Graduate Certificate in Decision Support Systems
The certificate in Decision Support Systems will provide information technology professionals and business managers with the skills needed to develop and analyze decision support systems in large-scale data warehouses. Students will have hands-on experience in the design and management of data warehouses using data warehousing software and in the development of business intelligence solutions with data mining methods. Students will learn about data modeling, data management, data mining, OLAP (online analytical processing), and business intelligence. Students will also study successful data warehouse installations.
Students seeking the graduate certificate in decision support systems should hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies. Students entering this program should have a basic understanding of computer systems and possess good mathematical skills.
The 18 credit hours required for the graduate certificate in decision support systems include the following courses which must all be taken at Webster University:
- CSIS 5300 Database Systems
- CSIS 5310 Introduction to Decision Support Systems
- CSIS 5400 Data Warehousing
- CSIS 5410 Introduction to Data Mining
- CSIS 5420 Data Mining
- CSIS 5600 Decision Support Systems
Program Learning Outcomes for Graduate Certificate in Decision Support Systems
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to solve problems related to the program content.
- Students will analyze and evaluate data for use in a business environment.
- Students will be able to summarize and compare the fundamental concepts and techniques of decision support systems.
- Students will recommend data manipulation and analysis algorithms for management decision making.
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The student seeking the graduate certificate should consult the Admission, Enrollment, Academic Policies, and Graduate Certificates sections of this catalog for information regarding application, admission, registration, and the academic policies of Webster University.
CSIS 5300: Database Systems (3)
This course will provide a foundation for understanding database technology by examining the way databases are used, designed and managed. The course will introduce fundamental concepts related to databases with an emphasis on the relational model. The course will cover the principles of designing databases and provide students with introductory experience in developing and using database applications. Management of databases in the workplace and the responsibilities of database administrators will be covered. This course requires a software package, Microsoft Access, for use as the database management system (DBMS) in hands-on activities. Also, as for all internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology. BUSN 6080 Business Information Systems or equivalent would provide sufficient background.
CSIS 5310: Introduction to Decision Support Systems (3)
In this course will teach fundamental concepts of information as well as decision support systems. The course will study information systems terminologies, decision-making process, data management, access, and visualizations, constructing a Decision Support Systems. The course will briefly discuss Executive Information Systems and networks role in a Decision Support System. Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites to CSIS 5310. However, it is assumed the student has adequate writing, mathematical, and analytical skills. Also, as for all internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.
CSIS 5400: Data Warehousing (3)
Data warehouses were once unique technological advantages for the corporations that had them. Now they are a relatively common corporate decision support tool used by many organizations to better understand their business. This course will provide a foundation to understand data warehouse technology by examining the way they are designed, managed, and used. The course will explore the fundamental concepts related to data warehouses. Some of the topics of interest that are covered in this course are the business justification of a data warehouse, management of a data warehouse project, the design, construction, and operation of a data warehouse, issues of data quality and performance, and using the data warehouse. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5310 - Introduction to Decision Support Systems
CSIS 5410: Introduction to Data Mining (3)
Many businesses are discovering that stored within their corporate data repositories are the elements to understanding and controlling the components of their business processes. Data warehousing, mining, and visualization are tools that can provide access to these elements.
This course will provide a foundation to understand data warehouse technology, data mining methods, and data visualization techniques by examining how these three technologies interact and depend on one another. The course will review the fundamental concepts related to data warehouses. It will also introduce data mining techniques and have the student experiment with data mining applications. Finally, the course will explain how data visualization can allow managers to quickly access large data repositories and make clear decisions based on integrated information structures. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5400 - Data Warehousing
CSIS 5420: Data Mining (3)
Data mining is the process of finding useful patterns in data. The objective of data mining is to use discovered patterns to help explain current behavior or to predict future outcomes.
This course will explore some data mining methods with a primary focus on model building and testing, as well as on interpreting and validating results. Model building is both an art and a science that is best understood from the perspective of learning by doing and this course will supplement the text with exercises with a data mining tool that will enable the student to experimentally build and test data mining models. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5410 - Introduction to Data Mining.
