Undergraduate Courses 2024-25
ISOM
Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management
Undergraduate courses marked with [BLD] or [SPO] may be offered in the mode of blended learning or self-paced online delivery respectively, subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.
- ISOM 1090Social Media: Collective Intelligence & Creativity3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)CORE 1341DescriptionWeb technology is now connecting a diversity of people and ideas and encouraging cooperation and collaboration. However, the nascent proliferation of fake news is beginning to have a corrosive effect on the open and peer-to-peer collaborations that are the underpinning of Web 2.0. The aim of the course is to make students aware of the tug of war between beneficial and harmful effects of this social media phenomenon.
- ISOM 1380Technology and Innovation: Social and Business Perspectives3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)CORE 1340DescriptionThis course describes the development of technology and innovation from social and business perspectives. It covers the technology side of innovations, how an invention can be developed into a successful commercial product, the role of innovation in society and how innovations are created from a socioeconomic perspective. It highlights that successful development and adoption of innovative products relies not only on the technology itself but also a complex process that is subject to the impact of cultural, political, economic and managerial factors.
- ISOM 1500Insightful Decisions3 Credit(s)Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionThe course helps students develop better analytical and decision making skills in approaching practical and important social and business issues. Students will derive solutions or conclusions that require critical thinking, creativity, quantitative analysis, and common sense. Cover topics in decision traps, quantitative decision models, statistical reasoning, computer tools, data-analysis techniques, etc. and, more importantly, how these decision analysis concepts and tools can be applied in a broad set of social and business problems.
- ISOM 1700Critical Issues in Business Operations3 Credit(s)DescriptionThe course will focus on how business organizations should create and sustain value for different stakeholders in the society by designing, optimizing, and improving the operations. Successful businesses have demonstrated their sustainable competitiveness by maintaining a balanced view of economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. This course will also examine how the changing perspectives of stakeholders (like government and consumers) affect the business decisions and operations.
- ISOM 2010Introduction to Information Systems3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)COMP 1001DescriptionInformation systems (IS) is about managing the applications of IT to create business values. Topics include fundamental concepts of IS, e-commerce, digital and internet economy, web 2.0 and social networks, online advertising, personalization and privacy, digital rights management and piracy, business intelligence and decision-making, how organizations harness IS for innovative business strategies, and the socio-economic impact of IS on organizations and societies. The labs cover business problem-solving skills.
- ISOM 2020Coding for Business1 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)COMP 1021DescriptionThis course intends to introduce students to basic programming concepts and skills for business data coding and business problem solving. Using Python as an illustrative programming language, this course provides students with a basic understanding of programming concepts and syntaxes, including data types, associated methods and functions, and control flow statements. Through the process of learning a programming language, students will also develop logical and critical thinking skills and be able to tackle simple business problems with coding. For SBM students only.
- ISOM 2030Business Protections for Innovations3 Credit(s)Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionThis course addresses the problems and challenges related to regulatory and business protections for business and scientific innovations, product innovations, service innovations, software licenses, encryption, innovation reengineering, trademark, copyright, music downloading, digital entertainment, data mining and personal privacy.
- ISOM 2040Business Simulation and Strategic Decisions3 Credit(s)Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionThis course combines case discussions to illustrate strategic decision making in business with an integrated hands-on business simulation exercise as part of the learning process. The course may be taught blended-learning with online discussions and meetings, or in a traditional face to face mode. Topics include making strategic choices and evaluating options and tradeoffs in a competitive business simulated industry environment.
- ISOM 2310Fundamentals of E-Commerce: Business, Technology, and the Society3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)CORE 1343DescriptionThe course covers important topics related to e-commerce including unique features of e-commerce technology, the history and background of the Internet, the evolution of e-commerce from its early years to today, key components of e-commerce business models, major trends of business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and consumer-to-consumer services, the use of various techniques such as search engine analytics, online social networks, and location-based technologies, as well as the ethical, social, and political issues related to e-commerce. Various prominent e-commerce models and development will also be covered in the course.
- ISOM 2400Global Information Infrastructure and Policy3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course provides a panorama review of the global information infrastructure from technology, policy, social and business perspectives. Key issues include next generation information infrastructure, Internet of things, anti-spamming legislation, universal service, digital convergence, network interconnection, the WTO’s agreement on telecommunications, cloud computing, green ICT, and regulatory environment of multimedia services. It will also address the increasing importance of Web 2.0-enabled information infrastructure in business innovation.
