Department of Computing and Decision Sciences

This course explores the role of technology in modern business management. Topics include the use of spreadsheets for business modeling, database management, artificial intelligence applications, cybersecurity, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Ethical considerations in information technology are also discussed. Students will gain hands-on experience with business intelligence tools to analyze and visualize data.

This is a first course in computer programming for business majors using Python. Students are exposed to algorithms and programming techniques, with a focus on business-oriented problems.

The course is designed to provide an understanding of accounting information and information technology in the operational and strategic decision-making of the firm. Relational databases, data modeling, SQL and web application development are covered in significant detail. Students will become familiar with several organizational transaction processing subsystems. Students will develop an understanding of internal controls and the impact of information systems on managerial decisions and organization performance.

This course will teach advanced topics in spreadsheet (Excel) design/programming. The course will show students how to use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to build functionally rich spreadsheets.

The course will focus on the development of web pages enhanced with live data from databases, adding interactivity, user preferences, and storage. The course will start out with a simple example and end with a “sophisticated” project that uses all the techniques and technology examined in the course.

IT and supply chain management professionals must develop a deep understanding of standard business processes that cut across all organizations. SAP is the industry leading ERP software, and course participants will gain valuable hands-on experience in working with the various applications by interacting with the appropriate modules in SAP. The interaction will exercise modules that companies use to implement supply chain management principles. Many of the course assignments will be done on SAP.

In this course, students will learn how to design and develop mobile apps through web-based tutorials and hands-on activities. All apps will be developed using MIT App Inventor, a free visual development environment that does not require previous programming experience.

With the pervasive use of IT in organizations for mission critical applications, successfully envisioning and implementing these applications is critical to the success of modern organizations. With the rise of outsourcing, this is becoming even more critical. Managing IT projects is very complex and requires not only general project management techniques and skills, but also the mastery of some IT specific project management issues. This course will sensitize participants to various IT project management skills and techniques relevant to current practice.

The function of supply chain management is to design and manage the processes, assets, and flows of material and information required to satisfy customers’ demands. Globalization of the economy and electronic commerce has heightened the strategic importance of supply chain management and created new opportunities for using supply chain strategy and planning as a competitive tool. The purpose of this course is to explore the basic dynamics of supply chains and to study quantitative methods currently applied to supply chain management (SCM). The course will provide an introduction to the theory of supply chain management together with examples of how businesses implement these theories in practice.

Routine business operations generate vast amounts of data, yet much of it goes unused beyond its immediate purpose. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the potential of leveraging this data for deeper insights. This course introduces students to the tools and techniques for extracting intelligence from data. Students will engage in exploratory data analysis using Excel and Python, focusing on tidying data, preparing data for analysis, and identifying underlying patterns. The course will also cover principles and techniques of data visualization to enhance data interpretation and business decision-making.

The course will equip participants with the ability to identify situations that could benefit from machine learning techniques like classification and regression to make good business decisions. Participants will learn to identify the data requirements and work with concerned people to get the data, to manipulate the data into a form usable for predictive analysis with machine learning, and to build, evaluate, present and deploy the models.

Emerging Technologies introduces students to the rapidly evolving digital tools shaping modern business, with emphasis on hands-on, real-world application. The course will work with various artificial intelligence and agentic AI tools, cybersecurity, data visualization, data analytics and marketing classes of software. Through applied projects, students will evaluate business opportunities and issues across the suite of majors offered by the Stillman School of Business. The course also includes topics examining current trends in the technology landscape, ethical considerations in technology use, and project management and assessment best practices.

This course will provide participants with a clear understanding of enterprise applications like financial accounting, controlling, materials management, materials planning and production, sales and distribution, and warehouse management. Each of these applications will be covered through the use of the SAP enterprise systems. In addition, the course will cover security, auditing, evaluation and implementation as applied to information systems.

Introduction to information technology concepts, techniques, and responsibilities that the finance business must address, with coverage of four disruptive technologies: elastic cloud computing, big data, augmented intelligence, internet -ofthings. The business models for commercial and investment banking, insurance and risk management, and market exchanges will provide the context for use of change methodologies. Topics include governance, financial services regulations, continuity of business, data privacy, and ethical decision making.

The application and management of direct-response marketing in segmenting, targeting and establishing long-term relationships with customers. An emphasis on interactive technologies in the dissemination of marketing information and the distribution of goods and services in the electronic marketplace. The management of personal and business-to-business customer databases, and the development, management and evaluation of effective internet marketing, virtual shopping and customized marketing strategies. Offered: Spring.

See Internship Adviser. Internship courses are counted as general electives. Offered: Fall, Spring.

See Internship Adviser. Internship courses are counted as general electives. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Application for Independent Study must be completed and approved prior to registration. Forms are available from the faculty member chosen for the supervision of the project. Emphasis on research and field work appropriate to the students’ backgrounds and career objectives. Prerequisite: Departmental approval. Offered: Fall, Spring.