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INFS 3700 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

INFS 3700 - Introduction to System Analysis and Design

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course explores various concepts, principles and stages of computer-based information systems analysis and design. Students will be exposed to and learn about groups of people involved in systems development and the different methods, tools and techniques used in systems analysis and design. Feasibility study, requirements definition, logical design, physical design, implementation and documentation will be covered. The system development life cycle, prototyping, data modeling, and user involvement will also be covered. 

Course Outcomes:

To provide the student with an understanding and appreciation of the following:

  1. The role of the systems analyst
  2. The system development life cycle
  3. The concepts of project initiation
  4. The process of system requirements determination
  5. The fundamentals of use-case analysis
  6. The concepts and tools of process modeling
  7. The concepts and tools of data modeling
  8. The basics of system design
  9. The concepts and principles of user interface design
  10. The basics of system construction
  11. The basics of system installation 
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

Six hours of INFS courses and working knowledge of a graphic tool (i.e., Powerpoint) for modeling.

Course Topics:

This course is designed to progress through on a chapter-by-chapter basis. Be sure to check the Calendar to determine which chapter(s) you should be studying at any point in the course. The Course Content tab will direct you to a page containing links to each chapter covered in the course. Typically, under each Chapter Heading there are three links: (1) a link to the notes for each chapter;(2) a link to each chapter's discussion question; and, (3) a link to each chapter's homework assignment. For most chapters, there will also be multimedia links that are included to help you gain a richer understanding of course concepts. Because this is a first course in the broad area of information systems, not only does it present important concepts and principles but, it provides a large number of definitions. It is very important that the student concentrate on these definitions in order to develop the vocabulary so necessary in the information systems communication process. 

Specific Course Requirements:

It is essential that the student be able to use the Internet, be able to use a word processor, and be able to use the communication features designed into the course. 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:
Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

A total of six exams will be given during the course. This includes a comprehensive final exam. As a general rule, late or missed exams will not be accepted for grade. A rare exception may be granted by the instructor when an exam is missed or late because of a documented extreme circumstance. It is the responsibility of the student to present this documentation in a timely manner. 

Grading Procedures:
Chapter Homework Assignments (12 @ 10 pts each)120 points
Chapter Discussion Topics (12 @ 10 pts each)120 points
Module 1 Exam (Covers Chapters 1-3)150 points
Module 2 Exam (Cover Chapter 4)50 points
Module 3 Exam (Covers Chapters 5-7)150 points
Module 4 Exam (Covers Chapters 8-9)100 points
Module 5 Exam (Covers Chapter 10, Appendices A & B)150 points
Comprehensive Final Exam160 points
Total Points1000 points

 

Grading Scale:
900-1000A
800-899B
700-799C
600-699D
Below 600F

 

Assignments and Projects:

Homework: Each student is expected to complete 12 homework assignments worth 10 points each. NOTE: Normally, late or missed homework will not be accepted for grade. 

Discussion Group Participation: Each student is expected to participate in twelve discussions (one for each chapter). Each discussion is worth 10 points. Receiving full credit for discussion posts will require thoughtful responses to the discussion topics, as well as thoughtful responses to one or more of your classmates' posts. NOTE: Normally, each discussion topic is only open for a week to ten days. It is your responsibility to monitor the Calendar and respond to each chapter's discussion topic in a timely manner. Discussion topics will not be made available outside of the scheduled window.

Technical Problems: It is quite possible that you or the instructor will have technical difficulties during the semester. If the difficulties are on the instructor's end, the instructor may make amendments to due dates, and other requirements. If the difficulties are on the student's end, it is the student's responsibility to communicate with the instructor by phone, e-mail, and etc. about the difficulty and the expected fix date. The instructor and student will then work out an acceptable alternative. 

1. Students are expected to take all graded exams and complete all homework assignments on time
2. All dates and times associated with graded exams and homework assignments will be clearly posted on the course Calendar.
3. It is the student's responsibility to check the Calendar on a regular basis to ensure she/he is on time with graded assignments and graded exams.
4. Any questions should be discussed with the instructor immediately. 

Class Participation:
  • There will be several class discussions via the discussion board set up for this class.
  • Each student is expected to actively participate in these discussions with meaningful comments, questions, observations, etc.
  • Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource; to check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements; and to actively participate in threaded discussion events.
  • Discussion group participation is a subjective evaluation that counts 120 points toward the final grade. 
Late Policy:
  • Students are expected to meet all required dates and times on time. ATTENTION: This means that, unless agreed to by the instructor, late homework and graded exams will not be accepted for grade. All graded work must be completed on time to receive a grade.
  • Students are expected to be on time for any collaborative assignments or sessions. 

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021