I. Course Basics - Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

I. Course Basics
Penn State Erie - The Behrend College
Sam and Irene Black
School Of Business
MIS405
Supply Chain Information Systems with Oracle
Instructor: Chris Wassel
Office: REDC109
Phone Number: 814-898-6684
Email: Preferably use ANGEL course email; caw262@psu.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday, & Friday: 9:30AM to 11:30AM
Also by appointment.
Communication: Students are expected to review their ANGEL course e-mail on a DAILY
BASIS. If you cannot reach me personally, it is best to email. You may
also choose to leave a message on my voice mail at the office, but that is
least likely to reach me quickly. Please do NOT slide things under my
office door. All student e-mail messages to the instructor should be
sent via ANGEL e-mail. Schedule changes and assignment notes will be
communicated electronically and in class. It is the student’s responsibility
to monitor for e-mails. Calls during non-office hour time periods should be
to 814-898-6684, if I am not available please leave a detailed message.
You may also schedule in-person meetings, if necessary.
Class Time/Location: Tuesdays & Thursdays; 9:30am – 10:45 am; BURKE 176
Online (Web)
Prerequisites: MIS204, SCM301
Textbook & Materials:
Required Text: Oracle E-Business Suite Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management;
Gerald, King, Natchek; ISBN: 0-07-213379-1
Required Material: MIS405 printouts (Part 1 – 5); available in book store
Course Website: Most course material, assignments, and assessments will use Angel
(http://cms.psu.edu), including the syllabus, assignments, quizzes, exams,
answers to homework, and other useful information. A short guide to
Angel is available at:
http://www.pserie.psu.edu/faculty/teachingcenter/angel/index.htm
Course Details:
English: I presume that you can read and write English at the college level, even if that is not your
native language. Your written work must use correct grammar and spelling! Your grade may be
lowered otherwise. You should be aware that people judge you in professional settings (like college
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and a job) by the quality of your written and spoken word. You should get into the habit of using
correct grammar now, if you have not already. You must use correct grammar and spelling in emails
you send me, too. Do not be offended if I reply to your email with a few comments about this,
to try to help you change bad habits if necessary.
Classroom Policy: It is very important for you to come to class. I will try to maintain a classroom
environment that is welcoming and conducive to learning. In return, I expect you to come to class with
a motivated, cooperative attitude and maintain certain behavior standards. I expect that you will be
polite and not distracting during class. Please do not talk with other students, read material other than
course materials, etc. Along with being rude, these types of behaviors are distracting for other
students, as well as me, and interfere with lectures. Be sure to turn off your cell phone before class
starts! Please be advised, I may confiscate (or answer) a ringing cell phone. If you have an
emergency, and need to have your cell phone on, please discuss this with me in person first, and
please keep your phone on vibrate mode.
Angel Calendar & Announcements: I will use the calendar in Angel, as well as the ANGEL
announcements section, to list course lectures, assignment due dates, exam dates, and other important
information. You should consult the calendar and announcements frequently to remain on track in the
course. While the Angel calendar should be kept current, it is your responsibility to know when
assignments are due and when exams will be held. Also, all dates in the course are subject to
change. However, you will be given ample time/notice for any changes.
Course Suggestions, Etc.: In striving to create an environment that is fair, welcoming, comfortable,
and conducive to learning for all students, I respect, and welcome, any suggestions that you may have
for improving the course (supplemental course material, teaching methods, etc.). I welcome you to
discuss these with me in person, before or after class. For those of you that may not be comfortable
with discussing suggestions face-to-face, you will find a Course Suggestions Forum on the course
Angel site. The forum is structured anonymously, so that I only am able to view the comment and not
the author. I will review the forum frequently and will do my best to incorporate as many suggestions as
possible. Please remember, though, that there are topics that I must cover, and assessments that I
must give to evaluate your performance. Therefore, in completing the course objectives (listed below), I
may not be able to implement all suggestions.
