ICBU 2300/2400 - Information Systems

ICBU 3432 - Database Systems
Study of database design principles and techniques, including entity relationship model, relational model and normalization. Study of SQL (Structured Query Language) and database management system capabilities. The concepts and techniques are applied to practical business data processing enviornments. CASE tools are introduced. The course includes a series of exercises on design and implementation of database applications using CASE tools and commonly available database managment systems.
Prerequisite: ICBU 2300 or ICBU 2400.

ICBU 3433 - Object-Based Programming
Introduction to programming with a focus on providing practical experience with an object-orientated development tool. Topics include object reuse, scalability, distributed objects, event-based processing and database connectivity.
Prerequisite: ICBU 2300 or ICBU 2400

ICBU 3434 - Telecommunications (and Networks)
An intensive examination of distributed computer systems and data communications. Topics include local area networks (LAN), groupware, public and corporate networks, client/server computing, the Internet and digital voice/video networks.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3432 or ICBU 3433

ICBU 3441 - Systems Analysis
An in-depth examination of the methods and tools used in the requirement determination phase of systems development projects. Topics will include managing systems development projects, tools for process and data modeling, as well as tools for systems specifications. The course includes a series of exercises on the use of CASE tools in analyzing and documenting systems and their information processing components and on developing formal specification for a new systems.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3432 and ICBU 3433

ICBU 3442 - Systems Design (formerly ICBU 3450)
An in-depth examination of the design phase of the systems development life cycle. Structured design techniques for translating requirements into systems specifications are also covered. Additional topics include issues in systems integration, user and systems testing, quality assurance and systems maintenance. Students will be encouraged to work on actual implementation projects (on campus or with local businesses).
Prerequisite: ICBU 3440

ICBU 4410 - Information Systems in a Global Context
The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of the information needs of international business organizations. The course examines the role of information technology in transnational and multinational firms through a combination of lectures, case studies and team projects.
Prerequisite: ICBU 2300 or ICBU 2400.

ICBU 4432 - Advanced Database Systems
This course extends the required database course (ICBU 3432) by covering advanced concepts in database management. Topics include enterprise data modeling, object-orientated database design, data warehousing, database adminstration, distributed databases, concurrency control and security.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3432

ICBU 4433 - Advanced Programming
This course introduces students to advanced programming techniques with a focus on structured programming. Topics include data structures, file structures, searching and sorting, and algorithm design and analysis. The course includes hands-on exercises in high-level programming languages.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3433

ICBU 4449 - Enterprise Integration
This course provides an overview of issues related to implementing and managing systems in large organizations. The emphasis is on developing integrated information systems known as ERP (Enterprise Resources Managing) systems. This course covers the issues related to implementing and managing ERP systems using SAP's R/3 system.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3432 or ICBU 3433 and completion of CBA core accounting courses.

ICBU 4500 - Applied Software Development
In this course, students work in teams and will manage a complex project through its life cycle. They will evaluate different development methodologies (e.g. SDLC, RAD, JAD), perform risk and feasibility analysis and use computer-assisted software engineering and project management tools. Team members will evaluate their effectiveness as managers.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3440

ICBU 4505 - Electronic Commerce
This course introduces students to the concepts, issues and technologies of transaction within electronic business. Topics include the use of Internet and Web technologies for interacting with customers and suppliers, electronic business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions, capturing and processing transactions online, electonic publishing and entertainment, electronic payment and settlement systems, security and privacy, encryption and firewalls and corporate intellectual property protection.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3432 or ICBU 3433 and an introductory course in marketing.

ICBU 4506 - Knowledge-Based Systems
Topics include: models for human decision making under uncertainty; classification of problems in terms of complexity and structure; use of modeling tools to support decision making processes; intelligent systems in management; and the use of rule-based systems to organise human expertise in specific domains of knowledge.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3432 or ICBU 3433

ICBU 4507 - Project Management
This course provides the project management skills needed to develop information and communications systems on time and within budget. It concentrates on methods and issues of organizing, planning and controlling of projects and the use of computer-based project management tools.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3441

ICBU 4508 - Software Testing and Quality Assurance
This course provides an overview of the software quality assurance and testing processes. Topics include software process improvement methods, software metrics, configuration mangement, risk management, various types of testing, verification and validation. The use of automated tools in quality assurance and testing will also be discussed. The business case for SQA&T (Software Quality and Testing) will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: ICBU 3441

ICBG 4444 - Internship in Information Systems
(3 credits)
(supervised)

BABU 4461 - Honors Thesis I (in Information and Communications Systems)
(3 credits)
Part 1 of a 2-semester course, by invitation only

BABU 4462 - Honors Thesis II (in Information and Communications Systems)
(3 credits)
Part 2 of a 2-semester course, by invitation only