Bachelor of ScienceInformation Systems and Information Technology (Online)

This course serves as an introduction to computing and information systems. It uses both lecture and laboratory practice to introduce students to the use of computers to solve problems. The student is presented the techniques, concepts, analysis, and reports on experiences and technologies and trends. This includes the concepts of hardware, software, networking, computer security, programming, database, e-commerce, decision support systems, and other emerging technologies. The student is introduced to techniques that search, evaluate, validate, and cite information found online. Widely-used applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation, and web development software are also studied.

This course introduces the concepts and techniques of computer programming. Emphasis is placed on developing the student’s ability to apply problem-solving strategies to design algorithms and to implement these algorithms in a modern, structured programming language. Topics include fundamental programming constructs, problem solving techniques, simple data structures, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), program structure, data types and declarations, control statements, algorithm strategies and algorithm development.

This course is a foundation for database design and database security courses. Systems Analysis and Design is a fundamental, active field in which analysts continually learn new techniques and approaches to develop systems more effectively and efficiently. There is a core set of skills that all analysts need to know no matter what approach or methodology is used. All information systems projects move through the four phases of planning, analysis, design, and implementation; all projects require analysts to gather requirements, model the business needs, and create blueprints for how the systems should be built; and all projects require an understanding of organizational behavior concepts like change managememnt and team building. This course captures the dynamic aspects of the field by keeping the student focused on doing Systems Analysis and Design while presenting the core set of skills that the analysts needs to know.

The student studies, explores and designs a website using static as well as dynamic content. The student experiments with the latest developments in web technologies and web services. Coursework is accomplished both individually and in teams to build, launch, and market a website for a community member or as a university project. This course includes an interactive programming component utilizing an Object-Oriented Programming Language.

Businesses rely on data-driven information to thrive and succeed. Information systems provide the means and the medium to collect, store, safeguard, retrieve, share, analyze, and present the data; therefore, information systems play an important role in our modern world. Almost all services ranging from banking to travelling to complex healthcare applications exploit information systems for data manipulations. In this course, the core concepts of any information system, namely people, processes, and technology, are discussed, and their social and organizational roles are explored. In this course, an overview of fundamental concepts of information systems, definition of key terms and current trends, the role and importance of information and information systems for businesses and management, social and organizational implications, along with some applications of information systems are explored and discussed through lectures and case studies.

This course explores the most popular software employed in information systems. The student explores the application of spreadsheets, databases, and other software for technical data management. Business intelligence tools and concepts are introduced. Other topics include the essentials of editing, formatting, and printing worksheets and workbooks and data visualization by exploring Microsoft Office® suite. In particular, students gain experience with Microsoft Excel®, Microsoft Access®, Microsoft SharePoint®, Microsoft Word®, Microsoft Excel®, and Microsoft PowerPoint® through assignments and projects. Other popular applications, text editors, and software will be examined and discussed.

This course covers basic networking concepts within the context of the networks we encounter every day. Students develop hands-on networking skills and understand the role networks play in our lives. In addition to networking concepts, students learn about data protection, cybersecurity, most common threats, vulnerabilities, cyber-attacks, and related discussions. Topics include introduction to networks, routing and switching essentials, protocols and services, network design and installation using real equipment and connecting the network to the Internet, practicing verification and troubleshooting the network and Internet connectivity, recognizing and mitigating network security threats, configuring common Internet applications, setting up sharing between computers, and configuring basic IP services. Other topics including WAN topologies, IP errors, security best practices, quality of service, cloud and virtualization, and network programming can be introduced and discussed.

This course provides practical knowledge of operating systems. Running at the core of all computers and networks, an OS manages resources and provides the environment for the execution of programs. Different operating systems have different features and capabilities, and it is important to select, properly install, and correctly configure the right OS so that it serves the needs of the business and ultimately runs the information system successfully. In this course, fundamental concepts of operating systems along with specific features of Microsoft’s Windows®, Linux OS, and mobile operating systems will be discussed. The student learns the key concepts of process management, memory management, I/O operations, and security through hands-on practices and projects. The student learns to select, install, configure, maintain (i.e. update and upgrade), and troubleshoot operating systems.

Cloud services have transformed traditional IT structure and business operations. Today, cloud technology dominates consumer and business applications, network services, and data center providers. Organizations are moving rapidly towards cloud services, and ISIT specialists should now have a good understanding of cloud and its services. This course provides a deep understanding of key cloud concepts, cloud services, and their applications to increase business productivity and effectiveness. Other topics include various cloud models, deployment models, different service platforms (IaaS, SaaS, PaaS, and other XaaS), comparison of cloud platforms, migration to cloud and its challenges, cloud security, cloud design, and industry best practices. Moreover, implementation, configuration, and management of cloud services will be practiced and examined through hands-on projects.

This course explores a topic or collection of topics of special interest that is timely and in response to critical or emerging topics in the broad field of information systems and information technologies. Topics may include hardware, software, organizational and social aspects of ISIT, ethical and legal considerations and frameworks, future trends and innovations, and ISIT implications on management, businesses, and marketing.

The main objective of this course is to introduce the current as well as emerging Internet and Web technologies that enable and drive the modern enterprises. The student is exposed to the key building blocks (enterprise applications, computing platforms, databases, and networks) of the modern Internet-Web infrastructure. Through experiments and examples, the main ideas of the Internet, the ISPs, wireless networks, Classical Web, Semantic Web, XML, Web 2.0, social networking, wireless web, and mobile apps are explained. The course exposes the student to the main apsects of web-based software development processes through simple hands-on projects. The student is introduced to the basic software concepts by developing simple web sites by using HML5 and CSS3 and then using Javascript, Java applets, XML and XSL to introduce more sophisticated features. The student also has an opportunity to develop a simple web portal that involves simple database queries by using SQL.

This course applies statistical knowledge to business. The student explores the ability to define problems, form questions, collect data, analyze the data using inferential tools, and how to formulate and test hypotheses. The student is expected to master probability concepts within the realm of decision making.

This course prepares the student to analyze business information systems in the digital age and to build models and logical designs that can be implemented later. Emphasis is on understanding the business processes and business requirements and building conceptual models that help in the analysis of business requirements. Complex systems and to build designs and architectures that can satisfy the business requirements are discussed. The course emphasizes business process modeling, business patterns, object orientation, design patterns and component-based design approaches. Topics include modern system life cycles, project management, BRODE (buy, rent, outsource, develop, extend) strategies in system building, business system modeling, requirements analysis, conceptual design, architectures, physical design, and design for the modern mobile systems with security and integration considerations.