Course Schedules

Course descriptions can be viewed here.

IS 607 Introduction to Information Systems (4 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

IS 631 Management Information Systems (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Rand Obediat

IS 632 Networks (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Shahine

IS 633 Database Management Systems (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

IS 634 Structured Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Rand Obediat

IS 659 Principles of Cybersecurity (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

IS 667 Interaction Design (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Celeste Paul

IS 675 Data Science (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

IS 678 Data Analytics in Cybersecurity (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

Course descriptions can be viewed here.

IS 607 Introduction to Information Systems (4 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

IS 631 Management Information Systems (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Rand Obediat

IS 632 Networks (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Shahine

IS 633 Database Management Systems (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

IS 634 Structured Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

IS 669 Project Management Operations (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

IS 671 Electronic Commerce (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Ant Ozok

IS 677 Deep Learning (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Aryya Gangopadyay

IS 679 Social Media Application and Analysis (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

IS 698 Special Topics in IS: Security in the Cloud (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

*This course can count towards the Cybersecurity program track.

Description: This course introduces students to classic techniques and common tools used to secure applications and storage in the cloud. The course uses the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform and discusses multiple tools and techniques available in AWS to control access, and secure data and applications

IS 698 Special Topics in IS: User Experience Research Methods (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Helena Mentis

*This course can count towards the UX Design program track. It takes the place of IS 665.

Description: This course explores the main methods and processes that underlie the user-centered design of information systems. Students will learn to conduct user research for user experience design. The course also provides students the opportunity to apply these concepts through the design, evaluation, and implementation of interface prototypes in a hands-on project. Pre-requisite of IS 634 and/or IS 667.

Course descriptions can be viewed here.

IS 631 Management Information Systems (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Rand Obediat

This course presents the applications of information systems in business processes and operations, in managerial decision-making, and in the strategic planning of organizations. The course covers information systems management fundamentals to include such factors as:

The information environment, Decision-making, The systems approach, The management of information systems, and The integration of information systems with an organization’s management systems.

IS 633 Database Management Systems (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

The course covers most of the major advancements in database technology that have taken place recently. It does not assume any prior background in the field of databases, and hence starts with basic introductory concepts along with more advanced topics. The course will cover both conceptual and hands-on material in the area of database management, thus enabling student to have the maximum amount of comprehension and retention of the material covered in the course.

IS 670 Healthcare Informatics (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Ian Stockwell and Mr. Jim Clavin

The health care industry in the United States consumes about 20% of the Gross National Product, touches everyone, and is information intensive. Information systems have spread slowly from the billing room to the examination room, but the pace of change is accelerating. Successful information systems applications must be managed by people knowledgeable in the issues relevant to both health care and information systems. This course examines those special issues and covers: Requirements and Design Providers and Payers Fraud Transactions Standards Privacy Security Personnel and Vendors Integration. Students must successfully complete IS 631 prior to enrolling for this course.

IS 672 Computer and Network Security (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

This course surveys threats to computer and network security and methods for preventing incursions at a graduate level. We study how vulnerabilities to these threats arise in the development and use of computer systems and survey the controls that can reduce or block these threats. The course will consist of weekly readings, homework questions, and hands-on labs.

IS 674 Information Architecture for the Web (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Celeste Paul

As the web matures, so do users’ expectations about what a site should do. In addition to a pleasing design and working links, they also want sites that are clearly organized, relevant, accurate, up-to-date, and have interesting and easy-to-find content. This course will focus on the principles and practices of the user-centered information architecture design of websites that address these needs. We will study the creation and organization of web content that meets the information needs of end-users and serves the intentions or purposes of a site’s sponsors or creators. We will learn about the basic principles of writing and labeling web content and the usable design of websites. We will also learn about users’ web browsing and searching behavior and the design of search and navigation systems to support this behavior. We will explore options to set up search within sites and optimizing the findability of a site through search engines.

This course, however, is NOT a web graphics design, HTML or Web programming class, we will not build a website. Students will be researching the content and context of websites and the needs of users and sponsors. They will develop the purpose and strategy for a specific site of their choosing. They will design the information organization and labeling systems and develop the navigation system of the website. They will design page layouts and create content for the selected website. The will achieve these goals by planning and creating information architecture deliverables for the site prototype that facilitates consensus building among stakeholders and guides a designer or programmer in the production of a working web site. Students will also analyze the information architecture, navigation structure, audience awareness and usability of good and bad web sites.