- ISOM 2500Business Statistics3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)CIVL 2160, IEDA 2520, IEDA 2540, LIFS 3150, MATH 2411, MATH 3423DescriptionCollection, tabulation and presentation of numerical data; concepts of probability and probability distributions; sampling; statistical estimation and hypothesis testing; correlation and regression analysis.
- ISOM 2600Introduction to Business Analytics1 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2500. (ISOM 2500 AND COMP 1021) or (MATH 2411 AND COMP 1021) for students without corequisites.Corequisite(s)ISOM 2020DescriptionThis course introduces students with the foundation needed to apply data analytics to real-world challenges they will confront in their future career. It covers statistical tools in descriptive analytics and predictive analytics, including multiple linear regression, logistic regression and clustering. Emphasis is placed on applications, concepts and interpretation of results, rather than theory and calculations. Students use a computer software for data analysis. For SBM and DDP students only.
- ISOM 2700Operations Management3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)IEDA 4100Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionFor SB&M students, and programs that designate the course as a required/recommended elective course. Production and service operations viewed from the strategic, tactical and operational levels; capacity planning, process selection, impact of technology location and layout, material and resource requirements, scheduling and quality control.
- ISOM 3000Special Topics in Information Systems0-4 Credit(s)DescriptionCurrent developments in information technology. Topics selected by instructors. May be graded by letter, or P/F for different offerings.
- ISOM 3010Information Systems Project Management3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)ISOM 4750Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionThis course covers the essential project management knowledge to ensure a successful IS/IT project. Topics include the methods, tools and techniques for planning, budgeting, scheduling, tracking, and evaluating IS projects; PMBOK Guide; project risk assessment; IT investment decisions.
- ISOM 3180Telecommunications and Computer Networking Management3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)COMP 4621DescriptionEssential elements of telecommunications in support of business activities. Topics include OSI Model and TCP/IP Protocol Suite, LAN and WAN technology, voice and data communication technologies, communication architectures, networking and security, protocols and standards.
- ISOM 3210Information Systems Analysis and Design3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2010Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionThe process by which large software systems are built by teams of developers. Techniques for modeling data and process requirements are surveyed and illustrated using computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools. Topics include information systems development life cycle and object-oriented systems analysis and design using UML.
- ISOM 3230Business Programming in VBA3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)(For non-BSc in Quantitative Finance students) ISOM 2010Exclusion(s)COMP 1022QMode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionAn introduction to business applications programming will be covered in this course. Students will learn and understand programming concepts and gain programming experiences for business applications development through a business programming language.
- ISOM 3260Database Design and Administration4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 3230 OR ISOM 3320 OR ISOM 3400Corequisite(s)ISOM 3210Exclusion(s)COMP 3311, IEDA 3300Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionFundamental concepts of database management systems and their usage for managing the information resources of an organization; methodologies for designing and managing a database system to support business applications.
- ISOM 3310e-Business Management and Web Analytics3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course introduces the fundamental concepts and technologies of e-commerce and e-business management. Topics include e-business models, e-business infrastructure, e-security, e-marketing, e-payment methods, web development, web analytics, and social media analytics.
- ISOM 3320Business Applications Development in Java3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)COMP 1022P, COMP 3021DescriptionThis course intends to cover business applications development through Java programming language. Major topics include general programming concepts, object-oriented development approaches, advanced GUI building blocks, and so on. Students will learn and practice a high-level programming language for the implementation of practical business applications.
- ISOM 3330Data Visualization and Visual Analytics1 Credit(s)Previous Course Code(s)ISOM 3000FDescriptionThis course is intended to train students to understand and learn the human-centered approach in designing static or interactive visual presentation materials. Students will learn basic design principles to produce their own visual stories that address the business need of reporting and performance monitoring. Students will also be introduced with basic visual analytics techniques that employs computational media to reveal insights from large datasets. By completing the hands-on exercises, students will also gain some practical experience of using modern Business Intelligence tools for data visualization and visual analytics. Graded P or F.
- ISOM 3340Developing AI Applications1 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course is intended to train students to learn and develop AI applications by using practical and useful development tools. Students will learn basic AI models and analyze their advantages and disadvantages when they are applied in AI applications. The course is divided into 4-day intensive classes. It consists of two parts. The first part covers basic machine learning models and related tools. The second part introduces the development environment, tools, and hands-on labs for training, testing and evaluating AI applications using AI development tools. Having programming knowledge is a plus. Graded P or F.
