Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management

This course is a study of the fundamental principles of e-business. Students will learn how to build a successful e-business operation with step-by-step guidance for writing an e-business plan and simplified guidance for the development and management of a start-up customer focused website. Students will select an e-business of their choice and, using worksheets from their textbooks, follow a step-by-step process to develop eight sections of the e-business plan: business description, product and services, marketplace analysis, marketing planning, management and organization, operations, business location and equipment, and financial plans. Students will integrate basic start-up web site design plans and concepts into their e-business plan. The major objective of this course is for every student to apply the principles of e-business, e-marketing and basic website design and develop an e-business plan for immediate application or for future reference.

This course introduces students to writing computer programs. The class presents the principles of structured programming using the BASIC language, perhaps the most common language for personal computers. Because of its ease of use it is ideal as a first programming language and runs on both the PC and Macintosh platforms. The course is designed for people without previous programming experience who do not necessarily plan on becoming professional programmers. However, the knowledge gained in the class can be applied later to other languages such as C and Java. Participants learn to solve problems logically by breaking them into smaller pieces, which can then be solved. Topics include: introduction to computing - how does a computer work?; input and output - getting information to and from the user; variables and expressions - performing arithmetic; data statements - reading information from inside the program; text files - reading information from other files; arrays - groups of variables; debugging - finding errors in your program; graphics - graphs, boxes, shaded areas; and formatting - changing how things look on the screen.

This course is a study of major advancements in database technology that have taken place in recent years. It does not assume any prior background in the field of databases, and, hence, starts with basic introductory concepts, but covers advanced topics as well. The course will cover both conceptual and hands-on material in the area of database management, thus enabling students to have the maximum amount of comprehension and retention of material covered in the course. The student must have access to MS Access 2007 or higher. This software is not provided by the course material grant and must be purchased/provided by the student.

This course provides a technical and organizational foundation for understanding the use and importance of information systems and information technology in today's management environment. This course covers the hardware, software, and infrastructure that support management information systems. Information and decision support systems, knowledge management and specialized information systems, database management systems, telecommunications, the Internet, Intranets, Extranets, and wireless networks will be examined. This course also covers systems development, e-commerce, and the ethical and societal impact of management information systems.

This course introduces the student to local area networking concepts in an easy to understand way. In today's competitive business world, one needs to have a basic understanding of the networking technology that runs it. Whether they choose to delve full bore into the technical side of networking or use what they learn to make an informed decision regarding the design, implementation, and maintenance of their local area network, this course will give the student a good foundation to build upon. Students must have access to MS Visio 2000 or higher . This course meets the topical requirements of the IAW 8570.1M Technical I category.

This course explores Networking Security from the perspective of risk management and confirms that assessment of IP based Network systems is critical to developing strategies to mitigate and manage risks. This course focuses on effective assessment strategies that ultimately help the student to implement effective and proactive risk mitigation measures and risk management practices. It exposes the vulnerabilities of TCP/IP; and appraises risk assessment, risk analysis, risk mitigation, risk management, networking components and Virtual Private Networks (VPN). This course examines the tools and techniques used to attack, test and assure the security of the remote information, maintenance, FTP, database, email, UNIX RPC, and IP VPN services. The student will apply this knowledge to develop an assessment methodology that identifies, attacks, and penetrates IP based network systems.

This course is a study of the concepts and technology trends essential to office productivity applications. Students will explore the principles, practices, features, and functions of the word processing application in the Microsoft Office 2010 Suite. The course will be taught with a mixture of analytical methods and practical exercises. Students will use Microsoft Word to create and format documents; and use lists, themes, mail merge, watermarks, templates, graphics, navigation tools, tables, charts, citations and bibliographies. Students will also be introduced to the features and capabilities of PowerPoint, the presentation application in the Microsoft Office Suite. This course uses the Microsoft Official Academic Course textbook that is aligned with Microsoft’s Exam--Using Microsoft Office Word 2010. The book meets the topical requirements for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office Word 2010 Certification; and contains a six month trial of Microsoft Office.

This course is an overview of computer information systems in which hardware, software, procedures, systems, and databases are explored in relation to their integration and application in business and other segments of society. Telecommunications and network concepts are introduced as a basis for understanding of the Internet and e-commerce capabilities.

This course explores the Internet's impact on business and personal dynamics, from a managerial perspective. A review of current literature will examine such issues as: changes in workplace productivity, legal issues arising from company Internet use policies, staff morale in the face of nearly ubiquitous Internet access, institutional liability for employee conduct while on the Internet, telecommuting, and the impact of conducting personal business during work time. Non-workplace issues such as the impact of the Internet on family life, politics and the economy will also be explored.

This course concentrates on the technical side of the Internet, examining network types, protocols, browsers, search engines, email communication and personal information management, multimedia on the Web, Internet services and tools [newsgroups, telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and instant messaging], Internet security (encryption, authentication, firewalls, malware, virus detection and prevention, spyware, updates and patches), and IT project management. This course also explores emergent Web 2.0 technologies such as social networking (MySpace), user created content (YouTube), Wikis, Virtual Worlds (Second Life), and online gaming. Students will need access to Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 (or higher) with Outlook Express. This software is not provided by the course material grant and must be purchased/provided by the student. This course covers the Internet Business Foundations curriculum of the CIW Foundations certification.

