Advising and Support Center - COB 204 Detailed Course Objectives

Upon completing COB 204, students should be able to do the following:

1. Use basic business and information systems terminology appropriately when describing the functions and applications of an information system.
   • Explain the difference between data versus information.
   • Explain information system concepts including input, processing, and output.
   • Provide examples of the changing role and widening scope of information systems in organizations.
   • Distinguish between the major types/purposes of information systems (such as transaction processing systems, management information systems, decision support systems, business intelligence (BI), E-commerce, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), collaboration systems, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
   • Explain how businesses use the Internet, mobile devices, and cloud computing
   • Identify different types of business processes and business process modeling notation.
2. Describe information system components including hardware, software, databases, and telecommunications.
   • Explain the purpose and major characteristics of the major hardware components of an information system: primary memory, storage hardware, the central processing unit, input devices, output devices, and communication devices.
   • Explain the concepts of operating system software, application software, and programming languages.
   • Explain how one would select software and hardware.
   • Explain the differences between common operating systems.
   • Define the data hierarchy including field, record, file and database.
   • Describe the different types of databases, such as a data warehouse and a data mart.
   • Demonstrate an introductory level of knowledge about telecommunication and network components such as media, devices, software, and protocols.
   • Explain the concepts of LAN, WAN, and client/server systems as they apply to wired and wireless networks and systems.
   • Describe the World Wide Web and concepts such as browsers, search engines, and HTML.
   • Describe Intranets and Extranets.
3. Identify and explain the cultural, political, security, ethical, development, and strategic challenges that confront the management of global information technology.
   • Describe the activities that take place during each phase of the system development life cycle.
   • Explain alternative system building approaches such as prototyping, end user development, software packages, and outsourcing.
   • Explain the strategic role information systems play in organizations, including competitive advantage and the value chain.
   • Describe the ethical and social impact of organizational and social media information systems.
   • Explain Internet privacy and security issues.
   • Describe the different Information Systems job titles and functions.
   • Identify and define the threats to an information system and describe the corresponding controls (safeguards) that will reduce system vulnerability.
   • Describe information systems ethical issues as they apply to the workplace.
   • Explain why there is a need for lifelong learning for information systems professionals.