Information Technology Management (ITM) Department

BITM215 Computer Applications in Business (3)
course will cover the role of information systems in business and the fundamentals of computer hardware and software. Introduction to spreadsheets, databases, and elementary computer programming concepts such as variables, control structures, functions, and I/O. Students will develop business-oriented applications using common software tools such as Excel and Visual Basic/VBA. Students may take both BITM215 and I Csi 101 for credit, if both courses were taken in Fall 2003 or thereafter. Not open to freshmen. Offered fall and spring.

BITM220 Introduction to Business Statistics (3) 
This course will cover the fundamentals of statistical analysis oriented towards business problems. Topics covered include: data collection, data presentation in tables and charts, numerical descriptive measures, frequency distributions, simple linear regression and correlation concepts, elementary probability theory, estimation and introductory hypothesis testing. Prerequisite(s): intermediate algebra or Amat 100. May not be taken for credit by students with credit for A Eco 320. Only one of BITM220 and A Mat 08 may be taken for credit. Offered fall (may not be offered every fall). Prerequisite(s):Intermediate algebra or A Mat 100. 

BITM322 Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions (3) 
This course is designed to expose students to decision making in the face of uncertainty. Statistical concepts such as probability and sampling will be taught with the aid of software packages. Business problems including inventory, forecasting, and quality control systems will also be covered. Risk analysis will be taught through Monte Carlo simulation. Prerequisite(s): BITM220 or its equivalent and Calculus. Offered fall and spring. 

BITM330 Business Information Systems & Technologies (3) 
This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of information systems and information technology in business. It focuses on models for modern business processes, integration of business functions, strategic information systems and the tasks and techniques for developing computer ¬based information systems. Also, selected topics from the project management area such as project planning, time, risk, and resource management in various business applications will be discussed. Elements of database management, information systems building and prototyping will be introduced using popular end-user software packages (Excel and Visual Basic for applications). 
Prerequisite(s): A Mat 106 and BITM215 or their equivalents; BITM220 or A Mat 108 or A Eco 320. Offered fall, spring and summer (may not be offered every summer). 

BITM331 Business Application Development (3)
This hands-on course includes creating and using relational database software, elements of database theory and modeling, information systems analysis and design. Experience with system building is gained through individual and group projects with integrate database technology with prototyping methodology. Prerequisite(s): BITM215 or its equivalent Co-requisite BITM330. Offered spring and summer (may not be offered every summer). Also open, by application, to juniors and seniors who are declared INF minors and have completed INF 201.

BITM333 Software Development for Business (1)
This course provides an intensive introduction to software programming.  It includes material on data types, program organization, iteration, error handling, decision making, control flows and advanced data structures.  This course is required for School of Business ITM concentrators (and may be waived by application for students who have completed I Csi 205). This course is strongly recommended for all students enrolled in BITM415. Prerequisite: BITM330. Offered in spring. 

BITM390 Operations & Business Process Management (3) 
This course brings a strong modeling orientation to bear on the process of obtaining and exploiting resources to produce and deliver useful goods and services so as to meet the goals of the organization. Elements of contemporary business processes and operations including reengineering and business intelligence will be discussed. A set of decision-oriented models such as linear programming, elements of system simulation, inventory control, and material and enterprise resource planning is introduced and then implemented utilizing selected software products. Prerequisite(s): BITM215 and junior standing in School of Business. Cannot replace BITM330. Offered in spring only. 

BITM391Z Decision Support Systems (3)
This writing-intensive course includes the topics of database modeling, systems analysis, information resource management, and decisions support systems. Experience with computer modeling is gained through group projects with integrate database technology with modeling techniques such as simulation. Prerequisite: Good standing in 3/2 program and BITM330. 
Note: This course is taken as a replacement for BITM331. Completion of this course with a grade of B or higher waives BITM522 for students in 3/2 program. Prerequisite(s): Good standing in 3/2 program and BITM330.  Spring semester only.  May not be offered every Spring.

BITM415Z Systems Analysis and Design (3)
This course covers the planning, design, and implementation of computer-based information systems. Topics include techniques for analyzing and specifying system requirements, SQL, advanced concepts in database management, and data warehousing. Prerequisite(s): BITM331. Offered in the fall.

BITM416 Communications, Networking, and Security (3) 
This course provides an introduction to integrative business strategy, practice, and enabling technologies. Topics include telecommunication: concepts, protocols (OSI and TCP/IP), and hardware; computer networks (client-server, LAN, WAN, conducted and wireless Internet); computer security (Security Threats and Vulnerabilities, Network Security, Cryptography, and Privacy), and related emerging technologies. Prerequisite(s): BITM330. Offered in the spring.

BITM434 Business Application Implementation (3) 
This is a project-based course where students work in teams to develop model-based decision support systems for clients in the local or regional community. Course is required for ITM majors. For combined ITM majors enrollment is limited and by application only and permission of the instructor. Prerequisite(s): BITM415 or concurrent enrollment. May be repeated for credit. Offered fall and spring (may not be offered every spring).

BITM 510 Advanced Excel with Visual Basic for Applications (1)

Excel is the most used software in any organization. This course includes advanced Excel including the use of Excel objects, Macros, Functions, Goal Seek, Solver, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), regression analysis, charts, pivot tables, etc. Problems will focus on business decision support, scenario analysis and statistical techniques. The student will learn how to improve productivity using spreadsheet software and VBA for problem solving in a business environment. S/U graded.

BITM 513 Quantitative Analysis for Business (3)

This course is designed to train students to make business decisions using quantitative techniques. Analytic skills such as problem solving and critical thinking will be taught through the use of probability and logical reasoning. Concepts including hypothesis testing, simulation and regression will be covered with the aid of software packages. Students will work on projects involving quality control and forecasting. Prerequisite and Co-requisite:  BITM 510.

BITM 514 Operations Management (3)

Gaining competitive advantage through quality services and products continues to be a major challenge for many service and manufacturing organizations. In this course, we present a comprehensive view of how a judicious combination of operations strategy, concepts, processes, and techniques enable both service and manufacturing organizations to compete effectively in the global marketplace. The course is organized around the theme of how to effectively manage the process of producing and delivering quality services and products to the customer.

BITM 520 Database Management (1)

This is an introductory course in database modeling, design and implementation for business applications. The role of database systems in the management of information and the procedures for modeling the data resource to support managerial/executive needs are presented. It includes principles of database theory, query languages, and forms of data organization. Students gain hands-on experience through developing one or more database applications using one of the standard database packages.

BITM 522 Managing Information Technology (3)

This required course for all MBA students is, simply stated, about managing IT to realize the full potential of investments in these technologies. In today’s Internet Age, it is imperative for managers to get a good grasp of the role IS/IT as a key enabler to achieve business objectives. The course will examine strategic as well as operational issues of IT management. The goal of this course is to cover major topics rather than be encyclopedic, so that a foundation is laid for learning as the field unfolds in the future.

BITM 572 Advanced Programming (1)

The course teaches the basic constructs of the language and covers some aspects of object oriented programming. The course will start with a discussion of data types and flow control and then delve into issues like abstraction and inheritance. This is a programming class so a lot of effort is required outside of the class in programming assignments.  May not be offered every year.

BITM 601 Business Systems Analysis and Design (3)

This course introduces students to the analysis and design of information systems. Topics include the identification and modeling of business requirements and processes, development of information systems that meet those requirements, and techniques associated with the successful completion of systems projects. Enrollment limited to MBA Full time students or by the consent of instructor.

BITM 602 Enterprise - Wide Application Development and Management (3)

This course teaches students how to plan and implement an online business. The students learn about financial analysis, marketing analysis, and risk analysis and use these to create a business plan for their online business idea. The students then implement their idea by creating a working prototype using a multi-tier (client/server/data) architecture and server side technology. Students develop and design a database and then connect it to the server creating dynamic web pages. At the middle and end of the semester, the students give a presentation to a review panel which evaluates their efforts. Based on technical demands of the course, it is required for students to have some knowledge of database development and programming. Pre-requisite: BITM 604. Co-requisite: BITM 522, BITM 698, BITM 520 (or equivalent), or permission of instructor.

