Department of Information and Decision Management
West Texas A&M University


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IDM

Course Descriptions
2008-2009 Catalog

Information and Decision Management Undergraduate Course Descriptions
   Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Click on the course number to view course description
1105 1301 1315
2310 2315 2345 2342 2390
3310 3312 3330 3342 3345 3350 3372 3382 3385 3390
4096 4310 4325 4331 4343 4350 4352 4358 4360 4364
4370 4372 4382 4390 4392 4398

Information and Decision Management Graduate Course Description 
   Graduate Course Descriptions
Click on the course number to view course description
5310 5331 5360
6096 6300 6305 6310 6315 6320 6325 6330 6340 6350
6355 6362 6375 6390 6392

Information and Decision Management (IDM)

IDM Undergraduate Courses: 

IDM 1105 Computer Literacy -
Introduction of computing concepts and overview of related information technologies. Exploration of software applications, and their uses and impact on society and enterprises. Hands-on experience with applications software to show students how digital technologies are used in professional environments. Fall, spring, summer. Course fee $10

IDM 1301 Introduction to Information Science -
Beginning course emphasizing use of productivity software to develop technological skills for the Information Age. Focuses on enhancing personal productivity and communication through effective retrieval, evaluation, synthesis and presentation of information from the Internet and other sources. Fall, spring, summer. Course fee $20

IDM 1315 Programming Fundamentals -
Introduces the fundamental concepts of procedural programming. Topics include data types, control structures, functions, arrays, files and the mechanics of running, testing and debugging. The course also offers an introduction to the historical and social context of computing and an overview of computer science as a discipline. Fall, spring. Course fee $20


IDM 2310 - Digital Communications and Collaboration -
Prerequisite: demonstrated computer competency.

Studies the theory behind and effective application of digital communications media in an enterprise. Technologies to be studied include: blogs, portals, groupware, electronic meeting systems, document management, visualization, and virtual team support. Extensive writing is required. Fall. Course fee $20


IDM 2315 Programming Business Applications -
Prerequisite: 1315.

In-depth coverage of programming business application paradigms. Students will use a high-level object oriented language to defin, design, and build a variety of business applications with robust graphical user interfaces. Object-oriented paradigms will be covered in depth; various incarnations of taxonomic and containment hierarchies will be demonstrated. Fall. Course fee $20


IDM 2342. Statistics for Business and Economics -
Prerequisite: MATH 1315 or permission of instructor.

Methods of collecting, analyzing, presenting and interpreting numerical data for business purposes. General application of statistical principles. Fall, spring. Course fee $20


IDM 2345 Video Game Design -
Prerequisite: demonstrated computer competency.

Overview of procedures and processes that make up designing and developing videogames. Emphasis on history of gaming, interaction science, level design, development processes and development life cycle. Hands-on group learning activities and projects will be emphasized. Fall. Course fee $20


IDM 2390 Systems Analysis and Design -
Prerequisite: demonstrated computer competency or 1315 or consent of instructor.

Examination of information analysis, logical and physical specifications of the system development process in an organizational setting, and use of analysis and design to meet business objectives. Topics include systems theory, role of the systems analyst, requirement analysis, system analysis methods, data gathering, feasibility, modeling methods, systems design and construction methods, system implementation and project management. Fall, spring. Course fee $20


IDM 3310 Spreadsheet Applications in Business -
Prerequisite: demonstrated computer competency.

Use of spreadsheets and spreadsheet tools, macros and add-ins to model build, maintain, analyze and present corporate data. Perform what-if analysis, risk analysis, statistical data analysis and build decision support models. Course fee $20


IDM 3312 Advanced Business Programming -
Prerequisite: 2315.

In-depth coverage of advanced programming topics, to include application libraries, exception handling, software quality assurance, threading and user interface implementation. Fall. Course fee $20.


IDM 3330 Management Information Systems -
Prerequisite: demonstrated computer competency and junior standing.

In-depth study of conceptual, behavioral and psychological aspects of organizational information systems. Topics include development, operation, management, uses, parties involved, control, structure and social impacts of information systems. Fall, spring. Course fee $20


IDM 3342 Principles of Business Informatics -
Prerequisite: 1315, 2342.

