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Information & Decision Systems

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A Member of AACSB--The International Association for Management Education

Faculty

Emeritus: Archer, Crawford, Feeney, Galbraith, Gibson, Langenbach, Schlesinger, Spaulding, Straub

Chair: Penrose

Professors: Beatty, Chen, Flatley, Hatch, Koster, Lackritz, Norman, Penrose, Raafat, Sherrard, Sondak, Vik

Associate Professors: Addo, Easton, A., Easton, G.,

Lyons-Lawrence, Yang
Assistant Professor: Wild

Offered by the Department

Master of Science degree in business administration.

Master of Business Administration.

Major in information systems with the B.S. degree in business administration.

Major in operations management with the B.S. degree in business administration. Teaching major in business for the single subject teaching credential. Minor in information systems.

Minor in operations management.

Admission to the Major

The undergraduate business administration program at San Diego State University is structured such that students desiring a business administration major are first admitted to the prebusiness administration major for their first two years of university work. During these first two years students should complete general education courses and a common core of nine lower division preparation for the business major courses - Accountancy 201, Financial Accounting Fundamentals; 202, Managerial Accounting Fundamentals; Finance 140, Business Law; Economics 101, Principles of Economics (Macro); Economics 102, Principles of Economics (Micro); Information and Decision Systems 180, Principles of Information Systems; Information and Decision Systems 290, Business Communication (not required for accounting majors); Mathematics 119, Elementary Statistics for Business; and Mathematics 120, Calculus for Business Analysis. These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; the minimum grade in each class is C. All students must have fulfilled the SDSU Mathematics Competency and SDSU Writing Competency requirements and have completed 56 college units.

Supplemental admissions criteria must be met before students may declare an upper division major and be eligible for upper division courses. For current information concerning admissions criteria and procedures, contact the Business Undergraduate Program Office (BA 448).

Also, before enrolling in upper division courses offered by the College of Business Administration, students must be competent in the operation of personal computers, including word processing and spreadsheets. These skills are required in upper division business courses.

Business administration majors may not complete a minor in the College of Business Administration.

Retention Policy

The College of Business Administration is concerned that each individual upper division student makes reasonable academic progress toward earning a degree. To this end, the College will counsel students who have earned less than a "C" (2.0) average each semester. Further, such students will be warned that continued poor performance may result in their removal from any business major.

Transfer Credit

Lower Division: Courses clearly equivalent in scope and content to San Diego State University courses required for minors or as preparation for all business majors will be accepted from regionally accredited United States institutions and from foreign institutions recognized by San Diego State University and the College of Business Administration.

Upper Division: It is the policy of the San Diego State University College of Business Administration to accept upper division transfer credits where (a) the course content, requirements, and level are equivalent to San Diego State University courses and (b) where the course was taught in an AACSB--The International Association for Management Education accredited program. Exceptions require thorough documentation evidencing the above standards.

The Major

Good business decisions require good information. The purpose of an information system is to provide management with the information that is essential to decision making and to assist in interpreting that information.

Information Systems. Students interested in using computers to solve business problems and in devising new and more efficient solutions, should consider a major in information systems. The major is intended to prepare students for their first job in information systems, which is normally as a systems analyst. The systems analyst studies problems, designs solutions, and implements those solutions using computer hardware and software. The major will also prepare students for continued growth as a manager in information systems.

The employment outlook for information systems specialists is currently very good. Positive projections continue into the future. Many graduates who major in information systems assume the following positions: systems analysts plan the activities necessary to solve a business problem by structuring the problem in logical form, identifying the data needed, and specifying the procedures to be followed in programming the data processing; information systems specialists represent various departments of a business in assuring that each department's information processing needs are provided for effectively and efficiently; programmers and analysts plan and write computer programs to process business information; computer center managers direct the work of information processing in a company; and technical marketing specialists sell and coordinate the installation of computer systems.

Typical places of employment for information systems graduates include large businesses, government agencies, computer manufacturers, universities, and independent computer service organizations.

Operations Management. Operations management majors develop the technical knowledge and skills necessary for professionals in production, production management, and operations management. Most organizations of any significant size have a departmental unit which performs this specialized function. Demand for well-trained production managers has steadily increased due to the need for more technical expertise in our changing sociotechnical world. Production and operations management specialists must have a background in material requirements planning, forecasting, aggregate planning, facility layout, scheduling, inventory control, quality control, and computer operations and capabilities.

Students graduating with a major in operations management would typically find employment in positions such as production manager, production specialist, operations manager, distributions specialist, operations specialist, or other related positions. Work settings include major manufacturing, financial service, and service industries.

Information Systems Major

With the B.S. Degree in Business Administration
(Major Code: 07021)

Preparation for the Major. Information and Decision Systems 180, 250, 290; Accountancy 201, 202; Finance 140; Economics 101 and 102; Mathematics 120 or 150; and Economics 201 or Statistics 119. (30-32 units)

These prerequisite courses, except for Information and Decision Systems 250, may not be taken Cr/NC; the minimum grade in each class is C, except for Information and Decision Systems 250. Information and Decision Systems 250 may be taken after the student is admitted to the upper division major. Additional progress requirements must be met before a student is admitted to an upper division major.

Upper Division Writing Requirement. Information and Decision Systems 396W with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Major. Forty-two upper division units consisting of Information and Decision Systems 302, 306, 315, 375, 396W, 406, 480, 492; Finance 323; Management 350 and 405 or Business Administration 404; Marketing 370; six units selected from Information and Decision Systems 301, 407, 408, 460, 475, 482, 483, 515. A "C" (2.0) average is required in the courses stipulated here for the major.

Of the 128 units required for the degree, at least 60 units must be at the upper division level. This includes the 42 units listed above, nine units of upper division General Education, and at least nine units of upper division electives, chosen from within or outside of Business Administration. A minimum of 52 units of coursework applicable to the bachelor's degree must be completed outside the areas of business administration and economics. A maximum of six lower division units of accountancy courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Students must complete all upper division courses in the major within seven years prior to graduation. Students who will have completed any of those courses more than seven years before the projected date of graduation must contact the department chair for information about ways to certify knowledge of current course content.

Operations Management Major

With the B.S. Degree in Business Administration
(Major Code: 05064)

Preparation for the Major . Information and Decision Systems 180, 290; Accountancy 201, 202; Economics 101, 102; Finance 140; Economics 201 or Statistics 119; Mathematics 120. (27 units)

These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC; the minimum grade in each class is C. > Additional progress requirements must be met before a student is admitted to an upper division major.

Upper Division Writing Requirement. Passing the University Writing Examination or completing one of the approved writing courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Major. Thirty-nine to 40 upper division units consisting of Information and Decision Systems 302, 460, 461, 462, 464; Finance 323; Management 350; Business Administration 404 or Management 405; Marketing 370; 3-4 units selected from Information and Decision Systems 301, Accountancy 325, Finance 325, 425, Management 352, 458, Marketing 376, 474; and nine additional units selected from upper division Business Administration courses as specified on the master plan. Each student must file an individual master plan with the Operations Management undergraduate adviser by the end of the semester in which the student declares the Operations Management major. A copy of this master plan must be filed with the Office of Admissions and Records when the student applies for graduation. A "C" (2.0) average is required in the courses stipulated here for the major.

Of the 128 units required for the degree, at least 60 units must be at the upper division level. This includes the 39 units listed above, nine units of upper division General Education, and at least 12 units of upper division electives, chosen from within or outside of Business Administration. A minimum of 52 units of coursework applicable to the bachelor's degree must be completed outside the areas of economics and business administration. A maximum of six lower division units of accountancy courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Students must complete all upper division courses in the major within seven years prior to graduation. Students who will have completed any of those courses more than seven years before the projected date of graduation must contact the department chair for information about ways to certify knowledge of current course content.

Business Major

In preparation for the Single Subject Teaching Credential
With the B.S. Degree in Business Administration

All candidates for the single subject teaching credential in business must complete all requirements for the applicable specialization as outlined in this section of the catalog under Policy Studies or Teacher Education. Students must complete the requirements of a major in one of the five departments within the College of Business Administration. In consultation with the single subject credential adviser in the College of Business Administration, undergraduate students must develop programs which fulfill the State credential requirements. All undergraduate majors must demonstrate office skills proficiency. Finance 589, Personal Financial Planning, is required of all teaching credential majors. Of the 128 units required for the degree, at least 60 units must be at the upper division level.

Student programs must be approved in advance by the College of Business Administration single subject credential adviser.

Information Systems Minor

The minor in information systems consists of a minimum of 21 units to include Information and Decision Systems 180, 250, 306, 315, 375; and six units selected from Information and Decision Systems 406, 407, 408, 480, 482, 483, 492, 515.

Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. Students with a major in the College of Business Administration or in International Business may not complete a minor in the College of Business Administration.

Students must officially declare the minor before taking any upper division business courses. Students must meet the prerequisites for the minor in effect at the time that they declare the minor. The current prerequisites for admission to the information systems minor include completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better: Economics 101, 102, and a three unit course in statistics (Statistics 119 is recommended); completion of the General Education requirements in Communication and Critical Thinking; completion of an additional nine units in the department of the student's major, including at least three units of upper division courses. Students must also meet the GPA requirement in effect at the time that they declare the minor. Contact the Business Undergraduate Program Office (BA 448) for admissions criteria and procedures.

Operations Management Minor

The minor in operations management consists of a minimum of 24 units to include Accountancy 201; Economics 101, 102; Information and Decision Systems 302, 460; Management 350; Mathematics 120; and three units selected from Information and Decision Systems 461, 462, 464. Prerequisites to the minor include Economics 201 or Statistics 119.

Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. Students with a major in the College of Business Administration or in International Business may not complete a minor in the College of Business Administration.

Students must officially declare the minor before taking any upper division business courses. Students must meet the prerequisites for the minor in effect at the time that they declare the minor. The current prerequisites for admission to the operations management minor include completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better: Economics 101, 102, and a three unit course in statistics (Statistics 119 is recommended); completion of the General Education requirements in Communication and Critical Thinking; completion of an additional nine units in the department of the student's major, including at least three units of upper division courses. Students must also meet the GPA requirement in effect at the time that they declare the minor. Contact the Business Undergraduate Program Office (BA 448) for admissions criteria and procedures.

Courses

Application of information systems tools, techniques, and methodologies to support end-users in business organizations. Hands-on introduction to computer programming. Selection, design, and implementation of appropriate information technologies, systems documentation, and training.

Effective communication applied to business letters, memos, and long reports. Includes the organization, writing, and presentation of business documents using word processing software. Incorporates basic principles of speaking effectively for business.

(Information and Decision Systems courses previously listed under the rubric of Information Systems)

Statistical methods applied to business decision making.

Production and operations management. Master scheduling, material requirements planning, inventory management, capacity planning, production activity control, location analysis, automation, computerized systems, layout planning, linear programming, decision making, queuing, simulation, quality control, project planning.

Systems development life cycle concept, with emphasis on analysis of requirements using structured methodology. Feasibility study, needs assessment, prototyping, application design alternatives.

Computer programming for business applications. Appropriate data structures, control structures and program structures. Languages widely used in business applications. Not open to students with credit in Information and Decision Systems 280.

Technologies underlying information systems, including computer organization and components, computer arithmetic, I/O and storage, multimedia processing, data communications fundamentals, local area networks, internetworking, and workgroup computing. Not open to students with credit in Information and Decision Systems 385.

Advanced preparation of written and oral reports with application to professional needs of accountants. Not open to students with credit in Information and Decision Systems 490W.

Advanced preparation of oral and written reports used in business and other organizations. Individualized study of reports in student's career field.

Business information systems design, installation, and implementation as part of the systems development life cycle, with emphasis on structured design methodology.

Basic artificial intelligence concepts, knowledge acquisition and representation, automated problem-solving and goal-seeking techniques, applications of artificial intelligence in business, expert systems, differences between data processing and artificial intelligence methodologies.

Application of computer graphics to business, graphics in business reporting, graphics equipment and technology, graphics software, algorithmic manipulation of images, picture processing, principles of graphics interfaces. Case studies.

Management of small and large projects. Work breakdown structure milestones, project cost estimating and reporting, and single and multiple resource allocation/leveling. Computerized project management software. (Formerly numbered Information and Decision Systems 360.)

Operations and manufacturing decisions analyzed with respect to process technology, system capacity, location, inventory, and quality assurance. Cases from U.S. and non-U.S. companies used to explore these issues.

Materials management to include forecast error analysis, distribution requirements planning, capacity planning and control, cumulative charting, and shop floor control.

Applications of operations management techniques to improvement of quality and productivity. Total quality control and just-in-time systems. Cases from American and Japanese companies.

Relationships between computer hardware, software, and information, including hardware and software functions and organization, systems architecture, foundations of computing, number systems and computer codes, digital logic circuits. Assembly language programming.

Methodology for applying data base management systems in design of information systems. Analysis of data base applications from perspectives of system users and systems analysts.

Information system design or development project applying knowledge gained in previous coursework done under joint supervision of course instructor and an information systems manager.

Fundamental data communications concepts, including voice communications and carrier service offerings, communications hardware, and network design. Global, enterprise, workgroup, and local area networks. Protocols and network operating systems. Network security and control.

Role of information systems in organizations from management perspective: strategic information system planning, systems administration, and management of end user computing. Examination of management issue related to systems development and implementation. Management of computer operations and the computer center.

Selected areas of concern in information systems. See Class Schedule for specific content. May be repeated with new content with consent of department chair. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree. Maximum credit six units.

May be repeated with new content. Maximum credit six units.

A comprehensive and original study of a problem connected with information systems under the direction of one or more members of the information systems staff.

Individual study. Maximum credit six units.

Advanced programming for business applications in widely used programming languages. Advanced concepts of data structures used in business programming, control structures, and program structures. Selection of programming languages for particular purposes. Not open to students with credit in Information and Decision Systems 383 or 384. (Formerly numbered Information and Decision Systems 415.)

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