BITM 603 Management of IT Projects (3)

This is a required course in the Information Technology Management concentration of the MBA program. It will cover the financial and organizational issues of managing IT projects. Major topics will include preparation of business cases for IT investments, ROI calculations and methods for incorporating qualitative factors.  Additionally, it includes specifics of managing   IS/IT Projects using various models and approaches (e.g. classical,  PERT) and software support (e.g. MS Project, building System  Simulation programs ); IT projects best practices and failures, including management of data warehousing projects. Co-Requisite: BBITM 601.

BITM 604 Data Communications, Computer Networking and Computer Security (3)

The class provides an introduction to communications and networking concepts. This includes types of networks, data/signal transmission, basic ideas such as error control and multiplexing, as well as the costs and benefits of different wired and wireless media and communications hardware. It covers network topologies, the OSI/Internet models, associated protocols (TCP/IP), network architectures, and network routing and switching. Information security concepts are introduced including common risks to information systems and their controls. Specific areas covered include wireless security, application security, password security and access control, cryptography and secure electronic commerce (PKI, digital certification, digital signatures, and other electronic authentication), intrusion detection/prevention, incident response, and computer forensics. Students also perform a risk analysis exercise using a real-world case and learn to develop information security policy. 
Pre-requisite: BITM 522 or permission of instructor. Co-requisite: BITM 602

BITM 605 Advanced Concepts in Information Technology Management I (3)

This is a seminar-type course that deals with contemporary issues in the design and application of information technology, theory, and analytic approaches to complex, unstructured business problems.  Topics will vary, but may include decision systems modeling, data security and quality, management decision making, multivariate modeling and optimization.  Pre-requisites:  Permission of the instructor required.  May not be offered every year.

BITM 606 Advanced Concepts in Information technology Management II (3)

This is a seminar-type course that deals in-depth with contemporary issues in operations management. Representative topics include automation and robotics, the use of expert systems in the manufacturing environment, and problems involved in off-shore manufacturing, international distribution, and competition with low labor-cost countries. Prerequisites: BBITM 514 and permission of instructor.   May not be offered every year.

BITM 611 Analysis and Design of Information-Decision Systems (3)

This course provides a theoretical and practical introduction to the analysis and design of information systems.  It includes techniques for requirements gathering, modeling, and system design.  Prerequisite:  BBITM 522 or consent of the instructor.  Not open to BITM concentrators or students who have taken BITM 601.  Prerequisite:  BITM 522 or consent of the instructor.

BITM 612 Advanced Topics in Information Systems and Technology (3)

Covers topics such as management of information resources, expert systems, information flows to support production operations, advanced material in structured analysis and design, computer networking, and the impact of information quality on organizational effectiveness. Prerequisite: BBITM 522.

BITM 640 Information Security Risk Assessments (1-3)

This course provides students with an introduction to the field of information security risk assessment.  Initially, the students will be introduced to basic definitions and nomenclature in the area of security assessment.  Thereafter they will be taught different approaches for assessment of risk.  The course will incorporate cases in risk analysis derived from state and law enforcement agencies.  Students will learn how to use a risk analysis matrix for performing both quantitative and qualitative risk analysis.  As part of the course the students learn of the different threats that they need to incorporate in their risk analysis matrices.  May not be offered every year.

BITM 641 Security Policies (1-3)

This course provides students with an introduction to information security policies.  Students will be introduced to sociological and psychological issues in policy implementation in general and then provided with a focused dialogue on information security specific policies.  The class discusses the entire lifecycle of policy creation and enactment and presents students with issue specific policies in different domains of security.  The structure of the policy is also discussed to assist the students in design and modification of policies.  Several examples from different domains are incorporated in the curriculum to assist students to learn in context of real life situations.  May not be offered every year.

BITM 642 Computer Forensics (1-3)

Computer forensics is a relatively new field focused on solving computer crime that is an amalgamation of forensics investigative techniques, computer security, and law.  Computer forensics is the study of cyber attack reporting, detection, and response by logging malicious activity and gathering court-admissible chains-of-evidence using various forensic tools able to trace back the activity of hackers.  The course provides students with training in collection and preserving evidence from computers and networks.  May not be offered every year.