- ISOM 3350FinTech and Cryptoventures3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2010 AND ISOM 2500DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to FinTech and cryptoventures. Topics include machine learning in financial analytics, Robo-advising, big data alpha models, algorithm trading and high-frequency trading, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, markets for smart contracts and applications of blockchain technologies in various finance areas. The class will use R to implement FinTech applications, and Solidity language to demonstrate smart contract development.
- ISOM 3360Data Mining for Business Analytics3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2020 OR COMP 1021Exclusion(s)COMP 4331, IEDA 3560DescriptionThis course covers the fundamental concepts, technologies, and applications of business analytics to help firms gain a competitive advantage in the era of Big Data. Topics include text mining, predictive analytics, search engine strategy, social network analysis, cloud computing, etc. Students will gain hands-on experience with popular data analytical tools.
- ISOM 3370Big Data Technologies3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)(ISOM 3230 OR ISOM 3320 OR ISOM 3400) AND ISOM 3360DescriptionIn the era of "Big Data", organizations need a new infrastructure/platform to manage the storage and processing of large volume of data. This course introduces the emerging technological paradigm of big data management, as well as some common approaches that are used to gain insights from big data for business decision-making. In particular, it covers a range of big data technologies, including HDFS, MapReduce, Spark, Hive, Pig, etc., that allow for performing data-intensive analysis.
- ISOM 3380Advanced Network Management (CISCO - ICND)4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 3180Exclusion(s)ISOM 519DescriptionCombining extensive lab work with lectures and WWW self-paced learning materials provided by the Cisco Networking Academy Program, this course helps students develop practical network administration and management skills. This course is designed to prepare students to take (and pass) the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) certification examination.
- ISOM 3390Business Programming in R3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)(ISOM 3230 OR ISOM 3320 OR ISOM 3400) AND ISOM 3360Exclusion(s)RMBI 3010DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to business programming using R. Students will learn the programming concepts and syntax of R and develop R scripts for business applications. This course will cover practical issues for programming in R and provide working examples of emerging business applications, including Web crawling, text analytics, social network analysis, online advertising, and implementations of data mining algorithms.
- ISOM 3400Business Applications Development in Python3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2020Exclusion(s)COMP 1021DescriptionThis course introduces programing concepts and applications with Python programming language. The applications are mainly in the domain of business analytics. The course covers topics including general programming concepts, object-oriented design, and external Python packages for data manipulation, visualization and analytics.
- ISOM 3530Business Data Analytics4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2500 or MATH 2411Exclusion(s)MATH 3424DescriptionPractical application of statistics with emphasis on regression. Analysis of business data using a statistical package. Topics include: multiple regression, residual diagnostics and model selection, experimental design and the analysis of variance, logistic regression, Poisson regression.
- ISOM 3540Introduction to Probability Models3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2500 or MATH 2411Exclusion(s)MATH 2421, MATH 3425DescriptionProbabilities, random variables, distribution functions, densities, expected values, conditional distributions and densities, conditional expectations, moment generating functions, Chebyshev's inequality, central limit theorem, and Poisson processes.
- ISOM 3710Business Modeling and Optimization4 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)CIVL 2170, IEDA 3010DescriptionThe science and technology of informed decision making with focus on optimizing business processes. Spreadsheet decision modeling in Excel will be used throughout. Emphasis on problem formulation, spreadsheet-based solution methods, and managerial insights. Applications to managerial decision problems in diverse industries and functional areas including finance and accounting, human resource, marketing, and operations.
- ISOM 3730Quality and Process Management3 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)IEDA 3270Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionConcepts and strategic importance of quality, organizational aspects, total quality control, quality and productivity improvement programs, quality costs and economics. Applications in industrial and service sectors. Second or third year standing preferred.
- ISOM 3760Logistics Management3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700Exclusion(s)IEDA 3450DescriptionManagement of purchasing and distribution of goods and services; supply management; material handling; pricing; transportation and warehousing; customer service standards. Second or third year standing preferred.
- ISOM 3770Global Supply Chain Management4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700 AND ISOM 3710Exclusion(s)IEDA 4410, ISOM 3780Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionSingle node inventory control, supply chain network, demand management, manufacturing and replenishment in supply chains, information and coordination in supply chains, product variety management.
- ISOM 3780Sustainable Supply Chain Management3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700Exclusion(s)ISOM 3770Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionThis course is designed for students interested in sustainable supply chain management. Sustainable supply chain management involves integrating operationally, environmentally and financially viable practices into the complete supply chain lifecycle, from product design and development, to material selection, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, distribution, consumption, return and disposal. The objective is to foster organizations to optimize their cost savings and profitability with environmentally sustainable considerations. This is a hands on course, with heavy emphasis on case studies drawn from successful implementations of sustainable practices of global companies across the globe.For SGFN and non-OM students only.
