Concentration)

Studies auditing mechanisms, technical audit trails, audit processes, auditing, forensic evidence identification, collection, storage, analysis, preservation, and data retention and disposition requirements and execution for enterprise scale information systems and networks.

MSIS - 661. Local, National & Global Biotech (3)

(Biotechnology Concentration)

Studies the biotechnology timeline, the basic terminology of the biotech field, the applications represented by the biotech field, including pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, energy, industrial applications and biodefense, the biotech business environment of the San Francisco Bay Area - the world's largest biotech cluster, the capabilities of regional clusters throughout the United States, global biotech clusters, and the global industry. Professionals from the biotechnology field will present for a portion of every class session.

MSIS - 662. Bioinformatics (3)

(Biotechnology Concentration)

Studies the creation, storage and analysis of the information generated by the biotech industry, the data collection requirements of Phase I, II & III clinical trials, the information requirements for drug and device submissions to the FDA, data collection and analysis needs for rational drug design and other scientific research approaches, and the biotech applications available from major software/hardware manufacturers, including Intel, Google, Oracle and Microsoft. Professionals from the biotechnology field will present for a portion of every class session.

MSIS - 663. Legal, Social & Ethical Implications of Biotechnology (3)

(Biotechnology Concentration)

Studies biotech intellectual property and patents on a national and global basis, the privacy and security regulations from HIPAA and GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act), the societal implications of the development and use of biotechnology in both the developed and developing world, ethical concerns and human use regulations for clinical studies, and the implications for information systems designers and managers. Professionals from the biotechnology field will present for a portion of every class session.