Principles of data analysis, classification, catagorization, and sampling in support of business intelligence, decision support and data mining for various kinds of data. In-depth discussion of various analysis techniques such as discretization, aggregation, sampling, dimensionality reduction, and variable transformations. Fall. Course fee $20.


IDM 3345 Video Game Design II -
Prerequisite: 2345 or consent of instructor.

Application of video game projects and game designer tasks: pre-production, design phase, production, post-production, level design fundamentals, enemy design, character design, and story design. Analysis of contemporary game industry platforms and their specific challenges. Class project: video game concept creation. Spring. Course fee $20.


IDM 3350 Database Systems Design -
Prerequisite: 2390, CS 2315.

Principles of database design and structure. Analysis and implementation of database systems with emphasis on the relational mode. Detailed study of data modeling concepts and techniques. Topics include physical and logical design, normalization, SQL, transaction and concurrency control, security and data integrity. Students design and implement a major database application project. Fall, spring. Course fee $20.


IDM 3372 Web Application Development -
Exploration of the concepts and techniques related to building web applications. Emphasis on using client-side technologies: XHTML, JavaScript, CSS and cookies. Techniques for using images and animation for the web. Spring. Course fee $20


IDM 3382 Enterprise Web-Based Applications Development -
Prerequisite: 3350, 3372.

Conceptual foundation of issues, principles, methodologies, system architectures and information infrastructure in building enterprise-level web applications that use component object model (COM) components on both the client and server side in an integrated visual-development environment. Course fee $20

IDM 3385 Networking and Data Communications -
Prerequisite: demonstrated computer competency or consent of instructor.

Introduction to data communications and network concepts. Survey of emerging local area network (LAN) technologies. Students will be exposed to designing, configuring and implementing LANs. Topics include integration of hardware and software elements, network architecture, protocols, security, control, configuration and design fundamentals. Course fee $20


IDM 3390 Information Technology Project Management -
Prerequisite: 2342 or equivalent.

Management of projects and the quantitative methods used in managerial supervision. Theoretical and practical applications of project planning, budgeting, scheduling, cost analysis, resource leveling and control, applications of Critical Path Method, Program Evaluation and Review Technique, and the use of computer for project planning and management. Same as MGT 3390. Fall. Course fee $20.


IDM 4096 Supervised Reading in Information Systems -
Current problems in information systems through reading periodicals, government publications and books which have had a profound effect on this rapidly changing technology. Course fee $20


IDM 4310 Decision Support/Artificial Intelligence Systems -
Prerequisite: 2342.

Concepts of decision support systems (DSS), including DSS architecture, information management, model management and interface subsystems. Concept of artificial intelligence representation techniques, reasoning methods and learning approaches. Course fee $20


IDM 4325 Geographic Information Systems -
Prerequisite: 1315, 3350.

Principles of geographic information systems, GIS data, GIS data representation models, underlying GIS technology, GIS applications in areas like utilities, environment, natural resources, marketing, business intelligence and decision support. Fall. Course fee $20


IDM 4331. Production and Operations Management -
Prerequisite: 2342 and MGT 3330 or equivalent.

Study and analysis of planning, design, direction, and control of physical and human resources used in production of goods and services. Emphasis on solutions to operational problems in physical, locational, storage and general service subsystems. Course fee $15


IDM 4343 Supply Chain Management -
Prerequisite: IDM 4331, IDM 3330 or consent of instructor.

Explores coordination and cooperation required between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to bring a product to market. Integrates knowledge from operations management, management, marketing and information systems. Covers the five major costs of logistics-inventory, transportation, storage, packaging and information-and the tradeoffs involved in managing these costs. Fall. Course fee $20.


IDM 4350 Data Warehousing and Data Mining -
Prerequisite: IDM 3350, IDM 2342.

Study and application of the concepts and techniques related to designing and building data warehouse applications and data marts. Reviews the management and usage of data, online analytical processing and data mining concepts, tools and techniques. Fall. Course fee $20


IDM 4352. Business Forecasting -
Prerequisite: 2342 or equivalent.

Measurement of business conditions. Development of trends, seasonals, cycles and index numbers to evaluate the position of the firm, industry or national economy. Model building, long-range planning, regression analysis and other quantitative techniques used in business analysis. Course fee $20


IDM 4358. Operations Research Methods -
Prerequisite: 2342 or equivalent.

Use of deterministic and stochastic processes as effective decision-making tools in solving business and economic problems. Topics include network optimization analysis, resource allocation models, inventory control, replacement processes, queuing theory and markov chains. Course fee $20


IDM 4360 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design -
Prerequisite: 2315, 2390, or equivalent.

Thorough overview of concepts of object-oriented analysis and design methods. Focus on modeling to analyze and specify logical requirements in an organizational context. Emphasis on software development process, static architecture, dynamic models and development cycles. Evaluation and selection of appropriate design patterns. Use of models in design of object-oriented applications using documentation standards such as UML. Case studies will be utilized. Course fee $20


IDM 4364. Introduction to Quantitative Economics and Finance -
Prerequisite: 2342 or consent of instructor.

Application of quantitative methodology in economics and finance with emphasis on forecasting, optimization techniques, regression analysis, and survey methods.  Same as ECO 4364. Course fee $20


IDM 4370 Health Informatics and E-Medicine -
Prerequisite: demonstrated computer competency or consent of instructor.

Applications and management of information technology (IT) in the healthcare sector with the goal of improving quality and efficiency of delivery. Review of health information systems, IT architecture requirements, "best practice" knowledge bases, tele-health, patient privacy issues and health care automation. Course fee $20.


IDM 4372 Information Visualization and User Interface Design -
Prerequisite: 2315 or equivalent.

Study and application of the design of computer-human interfaces. Utilizes both concepts and principles developed from studies in cognitive psychology and empirical studies of software interfaces. Focuses on visual presentation of large multi-dimensional data sets for data analysis. Course fee $20


IDM 4382 Software Development in a Database Environment -
Prerequisite: 3382 or consent of instructor.

Development of front-end database applications using a visual, event-driven, Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool, including a report generator. Extensive study of Structured Query Language (SQL) with Data Access Objects (DAO), Remote Data Objects (RDO) and ActiveX Data Objects (ADO). Course fee $20


IDM 4390 Software Systems Development -
Prerequisite: 3350, 4360 and senior standing.

A capstone project for the study of software engineering. Emphasis on requirement specifications, logical design, issues in OOP, design pattern, client-server computing, project management. Students construct original and significant projects that synthesize all course experiences to produce well. designed software applications. Fall, spring. Course fee $20


IDM 4392 Applied Problems in Computer and Information Systems -
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Case problems dealing with data processing in business with emphasis on applications. Course fee $20


IDM 4398 Internship in IDM -
Prerequisite: junior standing and approval of department head.

One semester of prearranged work in IDM in a designated business or industry cooperating with WTAMU. Students will obtain comprehensive work experience and be responsible for reports and appraisals as required by the instructor. Course fee $20.



IDM Graduate Courses: 

IDM 5310 Decision Support/Artificial Intelligent Systems -
Prerequisite: 2342 or consent of instructor.

Concepts of decision support systems (DSS), including DSS architecture, information management, model management and interface subsystems. Concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Exploration of AI languages, knowledge representation techniques, reasoning methods and learning approaches. Fall of odd numbered years. Course fee $20


IDM 5331 Production and Operations Management -
Prerequisite: 2342 and MGT 3330 or equivalent.

Study and analysis of planning, design, direction, and control of physical and human resources used in production of goods and services. Emphasis on solutions to operational problems in physical, locational, storage and general service subsystems. Course fee $20


IDM 5360 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design -
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Thorough overview of concepts of object-oriented analysis and design methods. Focus on modeling to analyze and specify logical requirements in an organizational context. Emphasis on software development process, static architecture, dynamic models and development cycles. Evaluation and selection of appropriate design patterns. Use of models in design of object-oriented applications using documentation standards such as UML. Case studies will be utilized. Fall of odd years. Course fee $20


IDM 6096 Reading and Conference -
Prerequisite: 6305 and consent of instructor.

