Information​ ​Systems Specialization Course Syllabus

Overview: This specialization provides a comprehensive and practical understanding of information systems management, designed to equip learners with skills to align IT with business strategy and manage enterprise technologies effectively. The program consists of four core modules and a final project, requiring approximately 34 hours to complete. Each module combines conceptual frameworks with hands-on application, enabling learners to analyze, design, and evaluate information systems in real-world contexts. Learners will gain lifetime access to materials and earn a certificate upon completion.

Module 1: IS/IT Governance

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Introduction to IT alignment models
• Strategic alignment of IT investments with business goals
• Economic analysis of information systems
• Frameworks for IT governance and decision-making

Module 2: Analysis for Business Systems

Estimated time: 9 hours

• Modeling business processes and information flows
• Techniques for gathering business requirements
• Translating business needs into system specifications
• Best practices in systems analysis

Module 3: Enterprise Systems

Estimated time: 7 hours

• Overview of modern enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, SCM)
• Capabilities and components of enterprise software
• Managerial considerations in system selection and implementation
• Assessing fit between business requirements and system features

Module 4: IT Infrastructure and Emerging Trends

Estimated time: 8 hours

• Components of organizational IT infrastructure
• Evaluation of technological alternatives for infrastructure development
• Cloud computing, cybersecurity, and network architectures
• Impact of emerging technologies on business operations

Module 5: Final Project

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Deliverable 1: Develop an IT alignment proposal using governance frameworks
• Deliverable 2: Create a business systems analysis with requirements specification
• Deliverable 3: Evaluate enterprise system options and infrastructure strategies

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic business concepts
• Introductory knowledge of information technology
• Interest in IT management or systems analysis

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Utilize conceptual frameworks to align IT investments with business strategy
• Specify business requirements as information system specifications
• Assess the fit between business requirements and enterprise systems features
• Evaluate technological alternatives for developing organizational IT infrastructure
• Analyze the impact of emerging technologies on business performance