Graduate Certificate in Decision Support Systems
The certificate in Decision Support Systems will provide information technology professionals and business managers with the skills needed to develop and analyze decision support systems in large-scale data warehouses. Students will have hands-on experience in the design and management of data warehouses using data warehousing software and in the development of business intelligence solutions with data mining methods. Students will learn about data modeling, data management, data mining, OLAP (online analytical processing), and business intelligence. Students will also study successful data warehouse installations.
Students seeking the graduate certificate in decision support systems should hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies. Students entering this program should have a basic understanding of computer systems and possess good mathematical skills.
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to solve problems related to the program content.
- Students will analyze and evaluate data for use in a business environment.
- Students will be able to summarize and compare the fundamental concepts and techniques of decision support systems.
- Students will recommend data manipulation and analysis algorithms for management decision making.
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The student seeking the graduate certificate should consult the Admission, Enrollment, Academic Policies, and Graduate Certificates sections of this catalog for information regarding application, admission, registration, and the academic policies of Webster University.
The 18 credit hours required for the graduate certificate in decision support systems include the following courses which must all be taken at Webster University:
- CSIS 5300 Database Systems
- CSIS 5310 Introduction to Decision Support Systems
- CSIS 5400 Data Warehousing
- CSIS 5410 Introduction to Data Mining
- CSIS 5420 Data Mining
- CSIS 5600 Decision Support Systems
Students who are interested in applying to this certificate program should see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Send all required admission materials to
Webster University
Office of Admission
470 East Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
CSIS 5300: Database Systems (3)
This course will provide a foundation for understanding database technology by examining the way databases are used, designed and managed. The course will introduce fundamental concepts related to databases with an emphasis on the relational model. The course will cover the principles of designing databases and provide students with introductory experience in developing and using database applications. Management of databases in the workplace and the responsibilities of database administrators will be covered. This course requires a software package, Microsoft Access, for use as the database management system (DBMS) in hands-on activities. Also, as for all internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology. BUSN 6080 Business Information Systems or equivalent would provide sufficient background.
CSIS 5310: Introduction to Decision Support Systems (3)
In this course will teach fundamental concepts of information as well as decision support systems. The course will study information systems terminologies, decision-making process, data management, access, and visualizations, constructing a Decision Support Systems. The course will briefly discuss Executive Information Systems and networks role in a Decision Support System. Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites to CSIS 5310. However, it is assumed the student has adequate writing, mathematical, and analytical skills. Also, as for all internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.
CSIS 5400: Data Warehousing (3)
Data warehouses were once unique technological advantages for the corporations that had them. Now they are a relatively common corporate decision support tool used by many organizations to better understand their business. This course will provide a foundation to understand data warehouse technology by examining the way they are designed, managed, and used. The course will explore the fundamental concepts related to data warehouses. Some of the topics of interest that are covered in this course are the business justification of a data warehouse, management of a data warehouse project, the design, construction, and operation of a data warehouse, issues of data quality and performance, and using the data warehouse. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5300 - Database Systems.
CSIS 5410: Introduction to Data Mining (3)
Many businesses are discovering that stored within their corporate data repositories are the elements to understanding and controlling the components of their business processes. Data warehousing, mining, and visualization are tools that can provide access to these elements.
This course will provide a foundation to understand data warehouse technology, data mining methods, and data visualization techniques by examining how these three technologies interact and depend on one another. The course will review the fundamental concepts related to data warehouses. It will also introduce data mining techniques and have the student experiment with data mining applications. Finally, the course will explain how data visualization can allow managers to quickly access large data repositories and make clear decisions based on integrated information structures. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5400 - Data Warehousing
CSIS 5420: Data Mining (3)
Data mining is the process of finding useful patterns in data. The objective of data mining is to use discovered patterns to help explain current behavior or to predict future outcomes.
This course will explore some data mining methods with a primary focus on model building and testing, as well as on interpreting and validating results. Model building is both an art and a science that is best understood from the perspective of learning by doing and this course will supplement the text with exercises with a data mining tool that will enable the student to experimentally build and test data mining models. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5410 - Introduction to Data Mining.
CSIS 5600: Decision Support Systems (3)
This course will require you to demonstrate your ability to create Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and decision support solutions for specific business requirements in an evolving scenario. Each week you will develop a project proposal utilizing the skills learned in this certificate program that meets a specified business need or initiative. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer and information technology and completion of CSIS 5420 - Data Mining.
Updated 6/1/2011
470 East Lockwood Avenue