About the Instructor:
Jeremy Shafer (jeremy@temple.edu)
Physical Office: 209D Speakman Hall
Virtual Office: https://temple.zoom.us/my/shafer (Zoom)
Phone: (215) 204-6432
Profile: http://community.mis.temple.edu/jshafer
Office Hours:
- 9:30am-10:30am, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- Office hours are in effect 1/17/2023 through 5/1/2023
- Other times by appointment
- Be sure to use Canvas messaging when emailing the instructor
Class Locations and Time:
Section 3: 1:00 pm to 2:20 pm, Monday and Wednesday, In Person, A602
Section 3 on the web: https://community.mis.temple.edu/mis3502sec003spring2023
Prerequisites:
MIS2402 (or MIS3501). MIS3406 (or MIS2501).
Course Description:
Use concepts of application integration to develop data driven software applications. Design the system architecture for an n-tier application. Learn how to integrate existing applications to produce new capabilities. Identify the technical and process issues of integrating a new application into the existing application structure. Relate software components such as middleware (specifically, a REST API) to the overall information architecture and apply software components to create client and server-based applications.
Course Objectives:
● Describe, experiment with, and use widely recognized standards for client/server and mobile application architectures.
● Describe and implement APIs that comply with a widely recognized standard (e.g. the RESTful standard) using a server-side programming language (e.g. JavaScript/Node.js)
● Demonstrate understanding of exceptions to the RESTful standard made by leading technology providers (possible examples: Google Maps, PayPal, Amazon Poly, IBM Watson)
● Develop one or more API services hosted in the cloud
● Use a combination of front-end and back-end technologies to create an application that addresses a business problem.
Temple and COVID-19:
Temple University’s motto is Perseverance Conquers, and we will meet the challenges of the COVID pandemic with flexibility and resilience. The university has made plans for multiple eventualities. Working together as a community to deliver a meaningful learning experience is a responsibility we all share: we’re in this together so we can be together.
How This Course Will Be Taught:
This class is an “in person” class. Throughout the entire semester, this course will be taught using a “flipped classroom” format. That is, the formal instruction will be provided via recorded lecture which can be viewed asynchronously.
The time spent in the regular “in person” classroom will be dedicated to “hands on” application of material. Students are expected to both attend the synchronous classes and engage in the asynchronous material. Failure to do so will adversely impact students’ performance in the class.
Two synchronous, “in person” class sessions will be held each week.
All quizzes will be conducted in class. Quizzes are intended primarily to assess student’s recall of the recorded lecture material.
All exams will be conducted in class. See the class schedule for information about exam dates.
Textbook and Materials:
There is no textbook for this course. Reading and viewing of free resources on the internet will be assigned throughout the semester.
Students will be expected to use LinkedIn Learning to watch the video “Learning SQL Programming” with Scott Simpson. Other videos (recorded by the instructor) will be assigned.
Students are expected to own a personal laptop with working audio/visual capability for web conferencing. See: https://www.fox.temple.edu/current-students/laptop-policy/
Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wifi-access, should submit a request outlining their needs using the Student Emergency Aid Fund form. The University will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Mifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access.
Evaluation and Grading:
Item |
% |
Exam 1 |
15% |
Exam 2 |
25% |
Quizzes (10) |
20% |
Project 1 – Game |
5% |
Project 2 – Guided |
10% |
Project 3 – Independent |
10% |
Project 4 – Personal |
10% |
Online Community Participation |
5% |
Scale |
|||
Percentage |
Letter |
Percentage |
Letter |
94 – 100 |
A |
73 – 76 |
C |
90 – 93 |
A- |
70 – 72 |
C- |
87 – 89 |
B+ |
67 – 69 |
D+ |
83 – 86 |
B |
63 – 66 |
D |
80 – 82 |
B- |
60 – 62 |
D- |
77 – 79 |
C+ |
Below 60 |
F |
Students who fail to earn the required MIS PRO points will receive an “Incomplete” for this course regardless of performance on exams or class participation! See the MIS Department PRO Points Requirement section of this document for details.
Grades are always communicated to the student as percentage score (i.e. on a scale of 0% to 100%)
Once a grade is communicated electronically students have a 1-week window of time in which they may approach the instructor during office hours and question the grade received. Grade adjustments will not be considered after this window has closed. Of course, during the last week of the semester, study days, and finals week, the 1-week window may shorten. Grade adjustments will not be considered 48 hours after the last day of final exams.
Exams and Quizzes:
There will be ten quizzes and two exams during the semester. The dates of these are documented in the class schedule. There will be no impromptu (‘pop’) quizzes or exams.
