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UT Dallas Syllabus For Aim6343.0g1.08f Taught by Mary Beth Goodrich (Goodrich)
UT Dallas Syllabus For Aim6343.0g1.08f Taught by Mary Beth Goodrich (Goodrich)
Course Information
Course #/Section AIM 6343.0G1
Course Title Accounting Information Systems
Term and Date Fall 2008 8/21/2008 – 12/17/2008
Course Description
This course will examine the design, control and operation of accounting information systems in
a computerized organizational environment with a strong business process orientation. The
accounting information system is at the heart of a companies’ enterprise systems. To this end,
an understanding and appreciation of accounting information systems is critical to successfully
managing, auditing and developing systems to support today’s evolving business environment.
This course offers a focused look at accounting information systems as part of enterprise
resource planning systems, with a focus on SAP and other comparable enterprise systems to
demonstrate concepts. Three key themes throughout the course are enterprise systems, E-
business, and internal control and how these components can positively impact the overall
success of a company and a company’s use of their accounting information system.
This course will be a stepping stone for other advanced enterprise systems courses such as
AIM 6338: Accounting Systems Integration and Configuration with SAP (offered on-line and
classroom), MIS 6319: Enterprise Resource Computing (on-line and classroom), AIM 6349: IT
Strategy and Control, AIM 6379: ABAP Programming (on-line and classroom), the SAP
Business Warehouse course (on-line) and other courses that are part of the Enterprise Systems
(SAP) concentration. See www.utdallas.edu/orgs/sug for more details.
Textbooks and some other bookstore materials can be ordered online through MBS Direct
Virtual Bookstore or Off-Campus Books online ordering site. They are also available in stock at
the UTD Bookstore and Off-Campus Books.
Course Policies
Student Assessments
In this course, I expect that you read all discussion postings, all course notes, listen to all
PowerPoint presentations / audio, and actively engage yourself in this course, such as posting
responses to discussion postings, such as the graded module postings and posting any
questions that you may have that are general in nature.
Grading Information
Grading criteria
Accessing Grades
Students can check their grades by clicking “My Grades” under Course Tools after the grade for
each assessment task is released.
Graded Participation
Posting of Introduction
You must post your introduction in discussions by the due date and time. You can post a quick
introduction or you can use the “Get to Know You” form which will be posted in webCT. This is
worth up to 10 points. You will receive –5 points for one day to one week late or -10 points
(grade of 0) if later than one week.
Note: You should plan to have read ALL the discussions postings by the end of the posting
timeframe (ideally on an-ongoing basis) in the Modules as part of your participation or points
may be deducted.
These must be posted during the time frames specified on the syllabus. NO LATE WORK WILL
BE ACCEPTED FOR MODULE POSTINGS.
Class Participation
Students are required to login regularly to the online class site. The instructor will use the
tracking feature in WebCT to monitor student activity. Students are also required to participate
in all class activities such as discussion board activities, chat or conference sessions and group
projects.
At a minimum, you should login to the course site at least 3-4 times per week to check all
course updates, discussion board messages and so on. I strongly recommend checking
ALL webCT email and ALL discussion postings daily.
Please see the graded discussions / participation requirements of the course in the
STUDENT ASSESSMENTS - Graded Participation section. It is your responsibility to
have the technical proficiency to fulfill this requirement and all requirements of the
course.
Team Project
Please see Appendix A. Only one person will submit the team project.
1. Work as a team to complete the Team Project Planning Document ( APPENDIX C).
a. To complete the Team Project Planning Document, you should decide
whether you will use the Mock Case Study (Provided by the Professor in
webCT) or a project of your own choosing, such as a company one of the
team members works with that would provide a real-life application of the
materials in the course.
2. Complete the Team Project Outline ( APPENDIX A).
a. Submit for FREE Feedback (strongly recommended)
b. Submit for FINAL GRADE.
Each individual on the team will complete their Team Evaluation Form ( APPENDIX B)
You will be assigned to a team. You will have two (2) weeks from the start of class to let me
know if there’s a concern with the make-up of your team and that you would like to request to be
reassigned (such as too many conflicting time zones, etc.). A private team discussion area will
be set up on the discussion board for internal group communications. A team chat room can
also be created for each team to use. A web conference system is available for use.
A web conference system is available for use. Teams can schedule a live web conference for
team work. Please see communication tool information for instructions on making a reservation
and other web conference information. Meeting spaces have also been set up on the UTD SOM
island in the virtual world of Second Life. Instructions for accessing the island can be found at
http://som.utdallas.edu/secondlife.
Assignment submission instructions
You will submit your assignments (in the required file format with a simple file name and a file
extension) by using the Assignments tool on the course site. Please see the Assignments link
on the course menu or see the icon on the designated page. You can click each assignment
name link and follow the on-screen instructions to upload and submit your file(s). Please refer to
the Help menu for more information on using this tool. Please note: each assignment link will
be deactivated after the assignment due time. After your submission is graded, you may click
each assignment’s “Graded” tab to check the results and feedback.