This course is a study of the planning and processes involved in an information system project. Its topics include planning, scheduling, and controlling aspects of a project during its life cycle. The use of project management techniques such as PERT (Project Evaluation and Review Technique) and Gantt charts will be examined in depth as will be other techniques of planning, scheduling and controlling projects. This course meets the topical requirements for the CompTIA Project + Certification.

This course is a study of the concepts and technology trends of Project Management. Students will explore the principles, practices, features, and functions of the Microsoft Project application. The course will be taught with a mixture of analytical methods and practical exercises. Students will create project plans, organize (estimate, budget, and schedule) tasks, perform and manage resource allocation, identify project constraints, determine a project’s critical path, create Gantt Charts and establish a project baseline using Microsoft Project. This course uses the Microsoft Official Academic Course textbook that covers a significant part of the topical domain for the Microsoft’s Certification Exam 70-632: Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007. Students must have access to Microsoft Office Project Standard 2007.

This course is an overview of the system development life cycle. Emphasis on current system documentation through the use of both classical and structured tools/techniques for describing process flows, data flows, data structures, file designs, input and output designs and program specifications. Discussion of the information gathering and reporting activities and of the transition from analysis to design.

The field of Information Technology (IT) is multi-faceted; it includes technology areas such as database development, web based applications, business intelligence, visual communications, data analysis, software development, network security, cybercrime, digital forensics, security auditing, security certification, service delivery, and governance. The IT industry requires credentialed professionals that are academically sound and that have the ability to complete real world IT projects. This course provides an opportunity to integrate academic rigor with real world experience; to apply theory to solve real world problems, to make the learning experiential, to facilitate project-based learning, and to integrate scholarship with practice. This course is a supervised practicum; students must submit project plans and obtain Faculty member approval prior to beginning any work on the project. The requirements of the project plan will be provided in the syllabus; it should include the project sponsor, manager, scope, objectives, methodology, progress reporting, deliverables, and schedules. The student must also submit progress reports and a final report that includes an acceptance sign-off from the project sponsor. The Faculty member also has to approve the completed project in order for the student to earn a successful grade in this class. The student is responsible to have access to all the necessary software, documents, and other materials necessary to fulfill the requirements of this course.

This course will discuss both computer and network security, from the wetware (human), software, and hardware perspectives. The "wetware" component will deal with identification of potential risk situations, establishing policies for avoidance, recovery, and prosecution, and proactive measures to reduce causal factors for security breeches in an organization. The "software" perspective will examine types of inappropriate software activity, as well as asset protection issues (recognizing software assets). This component will also address software tools available to assist in reducing administrative costs due to both malicious and accidental loss. The "hardware" component will address hardware approaches to protecting assets, as well as hardware techniques used to compromise assets. Specific technologies discussed include firewalls, symmetric key encryption, public key encryption, digital certificates, and cryptographic systems (SSL/TLS, VPNs, and Kerberos).

This course provides a solid background of fundamentals to tomorrow's information systems professionals. Data communications keeps a balance between the super-technical and the watered-down subject, providing a solid understanding not only of how things work, but how they can be applied to create business solutions. An accompanying interactive CD-ROM, integrates tightly with the course and provides 11 modules that make concepts come to life and allow hands-on practice of skills. This course also features an even more remediation at the end of each chapter and coverage of cutting-edge technologies such as Bluetooth, highly elliptical orbiting satellites, V.92, code division multiplexing, and wireless technologies.

This course is a study of the concepts and technology trends essential to office productivity applications. Students will explore the principles, practices, features, and functions of the electronic spreadsheet application in the Microsoft Office 2010 Suite. The course will be taught with a mixture of analytical methods and practical exercises. Students will use Microsoft Excel to create and format spreadsheets; they will also manipulate data and use formulas, charts, workbooks, styles, hyperlinks, themes, functions, conditional logic, graphics, comments, and security features. Students will also be introduced to Outlook, the electronic mail application in the Microsoft Office 2010 Suite. This course uses the Microsoft Official Academic Course textbook that is aligned with Microsoft’s Exam—Using Microsoft Office Excel 2010. The book meets the topical requirements for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft Office Excel Certification; and contains a six month trial of Microsoft Office.

This course is designed to provide an overview of key individual, group, and organizational issues involved in Virtual Management (technology-assisted employee management). Topics include gauging employer and employee readiness for technology-enabled communication and telecommuting; identifying appropriate job types and flexibility options; applying effective communication strategies and methods when utilizing computers and telecommunication technologies; and implementing and evaluating management procedures and policies in flexible organizations.

The course focuses on the use of information technology in the design and management of modern organizations including governments and not-for-profits. Information is now recognized as an essential resource in its own right. Technical, organizational, and social aspects of the management of this resource will be covered.

An opportunity for Information Technology Management students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of Information Technology under the mentorship of a single professor. Course is open to upper division students only. Participation is at the discretion of the faculty member. This course will require students to produce a major research paper of approximately 25-30 pages; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, an annotated bibliography, and a final paper at week 8, all of which will count toward the final grade. To be eligible for an independent study, students must be enrolled in a bachelors degree program, must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward their current degree program, and should have already contacted a professor and gained approval for the independent study topic. Once these conditions are met the student should contact his/her academic advisor. Once the course is open the student must complete an official online registration for the course.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This Capstone course is a senior level course designed to allow the student to review, analyze and integrate the work the student has completed toward a degree in Information Technology Management. The student will complete an approved academic project or paper that demonstrates mastery of their program of study in a meaningful culmination of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree requirements. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other IT Management courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.