Welcome to BUS642: Applications of Management Information Systems

Specific information about this course and its requirements can be found below. For more general information about taking Saylor Academy courses, including information about Community and Academic Codes of Conduct, please read the Student Handbook.

Course Description

Master the components of management information systems with an emphasis on social media management, management information software, the global landscape, and enhancing decision-making.

Course Introduction

n this course, we will explore how technology has become an integral part of the management discipline and how to align technology solutions with strategic business goals. We will also identify the key business management imperatives driving IT and learn to manage risk mitigation for enterprise systems. Throughout the course, we will recognize potential entry points for security compromise and learn to communicate effectively with technology stakeholders. Additionally, we will formulate a comprehensive corporate approach to secure IT infrastructure. By the end of this course, you will be able to interpret the degrees of literacy for general information system overview, analyze how management information systems impact an organization's strategy, evaluate current internet and social media management trends, and evaluate software solutions. You will also learn to apply the results of a security protocols analysis to the decision-making process used for management information systems protection, analyze the impact of using management information systems on the global landscape, evaluate the differences between data and data management, and evaluate the effect of management information systems on the management decision process.

This course includes the following units:

Unit 1: Information System Overview. Unit 2: Management Information Systems, Organizations, and Strategy. Unit 3: The Internet and Social Media Management. Unit 4: Software Solutions. Unit 5: Management Information Systems Security. Unit 6: Management Information Systems and the Global Landscape. Unit 7: Data and Data Management. Unit 8: The Management Component of Information Systems. Unit 9: Enhancing Decision-Making. Unit 10: Networking and Communication

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

[1] Evaluate how technology has integrated into the management discipline; [2] Analyze how management information systems impact an organization's strategic planning; [3] Evaluate trends in management information systems at an enterprise level; [4] Evaluate information technology solutions to meet the needs of the enterprise through data-driven analysis; [5] Analyze the decision-making process used for management information systems protection; [6] Analyze the impact on the global landscape from using management information systems; [7] Evaluate the differences between data and data management; [8] Evaluate the effect on the management decision process using management information systems

Throughout this course, you will also see learning outcomes in each unit. You can use those learning outcomes to help organize your studies and gauge your progress.

Course Materials

The primary learning materials for this course are readings, lectures, and videos.

All course materials are free to access and can be found in each unit of the course. Pay close attention to the notes that accompany these course materials, as they will tell you what to focus on in each resource and will help you understand how the learning materials fit into the course as a whole. You can also see a list of all the learning materials in this course by clicking on Resources in the navigation bar.

Evaluation and Minimum Passing Score

Only the final examination is considered when awarding you a grade for this course. To pass this course, you will need to earn 70% or higher on the final exam. The exam will be password-protected and requires a proctor.

Your score on the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. There is a 14 days waiting period between each attempt. You may only attempt the final exam a maximum of 3 times. Be sure to study in between each attempt! If you do not pass the exam after 3 attempts, you will not complete this course.

There is also a practice exam that you may take as many times as you want to help you prepare for the final exam. The course also contains end-of-unit assessments in this course. The end-of-unit assessments are designed to help you study and do not factor into your final course grade. You can take these as many times as you want to until you understand the concepts and material covered. You can see all of these assessments by clicking on Quizzes in the course's navigation bar.

Tips for Success

BUS642: Applications of Management Information Systems is a self-paced course, meaning you can decide when to start and complete the course. We estimate the "average" student will take 38 hours to complete. We recommend studying at a comfortable pace and scheduling your study time in advance.

Learning new material can be challenging, so here are a few study strategies to help you succeed:

  • Take notes on terms, practices, and theories. This helps you understand each concept in context and provides a refresher for later study.
  • Test yourself on what you remember and how well you understand the concepts. Reflecting on what you've learned improves long-term memory retention.

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered entirely online. You will need access to a computer or web-capable mobile device and consistent internet access to view or download resources and complete auto-graded assessments and the final exam.

To access the full course, including assessments and the final exam, log into your Saylor Academy account and enroll in the course. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free here. Note that tracking progress and taking assessments require login.

For more details and guidance, please review our complete Technical Requirements and our student Help Center.


Optional Saylor Academy Mobile App

You can access all course features directly from your mobile browser, but if you have limited internet connectivity, the Saylor Academy mobile app provides an option to download course content for offline use. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.

Fees

This course is entirely free to enroll in and access. All course materials, including textbooks, videos, webpages, and activities, are available at no charge. This course also contains a free final exam and course completion certificate.

Last modified: Monday, 14 July 2025, 4:38 PM