Department of Accounting and Business Analytics
BTM 417 (Section A1) Telecommunications in Business
Syllabus - Fall 2021
Instructor: Robb Sombach Date and Time: TR 09:30 – 10:50 Office: 3-20B Business Building In-person Classroom: BUS B-09
Online Classroom: Google Meet Office hours: Online (Google Meet)
MW 09:00 – 10:00 Course Website: University of Alberta eClass
or By appointment https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca
In-person (3-20B) Email: [email protected]
By appointment ONLY
PLANNING FOR THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Summary of Course Delivery Plans Section: A1
Calendar Format: In-person Instructor: Robb Sombach
• I have fully (and successfully) embraced the online delivery format of the past school year and I intend to use many of the online successes to deliver this “in-person” semester
• I intend to use online delivery methods wherever possible
• Lectures will be delivered in-person, in the classroom (subject to change based on attendance and larger issues related to the pandemic)
• In-person lectures will be streamed over Google Meet during scheduled class time
• Google Meet lectures will be recorded and published to YouTube within 24 hours of lecture
• Any in-class exercises will be completed online through eClass
• Final Exam will be written online (no proctoring service will be used) and details will be shared throughout semester
• These plans are subject to change given the uncertainty of the pandemic and guidance from the University of Alberta
• I will make all efforts to keep you informed as to how any changes will affect the successful completion of the semester
• Be prepare for changes, be flexible, adaptable
• Discuss any questions or concerns with your instructor throughout the semester All information to be successful in the course will be distributed through eClass. It will also be where
A. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the course is to provide an overview and introduction to fundamental concepts required to understand and apply Data communication technologies within a business environment. The course emphasizes the principles of those technologies to familiarize the students with the fundamental concepts and terminology of Data communications. Data communications equipment, networks, protocols and architectures are introduced and discussed regarding their relevance and impact on business-oriented organizations. The course also introduces managerial aspects such as planning, budgeting, design and performance of data communication systems.
As new data communication technologies keep coming, managers must make prudent investment decisions to maximize the bottom line value. Organizations, which successfully recognize, plan and manage this new world of changes, are likely to add significantly to their efficiency, productivity and profitability.
IS managers need to have an in depth understanding of a gamut of issues relating to data
communications and distributed processing, including technical, economic and managerial details. Along with pure technical details we will examine relevant managerial insights, it is more important that the manager be aware of the cost / benefit and adoption implications of the technologies, and be able to make sound decisions based on a variety of organizational factors.
With technology bettering business today, there is also the downside, so we will cover security issues dealing with everything from Spam and viruses to hackers and how to do your best to find them and prevent them. The course will focus on currently observed industry trends, including the digital
convergence of voice, video and data, enterprise wide connectivity, distributed computing environments and the massive demand for Internet based open systems.
The assignments will entail purchasing the IT infrastructure to meet the needs of a medium sized business and justifying your decision.
We will use a lot of real world examples and expose the students to occurring events that deal with what they will learn. It is assumed that students have familiarity with the Internet and that they will utilize it as an additional resource to seek further information and knowledge regarding course content.
At the end of this course, you will have developed the following course specific skills or knowledge:
• An understanding of different technology options to enable business processes
• An understanding of technology terminology to further expand your knowledge in different areas
• An understanding of planning and budgeting for a medium business technological rollout
B. COURSE PRE-REQUISITES
Undergraduate participants are expected to have a basic level of knowledge of information systems gained through BTM 311. Graduate students have no prerequisites.
C. LEARNING GOALS
This course incorporates the Learning Goals of the BCom Program, in particular:
Business Concepts and Theories
Entrepreneurial Thinking
Ethical Awareness Business Communication
Students will be able to understand and apply concepts and theories from the main functional areas in business and use analytical and quantitative tools to identify, evaluate and solve business problems.
Students will develop their ability to think entrepreneurially in order to identify new opportunities and develop innovative solutions.
