MSIT Course Descriptions

Courses

CS 603 Object-Oriented Application Development (3 credits)

This course teaches object-oriented programming and development using the Java programming language. Students first learn the fundamentals of programming, including control and data structures, file input/output, and the use of built-in classes. This is followed by object-oriented concepts, including inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, and abstract classes. Throughout the course, the students' understanding is reinforced through development projects ranging from stand-alone applications to event-driven Web applets with graphical user interfaces.

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CS 605 Data Management and Systems Modeling (3 credits)

This course teaches proven techniques for modeling system requirements and managing organizational data resources, with a strong focus on data management. Students will learn how to discover and document database requirements, functional system requirements, and user interface requirements. Techniques covered in this course include entity-relationship modeling for data analysis, functional dependency and normalization for the logical design of the database, Structured Query Language (SQL) for data management, and use cases for requirements specification.

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CS 607 Technology Infrastructure of Information Systems (3 credits)

This course focuses on computer system hardware, operating system software, and network technology, which collectively form the system platform for assimilating and delivering information products and services to the organization and its external stakeholders. It introduces basic system infrastructure as a complex organization of these various components, including widely accepted infrastructure standard models, and offers a solid conceptual foundation for work and further learning in system architecture and information system design.

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CS 610 Enterprise Architecture (3 credits)

This course explores the design, selection, implementation and management of enterprise IT solutions. The focus is on applications and infrastructure and their fit with the business. Students learn frameworks and strategies for infrastructure management, system administration, content management, distributed computing, middleware, legacy system integration, system consolidation, software selection, total cost of ownership calculation, IT investment analysis, and emerging technologies. These topics are addressed both within and beyond the organization, with attention paid to managing risk and security within audit and compliance standards. Students also read current vendor and analyst publications and hone their ability to communicate technology architecture strategies concisely to a general business audience.

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CS 612 Web-Based Application Development (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): CS 603

This course provides a hands-on introduction to a number of tools and technologies that are utilized in developing Web-based applications and considers the impact of these technologies in a business context. It introduces tools to develop applications that are database driven, support on-line inventory inquiry, offer solutions for on-line retailing, and provide data for supply chain management. Merchandising techniques such as Banner exchange, Web marketing, and search engine registration are also introduced. Students enrolling in this course are expected to have basic proficiency in distributed application development in the web environment.

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CS 620 Global IT Project Management (3 credits)

This course provides the technical knowledge and skills for successfully managing and executing globally distributed IT projects. Topics covered include proposal and contract management, risk management, requirements management, user-centered design management, standards adherence, standards management, configuration management, project planning, effort estimation and scheduling, project monitoring and control, project audits, project closure, peer review, stress testing, quality planning, defect estimation and quality assurance. Students will learn the methods and tools that support these processes, develop a tool-kit for creating a project plan for a distributed application, and engage in a project to improve these IT project management capabilities of a globally distributed IS organization systematically.

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CS 630 Object-Oriented Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): CS 603 and CS 605

This course prepares the student for systems analysis and development in the object-oriented paradigm. Students learn the theory and methods of the object-oriented modeling and the fundamentals of object-oriented development process models. The focus is on requirements analysis, systems analysis and domain analysis, and their documentation with standard object oriented specification tools (particularly the Unified Modeling Language). Hands-on projects give the students an opportunity to practice their modeling skills and illustrate an effective integration of various modeling techniques throughout an iterative, object-oriented software project life cycle.

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CS 640 Data Communications (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): CS 607

This course focuses on the design and implementation of data communication networks. It provides in-depth coverage of protocols and network technologies that are essential for building enterprise infrastructure that seamlessly integrates with the Internet. Students will gain an in depth understanding of the fundamental technologies (for example, the World-Wide Web, TCP/IP, RTSP/RTP, TLS/SSL, multimedia communication, voice over IP, optical networking, local area networks, wireless access) and the way these technologies are combined into working solutions. Special attention is paid to essential requirements of state-of-the-art environments-such as scalability, manageability, reliability, and security.

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CS 650 Data Management Architectures (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): CS 603 and CS 605

The architectures of current database systems are examined. Of particular importance is the examination and comparison of relational database systems, and object oriented database systems, particularly as they are used as a foundation for large-scale distributed systems. The course covers techniques for developing, designing, and managing large corporate database systems, creating and managing logical data models, concurrent processing issues, providing database support for complex transactions, meta-data analysis, and the role of the DBA.

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CS 701 Internship in Information Technology (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): Completion of two Information Technology (IT) or Information Systems and Technology (IST) concentration electives

Note: Not open to MSIT students; see CS 881

Affords students the opportunity to enhance self-realization and direction by integrating classroom study with experience in vocational learning situations. Requires development of a study plan to identify the student's professional goals and to demonstrate how these goals can be furthered through an internship experience. Includes regular meetings in which students discuss issues and business problems related to their work experience, and defend proposed solutions before fellow students and the internship coordinator.

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CS 753 Data Warehousing and Data Mining (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): CS 605 or IPM 652

This course is designed to expand students' knowledge and skills gained in database management courses and look in depth at data warehousing and data mining methods. The course examines the database architecture and technologies required for solving complex problems of data and information management, information retrieval, and knowledge discovery facing modern organizations. Case studies of organizations using these technologies to support business intelligence gathering and decision making are examined. This course also provides hands-on experience with state-of-the-art data warehousing and data mining methods and tools.

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CS 795 Special Topics Seminar (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): Instructor's permission (specific courses may be required for particular topics)

Offers a structured opportunity for exploring new business applications of emerging hardware or software technologies. Requires active student participation in developing and presenting course materials.

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CS 801 IT Policy (3 credits)

This course explores the issues and approaches in managing the information systems function in organizations. It takes a senior management perspective in exploring the development and implementation of plans and policies to achieve efficient and effective information systems. The course addresses issues relating to defining the IT infrastructure and the systems that support the operational, administrative and strategic needs of the organization.

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CS 881 CIS Internship (3 credits)

Prerequisite(s): CS 603, CS 605 and CS 607 and permission of MSIT program director

Provides an opportunity for advanced MSIT students to exercise theory, knowledge and skills developed through the program, by serving as an information systems professional in a real employment environment. Through the internship coordinator, students solicit and respond to internship offers from commercial, governmental and nonprofit employers. Students maintain contact with the internship coordinator and critically analyze their work experience in a formal paper. Students have the option of making a presentation to the CIS community upon completing the internship, which normally spans one academic term.

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