IS 676 Information Integration (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. George Karabatis

This course focuses on the theory and practice of integrating systems and information with an emphasis on semantics. The problem of integrating information is extremely common in today’s world. When one organization acquires or merges with another, it usually inherits an entire IT department which may or may not be compatible with its existing infrastructure. Data systems and information must easily interoperate to meet the business needs of the organization.

This course investigates the various technologies in the field of information integration with an emphasis on semantics. Topics that are covered include: Data Integration Architectures, Modeling Data Semantics, Semantic Interoperability, Metadata, Semantic Integration Patterns, Context-Awareness, Semantic Networks, Mediation and Wrapper techniques, etc.

Note:
IS 607 Introduction to Information Systems will be offered in the Fall. New students should take IS 631 for Summer 2021.

Course descriptions can be viewed here.

IS 607 Introduction to Information Systems (4 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

IS 607 will give you a hands-on introduction to the major basic technologies used in the field of Information Systems. These technologies are: Networking and data communications, programming, databases, HTML, JavaScript and server-side processing. This course will require you to develop web pages and sites. This course uses only client-side technology that requires a web browser. You will also have to FTP files up to servers at UMBC. All details of this process are included in the course materials. Some lectures include movies that require QuickTime or an open source equivalent.

IS 632 Networks (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Shahine

This course provides the fundamentals of network technologies, such as public-switched network, wide area networks, and local area networks, from the perspective of the current and future needs. The course also covers network architectures, networking standards, digital and analog signaling, the various transmission media, as well as equipment, applications, and services.

IS 634 Structured Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Rand Obediat

All of the activities required to progress from the initial identification of an organizational problem to the design of an IT-based solution are covered, as well as specific techniques for carrying out those activities. The emphasis will be on both learning the mechanics of the techniques and applying them to real projects.

CO-requisite: IS 607

IS 659 Principles of Cybersecurity (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

This course provides an introduction to the principles of cybersecurity. It focuses on theory and practice of cybersecurity concepts shedding a light on hacking, theft, and exploitation of information assets. Topics include authentication, access control, password management, cryptography, software vulnerabilities and malware, network security attacks, operating system attacks, firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, etc.

IS 667 Interaction Design (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Celeste Paul

The course starts by discussing fundamental psychological concepts needed to understand how humans interact with computer systems and how those systems can be better designed to support that interaction. Design and evaluation methods are presented to achieving this goal. This module builds on earlier courses, particularly Systems Analysis and Design (IS 634), but adds much more material about how to design for human interaction. These concepts are important for any information system in which human interaction is required. Students must successfully complete IS 634 prior to enrolling for this course. Prerequisite: IS 634

IS 668 Enterprise-Wide Computing (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

The emphasis of this course is on distributed computing architectures and web services. You are assumed to have taken IS 632, have an elementary knowledge of server-side and client-side web technology, and have taken elementary programming. A major focus of the course is on doing technical, hands-on exercises and so one should enjoy that type of learning.

IS 675 Data Science (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Brown

This course is designed to provide an introduction to data science concepts and techniques. The course will include both theoretical foundations of commonly used data science methods as well as hands-on exercises using open source libraries like Python Scikit learn. Topics will include techniques such as data preprocessing, classification, clustering, and visualization. Various algorithms on each of these techniques will be covered in the course. Examples of such algorithms include the Apriori algorithm for logistic regression, support vector machines, and decision trees for classification; and k-means, DBSCAN, and hierarchical algorithms for clustering, and t-SNE for visualization. Several real-life applications will be discussed for each of these techniques. Prerequisite: IS 633 or an equivalent

IS 698 Special Topics in Information Systems - Ethical Hacking (3 credits)
Instructor: Dr. Augusto Casas

This course can count as a requirement for the Cybersecurity Track.

Description: This course will help students move into or advance in the cybersecurity field by developing skills in five areas of ethical hacking:

Reconnaissance: hackers gather information about a target system before conducting an attack
Scanning: hackers identify a way to gain access to the system
Gain Access: hackers access the system, applications, and network and escalate their privileges
Maintain Access: jackets continue to maintain access to the system
Cover your Tracks: hackers eliminate evidence of the system being hacked

The course includes hands-on activities in which students apply theoretical concepts in a simulated business environment. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to plan a cyber attack on an information system to identify potential system vulnerabilities.