Systems Analysis and Design – MGS 405

Spring 2015 (updated 3/24/2015)

Instructor: Jeff Fineberg Email: fineberg@buffalo.edu

Course Time: Tuesday 6:30pm-9:10pm

Course Location: Jacobs 122

Office hours: 325B Jacobs on Wednesday 5:15pm-6:15pm or by appointment

Course URL: http://ublearns.buffalo.edu (check for updates)

Prerequisites: CSE 113 and senior standing in the School of Management.

Course Description: The goal of the course is to explore the theory and application of Systems Analysis and Design with an emphasis of several aspects, including the Systems Development Life Cycle using Predictive and Adaptive methodologies, Object Oriented Concepts and UML, Domain and Database Modeling, as well as the utilization of Project Management. The course material is reinforced by considering real-world business scenarios, through both individual and collaborative group assignments. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have a thorough understanding of the important aspects necessary for the design and implementation of various types of systems. Most importantly the student will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the need of Systems Analysis for developing software systems.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to…	Method of assessment
Utilize information gathering techniques to obtain system requirements.	Assignment 1, Midterm Exam, Final Exam
Research, evaluate and use a number of software tools (such as Visio, Argo UML, Oracle Data Modeler) for modeling systems.	Assignment 2
Identify, create and interpret Use Cases and diagrams to illustrate / confirm a specific process.	Assignment 2, Final Project, Final Exam
Analyze a given domain and produce the appropriate ER, Domain Model Class, Activity, Sequence and State diagrams.	Assignment 2, Assignment 3, Final Project, Final Exam
Design applications considering user interfaces, computing infrastructures, databases and environments, such as n-tier architectures.	Assignment 3, Final Project, Final Exam
Understand the appropriate use of the different development lifecycle (SDLC) models, such as predictive and adaptive methods.	Final Project, Final Exam
Create a project plan for the implementation of a system.	Final Project, Final Exam
Consider risks of a project, including a system implementation decision such as “Buy vs. Build”.	Final Project, Final Exam
Understand the principles of Object Oriented Design.	Final Project, Final Exam
Create a database model which facilitates the operation of a system.	Final Project, Final Exam
Perform Systems Analysis tasks leading to a comprehensive solution for a real-world problem, utilizing and integrating all techniques covered in the course.	Final Project
Understand and apply methodologies of Systems Analysis and Design given a real-world scenario.	Final Exam

Labs: consist of exercises for providing hands-on experience to aid in the understanding of theoretical aspects of the course. Although labs are not graded, it is important that students complete these in order to be adequately prepared for class discussion, tests, assignments, as well as the final project.

Assignments: designed for reinforcing the concepts from lectures and lab exercises, as well as textbook readings, research materials and any additional readings. Assignments consist of written work and the utilization of various software tools, as well as research and presentations of your findings. Refer to UB Learns based upon the attached schedule.

Exams: there will be a midterm and final exam. These will require comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all material covered in class. The content of the exams are based upon the textbook, assignments, labs and class discussions as well as student presentations of their work. Advanced arrangements must be made if an exam is to be missed (unless a documented emergency exists).

Final Project: This will be a group project to gain practical experience in the application of the various concepts learned in the course, emphasizing course material reinforcement, teamwork, innovation, and cohesiveness of presentation. Each team member is expected to contribute equally to the team project.

Note that there will be peer reviews of all team member performance, therefore it is critical to work closely with and stay in contact with your team members.

Required textbook: “Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World” – Sixth Edition – John Satzinger, Robert Jackson and Stephen Burd (Cengage) ISBN: 978-1111534158

Link to the text resources: http://www.cengagebrain.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9781111534158

Note: Online Chapters A, B and C are downloadable from the above link.

Readings: additional readings will be assigned throughout the semester to complement the material covered in the course. Readings will be assigned in class and UB Learns.

Software (including, but not limited to): Microsoft Visio, Oracle 11g, Oracle SQL Developer, SQL Developer Data Modeler, MySQL, LAMP Server architecture (utilizing Uniform Server or equivalent), Microsoft Office tools and others.

Class Discussion Web: For questions that would benefit the majority of the class, please use the UB Learns website http://ublearns.buffalo.edu

Incompletes: under normal circumstances these are not given. Where appropriate, any special cases need to be approved and have supporting documentation. Details for the University’s Incomplete Policy are available at:

http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/grading/explanation.shtml#incomplete

Email communication via UB Learns: Periodically messages may be sent via email (or UB Learns) to everyone in class regarding assignments, etc. Also, please feel free to email me directly with any questions or suggestions at: fineberg@buffalo.edu. Note: the email subject line **MUST** begin with MGS405 in order to help expedite a response to you.

Class participation: It is expected that students will be prepared to discuss the assigned material for each class. The class participation portion of your grade is composed of class activity work, contribution to discussions in class, suggesting useful / interesting resources, etc.

Academic Integrity / Plagiarism: all students are expected to perform their own work. Any acts of plagiarism will be taken very seriously and will be dealt with in accordance of the University’s policy. Be sure to read thoroughly and understand the policy in the Undergraduate handbook. Please refer to: http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/course/integrity.shtml. Also, refer to page 32 at: http://mgt.buffalo.edu/programs/undergrad/handbooks/handbook

Attendance and Punctuality

· Students are expected to attend all classes and to arrive on time, except when precluded by emergencies, religious holidays, or other extenuating circumstances. If such a situation should arise, please notify me in advance.

