MIS 374 Course Syllabus, Fall 2008


To download a printable copy of the syllabus, click here.

• WEB SITES:  http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/courses/MIS374
                       http://courses.utexas.edu
  
  
• TEXT: Systems Development: A Project Management Approach by McLeod & Jordan
  
  
• COURSE OBJECTIVES:
  
  1. Learn techniques for successfully developing systems and managing the development process
  2. Gain an understanding of the complexity of systems development environments and know when to apply specific management and development techniques
  
  
• GRADING:
  

  Weight	Assignment
  35%	Client Project (depending upon peer evaluation)
  20%	Exam 1
  15%	Exam 2
  20%	Group Projects
  10%	Exercises and Class Participation
  100%

  
  
  

• CLIENT PROJECT:  
  
  The Client Project requires the delivery of a complete system for a client, although sometimes the scope of the project does not allow implementation.  For all projects, the scope is defined by the student team working with their client and MIS supervisor – your professor. The quality of the system, documentation, team participation and user satisfaction count toward the grade.  Students work in teams of 4 or 5 and choose their own team members.  Projects are chosen from the Project Management Portal.
   

• CLIENT PROJECT GRADE:
  
  Your reports and presentations are subject to some less tangible grading criteria: an "acceptable" report that demonstrates a "correct" analysis of a problem may not earn all the points allotted to that assignment (e.g., 89/100 or 95/100).  Intangibles such as creativity, depth of analysis, effectiveness of presentation, etc. differentiates an "acceptable, correct" report from a high quality report. Major deliveries 1, 2, & 4 are each 30% of the grade; Delivery 3 (the class presentation) is 10%.  The peer evaluation is of utmost importance in Client Project (CP) grading. If the peer evaluation is high, then you will receive 100% of the grade. If the peer evaluation is low, you may receive as low as 50% or less of the grade. If you do not submit your peer evaluation, you will receive 75% of the client project grade.   
   

• EXAMS:
  
  There are two exams. Each consists of a case problem and several questions. The questions require application of methodologies and tools to solve the case problem. These are similar in type and content to class discussions, homework, and projects.  They test your comprehension of the techniques required for projects in class and later in your career as well as your ability to generate ideas for planning system development projects. Exam 2 is optional. If you choose not to take it, your exam 2 grade will be the same as your grade on exam 1. If you miss the first exam because of illness, a University-approved absence, or an absence approved in advance by your professor, you must take exam 2 and your grade will be used for both exams.
   

• GROUP PROJECTS:
  
  There are two group projects with team members chosen by your professor.  The Group Project grade is an average of the two grades. Peer evaluations will alter individual Group Project grades.  For example, if your peer evaluation is very high you will receive a 100% and you will get full credit for the group projects.  If the peer evaluation is low, you may receive as low as 50% or less of the grade. If you do not submit your peer evaluation, you will receive at most 75% of the group project grade.
   

• APPEAL PROCESS:
  
  You must submit your request for an appeal of a grade within one week from when it was returned to you. First look at the posted solution and/or grading criteria, which will be posted on the web or on the board outside your prof’s office. Then write up your appeal and put in the appropriate mailbox in the IROM dept. office, CBA 5.202.
  

• EXERCISES:
  
  There will be 12 to 16 individual exercises to be completed during class.  These will include many of the in-class exercises listed on the schedule as well as some unannounced exercises.  Grading will usually be a quick check for completeness.  "Reasonable effort" will be graded as 95%, superior work will receive 100% and minimal effort will receive 50-90%.
  

• CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION:
  
  You are expected to participate in the classroom discussion by answering questions, by asking good questions, raising issues, and making observations.  No comment is considered "bad" as long as it makes a constructive class contribution. I believe that a good learning environment is a safe environment -- one in which all feel free to question and discuss. A sense of humor is always welcome!
  

• PENALTY FOR DISHONESTY:
  
  Each person is expected to do his or her own work on all of the course material. Each person is expected to contribute equally on the class project and each team is expected to do their own work --not collaborate with others outside the team--otherwise each person involved will be subject to the University Dishonesty Policy. (Note: Use of the web, IT experts, and vendors is a legitimate part of researching and analyzing solutions for the Client Project. These sources should be acknowledged as part of the team's effort and may be considered for Group Projects 1 & 2 as well as the Client Project. )
  

• STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
   

  If you are entitled to special accommodations because of a disability, let your professor know  immediately, so arrangements may be made. The University of Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY.