Syllabus

CIS 102 – Computer Applications in Business

Course Description

Introduces students to the elements of business conducted via the Web, which is the paradigm of 21st century business transactions.  Focused on the development of a database in MS Access and the design and deployment of a web site, this course integrates the information management and communications aspects of the digital business environment.  Taught in an interactive hands-on computer classroom.  (3 credits)

Course Objectives

The WEB represents a new business paradigm – the creation of virtual stores where you can shop, compare prices and make purchases from any internet connection – support for your social networks, your access to email, location-based searches etc.  These activities depend on three interdependent technologies; Databases, HTML code and some connecting technology such as PHP or ASP.  Our objective is to learn the individual technologies and then to integrate them in a way that creates database driven web sites.  As important as it is to have a web presence, it is also important for a business to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of its web strategy.  To that end, we’ll spend the final days of the course getting an introduction to web analytics.

Our database will be Microsoft ACCESS.  This is a Windows-based database management system that assists in the collection and management of data.  You can build forms, generate queries, run reports, track the flow of data into and out of your system and build a graphical user interface that combine to create a small business system.

HTML is Hypertext Markup Language.  It’s the basis for all web pages.  When pages flow across the internet, the web server actually sends a simple text description of what the page should look like.  It is your browser’s responsibility to read that description and to put the page together.  That process might include placing text in just the right spots, setting the background color, getting any pictures that need to be on the page and running any computer code (Visual Basic script or Javascript).

PHP is the glue that connects your database and web page together.  You’ve been using it for years.  Any web page that gathers your name and credit card information has used PHP – or something very similar – to pass that data from your web browser back to the database that is sitting on the web server.  Of the three technologies you are learning this semester, PHP is the most “techie” thing we will do.

One of the most interesting new fields is something called analytics.  What were people searching for when they found your site?  Did they find your site useful – or did they leave right away?  Did they add something to the shopping cart and abandon once they discovered the shipping cost?  Were the using a mobile device or tablet – how were they holding it (portrait or landscape)?  What pages did they visit, how long did they stay – among tons of other interesting questions you can evaluate that have a real impact on the success of your business and its presence on the web.

Collectively, these new tools provide the means to manage large quantities of data, create a web presence and to connect these two critical elements together.

By the end of the course, what goals should you expect to achieve?

  • Your overall goal is to understand how businesses incorporate database, web and server-side code to build the wonderfully interactive web-based businesses that have transformed the world of business.  These same technologies form the basis of social networking sites such as Facebook.
  • Understand the advantages of relational databases over flat files
  • Establish relationships between database tables, including the selection of appropriate primary keys
  • Build queries that filter database data and provide some management of that data
  • Understand how to use HTML to code web pages.
  • Understand how the use of metatags assists search engines in cataloging web pages
  • Create functional PHP Pages that link the web with back-end databases
  • Be able to articulate the role of web analytics in the evaluation of a business web site.

Software & Supplies

Supplies:  You will need a flash drive or access to some cloud storage system to store in-class work and homework assignments.  If you decide to use a flash drive, be sure to label it with your name or phone number – people often walk out of class with the flash drive still in the computer.

Attendance Policy

This is a hands-on class…we learn by doing.  One of the major reasons for low grades is missing class.  I’ll take attendance at the start of each class (and track late arrivals).  Once you exceed THREE absences, I’ll request a meeting in my office to see what’s going on.  The attendance policy is my effort to help keep you on track!  After three absences I’ll deduct one point from the final average for every additional absence.

Academic Integrity

The computer classroom creates a unique environment for interactive learning, experimentation with new ideas and getting immediate feedback from problems you are trying to solve.  Unfortunately, it also creates a difficult environment for testing.  If you are found cheating in this open environment, the case will be brought to the attention of the Dean of the Gabelli School of Business and you will receive a grade of “F” for the course.

Services for Students with Disabilities 

Students with disabilities (learning, medical, physical, etc.) who wish to receive academic accommodations or auxiliary aids are required to submit the appropriate documentation to verify their eligibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).  The Learning Specialist with the Center for Academic Development coordinates the arrangement of reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations.  Details regarding the accommodations may be found on page 17 of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Please…let me know of any accommodations you need as soon as possible.

Course Grading

Each project will be given a letter grade. You will receive a written grading sheet/evaluation for each assignment, in addition to verbal evaluations during critiques. Any time a student does not understand the nature of the grades given or comments that were made concerning their work, they should see the instructor during office hours or make an appointment for an individual assessment of those comments.

You should be aware that I have high expectations that each of my students follow the guidelines we’ve just laid.  This syllabus is our own little contract with one another.

A: Excellent This is  work done by a highly motivated student meeting all of the performance criteria as set forth by the assignment. Work shows through exploration and growth beyond set/expected perimeters. Work is finely crafted, conceptually strong and visually interesting.

B: Good This work is above average but lacks the qualities that give it the stamp of excellence. It shows better than average design sensitivity and meets all of the performance criteria as set forth by the assignment.

C: Satisfactory This work is average. Work is handed in on time and has fulfilled all or most of requirements of the project, but it lacks strong conceptual and/or visual interest and thoughtful and imaginative resolution. This work may also have significant problems with basic design principles and craftsmanship.

D: Poor Below Average This work is handed in on time, but lacks many or most areas that show understanding of design principals, craftsmanship and/or does not meet the criteria for the assignment.

F: Unacceptable Work that is not handed in on time or at all and has not met any of the guidelines and standards of design set for the assignment.