Directed reading and reporting in information systems as related to the student's area of interest. May be repeated once. Course fee $20

IDM 6300. Statistical Methods in Business and Economics.
Prerequisite: MATH 1325 or equivalent, graduate standing and consent of department head.

Probability distributions, estimation, testing, hypotheses, sample survey methods, experimental designs, time-series analysis, correlation and regression analysis. Course fee $20

IDM 6305. Quantitative Analysis in Business.
Prerequisite: 6300 or equivalent, and 12 semester hours of upper-division IDM and/or business administration.

Application of quantitative techniques to business including statistics, linear programming and simulation. Techniques in decision making and their relation to information systems.   Fall, spring. Course fee $20

IDM 6310 Information Technology Management -
Examination of how managerial and strategic issues associate with using IT in a networked enterprise, and the role of information technology to manage organizational efficiency and transformation efforts in a global competitive environment. Topics include IT security and legal issues. Course fee $20

IDM 6315 Simulation -
Prerequisite: 6300 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Introduction to simulation and comparison with other problem-solving techniques; simulation methodology, including generation of random numbers and variables, time-flow mechanisms, sampling considerations, and validation and analysis of simulation models and results; survey of discrete-event simulation languages; applications of simulation, including operating systems and networks. Course fee $20

IDM 6320. Econometrics.
Prerequisite: Nine hours of graduate courses in agricultural economics, economics or statistics.

Introduction to econometric analysis. Application of econometric analysis techniques to problems in agriculture and business. Includes multivariate distributions, maximum likelihood, simultaneous equations systems, nonlinear regression and nonlinear optimization. Same as AGBE 6320. Course fee $20

IDM 6325 Development of Internet Applications and Electronic Commerce -
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Technical aspects of Internet, intranet and extranet architectures and network technologies for development of corporate strategies and initiatives in enterprise networking, Internet information systems, electronic commerce and security issues. Course fee $20

IDM 6330 Software Engineering and Systems Development -
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Thorough examination of principles of software engineering concepts. Use of object-oriented paradigm to design, analyze, and construct enterprise business applications. Traditional structured systems design and analysis. Emphasis on information analysis and logical requirement specifications of systems and validity, software quality and metrics. Course fee $20

IDM 6340 Advanced Network Administration and Management -
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

State-of-the-art network technologies and their applications to solve business problems and/or create strategic advantage. Emphasis on management of equipment, architectures, security, recovery plans, strategic plans and transmission alternatives using case studies and audits of various systems. Course fee $20

IDM 6350 Database Development for Business Applications -
Prerequisite: 6325 or consent of instructor.

Concepts of database systems emphasizing data storage, queries, database models and languages related to database design and implementation techniques. Comprehensive presentation of database and administrative issues and concepts in the new business enterprise. Course fee $20

IDM 6355 Data Mining Methods -
Study and application of concepts and techniques related to the management and usage of data, online analytical processing, and data mining concepts, tools and techniques. Principles of data analysis, classification, categorization and sampling in support of business intelligence operations. Fall of odd numbered years. Course fee $20

IDM 6362 Advanced Business Forecasting.
Prerequisite: 6305 or equivalent.

An analysis of forecasting techniques and business theories, the interconnection between forecasting methods and the conditions under which each are used is examined.  The similarities and differences between forecasting for an industry and for the firm are identified.  Same as ECO 6362. Course fee $20

IDM 6375 Planning for IT in Biotechnology and Healthcare -
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Issues and strategies associated with strategic planning and implementation of the application of IT in healthcare organizations. Examination of the role of information technology as a critical contributor to strategies and plans to integrate care. reduce costs and respond to a complex reimbursement environment. Course fee $20

IDM 6390 Project Management for the Enterprise -
Theoretical foundation, practical applications and information technology tools in support of project planning, budgeting, scheduling, cost analysis, resource leveling and control, and human resource management. Applications of Critical Path Method, and Program Evaluation and Review Technique are also emphasized. Fall. Course fee $20

IDM 6392 Contemporary Issues in Information Systems -
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Selected topics of current interest in the field, including IT impacts on business processes, changing roles of the Internet, privacy and security issues, information visualization and best practices in IT. Fall of odd numbered years. Course fee $20


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