Along with suggestions for the course improvement, I expect that you will not take everything I say to
you in blind faith. Obviously, I strive to be completely accurate with all course material. However, as all
people do, I will make mistakes. I welcome and expect you to challenge me on material that you find
inaccurate. This shows that you are actively participating in the learning process. My only request is
that all challenges are handled in a professional manner (the same goes for the suggestions forum
mentioned above).
II. Course Objectives & Policies:
Course Description: This course involves extensive discussion and study in the understanding of
supply chain information systems and processes. The vast majority of business data is generated
through the use of supply chain information systems to execute business processes. Successful
program managers and business analysts must understand how data is generated (the business
processes that generate data), and how this strategic data is used to integrate various business
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functions. This course will focus on the management of supply chain information systems, and will
include topics in the following areas:
• Inventory Management
• Purchasing
• Bills of Material and Engineering
• Master Scheduling and Material Requirements Planning
• Oracle E-Business Suite Database Structure Overview
Course Learning Objectives:
• Explain and discuss the importance and interrelationships of key data generated from business
process transactions
• Identify & understand key inventory management workflow processes
• Identify & understand strategic purchasing workflow processes
• Identify & understand key bills of material workflow processes
• Identify & understand strategic master scheduling and material requirements planning
workflow processes
• Demonstrate operational skills needed to navigate and use enterprise resource planning (ERP)
business software
• Explain and discuss Oracle database structure
• Explain and discuss security issues and system setup activities
Course Components: This course will consist of course lectures, Oracle lab activities, class
discussion, review quizzes, homework assignments, online assignments, a final project,
professionalism / participation, and three exams.
EXAMS: There will be three exams. Exams will be closed note / book and will be administered
through ANGEL. Exams are INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS and there should be no collaboration
between students.
Homework Assignments: Homework will be assigned to supplement course lecture and reinforce
course topics. Homework will be assigned by the instructor, as necessary, throughout the semester.
Online Assignments: This course is being offered via hybrid delivery. Therefore, the course will
incorporate both in-person and online activities and assignments. Online assignments will be
administered via ANGEL and will be found in each respective Lesson folder on the ANGEL site.
Oracle Lab Assignments: This course will include a special focus on Oracle eBusiness suite
applications. Approximately 9 Oracle lab exercises have been designed to ensure participants
understand implementation strategies, supply chain information system processes, and data analysis.
Lab assignments will generally be cumulative and must be completed in sequence. All Oracle
assignments will be posted on the Angel class web site. Oracle lab assignment solutions are expected
to be submitted electronically through the Angel class web site. Each Oracle assignment will be
contained within a unique ANGEL folder. Each Oracle assignment folder will contain the assignment
instructions along with flash video examples of how to run each transaction. Prior to beginning the
Oracle assignment, you should read through the assignment in its entirety and view each of the
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transaction flash video tutorials. It is much easier to take the time up front and understand the
required steps, than fixing problems after they have occurred. On the other hand, if you run into
problems with the Oracle assignments and need to “fix” the Oracle results, you will certainly learn more
about Oracle. If you run into problems, you should have patience, and expect to spend time
resolving the problem.
Final Project: A final Oracle project (Case study) will be assigned. The final project will incorporate
course concepts and lab activities completed throughout the semester.
Attendance Policy: It is extremely important that you show up for class, pay attention to lectures, ask
questions when you are uncertain about something, and take notes. It is expected that you will
attend every class, except in cases of emergency. You are responsible for all material presented
and assignments given during class, including those in classes which you miss. If you must miss a
class, be sure to find out what announcements and assignments were made, and what material was
covered, before returning to class. While you will not lose points for missing a class, I strongly
recommend you attend all classes, except in case of emergency.
Professionalism: The professionalism component will be awarded base on class attendance,
participation in course discussions / activities / assignments, and professional behavior in class, onkine,
and in all writing assignments. A note on this component, I will not keep track each and every time a
student participates in class. However, I will take note of those that do participate and those that do
not. As long as you attend class, participate in class activities, and act in a professional manner, you
will receive full credit for this component. This component will be awarded on a daily basis. Therefore,
if you do not attend class, you will receive 0 points for that day. For online activities, credit will be
awarded based on completion of online activites per instructions found on ANGEL.
