Undergraduate Information Technology Management Curriculum

MGT 2210 - Information Systems and Digital Transformation

Note: MGT 2210 replaced MGT 2200 during 2019 Spring. Students who have already taken MGT 2200 or an authorized equivalent by the end of 2019 Spring may still count that course toward degree and prerequisite requirements.  All other students must take MGT 2210 or an authorized equivalent. Students desiring to transfer a course as an equivalent of MGT 2210 should consult the transfer equivalency table and, if necessary, submit the course through the transfer credit evaluation process: http://admission.gatech.edu/transfer/transfer-credit.

During recent decades, IT has transformed companies—their business processes, decision-making structures, corporate strategies, and the way they interact with customers and suppliers. What do these changes mean to business operations and strategy? What new threats and opportunities do they present?

While technology has progressed at an amazing pace, the management processes designed to utilize the technology have often lagged. Consequently, the major IT challenges faced by companies are not primarily technical in nature, but rather managerial and human in focus. They pose challenges such as: how to justify large IT investments; how to manage risks; how to choose the appropriate technology; how to integrate the technology with existing processes and systems; and how to store, manage, and take advantage of the increasing amounts of data, information, and knowledge that can be captured nowadays.

This introductory course in the management of information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) will focus on understanding the fundamentals of IT and IS from a managerial viewpoint, not a computer science perspective.  These are the specific course objectives:

• Develop a basic technical understanding of IT and IS: Business managers and consultants need to understand the technical fundamentals in order to assess trade-offs and make strategic decisions.
• Build an IT vocabulary: Understanding the language and terminology of IT is essential to competing successfully in a job market that requires technology literacy.
• Develop an understanding of IT applications: Managers and consultants need to know how to harness the power of IT to build and sustain competitive advantage. In this course, students are exposed to Excel, R, and to MySQL.
• Obtain a basic understanding of how modern enterprises strategically leverage IT, IS, and data to generate competitive advantage.

Some electives are not offered every semester. This list may change over time. For specific information about classes, pre-requisites, professors, days/times and classroom locations for a given term go to Oscar. Current students may also visit the ITM Site in Canvas for more information about courses and suggested sequences.

MGT 3743 - Emerging Technologies
Emerging technologies can change the business and societal environment rapidly and dramatically.

Knowing how to analyze emerging technologies and to forecast their implications for individuals, businesses, markets, and society is a critical skill in a broad range of contexts, including:

• Managers considering the use of use an emerging technology within their organizations,
• Analysts predicting the impact of an emerging technology on an industry,
• Inventors or entrepreneurs developing a new technology,
• Policy‐makers charged with helping society benefit from emerging technologies.

This course introduces students to methods for analyzing and making decisions about emerging technologies. This includes tools, principles, and theories for evaluating which technologies will emerge and why. Given this understanding, students should be able to develop useful technology forecasts and leverage those forecasts for business advantage.  The specific course objectives are:

• Discuss the prospects of emerging technologies. (This set changes as new technologies emerge.)
• Apply tools and techniques to scan the horizon for emerging technologies relevant to business and society.
• Analyze how emerging technologies will affect individuals, firms, markets, policy, and society in the future.
• Describe the system in which technologies emerge, including catalysts and inhibitors.
• Develop and refine forecasts for how advances in technology will affect business and society in the future.
• Predict which emerging technologies will be successful and why.

Note: Spring section is open to all students. Fall section is restricted to Technology and Management program students.

MGT 3745 - Business Programming
"Everybody in this country should learn how to program, since it teaches you how to think" - Steve Jobs.

In recent decades, computer programming has created tremendous social welfare and wealth, perhaps even rivaling farming in its revolutionary effects on society. Learning to think algorithmically and to use computers as tools is one of the first steps towards participating in that revolution.  (See the video “What most schools don't teach” at http://youtu.be/nKIu9yen5nc for an eloquent explanation of what it means to learn to “code”.) People who understand programming and business have a leg up in the pursuit of gratifying, high paying work in information systems.

And programming can simply be a lot of fun--a creative and useful hobby with almost instantaneous results. 

This course continues students' introduction to object-oriented programming. Students will hone problem solving and critical thinking skills while stepping through the development process from design through coding, testing, and release to solve a real business problem.  The specific course objectives are:

• Familiarity with the fundamental principles of programming, debugging and testing an application using a modern object-oriented programming language
• Proficiency in problem solving through programming using object-oriented design principles and algorithms of your own creation—and experiencing the joy of programming
• Experience with software development in a group work environment—the most common scenario in industry

Note: The language of instruction in a given section will depend on the choice of the instructor, but it will always be object oriented. In the past, java, python, and javascript have been used, for example. Check with the scheduled instructor to learn what language your section will use.