Students will
incorporate ethical and social principles in making business decisions. Students will recognize common ethical dilemmas, understand the applicable ethical codes, and will be aware of the tools to reduce unethical behaviour.
Students will communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Students will be able to deliver a clear, well- organized presentation on a business topic and create a well-written business document.
These outcomes are measured by the following assessments:
Individual Assignments
• Business Concepts and Theories, Entrepreneurial Thinking and Business
Communication skills will be applied to individual assignments, in-class discussions and questions.
• Assesses Business Concepts and Theories and the grasp of quantitative material by applying conceptual lecture materials throughout the entire course.
• Assesses Ethical Awareness related to interpretation of different ethical viewpoints.
Group Assignments
• Business Concepts and Theories, Entrepreneurial Thinking and Business
Communication skills will be applied to group deliverables which include a written report and oral presentation.
Exams
• Covers high level knowledge of all the in class lectures through the semester
• Assesses Business Concepts and Theories, Entrepreneurial Thinking, Business Communication, Ethical Awareness related to interpretation of different viewpoints and how it applies to different organizations.
D. COURSE MATERIALS Textbook (Optional)
• Business Data Communications and Networking, 14th Edition, Jerry FitzGerald, Alan Dennis,
E. COURSE ACTIVITIES AND EVALUATION
MIS 417
Component Weight
Assignments (15%)
Individual Assignment (includes a Proposal) 15%
Exams (45%)
Midterm 15%
Final 30%
Group Project (30%)
Report 15%
Presentation 10%
Peer Assessment 5%
Class Participation (10%)
Discussion, In-class Activities, Attendance 10%
Total 100%
These grades represent the only marks available to students. No additional work or extra credit is available.
Assignments
The Individual Assignment is designed to develop your knowledge of Business Telecommunication techniques and principles.
Except for extenuating circumstances, all assignments will be penalized 10% for each late day. No assignment submission will be accepted after December 7, 2021.
In-class Activities
Occasionally, the instructor may assign a synchronous activity during class time which students will be required to complete within a specified time limit. These activities may be completed individually or in a small group.
Participation
Participation for this course involves three components: attendance, frequency of participation, and quality of participation. All students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities as these represent an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of the material. Students should note that pre-class preparation has a significant impact on the quality of participation.
Exams (Midterm and Final)
• There are two Exams in this course.
• Each exam will be based on the lecture, notes and readings in the course.
• Generally, the Exams will not be cumulative but your understanding of previous concepts may be applied to material in the Final Exam
• The Final Exam is tentatively scheduled to start on Monday, December 13 at 09:00.
Group Project
• You will be assigned to a project team with ~2 to 3 members.
• Each team member is responsible for the effectiveness and success of the project team.
• The project team may choose to assign specific roles to individual members.
• If unforeseen difficulties arise, such as an injury or illness or the disappearance of a team member, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
• Undergraduate students will be required to assess your fellow Undergrad Team Members using the Peer Assessment process described in a later section of this Syllabus.
Peer Assessment
A Peer Assessment grade will be included in the Group Project and Presentation component and is worth 5% of your total grade. The following process will be used to determine your Peer Assessment score:
You will evaluate the members of your group for the Project (including yourself), in terms of the relative amount of effort / contribution made by the team members towards the team project. You should take into account such factors as Meeting Attendance, Quantity and Quality of Work, Ability to meet group deadlines and Attitude/cooperation. You will assign a grade to each team member based on the scale below in order to assess each team members’ performance. Once the Peer Assessment scores are compiled for each student, the Peer Assessment mark may be adjusted to reflect performance.
10, 9 far above average 8 a little above average
7 average
6 a little below average
5 below average
4, 3, 2 far below average 1 did not participate
Excused Absences
Occasionally life events occur that require a student to miss term work, term examinations, or final examinations. “Excused absences are not granted automatically and will be considered only for acceptable reasons such as incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction, or for circumstances as described in the University's Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy.” (see University of Alberta Calendar – Academic Regulations – Attendance)
Unacceptable reasons include, but are not limited to, personal events such as vacations, weddings, or travel arrangements. When a student is absent without an acceptable excuse, a final grade will be computed using a raw score of zero for the work missed. Any student who applies for or obtains an excused absence by making false statements will be liable under the Code of Student Behaviour.
