Course Descriptions
ACSG 500: Current & Future Trends of the Internet (4.5 c.h.)
This course provides a forum for the in-depth analysis of leading edge technology such as multimedia, wireless technology, global data access, and consideration of web 2.0 theories. Students will perform detailed searches on assigned topics and provide presentations on topics of interest. Most classes are an examination and critique of leading edge technology in an Internet connected classroom. Coverage of career development in emerging fields in Internet-related jobs and a framework for understanding how current trends will drive future development is established. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 505: Project Management for Information Technology (4.5 c.h.)
In this course students develop an understanding of project management and how it improves the success of information technology projects. Project management terms and techniques such as the triple constraint of project management, knowledge areas, process groups and the life cycle are illustrated. The course provides coverage of tools and techniques of project management such as selection methods, work breakdown structures, network diagrams, critical path analysis, critical chain scheduling, cost estimates, and earned value management. Motivation theory and team building as part of the information systems organization structure is considered. A small project described from some case examples and solved using Microsoft Project 2003 integrates topics from the course. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 520: TCP/IP Architecture and Protocols (4.5 c.h.)
This course provides a solid foundation for understanding the communication process of the Internet. Topics including TCP/IP protocol suite, TCP/IP layered architecture, classful and classless addressing, IPv6, ARP, RARP, UDP, TCP, SCTP, unicast and multicast routing protocols, TELNET, FTP, TFTP, HTTP, SMTP, POP, IMAP, WAN technologies, mobile IP, multimedia over IP, compression, congestion control, flow control and security issues. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 525: Data Communications and Wireless Networking (4.5 c.h.)
This course provides an overview for the fundamentals of data communications for wired and wireless networking. Topics include analog and digital transmission, transmission media, encoding techniques, multiplexing, flow control, error control, packet switching, circuit switching, wireless LANs, cellular wireless networking, and emerging wireless technologies. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 540: Programming Languages for the Web (4.5 c.h.)
This course will enable students to create dynamic web applications using both client-side and server-side scripting technologies. Client-side technologies are necessary for validation of form data and interaction with visitors to the website. Server-side scripting enables the website to interact with other computer application systems such as email and databases. Topics include HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, JavaScript, Java Applets, Active Server Pages, and Database access through the Web. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 545: Software Engineering (4.5 c.h.)
Prerequisite: ACSG 540 (concurrent registration in ACSG 540 & ACSG 545 is acceptable).This course addresses the foundations, methodologies, and tools for developing high-quality large-scale software systems, with an emphasis on the technical issues of software development. Students in this course will work in groups through all stages of the design process (requirements, specification, design, code, and test) as they design and implement large-scale projects. This course has an e-portfolio component.
ACSG 552: Advanced Database Topics (4.5 c.h.)
Prerequisite: An introductory database course.As a second course in database theory and design, it begins with a quick review of database fundamentals, including ER modeling techniques, normalization, SQL and implementation issues. Course topics include data storage techniques, indexing, query processing and optimization, transaction processing, concurrency control, administration, security, data mining, data warehousing, distributed databases, Internet databases and XML. This course has an e-portfolio component.
ACSG 555: Open Source Software (4.5 c.h.)
This course covers the installation, configuration, and basic operation of the LAMP (Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP) environment and other open source software. LAMP has become a common environment in business. Instructional modules in this course serve as a necessary introduction to the use of the Linux operating system and provide basic functional familiarity with software used in other courses for database, web service, and scripting. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 560: Systems Analysis & Design (4.5 c.h.)
The course material encompasses the concepts, tools, and techniques required to analyze and design business information systems. It includes structured development approaches and the system development life cycle, as well as rapid application development through alternative approaches. Emphasis will be given to the role of information systems in organizations and how they relate to organizational objectives and structure. Students will be introduced to modeling tools such as data flow diagrams, entity-relationship diagrams, data dictionaries, decision tables, decision trees, structured English, use cases, and structure charts. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 565: Usability & Design (4.5 c.h.)
In this course students learn the principles of user-centered design and how they can be effectively applied to building usable web sites and intranets. Topics covered are user profiling, data gathering, scenarios, and transitioning to final design. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 570: Computer Systems Security (4.5 c.h.)
This course is concerned with the planning, deployment, and security of web services. Topics include hardware and software selection, fundamentals of secure configuration and maintenance, site organization, intrusion detection, and hardening of systems, hacking, the nature of malicious attacks, resources for improving computer security, backup procedures, and documentation techniques. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 575: Information Ethics (4.5 c.h.)
An introduction to ethical theories and the tools of ethical analysis is followed by the study of ethics issues in privacy, security and intellectual property. Topics include database and Internet ethics, electronic surveillance, plagiarism and electronic voting. Readings will be drawn from classical computer ethics literature, journals, news media and contemporary books that address these topics. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 591: Special Topics (4.5 c.h.)
Offerings developed to examine emerging issues of significance in the field. This course may be proposed and organized from within the university or by outside-recognized professionals who wish to contribute to the program and its studies. This course has an e-portfolio component.ACSG 592: Independent Study (0.5 – 4.5 c.h.)
Prerequisite: Admission to the program.Intensive individualized study related to a topic in the field. Study goals are outlined, reviewed and agreed upon by the student and faculty member. A written contract is developed. A final report or project is mandatory from the student to the faculty member.
P/F grade option only. This course has an e-portfolio component.
ACSG 593 – Directed Study (0.5 – 4.5 c.h.)
Prerequisite: Admission to the program.A course offered by a non-traditional method or a non-traditional educational institution that does not offer university credit or employer related training. The student is responsible for putting sufficient documentation on file with the advisor to receive credit.
P/F grade option only. This course has an e-portfolio component.
ACSG 594 – Internship (cr. hr. TBA)
Prerequisite: Admission to the program.Students will work for a semester in an agreed upon career position. The employer will be expected to put a letter on file with the Program Advisor documenting the proposed professional contribution the student is making to the organization. The employer must supply an evaluation at the end of the internship period.
P/F grade option only.This course has an e-portfolio component.
ACSG 596: E-Portfolio Presentation (0 credit hour)
Prerequisite: Admission to the program.A comprehensive presentation of the e-portfolio created during the courses taken for the degree must be formally presented as a requisite for degree completion. This course provides an opportunity for retrospection and reflection at the conclusion of the program. Limited to students in the final semester.
P/F grade option only.
ACSG 597: Graduate Seminar Proposal (0)
Prerequisite: Admission to the program.This course covers the formal development of a proposal and written contract for a thesis, project, independent/directed study, or internship. The proposal must be for an intensive individualized study related to a topic in the field. Study goals are outlined, reviewed and agreed upon by the student and faculty. Final approval by the faculty one month before the semester of registration for the requested course is required. A proposal outline is available from the department. Course may be repeated as a prerequisite for a second ACSG 599.
P/F grade option only.
ACSG 598: Graduate Research Seminar (4.5 c.h.)
Prerequisite: ACSG 597.A student receiving credit for a thesis, project, independent/directed study, or internship will file a written report and make an oral presentation to the Computer Science faculty during this course. The formal proposal must be approved through ACSG 598. Course may be repeated once; the ACSG 598 prerequisite must then also be repeated.
P/F grade option only. This course has an e-portfolio component.