· Students are expected to arrive to all classes at the scheduled time and to stay until the end of each class.

· Grades of students who are consistently late or who miss five or more classes will be reduced by one letter grade for the course.

· Note that there will be material that you will be responsible for that is covered exclusively in class.

Disruptions and Class Decorum

· Observe common discussion protocols and best practices such as, no cross talks, only one person speaking at one time, and listening carefully what others are saying.

· Students disrupting the class or violating class decorum may be asked to leave the classroom.

· Repetitive disruptions and violations of class decorum may lead to disciplinary action as allowed by the university policies. Please refer to UB’s policy on acceptable classroom behavior for more details (http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/judicial/classroom.shtml).

Assignment Guidelines

· You may discuss individual assignments with your team members and your other friends. However, you are expected to work alone and individually while actually preparing the deliverable you will submit for the assigned problem.

· Please use electronic submission in UBLearns to submit all your assignments. The file name should include student / team name along with the title of the assignment. If paper submission is required, this will be specified in the assignment.

· Please provide a cover page on all assignments that should include the student’s (or team’s) name, student identification number (for individual submissions), the title of the assignment, and the date of submission.

Submission of Assignments

· All assignments are due at the beginning of the class (5:00pm) on the due date indicated in the course schedule. Assignments received after the due date and time will be penalized at the rate of 20% per day.

· All assignments should be submitted via the UB Learns before the class, unless described otherwise on the assignment itself.

· E-mail submissions are accepted ONLY under special circumstances (such as issues with UBLearns access).

· If there are non-academic emergency reasons because of which you are not able to submit an assignment on time as per schedule, please let me know at the earliest possible opportunity, which may result in an extension without penalty on that particular assignment.

Students with Disabilities: The Office of Disability Services (ODS) coordinates needs for special accommodations for eligible students. Information on registering is available on the website at: http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/ods/. If you require special accommodations, please talk with me as soon as possible so we may work out a solution. I will be happy to aid in making accommodations necessary for you to succeed in the course.

Grading Policy

Grade assessment: Comprehension of the material will be assessed through homework assignments, tests and a final project utilizing the following:

Midterm Exam	20%
Assignments (3 @ 5% each)	15%
Final Project	30%
Final Exam	25%
Class participation (contributing to discussions, participation, group work, etc.)	10%

Final Grading Scale

Percentage Points	Grade
>=92.5	A
>=90 and <92.5	A-
>=87.5 and <90	B+
>=82.5 and <87.5	B
>=80 and <82.5	B-
>=77.5 and <80	C+
>=70 and <77.5	C
>=60 and <70	D
<60	F

MGS 405 Spring Schedule

(Subject to some revision – refer to UB Learns for updates)

Note: Bold items in schedule are of high importance

Class Date	Topic(s) Discussed / Activities	Assignments / Reading for the week
Jan 27	Syllabus, Course Overview and Survey. Introductory material	- Read Chapter 1 / *other as assigned
Feb 3	Chapter 1 – From Beginning to End: An Overview of Systems Analysis and Design	- Read Chapter 2 / *other as assigned - Lab 1
Feb 10	Chapter 2 – Investigating System Requirements	- Read Chapter 3 / *other as assigned - Assignment 1 – due 2/17
Feb 17	Chapter 3 – Use Cases	- Read Chapter 4 / *other as assigned - Lab 2
Feb 24	Chapter 4 – Domain Modeling	- Read Chapter 5 / *other as assigned
Mar 3	Chapter 5 – Extending the Requirements Models	- Read Chapter 6 / *other as assigned - Assignment 2 – due 3/10
Mar 10	Chapter 6 – Essentials of Design and the Design Activities	- Read Chapter 7 / *other as assigned - Lab 3
Mar 17	Spring Recess
Mar 24	Chapter 7 – Designing the User and System Interfaces	- Read Chapter 8 / *other as assigned - Study for Midterm
Mar 31	Chapter 8 – Approaches to System Development Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-6)	- Read Chapter 9 / *other as assigned - Assignment 3 – due 4/7 - Final Project assigned – due May 5
Apr 7	Chapter 9 – Project Planning and Project Management Final Project technical discussions	- Read Chapter 10 / *other as assigned - Lab 4 - Final Project Work
Apr 14 **17	Chapter 10 – Object-Oriented Design: Principles Final Project technical discussions **Apr 17 – last day to Drop with ‘R’ grade**	- Read Chapter 11 / *other as assigned - Final Project Work
Apr 21	Chapter 11 – Object-Oriented Design: Use Case Realizations Final Project technical discussions	- Read Chapter 12 / *other as assigned - Final Project Work
April 28	Chapter 12 – Databases, Controls, and Security Review for Final	- Final Project Work
May 5	Final Project Group Presentations	- Final Project Due - Study for Final Exam
May 12 7:15-10:15	Final Exam – same location as the classroom – Jacobs 122

* Additional reading will be assigned throughout the semester.