Main Content
Syllabus
MIS 204: Introduction to Management Information Systems
The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.MIS 204 (3 credits): Introduction to the use of information systems in business organizations.
Overview
Welcome to Management Information Systems (MIS) 204! Information Systems (IS), which are advanced computer hardware and software ensembles, are found in most organizations today. Whether talking about a small firm using Microsoft Access to track customer contacts, or a multinational conglomerate using an enterprise resource planning system, information systems are viewed as critical to organizational success in today’s economic environment. Managers in all areas of an organization need to understand the role of information systems in the organization’s operation, what the systems can and cannot do, and how to maximize their benefit to the organization.
In this course, you will learn about the different types of information systems; the relationship between information systems and productivity; approaches to the development of information systems; and develop the ability to think critically about the role of information systems in the modern business organization. You will also develop your abilities to use modern office productivity tools such as spreadsheets, databases, and blogging technologies. Upon completion of MIS 204 you will have gained both a working knowledge of information systems in organizations and a set of computer skills that you will make use of throughout your academic and professional careers.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
- Explain the importance of information to the modern organization and the role of IS in storing, managing, and protecting information.
- Analyze different information systems and their capabilities.
- Critically evaluate claims made about the benefits and costs of information systems.
- Describe systems development processes and their associated challenges.
- Use modern office productivity tools to solve common managerial problems.
- Research and report on an area of IS using appropriately cited academic or industry sources.
- Use Web 2.0 tools to create and share posts online.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
Software Requirements
This course requires Microsoft Office 2019 or later. Specifically, This course uses the 2019 Excel and Access applications from the Microsoft Office Suite. Students who do not have the Microsoft Office 2019 software installed can obtain it for free in one of two ways:
WebLabs (cloud-based)
Students can use Penn State WebLabs, an online, browser-based computer lab, to use Access 2019. For information about how to use WebLabs, please see the WebLabs page.
Download (software-based)
Alternatively, students can also download Microsoft Office 365 for free by following these four steps:
- Go to the Penn State Office 365 site.
- Select "Login" and use your Penn State Web Access credentials to access the Apps page.
- Select "Install Office".
- Click "Office 365 apps" and follow the on-screen prompts to download the Office 365 suite of software tools.
Note: If you are unfamiliar with the Microsoft Office software tools or need additional training on any of the tools, tutorials are available at LinkedIn Learning. To access this resource using your Penn State identity, please use LinkedIn Learning. You will then have free access to a very large number of software tutorials that will help you successfully complete the hands-on assignments.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Grading
MIS 204 uses a weighted grading scheme. Assignments are organized by category and each category is assigned a numerical weight (percent of the overall grade). Your grade for MIS 204 will be based on your performance in the following areas:
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Midterm and Final Exams | 25% |
| Blog Posts | 20% |
| Hands-On Activities | 35% |
| Quizzes | 20% |
Your grade will be calculated by taking your average score and multiplying it by the category weight. For example, if your average score for the exam category is 90, your weighted score for exams will be 90 x 0.35 = 31.5 points. Your total grade will be the sum of all weighted scores.
Grades will be assigned using the following scale:
| Numerical value | Letter grade |
|---|---|
| 93 and above | A |
| 90–92.99 | A- |
| 87–89.99 | B+ |
| 83–86.99 | B |
| 80–82.99 | B- |
| 77–79.99 | C+ |
| 70–76.99 | C |
| 60–69.99 | D |
| below 60 | F |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies. If you are prevented from completing this course for reasons beyond your control, you have the option of requesting a deferred grade from your instructor. For more information, please see "Deferred Grades" on the Student Policies website.
Blogs
Throughout this course, a series of exercises will guide you through creating a personal blog and sharing posts on topics related to the course content. A blog allows the owner/creator to self-publish information and invite comment. For each blog exercise, please be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Then, you will submit the URL of your blog post to each assignment for grading. Please see the blog rubric with each assignment for grading details.
Hands-On Activities
Hands-on activities require successful completion of projects involving the use of technology tools such as spreadsheets and databases. Students will use Microsoft Office 2019 applications Excel and Access to complete hands-on assignments. Each hands-on assignment will identify the skills you will need to successfully complete the assignment. Hands-on assignments will be graded on the basis of completion of required features and appearance.
Please note that if you choose to use a version of Microsoft Office other than Office 2019, then that version will not be supported by your instructor.
Every student brings a different background to this course. It is assumed at this point that students have a certain level of technical knowledge. Most have used a computer and a web browser, and many have at least a rudimentary knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. However, for students that are unfamiliar with those tools or techniques and others used for the hands-on assignments, there are resources available. One resource that students will be using is SIMnet and is produced by McGraw-Hill. You will begin using SIMnet in Lesson 3. The total points for each lesson in SIMnet will be transposed to the gradebook as a single grade. See below for additional information on SIMnet. Another resource that is available for students can be found at LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn Learning provides free access to tutorials on a wide variety of tools and techniques. Penn State students may access this resource using their Penn State ID and password.
SIMnet
Beginning in Lesson 2 you will be working with a third party solution for some of the course content. That solution is called SIMnet and it is produced by McGraw-Hill. As noted in the Materials section above, you will have to purchase a login for SIMnet or use the code that was provided with the bundled package that you purchased for the course.
After you have purchased your code, you will create your account on the SIMnet website. As you create your account, you will be asked to choose a section/instructor. Please be sure to choose the CORRECT section/instructor. You will also be required to create a user ID and password. Please make your user ID your email identification. As an example, if your email is abc12@psu.edu, then your user ID would be abc12 for SIMnet. Your password should NOT be the same password that you use for the Penn State email system.