CSIS 5600: Decision Support Systems (3)
This course will require you to demonstrate your ability to create Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and decision support solutions for specific business requirements in an evolving scenario. Each week you will develop a project proposal utilizing the skills learned in this certificate program that meets a specified business need or initiative. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5420 - Data Mining.
MBA with an emphasis in Decision Support Systems
The MBA with an emphasis in decision support systems requires a minimum of 48 credit hours consisting of the following courses:
MBA Prerequisite Courses (if necessary):
- BUSN 5000 Business
- BUSN 5600 Accounting Theory and Practice
- BUSN 5620 Current Economic Analysis
MBA Common Core Courses (27 credit hours):
- BUSN 5760 Applied Business Statistics
- MRKT 5000 Marketing
- MNGT 5590 Organizational Behavior
- FINC 5000 Finance
- FINC 5880 Advanced Corporate Finance
- BUSN 6070 Management Accounting
- BUSN 6110 Operations and Project Management
- BUSN 6120 Managerial Economics
- BUSN 6200 Strategy and Competition
MBA Elective Courses to be used as follows (9 credit hours):
- CSIS 5300 Database Systems (DSS Certificate Curriculum)
- CSIS 5310 Introduction to Decision Support Systems (DSS Certificate Curriculum)
- CSIS 5400 Data Warehousing
Completion of the DSS Certificate Curriculum (9 credit hours):
- CSIS 5410 Introduction to Data Mining
- CSIS 5420 Data Mining
- CSIS 5600 Decision Support Systems
Course Descriptions for MBA with an emphasis in Decision Support Systems
BUSN 5000 Business (3)
This course is designed to provide a foundation in such general business concepts as economics, finance, accounting, business law, marketing, and other business systems.
BUSN 5600 Accounting Theory and Practice (3)
Students examine the accounting function and its role in modern business.Basic accounting theory and principles are examined, and some of the more important contemporary accounting developments are reviewed. Case studies are analyzed with an emphasis on situations from the students' own work experiences. This course is designed for consumers as opposed to producers of accounting.
BUSN 5620 Current Economic Analysis (3)
Implications of current economic events are examined through the applications of economic theory. Emphasis is placed on acquainting the student with methods of economic analysis in the context of current economic issues.
BUSN 5760 Applied Business Statistics (3)
The student examines the application of statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis in business decision making. The course should focus on the utilization of statistical methods as applied to business problems and operations.
MRKT 5000 Marketing (3)
Students examine the character and importance of the marketing process, its essential functions, and the institutions exercising these functions. Course content focuses on the major policies that underlie the activities of marketing institutions and the social, economic, and political implications of such policies.
MNGT 5590 Organizational Behavior (3)
This course introduces students to many of the basic principles of human behavior that effective managers use when managing individuals and groups in organizations. These include theories relating to individual differences in abilities and attitudes, attribution, motivation, group dynamics, power and politics, leadership, conflict resolution, organizational culture, and organizational structure and design.
FINC 5000 Finance (3)
The student examines the general nature of financial management, the American financial system, taxes, and the major financial decisions of corporations. Specific attention is given to present value and capital budgeting; risk and asset pricing; financial analysis and forecasting; financial decisions and market efficiency; and capital structure. Problem-solving methodology is used to illustrate the theories and tools in financial decision-making. Prerequisites: BUSN 5600 and BUSN 5760. (BUSN 5200 cannot be substituted for FINC 5000.)
FINC 5880 Advanced Corporate Finance (3)
This advanced study of corporate financial analysis and planning includes capital budgeting, cost of funds, and capital structure and valuation. Selected topics that may be covered are leasing, mergers, takeovers, business failure, reorganization, and liquidation. A combination of problem-solving and case study methodologies is used to illustrate theories and techniques helpful in financial analysis and planning. Prerequisite: FINC 5000.
BUSN 6070 Management Accounting (3)
The student examines advanced topics in management accounting as these relate to management information needs for planning, control, and decision making. Topics include interpretation of standard cost variances; application of quantitative techniques; evaluation of divisional performance; activity-based costing; and the behavioral impact of accounting systems. Prerequisites: BUSN 5600 and BUSN 5760.
