Core Courses and Curriculum Components
AIM's multidisciplinary structure allows you to study information management from four key perspectives, the AIM curriculum components:
Core courses run for seven weeks, starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday. All students must take each of the following courses in addition to five short courses to meet the AIM Program credit requirements.
Orientation Module
The Orientation Module is a series of courses that lays a foundation for success throughout the program. In these courses, you will explore online learning, electronic research, and research writing. Courses include:
Virtual Learning and Teams
This course, designed to maximize your success in online courses, introduces you to online learning theory and practice. Topics include virtual teams, multiple intelligences, teaching styles, facilitative teaching, and self-directed learning. This course is required for all AIM Program students. Virtual Learning and Teams (VLT) is a prerequisite for all AIM courses. (3 credits; pass/no pass; 7 weeks)
Electronic Information and Research
This course provides instruction in how to carry out purposeful and sophisticated research using electronic sources. In addition, the development of electronic information is used to examine how information is produced, constructed and validated. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (2 credits; graded; 4 weeks)
Writing for Research
Introduces students to the form and style of formal research writing. Examines the processes and products of formal research as they impact effective written research presentation. Students will develop a small research project as a means of creating writing samples, and will engage in a small team project. Prerequisite: Electronic Information and Research. (2 credits; graded; 4 weeks)
Information Management Component
Information Management focuses on information resources, communications, and management tools. Courses in this component include:
Data Management and Communications
Learn fundamental data management and communications concepts useful for the information manager. Topics include: terminology, major communications issues and trends, and analysis of a variety of real-life professional settings. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Information Systems and Management
Examine the role of management and the structure of organizations relative to information technology strategy. Topics include: strategic positioning, management/ leadership principles, technology infrastructure design, and interrelationships among stakeholders. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Project Management
This course presents theoretical and practical applications of scheduling and project management. Topics include: planning, budgeting, and evaluation using project management tools. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Business Management Component
Business Management focuses on aspects of management strategies and structures. Business management courses include:
Creating Business Solutions with Technology
Examine how the smart use of technology can help organizations maintain advantage in a dynamic and competitive business environment. Topics focus on current and emerging technologies and information management concepts. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Management of Organizations
Delve into critical business issues and explore the framework for redesigning organizations in response to change. Topics include: organizational culture, strategic planning, understanding individual behavior, motivation/coaching, influence and conflict, decision making, and change management. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Managerial Accounting for Decision Making
This course examines the value and use of accounting for making decisions within an organization. Core topics from managerial accounting are covered, including job costing, activity-based costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, relevant costs for decision making, and capital budgeting. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Marketing Management and Planning
Investigate marketing program design, the nature and behavior of markets, marketing decisions, marketing and the law, evaluation of marketing efficiency, and marketing issues involving technology such as online advertising. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Information Design Component
Information Design focuses on the identification, organization, and presentation of information. AIM's information design courses include:
Information Design and Communication
Familiarizes you with the concepts, vocabulary, tools, and technologies of the design and presentation of electronically processed and print information. Practical exercises increase visual literacy and demonstrate what is needed to create documents that are noticed, read, and understood. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Information Design Trends
Examines critical information design trends impacting information design standards and website implementation. Gives you a project manager's perspective on content management, intellectual property, personalization and emerging technology. Prerequisite: Virtual Learning and Teams. (3 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
Applied Research Component
Applied Research focuses on research writing, research methods, and the development of a final Capstone research study. Courses include:
Research Methods
This course discusses research as a formalized inquiry, stressing the variety of forms inquiry may take when addressing various types of problems. Learn to locate resources, analyze research, and formulate research problems. Design and implementation of a small-scale study familiarizes you with common data collection and analytical approaches. Prerequisite: Writing for Research. (4 credits; graded; 7 weeks)
AIM Capstone
Capstone is designed to support selection of a research topic and development of a formal research document. Departmental approval required. (6 credits; pass/no pass; 14 weeks).
For currently available courses, see Courses and Registration.