Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change. Instructors will notify students of any changes and students will be responsible for abiding by them. Even if you print this syllabus, please check the online version often.

Description

SRA 440W – Security and Risk Analysis Integration and Problem Solving (3 credits): Problem-based approach to information security and risk analysis by focusing on real-life problems.

This course is the undergraduate capstone for SRA majors in the Baccalaureate degree. It requires students to work collaboratively in groups of 4-6 students, with each group comprised of students from more than one option and, if possible, more than one campus. Each group is given a significant real-world problem or issue in which information technology is part of the solution. Groups will be expected to manage the project effectively and to communicate its results clearly to a variety of audiences within an organization. Major topics include: review of problem-based and case-based learning, overview of project management practices, assessment of organizational and technical issues posed by the scenario, development and testing of work plans and analysis of options, communication within the group, communication within a management environment, and presentation of results to a variety of audiences inside and outside the organization.

SRA students need to understand the organizational and social contexts in which technology functions. Indeed, many technology problems are multi-dimensional--they have an economic dimension, a legal dimension, a human resources dimension, and so on. This course will require students to analyze, evaluate, and test alternative solutions and to weigh their advantages and disadvantages for the organization.

Students will be evaluated in three ways: by the effectiveness of their group's solution of the technical or organizational problem, by the quality of the students' written presentations, and by the quality of their project management and internal communication. A substantial written paper will be required of each student and each time; in addition, each group will also construct a website for sharing results. Other technologies will be used as required by the project. It is expected that membership on groups of students will be drawn only from the SRA major.

Course Approach

The sources of information for this course are the readings, lectures, handouts and outside research. Projects will consist of group assignments. Class participation is expected. Students will be provided ample opportunity to develop writing and speaking skills in the completion of assignments and class projects.

Prerequisites

• SRA 221
• SRA 311 
• ENGL 202C or ENGL 202D 

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Use systems theory to analyze IT-based challenges of people, software, and hardware.
• Identify methods of organizing work to aid in IT development and integration.
• Compare and contrast different forms of information systems and development approaches.
• Develop project management, analytical, and technical skills to develop system integration plans and complete data integration tasks.
• In conjunction with the group, develop, and complete an appropriate information technology project. 

Instructor

• TBD

Please note that when you compose an email to your instructor, others will likely be listed as "Teachers" from the Canvas interface. This is misleading because only your instructor, possibly TA/LA's listed here, are monitoring your messages. All of your course communications should be limited to those listed here.

Materials

Recommended, but not required, group members should consult this text or similar for additional material on the systems development life cycle and related terms:

• Rosenblatt, H. J. (2016). Systems analysis and design. (11th edition) Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1305494602
  or
  Shelly & Rosenblatt (2019) Systems Analysis and Design. (12th edition) Cengage Learning. ISBN 9780357117811

Assignments and Grading

Course Grading Scale

The following are minimum cutoffs for each grade:

• 93.00% = A
• 90.00% = A-
• 87.00% = B+
• 83.00% = B
• 80.00% = B-
• 77.00% = C+
• 70.00% = C
• 60.00% = D
• less than 60.00% = F

Evaluations

A note about evaluations in this course: they are worth 13% of your final grade. Completion of each of the peer reviews will be based on your instructor's interpretation of the data from the peer evaluations, general observations throughout the course of the semester, and sub-sequential assignment of points.

Course Policies and Expectations

• Stay in constant contact with your group throughout the semester.
• Logging into Canvas - Students are expected to login regularly to check for course updates, announcements, emails, discussions, etc.
• Emailing through Canvas - Students are expected to use Canvas for all course email communication.
• Attending virtual meetings - Students are expected to use specified virtual meeting tool(s) for collaboration, meetings, presentations, etc., as needed.