Exams will be administered in class. Exams are closed book, closed notes, and given in class. Each exam will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. Students will be expected to write portions of code without assistance, to read/interpret short segments of code, and to explain their approach to solving problems.
Quizzes are time-restricted, closed book assessments given online, during class. Students are allowed to use hand-written notes on a single 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper (front and back). Quizzes are used to reinforce and evaluate student’s comprehension of assigned viewing. For the quizzes, students are expected to recall basic command syntax, write short portions of code without assistance, and demonstrate their understanding of the technical terminology used in the class.
A full review of the quizzes will be conducted during the regular synchronous class meetings.
Any collusion among students to save or share quiz and exam materials will result in disciplinary action.
Students are to complete each quiz in 20 minutes or less.
Make-up exams/quizzes will not be given. Exceptions are reserved for documented hospitalization or other extreme circumstances. If an exception is made, students may find the content of the make-up exam or quiz to be more difficult than the original. It is, therefore, to the student’s advantage to take the exam or quiz along with the rest of the class.
Each student’s lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Projects:
Students will complete four projects throughout the semester. The projects vary in complexity, and to the extent that students are expected to work independently. But despite these differences, all projects share the following similar characteristics.
Completing the projects, as an individual, is the best way to prepare for the exams. Students are expected to submit their own work. Students are expected to work independently on their projects or with their instructor-assigned project partner (see project 4).
Projects typically include the instructions to “upload your work” and then to provide answers to questions. Multiple server systems may be involved in the student’s solution. Students must follow the project submission instructions completely to receive credit for their work (e.g. students must perform the upload and deliver provide responses to the instructor’s questions).
Any project submitted properly before the assigned due date/time will be treated as “on time” and will be graded accordingly. Missing or incomplete assignments will receive a grade of zero. A solution may be incomplete because the student stopped work on it, or because the student neglected to activate all components of the solution.
Because the submission of the project involves multiple steps, and (often) multiple systems, students are strongly encouraged to check their work carefully before and after they turn it in. Ensuring that your solution is up and running is part of turning in your project properly!
Projects will be graded on a scale of zero to 100 points. Each project will have its own rubric that details the point value of that project’s objectives/features.
Students who turn in their work late will receive a grade penalty. Assignments that are less than 24 hours late will receive a 10-point penalty. Assignments that are between 24 and 48 hours late receive a 20-point penalty. Projects over 48 hours late receive a grade of zero and will not be graded.
Project solutions will not be provided by the instructor. However, some assignment solutions may be reviewed in class, and/or presented via video.
Project 1 – JavaScript Game:
In this project students are guided by the instructor through the creation of a simple, interactive, JavaScript game. Students who follow along with the instructor, keep pace with the class, and correct their own mistakes as they go, will receive a passing grade on this project. To receive full credit for project 1, students will be challenged to add a personalized element to the game on their own without instructor assistance.
Project 2 – Guided Project:
In this project students are guided by the instructor through the creation of a simple application with business value. Students who follow along with the instructor, keep pace with the class, and correct their own mistakes as they go, can expect to receive full credit on this project. All students will be working on the same guided project.
Project 3 – Independent Project:
In this project students are expected to use general instructions and resources provided by the instructor to independently work through the creation of a simple application with business value. Students will not be given specific, step-by-step instructions. Students are expected to correct their own mistakes as they go. All students will be working on the same independent project. Students will be evaluated on the extent to which their solution conforms to the expected solution.
Project 4 – Personal Project:
In this project students are expected work with a peer to create a project that is unique and distinct from all other projects in past semesters or the current semester. This is the only project where students are expected to work closely with a project partner. The personal project grade will be based on the solution’s functionality, sophistication, innovation, and appearance. While each final personal project grade is determined by the instructor, personal projects will be reviewed / commented on by your peers.
Usually, project partners receive the same grade, but that is not a guarantee. The instructor reserves the right to adjust the project grade of individual students in cases where the contributions to the project are inequitable. To assist and inform the instructor in these matters, students will be asked to evaluate their project partner at the end of the semester.
Online Community Participation:
Student participation grades are assigned at the sole discretion of the instructor. However, in most cases participation is calculated arithmetically. The instructor will create discussion questions and surveys on canvas. The instructor will monitor student interaction there. Students who consistently provide good answers, ask good questions, and are generally engaged in constructive dialog can expect full participation credit. Students with below average community involvement will get below average participation grades.
