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Information and Decision Systems

In the College of Business Administration

Office: Student Services 2411
Telephone: (619) 594-5316
Fax: (619) 594-3675

A Member of the American Assembly of
Collegiate Schools of Business.

Faculty

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

Chair: Penrose

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

Associate Professors: Addo, Easton, A., Easton, G., Feeney, Lyons-Lawrence, Yang

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 American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business 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 Mathematics 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, 405; Marketing 370; six units selected from Information and Decision Systems 301, 391, 407, 408, 460, 475, 482, 483, 515.

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. Of the 128 units required, at least 60 units must be at the upper division level. A "C" average is required in the courses stipulated here for the major.

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; Mathematics 119 or Economics 201; 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 upper division units consisting of Information and Decision Systems 302, 460, 461, 462, 464; Finance 323; Management 350; Information and Decision Systems 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 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. Of the 128 units required for the degree, at least 60 units must be at the upper division level. A "C" average is required in the courses stipulated here for the major.

Business Major

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 391, 406, 407, 408, 415, 480, 482, 483, 492.

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. Additional requirements must be met before the student may obtain permission to declare a business minor. See an adviser in the Business Undergraduate Program Office (BA 448) for more information.

Operations Management Minor

The minor in operations management consists of a minimum of 21 units to include Accountancy 201; Economics 101, 102; Information and Decision Systems 301 or 302, 360; Management 350; and three units selected from Information and Decision Systems 461, 462, 464. Prerequisites to the minor include Economics 201 or Mathematics 119, and Mathematics 120.

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. Additional requirements must be met before the student may obtain permission to declare a business minor. Seen an adviser in the Business Undergraduate Program Office (BA 448) for more information.

Courses

LOWER DIVISION COURSES

180. Principles of Information Systems (3) I, II

Applications of computerized systems in business organizations. Basic concepts of computer organization, data processing systems, decision support systems and systems analysis. Solving business problems through use of spreadsheet software.

250. End-User Application Development (3)

Prerequisite: Information and Decision Systems 180.

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.

290. Business Communication (3) I, II

Prerequisite: Rhetoric and Writing Studies 100 and SDSU Writing Competency requirement.

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.

UPPER DIVISION COURSES
(Intended for Undergraduates)

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

301. Statistical Analysis for Business (3) I, II

Prerequisites: Mathematics 120; Economics 201 or Mathematics 119. Approved upper division business major, business minor, or another major approved by the College of Business Administration. Proof of completion of prerequisites required: Copy of transcript.

Statistical methods applied to business decision making.

302. Introduction to Production and Operations Management (3) I, II, S

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.

306. Information Systems Analysis (3) I, II, S

Prerequisites: Information and Decision Systems 250. Approved upper division business major, business minor, or another approved major by the College of Business Administration.

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

315. Business Application Programming (3)

Prerequisite: Information and Decision Systems 250.

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.

375. Information Systems Technology (3)

Prerequisites: Information and Decision Systems 250. Approved upper division business major, business minor, or another approved major by the College of Business Administration.

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.

388. Small Computers for Professionals (3)

Prerequisites: Information and Decision Systems 180. Approved upper division business major, business minor, or another approved major by the College of Business Administration.

End-user computing including systems and tools used for manipulating data and applications. Communication, training, behavioral theories ethics, microcomputer software selection and use, data capture and output, project implementation and management, security and disaster planning, and current computing issues.

390W. Reporting Techniques for Accountants (4)

Prerequisite: Accountancy 321. Satisfies University Upper Division Writing requirement for students who have completed 60 units, fulfilled Writing Competency requirement, and completed General Education requirement in Written Communication. Proof of completion of prerequisite required: Copy of transcript.

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.

391. Documentation (3)

Prerequisites: Information and Decision Systems 306 and credit or concurrent registration in Information and Decision Systems 396W.

Structured approach to documentation, documentation standards and controls, on-line and portable documentation, user interface in software documentation, nontraditional documentation techniques.

396W. Reporting Techniques for Business
Professionals (3) I, II

Prerequisite: Information and Decision Systems 290. Satisfies University Upper Division Writing requirement for students who have completed 60 units, fulfilled the Writing Competency requirement, and completed the General Education requirement in Written Communication. Proof of completion of prerequisites required: Copy of transcript. Must be admitted to the upper division major in business.

Advanced preparation of oral and written reports used in business and other organizations. Individualized study of reports in student's career field. (Formerly numbered Business Administration 390.)

404. Small Business Administration (3)

Prerequisites: Finance 323; Information and Decision Systems 301 or 302; Management 350; Marketing 370; and consent of instructor.

Counseling of existing small businesses in conjunction with the Small Business Administration. Application of principles from all fields of business administration. Maximum credit six units.

406. Information Systems Design (3) I, II

Prerequisites: Information and Decision Systems 306 and 375, and credit or concurrent registration in Information and Decision Systems 480.

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

407. Artificial Intelligence Applications in Business (3)

Prerequisite: Information and Decision Systems 375.

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.

408. Computer Graphics in Business (3)

Prerequisite: Information and Decision Systems 375.