University Catalog

INSY 2303. INTRODUCTION TO M.I.S. AND DATA PROCESSING. 3 Hours.

Introduction to business data processing, computer programming, management information systems, and problems involved in business information processing systems. Selected software tools are presented and managerial applications are required. Formerly BUSA 2303; credit will be granted only once.

INSY 3300. OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING. 3 Hours.

Topics include object-based and object-oriented program design and processing, language fundamentals and applications involving business problems. Prerequisite: INSY 2303.

INSY 3303. COMPUTER NETWORKS AND DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING. 3 Hours.

Concepts of networks and distributed data processing. Topics include data communications principles, hardware and software, network architectures, distributed databases, client server computing, applications, and management issues. Formerly INSY 4304; credit will be granted only once. Prerequisite: INSY 2303.

INSY 3304. DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

Comprehensive coverage of database technology and applications. Data models, query processing (SQL), relational database design, and implementation. Topics covered are hierarchical, network, relational, and object-oriented models, data dictionaries, distributed databases, evaluation and selection of database management systems (DBMS), and data administration. Formerly INSY 4302; credit will be granted only once. Prerequisite: INSY 3300.

INSY 3305. INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN. 3 Hours.

This is a survey of the concepts and methods of information systems analysis and design, system development life cycle (SDLC) and methodologies associated with the SDLC. Course covers feasibility analysis, requirements definition, systems design, data design, coding design, programming, and implementation. Prerequisite: INSY 3304 and INSY 4305. INSY 4305 may be taken concurrently.

INSY 3309. PYTHON PROGRAMMING. 3 Hours.

Python is a scripting language that is at once powerful and easy to learn. The language has found favor among web developers and game programmers, and is widely used as an introductory programming language. This course aims to use Python to introduce students to programming concepts. Students will gain an appreciation of how Python can be used for solving business problems. In addition, they will be exposed to the fundamentals of game programming. Prerequisite: INSY 2303 or equivalent.

INSY 3323. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR BUSINESS. 3 Hours.

This course demonstrates how digital technologies can be used in professional environments to improve audio and visual communications. Topics include information systems, databases, e-commerce, systems and software development, multimedia, and information security. Prerequisite: INSY 2303. NOTE: This course will not count for INSY credit for INSY majors. It may be used as a COBA elective.

INSY 3330. INTRODUCTION TO E-COMMERCE. 3 Hours.

Examines current and projected developments in electronic commerce. Topics include the information technologies upon which electronic commerce is based, such as the telecommunications infrastructure; new perspectives on space, time and money in business; electronic consumers and advertising; the effect of e-commerce on logistics and supply chain management; electronic financial markets and digital payment mechanisms; marketing through digital storefronts and virtual corporations; new frontiers of business such as electronic auctions and business to business e-commerce; the relationship between e-commerce and successful business strategy; and finally, public policy. Formerly BUSA 3330; credit will be granted only once. Prerequisite: INSY 2303.

INSY 4191. STUDIES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 1 Hour.

Advanced studies, on an individual basis, in the various fields of information systems. Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit with consent of department chair.

INSY 4291. STUDIES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 2 Hours.

Advanced studies, on an individual basis, in the various fields of information systems. Prerequisite: 90 credit hours and permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit with consent of department chair.

INSY 4305. ADVANCED APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT. 3 Hours.

Topics include exception and error handling, multithreading, multimedia, files and database access, networks and network applications, collections, and component-based design in the electronic business framework. Prerequisite: INSY 3300.

INSY 4306. ADVANCED SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT. 3 Hours.

This course will address systems development, testing and deployment using Object-oriented approach. Students will learn to develop and use classes, libraries, assemblies, data sources in an integrated development environment. The course will include development of systems using objects, assemblies, forms, files and databases. The emphasis will be on the design, development and deployment of complex applications. Prerequisite: INSY 3305.

INSY 4308. APPLIED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT. 3 Hours.

Integration of knowledge and abilities gained in prior computer-related courses by the development of a comprehensive system project. Prerequisite: INSY 4305.

INSY 4310. ADVANCED COMPUTER NETWORKS. 3 Hours.