For the team project assignment, one group member will submit the assignment for the group
and all group members will be able to view the results and feedback once it’s been graded.
Communications
Teams can schedule a live web conference for team work. Please see communication tool
information for instructions on making a reservation and other web conference information.
Online Tests/Quizzes
Test #1 and #2 will be timed, on-line exams. The on-line tests are open book and open notes,
but you need to prepare for them like they were closed book and closed notes because they are
timed exams.
You can access quizzes/exams by clicking the Assessments link on the course menu or see the
quiz/exam icon on the designated page. Each quiz is timed and can be accessed only one time
within the scheduled time window. Please read the on-screen instructions carefully before you
click “Begin Assessment”. After each quiz is graded and released, you may go back to the
Assessments page and click “View All Submissions” to review your exam results.
If you do not take the exam during the specified testing window, you will receive a 0 on the
exam. If you have conflicts with the testing window, you need to let me know as soon as
possible BEFORE the testing window closes.
Self-Quizzes
There will be several self-quizzes available for you to take. These are not graded. However,
they must be taken by the due dates provided and will close up on the due date. These are
good to take as there are some questions from the quizzes will be similar to ones you may see
on the exams and can test your knowledge once the respective section of the course is
completed.
This course requires a proctored final examination. On-campus class exam session(s) are
scheduled as specified on the below TOPICS AND SCHEDULE. Details will be communicated
later in the course on webCT.
Students who are not able to attend one of these exam sessions with the instructor can arrange
an individual proctored exam with a testing service of their choice at a date within this required
exam time window as specified on the TOPICS AND SCHEDULE. For local students, testing
services are available at the UTD Learning Resources Center. Students who find UTD
geographically inconvenient may use a preapproved testing service at a convenient location. All
individually arranged proctored exams must be completed within the stated exam time window.
Student using either the UTD testing service at the Learning Resources Center or an outside
testing service must inform the instructor, as well as the SOM eLearning Team ( som-
elearning@utdallas.edu). A proctored exam form must be completed and sent back to the SOM
eLearningTeam before November 5, 2008. Please go to the Proctored Exam Information page
to download the Proctored Exam Form and find all the detailed information and procedures
on arranging a proctored exam. All completed exams must be received by December 13, 2008
to allow timely grade reporting to the UTD Registrar.
The Final Exam will be cumulative. It will be closed book, closed notes. A Scantron form 882-E
is required for the final exam. Details will follow on webCT.
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Technical Requirements
In addition to a confident level of computer and Internet literacy, certain minimum technical
requirement must be met to enable a successful learning experience. Please review the
important technical requirements and the web browser configuration information.
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To get started with a WebCT course, please see the Getting Started: Student WebCT
Orientation.
UTD provides eLearning technical support 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The improved
services include a toll free telephone number for immediate assistance (1-866-588-3192), email
request service, and an online chat service. The UTD user community can also access the
support resources such as self-help resources and a Knowledge Base. Please use this link to
access the UTD eLearning Support Center: http://www.utdallas.edu/elearninghelp.
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Communications
This WebCT course has built-in communication tools which will be used for interaction and
communication. Some external communication tools such as regular email and a web
conferencing tool may also be used during the semester. Please see more details about
communication tool information.
Another communication tool available to students is live voice chat in the 3D virtual world of
Second Life. Instructions for accessing the UTD SOM island in Second Life can be found at
http://som.utdallas.edu/secondlife.
Interaction with Instructor: The instructor will communicate with students mainly using the
Announcements and Discussions tools. Students may send personal concerns or questions to
the instructor using the course Email tool. The instructor will reply to student emails or
Discussion board messages within 3 working days under normal circumstances.
Student Resources
Access to many University resources are available to students. Some sources of interest
include:
McDermott Library: Distance Learners (UTD students who live outside the boundaries of
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall, or Tarrant counties) will need a UTD-ID number to access all
of the library’s electronic resources (reserves, journal articles, ebooks, interlibrary loan) from off
campus. For UTD students living within those counties who are taking online courses, a Comet
Card is required to check out materials at the McDermott Library. For more information on
library resources go to http://www.utdallas.edu/distancelearning/students/libraries.html
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Chapter 1 –
Introduction to
Accounting
Information Systems
2 8/28 Enterprise Systems Contrasted to Post your Intros in
Traditional Automated and Manual Discussion Area by
Accounting Information Systems 8/28
Ch. 4 – Documenting
Information Systems
Ch. 16 – General
Ledger and Business
Reporting (GL / BR)
Process
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Course Evaluation
As required by UTD academic regulations, every student must complete an evaluation for each
enrolled course at the end of the semester. An online instructional assessment form will be
made available for your confidential use. Please look for the course evaluation link on the
course Homepage towards the end of the course.