Please note that you must use your own login when completing the assignments. You may not borrow another student’s login, as all of the assignments will be unique to your user ID. When working in SIMnet, you will have three assignments each week. You will have a lesson which will give you an overview of the net material you will be covering. You will have an exam, which will test you on your ability in a simulated environment. And finally you will complete a real-world scenario inside the application.
The third activity which mirrors the real-world scenario will require you to work within the Microsoft Office environment. Lessons 2 to 7 will require that you use Microsoft Excel. Lessons 9 to 13, will require that you use Microsoft Access. Please see the Software Requirements section of the syllabus for details of the exact version of Microsoft Office that you will need to use for this course.
These projects will be uploaded into SIMnet upon completion. NOTE: You will have three opportunities to complete these exercises. After your initial completion you will receive feedback about your submission. You may use that feedback to correct your attempt and upload two additional times. The objective is for you to learn how to use these applications.The system will accept the highest grade.
As a warning, SIMnet is aware of whether you completed your assignment. If you try to submit another person’s assignment the system will not let you do that.
Some of the work you will be completing will be within the SIMnet environment in your browser. As an example, exams in the SIMnet system will take place fully online. If your browser encounters issues and the exam locks up, then you should open a new browser and access the test before you close out the original browser. That will ensure that you do not close out the exam before you have completed it.
Any online system is subject to the rigors of the Internet. While the SIMnet system has proven to be a very stable environment for students in the past, there are many things that can affect the stability of any online system. This includes the connection you are working on, the speed of your connection, the parameters of your Internet Service Provider, your browser, your operating system, and a myriad of other possible factors. If you encounter any problems while using SIMnet, then it is highly advised that you contact SIMnet technical support so that your issue can be recorded and tracked. The technical support for SIMnet is (800) 331-5094. Please note that SIMnet is a McGraw Hill Education product.
Quizzes
There will be an online quiz assessing each lesson you complete. The quizzes provide both you and your instructor a means to assess your mastery of the material presented in the lesson, as well as an aid in preparing for the course exams. Each quiz is 10 questions. You will have 15 minutes to complete the quiz once you open it and you will have one attempt at each quiz. Be sure to prepare for the quiz before starting it. You may not pause the quiz after it begins. Time will continue to run down as soon as you begin the quiz.
Once quizzes have closed, they will not be reopened for any reason. If you wish to have a copy of the quizzes for future reference for any reason, they must be printed at the point at which they are initially accessed. Subsequent access will not be granted.
Note: The quiz for Lesson 07 covers content from both Lesson 06 and 07; Similarly, the quiz for Lesson 12 covers content from both Lesson 11 and 12. As such, these quizzes will have 20 questions in which you will have 30 minutes to complete each quiz.
Exams
Midterm
The midterm consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on exercise.
The online exam will be similar in format to the weekly quizzes in the course. You will have 75 minutes to complete the online exam once you open it and you will have only 1 attempt at the exam. Be sure to prepare for the exam before starting it and be sure to set aside enough time to complete the exam in one sitting.
The hands-on exercise part of the exam will be in the SIMnet environment. It is similar to the weekly hands-on activities. It is not timed, but you will only have one opportunity to complete this part of the exam. When completed, you will upload this into SIMnet.
Final
The final exam also consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on exercise.
Part one consists of the hands-on exercise part of the exam. The hands-on exercise part of the exam will be in the SIMnet environment. It is similar to the weekly hands-on activities. It is not is not timed, but you will only have one opportunity to complete this part of the exam. When completed, you will upload this into SIMnet. This will be due at conclusion of the last week of the regularly scheduled course.
The second part will be similar in format to the weekly quizzes in the course. This portion will be taken during finals week. You will have 75 minutes to complete the online exam once you open it and you will have only 1 attempt at the exam. Be sure to prepare for the exam before starting it and be sure to set aside enough time to complete the exam in one sitting.
Extra Credit
You will have three opportunities in this course to earn extra credit through completing a series of SIMnet activities. Please visit the Extra Credit module in Canvas for specific instructions on completing these activities and the amount of extra credit you can earn for each one.
Assignment Deadlines
Unless noted otherwise, all weekly activities are due on Sunday by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments. All assignments are due at 11:59 PM (ET) on the last day of the timeframe listed below, unless otherwise noted.
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Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Additional Academic Integrity Violations
Please note: Various tutoring websites claim to offer you the opportunity to download answers to everything from accounting problems to quiz questions for little to no cost. Full papers can also be downloaded to submit in place of your own work. Use of these materials, or “ghosting,” is considered cheating and an academic integrity violation. Similarly, uploading exams, course materials, or your work to one of these sites is considered an academic integrity violation.
Using online services that complete assignments for you is considered an academic integrity violation.
Giving your Penn State Access ID and password to someone else to do your work is against University policy AD95/AD96 and an academic integrity violation; sanctions will be given for these violations.
Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Principles
Policies
Late Policy
Late Assignments will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the due date of an assignment if you are aware of extenuating circumstances that will impact your ability to meet a deadline. The instructor will determine if alternative arrangements may be made.
Blank or Erroneous Assignment Submissions
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have uploaded the correct document to each assignment prior to the assignment due date. Please check your assignment submission immediately after uploading a file in Canvas to ensure that it contains content and is the correct file. If you notice an error, such as a blank or incorrect file, you must resubmit the assignment before the assignment due date. Similarly, you are responsible for ensuring that discussion forum initial posts are not blank and that any website URL submissions (such as links to documents, video recordings, etc.) have the correct sharing settings enabled so that they can be viewed by recipients. Any blank or erroneous submissions that you have not resubmitted by the assignment due date will receive a zero for the assignment.
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.One Year Course Access
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.