An applied study of the problems inherent in the maintenance and management of the heterogeneous networking environments in the modern business enterprise. Emphasis will be placed on acquiring and integrating the practical management/technical skills. The course covers the hardware required for interconnecting networking devices. Prerequisite: INSY 3303.

INSY 4312. FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION SECURITY. 3 Hours.

This course provides an introduction to the field of Information Security. It covers terminology, history, management, technology and practice of Information Security. It will address topics in many of the Security Domains specified by ISC2. Prerequisite: INSY 3303.

INSY 4315. ADVANCED WEB DEVELOPMENT. 3 Hours.

Concepts and techniques for Web application development. The course will emphasize the use of Web development tools and techniques to develop web applications. Topics include web application development using technologies such as HTML/DHTML/XHTML, client-side scripting, XML/XSL and server-side scripting. Prerequisite: INSY 3300.

INSY 4325. INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. 3 Hours.

This course provides a broad managerial view of the challenges and opportunities of deploying and managing Information Technology (IT) resources including an understanding of the influence of IT on business decisions from a senior management perspective. Students will be exposed to emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in enterprise software development/deployment/architectures, including SOA (service-oriented architecture), cloud-computing, and business intelligence. The role of ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems and hands-on experience with a real-world ERP system will be covered. Prerequisite: INSY 3305. INSY 3305 may be taken concurrently.

INSY 4331. SEMINAR IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

Readings and discussion of special topics in information systems. Prerequisite: 60 or 90 credit hours and consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with consent of department.

INSY 4391. STUDIES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

Advanced studies, on an individual basis, in the various fields of information systems. Prerequisite: 90 credit hours and permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit with consent of department chair.

INSY 4393. INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.

Practical training in information systems. Analysis of theory applied to real life situations. May be used as an advanced business elective only; graded on a pass/fail basis. No credit will be given for previous experience or activities. May not be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior standing and consent of department internship advisor.

INSY 5182. INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 1 Hour.

Extensive analysis of an information systems topic. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

INSY 5199. GRADUATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERNSHIP. 1 Hour.

Practical training in information systems. Analysis of theory applied to real life situations. Course counts as an elective and has a pass/fail grade. No credit will be given for previous experience or activities.

INSY 5299. GRADUATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERNSHIP. 2 Hours.

Practical training in information systems. Analysis of theory applied to real life situations. Course counts as an elective and has a pass/fail grade. No credit will be given for previous experience or activities.

INSY 5309. OBJECT-ORIENTED BUSINESS PROGRAMMING. 3 Hours.

Topics include fundamental programming structures, objects and classes, inheritance, and other basic concepts related to OO programming.

INSY 5331. DATA VISUALIZATION. 3 Hours.

Investigation of recent advances in data graphics to support business analytics. Concepts include graphical depiction, analysis of data structure and graphical software. Visualization topics would include exploratory analysis of univariate and multivariate data using graphical software, e.g., Lowess Smoothing and Sunflower Plots. Cross-listed with INSY 5331. Prerequisite: BSTAT 5325 or equivalent.

INSY 5333. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT. 3 Hours.

A nontechnical, managerially-oriented introduction to information technology applications that enhance an organization's competitive effectiveness. Topics include: Executive Information Systems (EIS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems, data warehousing and mining, business intelligence, knowledge management, e-business, and approaches to integrate these technologies with corporate strategic planning and management. Graded A, B, C, D, F, W.

INSY 5335. APPLIED DATABASE MANAGEMENT. 3 Hours.

Concepts, tools, and technologies associated with the design, implementation and management of large databases are presented. Topics include data models (with emphasis on E/R model and relational model), database design and implementation, database query language, transaction management, and distributed databases. Recent advances in data management are also discussed. Use of a commercial DBMS is required. Prerequisite: INSY 5309 or approval of MSIS Graduate Advisor.

INSY 5337. DATA WAREHOUSING AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE. 3 Hours.

This course covers concepts, tools, and technologies associated with the design and implementation of data warehousing (DW) and business intelligence (BI) applications. Topics covered include data warehouse architecture and infrastructure, dimensional modeling, Extraction Transformation and Loading (ETL), On Line Analytical Processing (OLAP), data quality, and planning and implementation of a DW & BI application. The course objectives are met through a combination of lectures, class projects and homework assignments. Hands-on experience in developing and deploying a DW & BI application is provided. Prerequisite: INSY 5335 or consent of graduate advisor.