Participation grades are generally awarded as follows: 0 – non participatory, 50 – below average participation, 75 – average participation, 100 – above average participation.
Conversation in the classroom is important too. When called on, respond to the instructor’s questions thoughtfully. Good classroom communication may compensate for below average online participation.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises at the end of the semester, your instructor will award a participation score to each student, three times throughout the semester. The average of these three scores will account for 5% of the student’s grade.
Cold-calling:
The instructor will use the class roster to “cold call” students. This ensures that every student has a chance to participate. This practice is intended to promote student participation. Students are expected to provide thoughtful answers. Short answers – such as “Yes”, “No” and “I don’t know” are not satisfactory. If you don’t know the answer to a question, you should say so plainly, but then also attempt to provide a reasonable reply.
Attendance Protocol and Your Health:
If you feel unwell, you should not come to campus, and you will not be penalized for your absence. Instructors are required to ensure that attendance is recorded for each in-person or synchronous class session. The primary reason for documentation of attendance is to facilitate contact tracing, so that if a student or instructor with whom you have had close contact tests positive for COVID-19, the university can contact you. Recording of attendance will also provide an opportunity for outreach from student services and/or academic support units to support students should they become ill. Faculty and students agree to act in good faith and work with mutual flexibility. The expectation is that students will be honest in representing class attendance.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty:
Please see the following:
http://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/about-temple-university/student-responsibilities/
It is important to do your own work, and to not present the work of others as if it were your own. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class.
Likewise, any attempt to deliberately interfere with the technology used in this class (e.g. the class servers), or to electronically impersonate a student other than yourself, or to knowingly share your credentials with another student for the purpose of sharing your work, will also be treated as a case of academic dishonesty. All students involved in such events or activities will be penalized.
Penalties for such actions range from a failing grade in the entire course to expulsion from the program. Instances of cheating and plagiarism are very likely to be reported to the University Disciplinary Committee.
Disability Disclosure Statement:
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability, including special accommodations for access to technology resources and electronic instructional materials required for the course, should contact the instructor privately to discuss the specific situation by the end of the second week of classes or as soon as practical. Students should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to learn more about the available resources. The instructor will work with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities.
Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities:
The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link:
http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02
Class recordings:
Class meetings will be recorded. Class recordings will be made available to the Temple community at the instructors first opportunity. Any student who is not comfortable with this and/or has any related privacy concerns should contact the instructor.
Any recordings permitted in this class can only be used for the student’s personal educational use. Students are not permitted to copy, publish, or redistribute audio or video recordings of any portion of the class session to individuals who are not students in the course or academic program without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Distribution without permission may be a violation of educational privacy law, known as FERPA as well as certain copyright laws. Any recordings made by the instructor or university of this course are the property of Temple University.
MIS Department PRO Points Requirement:
The MIS Department has instituted a PRO points (professional achievement points) requirement for all MIS majors. This class is a checkpoint to ensure that students are focused on this requirement and on track to earn their 1,000 points by graduation. Students in MIS3502 must earn a minimum of 700 points by the end of the semester. Students who fail to earn the required points will receive an “Incomplete” for this course regardless of performance on exams or class participation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If a student fails to earn the minimum number of PRO points within one year from the end of the semester or does not notify their instructor that they have earned the minimum number of points, then their “Incomplete” will be changed to an “F” automatically. The grade of “F” will then be the student’s permanent grade.
Students are STRONGLY encouraged to, at a minimum, do the following to earn points:
1. Create an e-Portfolio and have it listed with the department.
2. Become an active member of AIS and participate in professional development activities.
3. Attend the IT Awards Reception (spring semester only).
4. Participate in the Data Analytics Challenge (fall semester only) and the MIS Department’s Career Fair.
5. Volunteer your time for department-sponsored events.
6. Discuss opportunities to earn MIS PRO points for projects with your MIS instructors. Note that students may not request course/project related PRO points more than one year after the end of the semester.
Finally, here are two excellent resources that describe why the MIS professional achievement points are important to you.
1. http://community.mis.temple.edu/professionalachievement
2. http://community.mis.temple.edu/store
Getting Help:
Students who wish to contact the instructor should use the Canvas messaging feature to communicate with the instructor. Students who do this can expect to receive a response from the instructor by the end of the next business day.
The instructor will also set up discussion groups in Canvas. Students are encouraged to share details about error messages and/or technical challenges they are facing there. You should understand that, while your peers should not blatantly solve problems for you, they can provide hints and suggestions that can help you overcome obstacles preventing your progress on an assigned activity.