MGT 4050 - Business Analytics
Today, businesses, consumers, and societies leave behind massive amounts of data as a by-product of their activities. Leading-edge companies in every industry are using business analytics to replace intuition and guesswork in their decision-making. As a result, managers are collecting and analyzing enormous data sets to discover new patterns and insights and running controlled experiments to test hypotheses.

This course teaches rigorous algorithms and methodologies for analyzing business data. It illustrates the processes of business analytics by allowing students to apply business analytics, algorithms and methodologies to real-world business datasets from finance, marketing, and operations. The use of real-world examples and cases places business analytics techniques in context and teaches students how to avoid the common pitfalls, emphasizing the importance of applying proper business analytics techniques. In addition to cases, this course features hands-on experiences with data collection and business analytics software.

This course prepares students to understand big data and business analytics and become leaders in these areas in business organizations. After taking this course students should be able to:

• Approach business problems data-analytically, thinking carefully and systematically about whether and how data and business analytics can improve business performance.
• Develop and execute business analytics projects within business organizations.
• Interact intelligently on the topic of business analytics with CIOs, business managers, and data scientists.

Note: Students who complete MGT 4050 should consider taking MGT 4803, Business Analytics II, as well.  

MGT 4052 - Systems Analysis and Design
When most people think of developing an information system, they think of programming. However programming is wasted if the product doesn’t solve the business problem. The foundation for the development of an effective information system occurs before a single line of code is written—during systems analysis and design. 

Analysis is the process of understanding the business problem and the constraints that limit possible solutions. It begins with asking questions, and then proceeds to analysis of the answers and documenting conclusions, including requirements. Design is the working out of alternative solutions that answer the requirements using the capabilities of available technology and people. These activities usually go together and are called Systems Analysis and Design.

Systems Analysts and Designers bridge the understanding and capabilities of information systems users and information systems developers. They work closely with users to understand and model their business problems. They design new or improved information systems, specifying how systems will perform, and work with developers to ensure that the product solves the users’ business problem.

This course will provide students with a foundation in the methods and practice of systems analysis and design. The portfolio element for this course is a document containing business requirements, a system design with appropriate illustrations and narratives, and a prototype. The specific course objectives are:

• Understanding of the fundamental systems development life cycle and its phases, the common development methods, including agile methods, and the typical roles and skills of analysts
• Proficiency in the gathering of information on business problems and constraints and in modeling business processes, data and behaviors.
• Proficiency in the design and creation of a prototype of a system that can be used to simulate functionality with stakeholders, and specifications that can be used by developers to implement a system
• Familiarity with the phases of system construction, system testing, and document development
• Familiarity with the system installation process, including conversion strategies, change management techniques, and post-installation processes

MGT 4056 - Electronic Commerce
Whether you’re a manager in a large, established global enterprise or an entrepreneur in the early stages of a business start-up, e-Commerce possibilities and competitive threats now often shape the business agenda. Whether a firm becomes a winner in the increasing wired “e-Economy” will largely be determined by how its leadership reacts to new technology-driven opportunities, to the changing values and characteristics of technology “empowered” consumers and business buyers, and to rival strategies and competitive actions.

This course examines several business, managerial and economic issues related to electronic commerce and electronic business. Building on the functional core area courses such as Information Technology (IT) management, operations, strategy, economics and marketing, this course focuses specifically on business model analysis and design in the context of electronic commerce, particularly EC startups.

The course features interactions with industry leaders using their live cases, hands-on (lab and field) experiments and field trip experiences, and integration of cutting edge research with education. The course project is for each team to do the digital business model analysis, design and search of their own EC startup. Alternatively, each team may research, write and present a new EC startup case.

MGT 4057 - Business Process Analysis and Design
In a modern organization, business processes are supported by a complex software infrastructure--partly procured and partly developed in-house--that interlinks, automates and increases their efficiency.

This is a course on business processes and the underlying software infrastructure that supports them. Although the concept of business processes is deceptively simple, the complexity lies in the details and the myriad of different ways in which companies structure these processes. The emphasis of this course is on this software infrastructure and its relationships to business processes and organizational structure, and how firms can manage these relationships most effectively. The teaching format of the course draws upon in-class lectures, case discussions, guest speakers from industry, and hands-on exercises. These topics are covered in depth:

• IT-enabled process change within the enterprise
• Challenges of intra-firm process change
• Challenges and benefits of inter-firm process change
• Process Modeling
• Enterprise IT systems and business analytics

This course helps students prepare for a variety of careers:

• IT or Supply Chain consultants who need to understand the tools available in the marketplace to support business processes
• Financial analysts focusing on the software/IT industry
• Systems analysts--business professionals who specializes in the integration of technology in the firm
• Sales and Marketing professionals who focus on IT/Software products

MGT 4058 - Database Management
Almost every modern organization, whether in the manufacturing or service sector, uses database technology to store critical data and manage its operations. Database technology is critical to every functional area in an organization, including marketing, manufacturing, operations, and accounting.