If you are unable to attend a lecture for an academically acceptable reason, you may request an excused absence from your Instructor in writing (e.g. email) 24 hours before the date of absence.
The Attendance – Absence from Final Exam Section of the Calendar provides the University Regulations regarding procedures in the case of a missed final examination. Students who miss the final exam must apply through the Undergraduate Office for an alternate final exam. For additional details regarding absence from exams, please see the university’s calendar.
Exams Remarking Policy
For information regarding applying for a reappraisal of your final exam please see the Examinations – Exam section of the Calendar.
Link to official U of A Academic Regulations documents https://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=33&navoid=9816
Conversion of Course Marks to Final Grade Letter
Letter grades will be assigned to the percentage marks in accordance with University Regulations [Evaluation Procedures and Grading System of the University Calendar]. Grades in this course will be based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance.
After the above assignments and exams are marked, they will be weighted according to the above chart and the weighted scores will then be added together to produce a total “raw” achievement score (total weighting = 100%) for each student over the entire course.
Then, within each section, these “raw” scores will then be sorted (from high to low), producing an ordered list of the achievements of that section’s students.
Then, these lists of “raw” scores will be examined for natural “break points” that distinguish one or a group of students from another. By looking at these natural break points, as well as possibly considering:
students’ relative examination scores on major examinations; any special circumstances in the technical delivery of the course for that specific section; and an instructor-assessment of where each student fits in the “Description of Grade Distribution Levels” (shown below), break points will ultimately be established and students’ achievements will be clustered into grade-levels. Instructor judgments in this area are based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance in a class.
Then, each section will be examined both independently and in aggregate with all sections combined to confirm or else adjust the cutoffs for each section. Every attempt will be made to apply a single curve that is appropriate for all sections, but ultimately each section is graded independently. Since the material and testing is identical for all sections, expectations are that a single cut-off will be able to be applied to all sections, but this is not guaranteed.
In prior years, the night class has typically scored lower on average than the day classes. The most likely reason for this is because the night class meets once per week, rather than twice per week. However, if you are in the night class, you are expected to know that attending class once per week, compared to twice per week, makes comprehension and learning more difficult. Please be very mindful of this
additional burden and spread your study time for the course throughout the week, perhaps even studying more than you normally would for a course that meets twice per week.
Description of Grade Distribution Levels used in BTM 417
The following is for your general guidance as to how the official University of Alberta grading scale is applied in this course.
The approximate percentage of students who get grades in each major grading category is subject to change depending on the overall quality of students in the class and the difficulty of course material.
The instructors would be prepared to give a higher proportion of A grades (for example) to a class where the students demonstrated they had reached the standard we look for in assigning an A. The same would apply in the other categories.
No one fails without demonstrating a failure to grasp the material at the most basic level. The lowest person in the class will not automatically get an F or even a D. It will depend on the level of knowledge the student displays.
Grade General Descriptor Grade Detailed Description A Excellent
Often represents top 35%
of class (approximately)
A+ Outstanding grasp of concepts of course in addition to outstanding performance on examinations and papers. Outstanding written communication skills in both papers and examinations. Often represents the top 5 - 8% of class.
A Excellent grasp of concepts of course in addition to excellent performance on examinations and papers. Excellent written communication skills in both papers and examinations. Often represents the top 15% of class.
A- As in A above with some weaknesses in conceptual understanding or in written communications skills in papers and examinations.
B Good
Often represents next 45% of class (approximately)
B+ Very good grasp of concepts of course in addition to very good performance on examinations and papers. Very good written communication skills in both papers and examinations. Student may have outstanding abilities on one portion of the course, with weaknesses in some other areas.
B As in B+ above with more substantial weaknesses in one or more areas of the course.
B- As in B above with more marked weaknesses particularly in the area of communication of understanding.