INSY 5339. PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS DATA MINING. 3 Hours.

This course covers concepts, tools, and technologies associated with the design and implementation of data warehousing (DW) and business intelligence (BI) applications. Topics covered include data warehouse architecture and infrastructure, dimensional modeling, Extraction Transformation and Loading (ETL), On Line Analytical Processing (OLAP), data quality, and planning and implementation of a DW & BI application. The course objectives are met through a combination of lectures, class projects and homework assignments. Hands-on experience in developing and deploying a DW & BI application is provided. Prerequisite: BSTAT 5325 or equivalent. May be taken concurrently.

INSY 5340. MANAGING THE DIGITAL ENTERPRISE. 3 Hours.

This course examines a wide variety of topics important to understanding and managing the Digital Enterprise. Topics may include: Internet infrastructure and related technologies; e-business models; security; ethical, legal, global, and social concerns; and managerial and marketing issues.

INSY 5341. ANALYSIS AND DESIGN. 3 Hours.

Analysis and design phase of systems development life cycle. Topics include systems survey, functional specification, interface specification, data design, program design, system testing, and implementation. Prerequisite: INSY 5335.

INSY 5342. ADVANCED SYSTEMS DESIGN. 3 Hours.

This course provides an understanding of state-of-the-art software development methodologies, including those that are fast emerging. The focus will be on how these new methods differ from traditional practices and what research opportunities they afford to IS researchers. There will be a strong emphasis on technical as well as on socio-technical aspects of software development in the context of these new methodologies. Prerequisite: INSY 5341.

INSY 5343. DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING. 3 Hours.

Technological and managerial issues related to design, operation and maintenance of computer networks. Topics include communication architectures and protocols, LANs and WANs, ATM and frame relay, cellular and satellite communication, the World Wide Web, the Internet, and electronic commerce.

INSY 5347. PRINCIPLES OF INFORMATION SECURITY. 3 Hours.

Starting with an introduction to Information Security concepts, this course will address security terminology, history, management, technology and practice based on the Security Domains specified by ISC2. The course will address strategies and tools, managerial, technological, legal, ethical and operational issues related to Information Security. Topics in developing Security Blueprint, Incidence Response, Business Continuity planning and Disaster Recovery will be addressed. Prerequisite: INSY 5343.

INSY 5350. HEALTH CARE INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

Addresses issues in the development, integration, and management of health care information systems. Specifically, topics in financial information systems, patient care systems, and health care delivery applications will be discussed. Both case studies and real life applications will be studied. Prerequisite: Cohort HCAD Major.

INSY 5352. TOPICS IN OBJECT TECHNOLOGY. 3 Hours.

Coverage of current topics in Object Technology to include the study of object-oriented agents, components, object request Brokers, distributed objects and related implementations of object-oriented software. Also includes the study of design patterns in object-oriented software design. Prerequisite: INSY 5309.

INSY 5357. ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING. 3 Hours.

An introduction to enterprise resource planning (ERP), a business management paradigm that integrates all facets of the business, including planning, manufacturing, sales, finance and marketing. Course will cover both the methodology and practice of ERP using commercial software packages.

INSY 5360. COMPUTATIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS. 3 Hours.

Computer software is the primary analytical tool for business analytics and modern research methods. Data analysts, statisticians, and researchers need technologies and skills using the computer as a tool for structuring and cleaning data sets, creating validation samples, conducting analyses, fitting models, simulating stochastic systems, model validation, and model presentation. Emphasis is placed on the use of data analytic software. Cross-listed with INSY 5360. Prerequisite: BSTAT 5325 or equivalent.

INSY 5363. INTELLIGENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

Topics include expert systems, inductive learning, genetic algorithms, neural networks, simulated annealing, etc. Prerequisite: INSY 5309.

INSY 5373. INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROJECT MANAGEMENT. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to the concepts and practices of project management and their importance to improving the success of information technology projects. Distinct aspects or characteristics of IT projects which cause these projects to behave differently in the corporate world than do other, non-technical, projects will be discussed.

INSY 5375. MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES. 3 Hours.

This course covers topics on the management of information technologies (IT) from the view point of senior managers. Subjects discussed include the strategic role of IT to gain competitive advantage, Internet-based business models, building a lean and agile organization through IT, managing IT security and reliability, evolving models of IT service delivery, such as cloud computing and open source, management of outsourcing, IT governance, and ethical issues in the digital era. In addition to classroom lectures, the course relies heavily on case analysis and discussion to provide a real world perspective of issues related to IT management.

INSY 5376. BIG DATA ANALYTICS. 3 Hours.

This course addresses the concepts and principles of Big Data and how Big Data can be used in the Enterprise. The course provides an overview of the fundamental principles of Big Data Analytics and its role in making better decisions and predictions in the organization. The course also covers the Technology, Infrastructure and Applications of Big Data. Concepts of data identification, data cleansing and integration are also addressed. Software and Application requirements of Big Data are addressed and case studies of Big Data Applications are discussed. Prerequisite: INSY 5337 and BSTAT 5325.

INSY 5377. WEB AND SOCIAL ANALYTICS. 3 Hours.

This course introduces the concepts, techniques, and tools of collecting and analyzing digital data on how users interface with an organization through the web and social media. The Internet and mobile technologies provide the vast sources of user data that describe or imply their behaviors, experiences, and attitudes. Analyzing these web (click) stream data and social media data serves the purposes of strengthening customer relationship management, improving online marketing (e.g. advertising, recommendation, pricing), and increasing the bottom line. The course will consist of lectures, case studies, hands-on exercises, and projects. Prerequisite: BSTAT 5325 or equivalent.

INSY 5378. DATA SCIENCE: A PROGRAMMING APPROACH. 3 Hours.

The world is awash in data and organizations are now trying to discern patterns and predict behaviors - of both consumers and competitors - to gain and sustain a competitive advantage. The unstructured nature of data as well as the myriad sources they come from make it particularly challenging for companies to systematically capture, cleanse, store, and analyze the data. Python is a simple yet powerful language that has a rich ecosystem to facilitate the analysis of such complex data. The aim of this course is to acquaint students with aspects of the Python language that are necessary to effectively function as a "data scientist". In addition to providing a solid foundation in Python programming, the course will cover sentimentality analysis, machine learning, and social network analysis. Techniques for accessing and processing structured and unstructured data will be covered as well.

INSY 5379. BUSINESS ANALYTICS CAPSTONE PROJECT. 3 Hours.

This is a hands-on, project-oriented course that gives students an opportunity to engage with the business community and apply their learning to a real-world problem. Students will draw on their repertoire of analytical to develop an appropriate solution to a problem faced by an organization. In addition to preparing a detailed report, students will present their findings to faculty and/or members of the business community. The course places considerable emphasis on problem-solving as well as on written and oral communication skills. Prerequisite: INSY 5339 and ECON 5337 or consent of the advisor.

INSY 5382. INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

Extensive analysis of an information systems topic.

INSY 5392. SELECTED TOPICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

In-depth study of selected topics in information systems. May be repeated when topics vary.

INSY 5398. THESIS. 3 Hours.

Graded F,R,P.

INSY 5399. GRADUATE INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.

Practical training in information systems. Analysis of theory applied to real life situations. Course counts as an elective and has a pass/fail grade. No credit will be given for previous experience or activities.

INSY 5698. THESIS. 6 Hours.

Graded F, R, P.

INSY 6182. INDEPENDENT STUDY IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 1 Hour.

Doctoral level study of information systems topics. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

INSY 6301. SEMINAR IN RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS. 3 Hours.

Integrative analysis of research in information systems, including research philosophies and methodologies, contemporary research topics, dissertation research and future directions for information systems research. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.

INSY 6306. SEMINAR IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES. 3 Hours.

Focuses on contemporary technology issues in IS development and deployment. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing and INSY 6301.

INSY 6307. SEMINAR IN IS MANAGEMENT. 3 Hours.

Focuses on managerial and organizational issues in IS. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing and INSY 6301.

INSY 6392. SELECTED TOPICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.

Advanced doctoral level topics in Information Systems. May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.