This is an introductory course on database technology designed to provide hands-on experience in designing and developing databases to meet organizational goals through instruction in database management and design. With the advent of end-user computing and the proliferation of personal computers and local area networks in the workplace, understanding this important technology is crucial to every employee in the organization.

Topics include database concepts, data modeling, relational database development, SQL, the application of popular database systems software, and some additional topics on more advanced database technology and applications.

The portfolio element for this course is a database implemented in MySQL that will support decision making in a problem area of the student’s choice.
After taking this class, students should have a grasp of the following major subjects in database management:

• Conceptual data modeling (Entity-Relationship model)
• Logical database design
• Relational data model
• SQL and the basics of MySQL
• Data warehousing

MGT 4450 - Project Management
Every program ever written, every app that was ever downloaded, every new computer or tablet or phone that was created is the result of a project. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to accomplish a unique product, service, or result. This course is concerned specifically with projects that create or update computer software. However, project management principles and practices are used in many industries, e.g. construction, automobile and aircraft manufacturing, consumer electronics, and computer hardware, among others.

IT Project Managers play an essential role in the smooth and successful execution of IT initiatives. Often working in teams, they ensure project alignment with business objectives, secure and track resource use, keep channels of communication open with all important stakeholders, and apply best practices of the project management field to bring IT projects in on time and budget and to specification. Interpersonal skills are essential to success in this profession. Even if you are not managing an IT project, you will almost certainly be part of one at some time.

The project management profession is strongly influenced by the PMI (Project Management Institute) through its two widely recognized certifications—the PMP (Project Management Professional) and the CAPM (Certified Associate of Project Management). This course lays the groundwork for additional study to prepare for the CAPM exam.

The portfolio element for this course is a document containing a business case, a project charter and requirements management plan, and a project plan with updates. Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word and Excel will be in evidence. The specific course objectives are:

• Understanding of the concepts and models commonly used to organize and discuss the work of project management.
• Understanding of the importance of leadership and ethics in project management, the nature of the challenges managers face, and some methods for meeting those challenges.
• Proficiency in creating a business case for an IT project.
• Proficiency in creating a project charter and a requirements management plan.
• Proficiency in the development of a project plan that reflects current PMBOK and ITPM practice.
• Proficiency at updating the various parts of a project plan as the project unfolds, and communicating changes to stakeholders

MGT 4803 - Business Analytics II

Today businesses, consumers, communities and societies create or manage massive amounts of data as a by-product of their activities. Companies in every industry are using data analytics to add to, or replace, intuition and guesswork in their decision-making. As a result, business managers can use their data troves and analytical skills to discover new patterns and insights, and/or to run controlled experiments to test various hypotheses.

This course illustrates key processes of analytics by allowing students to apply business analytics algorithms, methodologies and their creativity to various business problems. Data collection and definition are also critical steps for understanding of phenomena and predictions. This course develops students’ practice in business analytics, data collection and model interpretation. It helps students become valuable workers in data analytics in business organizations.

The use of projects, discussions and comparative analysis between student teams places business analytics techniques in context and teaches students how to avoid the common pitfalls. The course will also show that often there can be more than one “good answer” or one “good choice”, yet choices have different business profitability implications. We need to be discerning in the type of data that we choose to analyze and how we analyze it.

This course covers methodologies, algorithms, and challenges in analyzing business data, with an emphasis on developing business insights into consumer behavior to make better economic decisions. This course will study applications of data analysis in:

• Finance & Investments (incl. basics of cryptocurrencies and blockchain)
• Marketing & Advertising (esp. online ads and targeting in social networks)
• Operations & Logistics (basis of queueing and inventory management)

Specific machine learning objectives will be in classification methods, tree-based methods, forecasting time series, SIR/SEIR models, neural networks and social network analytics.

MGT 4803 - Business Data Visualization

Visualizing data is an important step in understanding data, exploring relationships, and “making a case.” With
the abundance and relevance of data in almost any type of work, the ability to understand and interpret data
has become an indispensable business skill. The goal of this class is to introduce principles and tools of data
visualizations, and to create visualizations for two different but related purposes: (1) exploration; and (2)
explanation / presentation. “Exploration” is about helping you or other stakeholders understand the data, such
as building a dashboard; “explanation,” in contrast, is when you go through the process of exploring the data,
testing various hypotheses, and formulating a “story” to convey that finding to others in a convincing manner.