BITM 643 Incident Handling (1-3)

The course primarily involves management of computer security incidents, including detailing different types of incidents, identification, preparation, and analysis of incidents; as well as gathering of evidence, recovery and follow-up to computer security incidents.May not be offered every year.

BITM 680 Project Management (3)

This course will cover project management topics and concepts while focusing on technology based projects. Topics will include: Philosophy & Concepts; Project/Systems Life Cycle; PERT, CPM, Resource Allocation; Organizational Considerations; Risk Management; Communication Management; Contracting; PMBOK; Process areas and Knowledge areas; Project Completion, Turnover and Follow-up. Prerequisite: Student must be in the last year of the MBA program.

BITM 691 Field Study in Management Information Systems (3)

Field projects are conducted by students under faculty supervision in a variety of business and not-for-profit organizations. The projects provide students with an opportunity to apply and further develop their skills in information technology management.  Must be repeated for 3 credits. Prerequisites: BBITM 522 and permission of the department chairperson.

BITM 692 Special Topics in Information Technology (3) 

This course covers programming concepts using the Java language and business intelligence using data mining. In the first half of the class students learn the concepts of programming. From this class, students are not expected to become expert programmers, but will gain an understanding of basic programming concepts that will enable them to think through and solve business problems in a logical and structured fashion. Understanding of programming will also help students in making decisions regarding technology acquisition and development as they mature into management roles. The second part of the class focuses on learning data mining techniques, including: clustering (e.g. k-means, hierarchical), classification (e.g. decision trees), and association rule mining (e.g. market basket analysis). This part of the class will teach students to efficiently filter through large volumes of data to gain intelligence for business decision making. The lectures in the class will be complemented by hands-on workshops and tutorials. Co-Requisite: BBITM 601.

BITM 695 Independent Study in Information Systems or Information Technology (1-3)

The student and instructor jointly develop a plan of independent study on an advanced topic in information systems or operations management. The student is usually required to prepare a report or paper. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits. Prerequisites: BBITM 522 and permission of instructor and department chairperson.

BITM 698 Research Project in BITM (3)

Supervised research on a topic involving accounting, finance, operations management, human resources management, and/or management information systems. Required of all part-time MBA program students. Not opened for students with credit in BBITM 691. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 30 graduate credits. S/U graded.

InduShobha Chengalur-Smith
Sample-Based Quality Estimation of Information Products in Relational Database Environments, Ballou, D. P, I. N. Chengalur-Smith, and R. W. Wang (2006) IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, /May 2006, Vol. 18, No. 5, pp. 639-650.
The Impact of Experience and Time on the Use of Data Quality Information in Decision Making, Fisher, C. W., I. N. Chengalur-Smith, and D. P. Ballou (2003).Information Systems Researce, Vol. 14, No. 2, June 2003, pp. 170-188. 
Information Quality and Online B2B Relationships, Schurr, P. H., I. N. Chengalur-Smith, and H. L. Pazer (2002)Journal of Customer Behaviour, Vol. 1, No. 3, Winter 2002, pp. 377-394.

Jakov Crnkovic
Software Support for the Classical, Contemporary and Future Project Management. Crnkovic, J., Ross, P. and Desai, SSCI Journal, December 2006. 
Assessing Knowledge Management: Refining and Cross-validating the Knowledge Management Index (KMI) using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Techniques, Asoh, D., Belardo, S. and Crnkovic, J.,IJKM, Volume 3, Issue 2, 2006. 
KM Approach in designing e-business systems in governmental sector, Belardo, S., Crnkovic, J. and Asoh, D.Ekonomika Preduzeca (Enterprise Economy), Belgrade, Volume 51, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2003. 
Reengineering the Selling Process in a Showroom, Annals of Cases in Information Technology, Crnkovic, J., Petkovic, G. and Janicijevic, N.,Volume 4, Idea Group Publishing, Hershey, PA, 2002.

Peter Duchessi
Building Customer Value-oriented Companies: Defining the Correct Business Direction, P. Duchessi, Journal of Management Research, Vol. 3, Fall 2002. 
P. Duchessi, C.M. Schaninger, and T. Nowack, “Creating Cluster-specific Purchase Profiles from Point-of-Sale Scanner Data and Geodemographic Clusters: Improving Category Management at a Major U.S. Grocery Chain,” Journal of Consumer Behavior, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2004. 
“A Bayesian Belief Network for IT Implementation Decision Support,” E. J. M. Lauria and P. Duchessi, Decision Support Systems, Vol. 43, No, 3, 2006.

Sanjay Goel 
On Decision Support for Distributed Systems Protection: A Perspective Based on the Human Immune Response System and Epidemiology. Goel, S., & Gangolly, J. S. (2006) Accepted January 2006 in the International Journal on Information Management. 
Innovative Model for Information AssuranceCurriculum: A Teaching Hospital. Goel, S., Pon, D., & Bloniarz, P., Bangert-Drowns, R., Berg, G.,Delio, V., Iwan, L., Hurbanek, T., Schuman, S., Gangolly, J., Baykal,A., and Hobbs, J., (2006)ACM Journal on Educational Resources in Computing, Special Issue on Support for the Computer Security Curriculum. In Press. 
Botnets: The Anatomy of a Case. Goel, S., Baykal, A., & Pon, D. (2006), Journal of Information Systems Security (JISSEC) 1(3), 45-60. 
An Active Model-Based Prototype for Predictive Network Management. Bush, S. F., and Goel, S. (2005) IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Special Issue on Recent Advances in Managing Enterprise Network Services, 23(10), 2049-2057. 
Service-Based P2P Overlay Network for Collaborative Problem Solving, Goel, S., Talya, S., & Sobolewski, M. (2005). Decision Support Systems. In Press. 
Kolmogorov Complexity Estimates for Detection of Viruses in Biologically Inspired Security Systems: A Comparison with Traditional Approaches, Goel, S., & Bush, S. F., (2003), Wiley Interscience Complexity Journal 9(2), 54-73. 
On the Design of an XML-Schema Based Application for Business Reporting: An XBRL Schema, Tam, K., Goel, S., & Gangolly, J. (2003), International Journal of Digital Accounting Research. 
A Classifier Based Optimization Technique for Designing Turbine Airfoils, Goel, S., & Hajela, P. (2002), Engineering Optimization, 34, 195-218. 

Lakshmi Mohan
Business Continuity Model: A Reality Check for Banks in India, Sunil Rai and Lakshmi Mohan,co-authored with Sunil Rai, Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce, Vol.11, #2, August 2006.

Eliot H. Rich
CHECKIT-A Program to Measure and Improve Information Security and Safety Culture, Johnsen, S. O, Hansen, C. W., Line, , M. B., Nordby, Y., Rich, E., and Qian Y., International Journal of Performability Engineering, 3(1), 175-186, 2007.
A Behavioral Theory of Insider-Threat Risks: A System Dynamics Approach, Martinez-Moyano, I., Rich, E., Conrad, S., Andersen, D., Stewart, T, ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, in press. 
. "Helping Prevent Information Security Risks in the Transition to Integrated Operations", Gonzalez, J. J., Qian, Y., veen, F. O. and Rich, E., Telektronikk, 101, pp. 29-37, 2005. 

Giri Kumar Tayi
A Synthesizing Framework for Technology and Content Choices for Information Exchange. G. K. Tayi and Bin Srinidhi, Information Technology and Management, Volume 7, Issue 4, December 2006. 
Online Dispersion is no Harder to Approximate than Offline Dispersion D. J. Rosenkrantz, G. K. Tayi and S. S. Ravi, Networks, Volume 47, Issue 4, July 2006, Pages: 206-217. 
Mobile Computing and Communications: Systems, Models and Applications G. K. Tayi, S. S. Ravi, R. Ramanathan and S. Goel. Information Systems Frontiers: Vol. 7, No. 2, 2005. 
Just in Time or Just in Case? An Explanatory Model with Informational and Incentive Effects B. Srinidhi, B. and G. K. Tayi, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 15, Issue 7, 567-574, Nov. 2004. 
Local Base Station Assignment with Time Intervals in Mobile Computing Environments. G. K. Tayi, D. J. Rosenkrantz and S. S. Ravi, European Journal of Operational Research, 157, 267-285, 2004. 
Communication Networks: Design and Management G. K. Tayi and Erik Rolland, Information Technology and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2003.