COURSE RUBRIC

COURSE RUBRIC: FIS 318 - Introduction to Financial Systems & Databases

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on information systems planning, data modeling, database design, querying a database, and using commercial financial databases.

PREREQUISITES: ACC 210, MIS 300

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To discuss the weaknesses and limitations inherent in traditional accounting systems architectures
To describe an event-driven framework for a technology-enabled accounting information system
To describe the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) logical framework and the Information Engineering (IE) methodologies for developing enterprise-wide information systems
To define data and activity modeling and to explain the advantages of using these models
To describe and query a relational database management system and selected financial databases
To prepare REA models
To prepare activity (process) models
To construct entity relationship diagrams and to describe data structures and attributes of the database repository
To implement spreadsheet automation using Visual Basic for Applications
To perform web-based information gathering using XBRL skills

MAJOR TOPICS:   Criticisms of traditional accounting information system architectures
                                  The event-driven relational database model as an information technology solution
                                  The Input-Process-Storage-Output framework for business process modeling
                                  Managing business and information processes in a global IT environment
                                  Data modeling
                                  Database design
                                  Querying a database
                                  Using financial databases
                                  Spreadsheet automation for data extraction

COURSE INCLUDES:

Information Technology: The students will (1) use an interactive Internet learning tool to identify relationships between entity types in data modeling; (2) learn how to query a relational database; (3) use commercial financial databases such as Research Insight (Compustat), CRSP and EDGAR; (4) perform web-based information gathering using XBRL skills.

Oral Communication: All students are required to participate in class discussions in each class. For each class session, a class participation sheet is completed on which each student records his or her "best" verbal comment or contribution made during class. This is handed to the instructor at the end of class for grading. Students also present their project findings to the class.

Writing Skills: Students complete weekly assignments, which contain written components.

Critical Thinking: Students are required the extract data from databases that is important for solving assignment and project questions.

Problem Solving: Students use the information they believe is relevant to make decisions about projects and other assignments. Students are required to justify their solutions.

Team Building: Students work in groups of two or three on case projects.

Globalization: Cultural and legal differences, among countries where the global enterprise conducts commerce, and reflecting different business rules, are discussed.