Reading / Research Assignments & Lectures: I will often assign reading / research assignments
from the course text and online resources. The purposes of the reading / research assignments are to
prepare you for, and enhance, the course lecture, to integrate in-class and online activites, and / or to
provide a summary of previous activities. In order to get the most out of this class, I expect you to
complete all assigned reading / research by the assigned due date. Exam material may come from any
/ all course assignments and lectures. Completing reading assignments before coming to class will
allow you to prepare for asking and answering questions during the lectures.
Course lectures will be structured around reading / research assignments, homework / in-class
activities, lab activities, and the course handouts (Part 1-5). I strongly recommend that you take notes
during the lectures. In addition to including supplemental material in course lectures, I will discuss
important points during the lectures.
Course Grading: Student success in meeting the learning objectives will be assessed through a
combination of three exams, Oracle lab assignments, homework, a final paper, and class discussion /
participation. The points assigned to each of the course components are as follows: (Components /
points may be added or eliminated.)
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Exams: 150 (three exams at 50 points each)
Oracle Assignments: 90 (9 labs at 10 points each)
Review Quizzes: 100 (5 quizzes at 20 points each)
Final Oracle Project: 100
Homework 100-150 (Approximation, may increase or decrease)
Professionalism 150 (30 class periods, 5 pts. Per class)
Grading Scale:
A 93-100% B+ 87-89% C+ 77-79% F 60% or below
A- 90-92% B 83-86% C 70-76%
B- 80-82% D 61-69%
Late assignment policy: Assignments submitted up to 1 day (24 hours) after the due date and time
will receive a 10% point deduction. Assignments submitted 1-2 days (24+hours – 48 hours) after the
assigned due date & time will receive a 20% point deduction. Assignments submitted 2-7 days (48+
hours – 1 week) after the due date & time will receive a 50% deduction. Any assignments turned in
after 1 week of the due date and time will NOT receive credit. All deductions are taken prior to
grading submitted assignments. For example, if you turn an assignment in 3 days late, the
maximum score you can receive for the assignment is a 50% (assuming you miss no points
on the assignment). If you submit an assignment late, or once the semester has concluded, please
do not come to me and ask me to amend the late policy for you. In striving to be fair to all
students, I cannot provide any student special treatment over the others. Please note, this policy
will be strictly enforced.
Bonus Points: The opportunity for bonus points may arise during the semester. If the opportunity
presents itself, the instructor will announce the bonus point opportunity during class time. Just as
with any missed class, if a student is absent during classes when bonus point opportunities are
announced, it is the student’s responsibility to identify what assignments / opportunities were given
during the missed class. All bonus points earned during the semester will be tracked by the professor
and added onto the students’ final grades at the culmination of the semester. Bonus points are
opportunities to earn points above and beyond those assigned for the class that will be assigned by
the instructor as his discretion. As with the late assignment policy, please do not come to me and
ask for more bonus points or extra credit at the end of the semester.
III. Tentative Course Calendar:
Date Topic
Week 1 – Aug 23 & 25 Course Intro
Intro to ERP & SCIS
Week 2 – Aug 30 & Sept 1 Shared Entities & Integration
Multi-Org & Enterprise Structure
Week 3 – Sept 6 & 8 Workflow
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Intro to Inventory Management
Week 4 – Sept 13 & 15 Inventory Accuracy
Inventory Accuracy
Week 5 – Sept 20 & 22 Inventory Replenishment
Inventory Replenishment & Exam 1 Review
Week 6 – Sept 27 & 29 EXAM 1
BOM & Routings
Week 7 – Oct 4 & 6 Engineering & ECO’s
Panning Overview
Week 8 – Oct 11 & 13 Planning Overview
Master Scheduling
Week 9 – Oct 18 & 20 MRP
MRP & Exam 2 Review
Week 10 – Oct 25 & 27 EXAM 2
Intro to Purchasing
Week 11 – Nov 1 & 3 Intro to Purchasing / Requisitions
Requisitions
Week 12 – Nov 8 & 10 Purchase Orders
Purchase Orders
Week 13 – Nov 15 & 17 Receipts
Receipts
Nov. 20 – 26 THANKSGIVING BREAK NO CLASSES
NO CLASSES
Week 14 – Nov 29 & Dec 1 Oracle DB Structure
Oracle DB Structure
Week 15 – Dec 6 & 8 Oracle DB Structure
Oracle DB Structure
Final Exam - TBD EXAM 3 - TBD
All dates and topics subject to change
IV. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
In order to be fair to the majority of students who are honest, I take a hard line on academic dishonesty.