- ISOM 3900Decision Analytics3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2500 AND ISOM 2700DescriptionThis course helps the students develop better analytical skills in approaching strategic and tactical business decisions. Students will learn to derive solutions or conclusions that require critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and statistical reasoning skills. These skills are essential and indispensable for major business decisions.
- ISOM 4000Special Topics in Information Systems0-4 Credit(s)DescriptionCurrent developments in information technology. Topics selected by instructors. May be graded by letter, or P/F for different offerings.
- ISOM 4010Digital Business Strategy: Harnessing Platform, Crowd, and Machine3 Credit(s)Previous Course Code(s)ISOM 3000EDescriptionThis course is designed for students who want a broad understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by the modern digital revolution undergoing our time. The three key words that sum up the modern digital revolution are online/digital platforms, AI-driven machines, and crowds.Information and communication technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) enable and drive digital platforms, creating and nurturing networks and facilitating value-creating matches and interactions between market participants from the crowd. Students will learn about the fundamental principles at work behind the platform innovation and disruption of today and tomorrow by surveying a full of examples of digital platforms powered by technology and crowds.
- ISOM 4020Innovation Management and Technology Entrepreneurship3 Credit(s)DescriptionThe course focuses on innovation strategies and entrepreneurship skills that provide an intellectual structure for understanding the issues of how entrepreneurial firms recognize potential of an innovation on time, how they implement the right strategies to exploit the innovation, and how to protect their profits from competitors. The course also explores the increasingly global character of entrepreneurial firms, and how successful technology companies compete across cultures, markets and nations.
- ISOM 4030Natural Language Processing in Business Using Deep Learning3 Credit(s)Previous Course Code(s)ISOM 4000BPrerequisite(s)ISOM 3360 OR ISOM 3400Exclusion(s)MATH 4824B, ELEC 4230DescriptionThis course covers the concepts and techniques for applying natural language processing and deep learning in the business domain. Students will learn real-world business applications of these techniques in areas such as sentiment analysis, text summarization, machine translations, credit scoring, and financial news analysis. Python programming language will be the primary implementation tool for data analysis and model development. An extended lab session intends to train students with good knowledge and skills for developing programming solutions to practical problems. Second or third year standing preferred.
- ISOM 4100Information Systems Auditing3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ACCT 2010 and ISOM 2010DescriptionThe course provides a comprehensive approach for auditing information systems. It covers fundamental concepts of risk management for Information Systems (IS) auditors to perform risk assessment, and risk analysis at various business levels, including systems, administrative and organizational levels. The course also covers business cases for students to study, and provides opportunities for them to apply their IS auditing skills to solve those cases from IS auditing perspectives. Typical solutions to those cases are effective, reasonable, and practical controls. Other IS auditing practices, such as compliance audit and governance audit, and auditing system development life cycle are covered as well, in order to provide a holistic training of IS auditing to students.
- ISOM 4200Information and Cyber Security Management3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course introduces the principles and practices of information system security and cyber security. Topics include common threats and attacking techniques, corresponding protection tools, cryptography, the development of security management policies, risk management, and personnel issues. Additional legal, ethical, and professional issues in information and cyber security will also be covered in this course.
- ISOM 4300Information Systems Control and Assurance3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2010DescriptionThis course introduces the fundamental concepts and tools to perform information systems (IS) control and assurance. Topics include IS control standards, guidelines and best practices to protect and control business systems, IT governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT), as well as the latest development in IS management practice.
- ISOM 4400Information Systems Project6 Credit(s)Exclusion(s)ISOM 4380DescriptionDevelopment of an information system with substantial complexity through the use of methodologies and technologies. May be graded PP. Student enrollment in this course requires the approval of the course instructor. Credit load will be spread over the year.
- ISOM 4490Independent Study in Information Systems1-4 Credit(s)DescriptionFaculty directed independent study on selected topics in information systems.
- ISOM 4520Statistics for Financial Risk Management4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 3540 (Note: Students who have sufficient background in probability but without pre-requisite may enroll in the course upon approval by the instructor)DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to financial risk management. Topics include how to measure market risks, statistical properties of returns and volatility, volatility modeling, Value at Risk (VaR), Risk Metrics, historical simulation, assessing VaR methods and stress testing. Theories will be illustrated by practical examples in financial markets.
