Computers and Management
Information Systems (CMIS) 351
Management Information Systems (Revision 12)
Status:

Open 

Delivery mode:

Individualized study online with eText

Credits:

3

Area of study:

Applied Studies (Business and Administrative
Studies)

Prerequisites:

CMIS 245. Registration into CMIS 351 assumes
that you have access to Microsoft Access, Excel,
PowerPoint and Word and that you are
proficient in their use. Without good working
knowledge of these tools (especially ACCESS), it
will be challenging to complete the course
assignments.

If you are a:


Course start date:


Self-funded student: register by the 10th of
the month, start on the 1st of the next.
Funded student: please check the next
enrolment deadline and course start date
 .

Precluded:

None

Challenge:

CMIS 351 has a challenge for credit option.

Faculty:

Faculty of Business



Overview
CMIS 351: Management Information Systems focuses on management
information systems (MIS) in today’s organizations. This is not a technology
course, although we do explore a number of core technologies used in modern
enterprises; nor is it designed to teach you how to use computers effectively,
although we certainly take advantage of a range of software applications in our
analysis.
Instead, the focus is on how to leverage information systems to effectively
operate and grow an enterprise. Whether the organization is a new
entrepreneurial start-up, an established business, a non-profit, or a government
enterprise, its ability to deliver on its mission and implement its strategy could
be significantly impeded without knowledgeable individuals to guide the
design, acquisition, effective use, and support of the information systems that
provide the foundation for the organization. However, it is important to realize
that a particular information technology used by one organization can lead to
highly positive results, while the same technology used in another organization
could be disastrous.

Because the role of MIS is critical for many organizations, it has become an
exciting career choice that allows you the flexibility to apply the skills you
develop through your study of management information systems to a broad
range of disciplines. An organization is made up of four key components—
technology, data, processes, and people. A career in MIS can offer you many
options: you could take a strategic approach and become a systems or
enterprise architect who is an expert in integrating across these components; or
you could become a specialist in data analytics, process redesign, or technology
management. What distinguishes MIS from other types of information
technology is the recognition of the role and importance of people in both
enabling and constraining organizations.
The guiding principle behind this course is that for an enterprise to run
efficiently, its information systems need to work efficiently. Modern
organizations are simply too complex, with too many people and too much
data, for work to be done manually or inefficiently.

Outline
CMIS 351 consists of the following twelve lessons of study:


Lesson 1: Information Systems and You



Lesson 2: Business Process and Decision Making



Lesson 3: Productivity, Innovation, and Strategy



Lesson 4: Database and Content Management



Lesson 5: Decision Making and Business Intelligence



Lesson 6: Competitive Advantage and Business Processes



Lesson 7: Hardware and Software



Lesson 8: The Cloud



Lesson 9: Social Networking, Ecommerce, and the Web



Lesson 10: Acquiring Information Systems Through Projects



Lesson 11: Structure, Governance, and Ethics



Lesson 12: Managing Information Security and Privacy

Objectives

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to








understand and articulate fundamental concepts of information
technology management.
assess and apply IT to solve common business problems.
suggest and defend effective solutions to business problems, and design a
database application to solve a business problem.
discuss the ethical aspects of information technology use in the
organization and its governance issues.

Evaluation
Your final grade in CMIS 351 is determined by a weighted average of the grades
you receive on the following activities:


four assignments



four lesson discussion forums



a midterm examination



a final examination

Assignments are important for your learning, and you are strongly encouraged
to complete them; however, you are not required to complete and submit each
assignment in order to pass the course. If you do not complete an assignment,
you will receive zero for that assignment.
To receive credit for this course, you must attain a grade of 50% or better on
each of the examinations, and achieve an overall course grade of at least D
(50%).
The following chart summarizes the evaluation activities:
Activity

Weight

Complete by

Assignment 1

10%

After Lesson 4

Assignment 2

10%

After Lesson 5

Activity

Weight

Complete by

Midterm Exam

25%

After Lesson 6

Assignment 3

10%

After Lesson 7

Assignment 4

10%

After Lesson 12

Discussion Forums

10%

After Lessons 3, 5, 9,11

Final Exam

25%

After Lesson 12

Total

100%

The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in
advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator.
Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre
that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of
any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and
other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of
the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca
University’s online Calendar.

Materials
Kroenke, D. M., Boyle, R. J., Gemino, A., & Tingling, P. (2019). Experiencing MIS
(5th Canadian Edition). Toronto: Pearson. ISBN 9780134861593

(eText)

eText
Registration in this course includes an electronic textbook. For more
information on electronic textbooks, please refer to our eText Initiative site.

Other Resources
All other materials will be available to students online.

Software Requirements
You must have an Office suite that includes Word, Excel, Access, and
PowerPoint (or compatible products).
As an AU student, you can purchase Office 365 at a special student price (note
that it does not include Access for Mac computers). To download the software,
go to: http://office365.athabascau.ca/ 

Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have
acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual
and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate
Calendar.

Evaluation
The CMIS 351 Challenge for Credit evaluation process is made up of one
assignment and one examination (online, three hours). To receive credit  ,
you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent  ) on the examination on
EACH of these two components.


Online examination (worth 75% of grade)



Assignment using Access database (worth 25% of grade)



Challenge for credit course registration form

Important links


Academic advising



Program planning



Request assistance



Support services



CPA Requirements

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and
without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their
individualized study counterparts.

Opened in Revision 12, March 6, 2020
Updated September 6, 2024
View previous revision