Upon successful completion of the class, you should be able to:

• Format, clean, and transform data, or combine multiple datasets, so as to prepare for visualization
• Identify the proper visualization types for different use cases
• Use appropriate tools to effectively explore data and uncover data patterns, and allow others to do so
  by building effective dashboards
• Create appropriate visualizations to explain and convey findings, and
• Apply visualization principles to improve and critique visualizations.

Use of VIP Course Credits in the ITM Concentration

VIP (Vertically Integrated Project) courses provide the time and context to learn and practice professional skills, to make substantial contributions, and experience different roles on large multidisciplinary design/discovery teams. The long-term nature of VIP creates an environment of mentorship, with faculty and graduate students mentoring teams, experienced students mentoring new members, and students moving into leadership roles as others graduate. VIP attracts students from many disciplines and enables the completion of large-scale design/discovery projects.

The ITM area will allow exactly 3 hours of concentration Group B credit for long-term participation in selected VIP projects in which the role played by the ITM student reinforces the educational goals of the ITM concentration.

Students who earn 6 hours of VIP course credit with a grade of “C” or better in projects approved for the ITM Concentration may use 3 of those hours to fulfill 1 Group B elective in the ITM concentration. Hours earned below 3 or greater than 3 may not be applied to the Group B requirement. However they may count as non-business electives toward the BSBA degree or as free electives. Note: Students involved in VIP projects for 2 or more years will normally apply 3 or more VIP course credits to the non-business elective or free elective requirement for the BSBA.

Only pre-approved projects will be allowed for ITM Group B credit. No project will be considered retroactively. The steps to using VIP course credit toward fulfilling the ITM concentration requirements are:

• First, if a student is interested in a specific project, they should verify that the team is seeking business students as members. Currently over 20 teams are seeking business students. Team information is at: http://www.vip.gatech.edu/teams.

• Second, if the student identifies a team they are interested in joining, they should contact the ITM faculty member who is managing the area’s participation in the program to be sure that the team’s project is eligible. Otherwise the project will be ineligible for consideration for ITM credit. Faculty member contact information is at: https://www.scheller.gatech.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate/courses-curriculum/curriculum-itm.html.

• Third, once approval for a particular project and role is given by ITM, the student must apply and be accepted to the team that is working on the project of interest.  The form for doing this is at: https://secure.ece.gatech.edu/vip/apply/undergrad.php

• Fourth, if accepted to a project, register for the appropriate VIP course. VIP course numbers indicate the year (2..4) and the credit (01..02). Each VIP project is indicated by a section identifier of a VIP course for the appropriate level and credit. There are 5 VIP courses that ITM students may enroll in for Group B Credit (approved sections only):

  • VIP 2601: VIP Project Team (1 hour credit)

  • VIP 3601: VIP Project Team (1 hour credit)

  • VIP 3602: VIP Project Team (2 hours credit)

  • VIP 4601: VIP Project Team (1 hour credit)

  • VIP 4602: VIP Project Team (2 hours credit)

Note: If the student is not interested in ITM Group B credit, they can join any VIP project that invites them, regardless of the role they would play, and count all the hours as non-business or free electives.

The ITM Concentration focuses on the design and development of computer-based business information systems and the role they play in organizations. It covers such topics as database design, systems analysis and design, data communications, and other concepts employed in the application of information technology to business activities.

ITM students are strongly recommended to take CS 1301 to fulfill the Institute's computing requirement instead of CS 1315. CS 1301 provides a firm foundation in algorithmic thinking and may satisfy a prerequisite requirement for other CS courses in the concentration.

After completing MGT 2210 "Information Systems & Digital Transformation" (prev. MGT 2200), students complete six information technology management courses--at least three from Group A and the remainder from Group A or Group B. Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in all courses for a concentration.

Questions about the ITM concentration? Contact Dr. Michael Smith or the Scheller Undergraduate Program Office at 404-894-2605.

The Information Technology Management (ITM) Certificate focuses on the design and development of computer-based business information systems and the role they play in organizations. It covers such topics as database design, systems analysis and design, data communications, and other concepts employed in the application of information technology to business activities.

This certificate is available to all undergraduate students at Georgia Tech. The ITM Certificate requires 5 courses totaling 15 semester hours covering management information systems, a programming class, a database class, and a selection of general elective courses in ITM. Only courses for which the student has received a grade of “C” or higher may count toward the ITM certificate. 

Business Analytics Certificate (All Majors)

The ITM area also offers a Business Analytics Certificate.