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University Policies
Student Conduct & Discipline
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each
student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations
which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and
discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered
students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules
and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,
Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook
of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the
Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.
He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating
the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done
by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any
other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism
(see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which
searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some
issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The
university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T.
Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it
originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of
confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted
information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T.
Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other
accounts.
Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the
Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be
necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of
dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be
substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is
hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be
rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special
services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals
requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for
the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will
be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the
absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student
who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized
for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed
period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Professor.
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NOTE: If your team would like to do a slightly different project, please write up a Case Study
similar to this one for my review and approval.
Have fun with the subject matter and be creative – with analyzing systems and processes, it is
essential to be creative in order to facilitate valuable changes and not just “pave the cow paths”.
The teaming evaluation form ( Appendix B) must be completed and submitted by the due date
and time as specified in the Syllabus (the same form will be attached in the Assignments area of
the course). In addition to losing points for late submission, points could be deducted for less
than team effort or additional points could be given for above and beyond effort.
Late submission points for late teaming evaluation forms will be deducted as follows:
Late by one day to one week = -5 points
Late by over one week = -10 points
Never turned in = 0 on the project
This part of the team project is confidential. Explain the SPECIFIC work each person did and
consider contribution, quality, effort, time, flexibility, leadership, results, timely completion, knowledge,
experience, creativity, initiative, concern for team, delivering a quality product that flows well and is
professional. I will be looking at the scores from each team member to get an idea of the effort each
person put towards the project. If the scores for an individual are consistently low, this could amount to
points being deducted or a failing grade on the Team Project and other teamwork. Form MUST be typed
and submitted through webCT assignments.
My Name
Team Name
(List Team Members in alphabetical order of last names, including yourself).
Score:
Above and beyond – A+ = went above and beyond in some way and deserves a score higher than the
majority of the team (explain why they deserve above and beyond status)
Full contributor – A = should get all the team points because they gave a fair effort (explain why they are
a full contributor)
Less than full - If less than a full contributor, say whether they gave a B, C, D or F effort and you give
support for why you scored them there - why they were not a full contributor.
Ranking: Rank each team member from 1 to X with 1 being overall the best team member (rank yourself
also). Note: no person can have the same number!
Team Member’s Name Score of Team Ranking
Member
Team Member #1
Team Member #2
Team Member #3
Team Member #4
Team Member #5
Explain the SPECIFIC work (i.e. sections of the paper) that each person did on the project and the
strengths of each team member, INCLUDING you.
What did you like about the group work and did YOU and YOUR TEAM do that worked well?
What would YOU do to improve YOUR work and what could the TEAM have done better?
· Using any company of your choice – either one that uses SAP or some other Enterprise
System (such as Oracle / PeopleSoft, Infor, JD Edwards, Great Plains) or one that could
possibly benefit from an enterprise resource planning / enterprise system, e-Business
concepts, and/or additional focus on internal control.
· For communications, you have many options, you can set up a conference call line for
free at freeconferencecall.com, you can use the Elluminate system, webCT chat, Instant
Messenger in a number of systems, or other asynchronous methods. I recommend that
you try at least several synchronous methods throughout the semester. I am happy to
meet with the team. Please set up a time with me.
Team # and Name List out the team # from the GROUPS area and the Name the team
(make up a fun name) agreed on.
Proposed Team Project Discuss as a team whether you want to use the Mock Team Project and
Company and Topic all the companies each of you work for or if know someone that works
for and decide on a company and a business process you can focus on
that feeds the Accounting Information System.
Brief description of the Explain what you are hoping to get out of the project (as a team)
vision for project
Team Members and all For each team member:
contact information
(email, phone #s, etc) Name, email address (outside of webCT), phone numbers (such as cell
and main strength(s) of #, work #, home #), main strengths (IT, Accounting, business
each member, location / processes, work experience, doing flowcharts, other analysis
time zone of each techniques, etc), location / time zone
member
Roles on the team and I am suggesting some responsibilities for each category. Each person
who is doing which: on the team should have at least one of these roles in addition to
completing work on the project. Please let me know if your breakdown
or responsibilities are different.
Everyone on the team should: proof read the project, understand every
aspect of each section of the paper, etc.
Project Manager This person will lead the project, breakout the work along with the
team, ensure people are operating to deadlines and provide direction.
Communications Setting up meetings. If there is something that needs to be
Manager / Instructor communicated out, this person will make sure everyone gets the
Interface message. Also, this person will be the main contact with the professor
for submitting *FREE* feedback and questions on behalf of the team
(although anyone can let me know about any questions you have).