- ISOM 4530Statistical Analysis of Financial Data in R/S-plus4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2500 OR MATH 2411DescriptionThis course intends to introduce the students to modern data analysis with an emphasis on financial applications. In this course, students will study the data exploration methods, applications of regression and time series, gain experience in analyzing financial data; and become proficient in using statistical software (R or S-Plus) to do estimation, modeling, and forecasting.
- ISOM 4540Time Series Analysis and Forecasting4 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2500 or MATH 2411Exclusion(s)ECON 4304, MATH 4425DescriptionReview of regression and its application to forecasting problems; moving averages, exponential smoothing, Box-Jenkins, ARIMA models and transfer function models; forecasts of economic, financial and business time series.
- ISOM 4590Special Topics in Statistics0-4 Credit(s)DescriptionCurrent topics in statistics.
- ISOM 4690Independent Study in Business Statistics1-4 Credit(s)DescriptionFaculty directed independent study on selected topics in Business Statistics.
- ISOM 4720Simulation in Business and Management3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2500 OR MATH 2411 OR MATH 2421 OR MATH 2431Exclusion(s)IEDA 4130DescriptionIntroduction to probabilistic models of operations management; generating random numbers; simulating random variables and discrete event systems; variance reduction techniques; application to risk management, option pricing and other financial problems; application to inventory, queuing, and manufacturing systems.
- ISOM 4740Enterprise Resource Management3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700Mode of Delivery[BLD] Blended learningDescriptionBasic concepts and practices of enterprise resource management; popular enterprise resource planning software packages, such as SAP R/3 for discussing and building integrated business solutions.
- ISOM 4750Business Project Management3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700DescriptionThis course covers basic principles and practices of business project management. Special emphases are on project planning, scheduling, and control while addressing both the technical and the social aspects of managing business projects.
- ISOM 4780Integrated Planning and Execution3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700Exclusion(s)ISOM 2040DescriptionThis course will use an integrated simulation game as a major learning tool to illustrate how strategic and operational decisions should be made in a competitive business environment. Students will learn to integrate and align key decisions in different business functions to simultaneously achieve a set of defined performance objectives of a company by evaluating decision alternatives and tradeoffs as well as optimizing the resource utilization.
- ISOM 4790Special Topics in Operations Management0-4 Credit(s)DescriptionCurrent developments in the field of production and operations management.
- ISOM 4810OM Best Practices3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700DescriptionIn this course, students shall study 12 applications in OM that have been judged by peers as being amongst the best in recent years. Students shall try to understand what the problem was, how it was addressed, how it worked out and attempt to learn what marked it as a success and how portable the practice can be. The principle purpose is to expose students to a wide range of good case histories in order to enhance their repertoire and experience in OM.
- ISOM 4830Analytics for Service Operations3 Credit(s)Prerequisite(s)ISOM 2700 AND ISOM 3710DescriptionThis course focuses on concepts and tools that can generate operational excellence for the production and delivery of services across various industries including healthcare, ride-hailing, advertising, and various types of financial services. Unlike traditional product markets, a salient feature of these industries is that services are often intangible and not storable, and often high variable, which raises significant challenges in decision making. The goal of this course is to improve the understanding of these challenges and to learn how to overcome the obstacles with data-driven quantitative models. This course will introduce simple predictive and prescriptive methods that are useful in service operations. Students will also have the opportunity to apply these concepts in various service industries by conducting a group project.
- ISOM 4840Financial Service Operations Management3 Credit(s)Alternate code(s)RMBI 4110Prerequisite(s)(ISOM 2500 OR MATH 2411) AND ISOM 2700DescriptionThis course focuses on the products, processes and delivery channels in the financial industries. It analyzes and evaluates the designs and performances of the internal operations and the different distribution channels of the financial institutions, and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement in productivity, efficiency and service quality. Issues like operational risk management, application of IT, automation, outsourcing and new trends in the financial service operations for both financial institutions and non-financial institutions will be explored.
- ISOM 4880Operations Management Project3 Credit(s)DescriptionThis course is offered to those students who are interested in applying what they have learned in other OM courses to solve real business problems for a sponsoring corporation. Recommendation and/or implementation of solutions will be made through the use of operations management concepts, techniques, and tools. Students will work as a group and be supervised by faculty members. Enrollment in this course requires the approval of course instructor.
- ISOM 4890Independent Study in Operations Management1-4 Credit(s)DescriptionFaculty directed independent study on selected topics in operations management.