Virginia Commonwealth University

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Curriculum & Calendar

Resources
Download a complete listing and description of each course. [PDF]

NOTE: Course faculty and business partners are subject to change depending on availability.

Schedule

Class of 2010 detailed schedule of class meetings [PDF]

The class of 2010 will begin on Feb. 27, 2009, with orientation on Feb. 20, 2009. Students will go through May commencement exercises. The program is 14 calendar months, 12 actual in-class months. Students will have all of July, most of November and December off; with additional extra weekends off throughout.

The normal schedule for the FTEMS is alternate weekends, although there will be a few back-to-back weekends, in order to accommodate major holidays. Classes meet Friday afternoon from 12:30 – 6:15 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

There may also be times when students are encouraged to meet outside the normal class schedule for special speakers or other events. These dates will be publicized well in advance so students can make appropriate arrangements.

The Fast Track Executive Master of Science in Information Systems (FTEMS), IT Management track, is a 30-credit-hour program, consisting of 10 three-credit-hour courses, all in Information Systems and Technology, but with a managerial rather than a strictly technical, bent.

Each course has been developed by a team of academic and industry professionals. The courses are delivered in an integrated, modular format. The modules focus on specific decision areas. The modules, courses, and team members responsible for each course are listed below.

MODULE 1: Organizational Foundations

ISTM 671, ISTM 672, ISTM675
Spring  and Summer ’09, February 27 – June 20

Module Coordinator:  Dr. Lynda Hodgson

Course Advisors:

  • Dr. Jean Gasen, Dr. Lynda Hodgson
  • Mr. Don Kierson, Partner, Core Consulting, Inc.
  • Mr. Mike Holdren, Vice President Information Systems, First Health Services Corp.

MODULE II: IS Foundations

ISTM673, ISTM676, ISTM677
Fall ’08, August 7 – December 12

Module Coordinator:  Dr. H. Roland Weistroffer

Course Advisors:

  • Dr. Roland Weistroffer, Dr. Gurpreet Dhillon, Dr. Peter Aiken
  • Ms. Connie Frudden, Vice President, Business Application Department, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
  • Mr. Chuck Rohm, Chief Security Officer, Performance Food Group

MODULE III: IS Enterprise and Global Challenges

ISTM674, ISTM678, ISTM679
Spring ’09, January 8 – April 17

Module Coordinator:  Dr. A. James Wynne

Course Advisors:

  • Dr. George Kasper, Ms. Maureen Carley, Dr. Richard Redmond
  • Dr. Kurt Thearling, Vice President, Strategic Technology, CapitalOne
  • Mr. Rajiv Perera, Chief Technical Officer, HRH
  • Mr. Wayne Puglisi, Director of Information Technology, C F Sauer

MODULE IV: International Trip Experience

ISTM 691 – International Trip, Leadership, and CIO Mentor Experience

NOTE: Course faculty and business partners are subject to change depending on availability. One course equates to 18 sessions of 1:45 hours each.

GRADING AND ASSESSMENT

Students’ performance will be assessed throughout the program. Assessment will consist of tests, participation, team work, and other assignments. Students will receive a letter grade (A-F) for each course, and each course contributes equally toward the students’ overall Grade Point Average.