BUSN 6110 Operations and Project Management (3)
This is a course that focuses on the major managerial issues in manufacturing management and the tools that can be used to manage them. Special attention will be given to project management, including PERT, critical path scheduling, and time-cost models, in operations management and other business settings. The major operations management issues are quality management and control, capacity management, plant location, layout and design, production planning and scheduling, supply chain management, and inventory management. The analytical tools covered include queuing theory, statistical quality control, linear programming, and learning curves. Where appropriate, the use of operations management techniques in service and distribution organizations will be demonstrated. Prerequisite: BUSN 5760.
BUSN 6120 Managerial Economics (3)
The student examines the application of microeconomic theory as applied to the managers' responsibilities within the organization. This course should emphasize the quantitative and qualitative application of economic principles to business analysis. Prerequisites: BUSN 5620 and BUSN 5760.
BUSN 6200 Strategy and Competition (3)
The student examines the conceptual and practical aspects of business policies and policy decision making by utilizing all the concepts, theories, and tools that were presented in the previous courses. The student should be able to analyze and recommend a comprehensive and workable approach to the situation. The course should cover current business issues and developments. Prerequisites: completion of all other required courses in the MBA.
CSIS 5300: Database Systems (3)
This course will provide a foundation for understanding database technology by examining the way databases are used, designed and managed. The course will introduce fundamental concepts related to databases with an emphasis on the relational model. The course will cover the principles of designing databases and provide students with introductory experience in developing and using database applications. Management of databases in the workplace and the responsibilities of database administrators will be covered. This course requires a software package, Microsoft Access, for use as the database management system (DBMS) in hands-on activities. Also, as for all internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology. BUSN 6080 Business Information Systems or equivalent would provide sufficient background.
CSIS 5310: Introduction to Decision Support Systems (3)
In this course will teach fundamental concepts of information as well as decision support systems. The course will study information systems terminologies, decision-making process, data management, access, and visualizations, constructing a Decision Support Systems. The course will briefly discuss Executive Information Systems and networks role in a Decision Support System. Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites to CSIS 5310. However, it is assumed the student has adequate writing, mathematical, and analytical skills. Also, as for all internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.
CSIS 5400: Data Warehousing (3)
Data warehouses were once unique technological advantages for the corporations that had them. Now they are a relatively common corporate decision support tool used by many organizations to better understand their business. This course will provide a foundation to understand data warehouse technology by examining the way they are designed, managed, and used. The course will explore the fundamental concepts related to data warehouses. Some of the topics of interest that are covered in this course are the business justification of a data warehouse, management of a data warehouse project, the design, construction, and operation of a data warehouse, issues of data quality and performance, and using the data warehouse. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5310 - Introduction to Decision Support Systems
CSIS 5410: Introduction to Data Mining (3)
Many businesses are discovering that stored within their corporate data repositories are the elements to understanding and controlling the components of their business processes. Data warehousing, mining, and visualization are tools that can provide access to these elements.
This course will provide a foundation to understand data warehouse technology, data mining methods, and data visualization techniques by examining how these three technologies interact and depend on one another. The course will review the fundamental concepts related to data warehouses. It will also introduce data mining techniques and have the student experiment with data mining applications. Finally, the course will explain how data visualization can allow managers to quickly access large data repositories and make clear decisions based on integrated information structures. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5400 - Data Warehousing
CSIS 5420: Data Mining (3)
Data mining is the process of finding useful patterns in data. The objective of data mining is to use discovered patterns to help explain current behavior or to predict future outcomes.
This course will explore some data mining methods with a primary focus on model building and testing, as well as on interpreting and validating results. Model building is both an art and a science that is best understood from the perspective of learning by doing and this course will supplement the text with exercises with a data mining tool that will enable the student to experimentally build and test data mining models. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5410 - Introduction to Data Mining.
CSIS 5600: Decision Support Systems (3)
This course will require you to demonstrate your ability to create Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and decision support solutions for specific business requirements in an evolving scenario. Each week you will develop a project proposal utilizing the skills learned in this certificate program that meets a specified business need or initiative. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5420 - Data Mining.
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