The Information Technology Management (ITM) curriculum prepares graduates to bridge the gap between the problems of business and the capabilities of information technology.
Scheller ITM graduates become business and systems analysts, project managers, and consultants who understand business problems, design solutions, and work with programmers to create them. They work in every industry, in every area of business, in organizations large and small, for profit and not for profit, all over the world.
Questions about the ITM concentration? Contact Dr. Michael Smith or the Scheller Undergraduate Program Office at 404-894-2605.Core |
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:
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Electives |
MGT 3742 - Spreadsheet Modeling for Business Decision Making This course enables students to use advanced feature of spreadsheet software to create models for decision making. The emphasis is on acquiring a skill set with which to create models in any domain of business using examples from various areas such as finance and operations. This is not an introductory course. Students should possess working knowledge of a basic spreadsheet program before taking the course. The course will begin with a brief review of essential spreadsheet knowledge and skills, much of which is already considered “advanced”, before proceeding to programming concepts and techniques used to create applications for decision support in business. 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:
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:
Note: Spring section is open to all students. Fall section is restricted to Technology and Management program students. MGT 3745 - Business Programmin 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 introduces students to object-oriented programming using Java and a web-scraping development kit. 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:
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 and C# have been used, for example. Check with the scheduled instructor to learn what language your section will use. MGT 4050 - Business Analytics 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:
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. Proficiency in Microsoft Visio, Word, Excel and PowerPoint will be in evidence. The specific course objectives are:
This course is designed to enable students to plan and use data communications to support a business strategy, including determining requirements, requesting and evaluating proposals, working with vendors on implementation and maintenance, and addressing common management issues such as security and continuity planning. Understanding how the wired and wireless infrastructures work, how the Internet works, and how applications use networks will give students a good base from which to envision the opportunities and threats that will arise from new products and services and from research in the underlying technologies. The portfolio element for this course is a document containing business requirements, a request for proposal, a proposal, and a short report on a new data communications technology or equipment. Proficiency in Microsoft Visio, Word and Excel will be in evidence. The specific course objectives are:
MGT 4056 - Electronic Commerce 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. MGT 4057 - Business Process Analysis and Design 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:
This course helps students prepare for a variety of careers:
MGT 4058 - Database Management 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.
MGT 4450 - Project Management 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:
MGT 4803 - Social & Digital Analytics Social and digital strategies are driving businesses in the modern age. Successful managers need the skills to identify the metrics that matter in the social and digital space, measure its impact on the organizations bottom line and communicate the strategic opportunities that emerge from social and digital insights. This course covers every aspect of digital marketing and business operations including the following topics:
Mastering the social and digital analytics and its related strategy practice provides both a competitive advantage and a foundation for the future. This course prepares students to understand social and digital metrics, apply analytics techniques and become leaders in these areas in business organizations. This course covers the definitions, methods, algorithms and implications of digital analytics while reviewing issues, and challenges occurring today. It will provide hands-on experience with the tools used in the field, and will position students with the foundation for a career in the social and digital analytics field. The use of real-world examples, guest speakers that are practitioners in the field, and current issues in analytics will ensure this course is topical and applicable to the student’s current experience. Use of VIP Course Credits in the ITM Concentration 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:
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. |
ITM Concentration |
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. GROUP A: At least 3 courses:(Note: Pre-requisites are in parentheses. Pre-requisites will not be waived.) GROUP B: Choose to bring total ITM courses to 6:(Note: Pre-requisites are in parentheses. Pre-requisites will not be waived.) |
ITM Certificate (All Majors) |
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. Three (3) courses are required:Choose two (2) or more ITM general electives:MGT 4450 Notes:
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