I believe that academic dishonesty undermines the whole process of higher education, and could make
a Penn State degree meaningless if not prevented. Therefore, I strongly endorse the University’s policy
on academic dishonesty. Be aware that ACADEMIC DISHONESTY MAY RESULT IN AN
AUTOMATIC COURSE FLUNK. When appropriate, other sanctions (such as suspension or expulsion
from the University) may be pursued. Academic dishonesty includes, among other things, copying
exam answers, attempting to get an advance copy of the exam, changing answers on a quiz,
assignment, or exam after it has been submitted and/or returned, storing information in a calculator, cell
phone or other device for use during exams, and using someone else's work when answering questions
/ assignments. Working together on an assignment outside class CAN be academic dishonesty, too, if
you should be doing the work on your own. Academic dishonesty also includes allowing someone else
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to use your work. Be advised that I will actively enforce this policy, out of fairness to the great majority
of students who are honest and have to work hard for their grades. See University Senate Policies and
Rules for Students, Policy 49-20. You should also be aware that Penn State has a policy of assigning
an “academic dishonesty F” or “XF” grade which tells everyone viewing the transcript that the F grade
was due to cheating. The PSU policy also requires faculty to notify the administration of virtually every
cheating infraction, so that multiple occurrences by one student in different classes can be identified.
More severe penalties are typically imposed when a student has had previous incidents. More
information can be found at: http://www.pserie.psu.edu/faculty/academics/integrity.htm
V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
STUDENT / INSTRUCTOR COMMUNICATION:
Students are expected to review their ANGEL course e-mail on a DAILY BASIS. Note that you have
the ability to set up your ANGEL email to automatically forward to another e-mail address. All
student e-mail messages to the instructor should be sent via ANGEL e-mail. The purpose of
this is for me to easily keep my work e-mails and class e-mails organized and separated. If I am
traveling and do not have Internet access, I will communicate this to you in advance. Schedule
changes and assignment notes will be communicated electronically and in class. It is the student’s
responsibility to monitor for e-mails. Calls during non-office hour time periods should be to 898-6684,
if I am not available please leave a detailed message. You may also schedule in-person meetings, if
necessary.
Academic and Career Planning Center
The Academic and Career Planning Center (ACPC) can assist students with the process of career
and life planning through a full range of programs and services. You may schedule appointments
with the ACPC staff to discuss issues including interests, skills, values, and goal setting, as well as
how to find career information, internships, full-time jobs, and graduate schools. You are
encouraged to utilize the services of the ACPC every year from your first semester to graduation.
ACPC Location: Second floor – Reed Building
ACPC Phone: 898-6164
ACPC Web Site: http://psbehrend.psu.edu/Academics/academic-services/acpc
Writing tutoring is available in the Learning Resource Center, 203 Lilley Library.
Math tutoring is available in the Roche Annex (2nd floor Roche Hall).
Engineering tutoring is available in the REDC, room 240.
Tutoring for other subjects and study skills is offered by appointment. Stop in at the Learning
Resource Center.
For more information go to: http://pennstatebehrend.psu.edu/academic/lrc/tutor.htm
Note to students with disabilities: Penn State is strongly committed to providing full access to its
programs and services for all individuals. The University encourages academically qualified
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students with disabilities to take advantage of the educational programs offered at Penn State
Behrend. The Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, located in the Student Affairs
Suite, on the second floor of the Reed Union Building, provides assistance and support for
students. A disability services coordinator provides services tailored to meet the specific needs of
each student.
For more information go to:
http://pennstatebehrend.psu.edu/student/Educational%20Equities/DISABILITY.htm
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