C Satisfactory
Often represents next 15% (approximately)
C+ Satisfactory grasp of concepts of course in addition to satisfactory performance on examinations and papers. Acceptable communication skills in both papers and examinations. Student may have good abilities on one portion of the course, with major weaknesses in some other areas. Understanding may be good but the ability to communicate understanding lacking.
C As in C+ above with more substantial weaknesses in one or more areas of the course.
Usually an inability to adequately display understanding of concepts.
C- As in C above with more marked weaknesses particularly in the area of communication of understanding.
D Poor
Often represents bottom 5% (approximately)
D+ Minimally acceptable basic understanding of course concepts. Minimal ability to demonstrate understanding through examinations or papers. Could also include some major gaps in understanding.
D Minimal pass. Minimally acceptable understanding of course material and poor ability to communicate understanding.
F Failure
Not necessarily anyone
F Failure to adequately grasp course material and/or failure to communicate a minimal level of understanding through examinations or papers.
F. COURSE DELIVERY FORMAT
The course will be delivered using a combination of in-person, online and recorded lectures. All in-person lectures will be streamed using a Google Meet classroom and recorded for posting after the lecture.
The lectures will establish the framework and expectations for the course and provide the introductory information necessary to be able to manage a project successfully. Students are expected to build on these basics to be able to successfully deliver the team’s project. Later classes will also allow project teams to present interim deliverables from their project case studies, as well as provide updates on project status.
Classroom Etiquette
Showing courtesy and professionalism to the instructor and other students is an important part of every class. Course materials will be delivered in both an in-person and virtual classroom simultaneously. It is expected that students:
h) will respect all view points and opinions
Class Attendance
It is your responsibility to attend the classes. If you miss class for any reason, you are still responsible for all materials covered, announcements made, and information provided. Online classes WILL be recorded and made available after the class.
Privacy Considerations
Regarding live, interactive, classroom sessions: the instructor will endeavor to inform the students and get consent and will notify the class that recording is taking place (either verbally in class, via eClass, e-mail, or any reasonable method at the instructor’s discretion).
Regarding pre-recorded lecture presentations and demonstrations: since students do not participate, recordings of these will be stored and shared as YouTube videos and will not impact student privacy.
Students should not normally record any classroom sessions, including any Breakout-sessions for which they are the host. If circumstances warrant the creation/storage/sharing of such recordings, the student must in advance get informed consent from all invitees. Permission for such recordings is granted solely for the personal use of the student(s) and to enhance their understanding of the lecture material.
Virtual Classroom
The software used to host the Virtual Classroom will be Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/
G. ACADEMIC SUPPORTS
The Academic Success Centre provides professional academic support to help students maximize their academic success and achieve their academic goals. The Centre offers appointments, advising, group workshops, online courses, and specialized programming year-round to students in all university programs, and at all levels of achievement and study.
Location:
1-80 Students' Union Building University of Alberta, North Campus
Website:
https://www.ualberta.ca/current- students/academic-success-centre
Phone: 780-492-2682 Email: [email protected]
H. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Because we regard this class as we would any job responsibility, it seems prudent to clarify, in advance, the policy on academic integrity. Given the professional nature of the BCom program, it is unlikely that a student in this class would turn in work which is not their own. However, if we determine that the work is not entirely that of the student(s) whose name(s) appear on the work, the student(s) involved may not pass this course and be further subject to program-level discipline. Specifically, in order to protect the integrity of the BCom degree, the University may expel, suspend, reprimand, or reduce a course mark of any student who breaches the Code of Student Behavior (online at
https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/resources/policies-standards-and-codes-of-conduct/code-of-student- behaviour.html).
Absolute and complete academic honesty is expected of you in this course. It is important for you as a student to behave in an ethical manner. The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect.
Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/StudentAppeals.aspx) and avoid any behaviour
that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
I. TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
A tentative course schedule has been published in eClass in Microsoft Excel format. Please note that the schedule is subject to change in order to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances.