Spring 2023
Case Studies in Enterprise Architecture
Zoya Kinstler PhD
Architecture is the art and craft of designing complex structures. Enterprise architecture (EA) is the art and craft of designing software solutions for business needs, which are driven by strategy decisions including how to win revenue in the competitive market. The market is rapidly changing under the impact of such disruptive technologies as cloud computing, internet-of-things (IoT), machine learning, blockchain, and robotic automation. It is an enterprise architect's job to translate a strategy decision into a business capability, design a technology solution, and fit it into existing working enterprise. This is a threefold challenge: first, cutting through the complexity of the business ecosystem; second, implementing the new technology; and last but not least, delivering the solution very quickly. The course explores real-life scenarios of digital solutions implementations in various industry settings. We read case papers and discuss them in class. No outdated EA frameworks. No tedious methodologies. Lots of reading and practical learning.
Prerequisites: At least two courses towards the Master of Liberal Arts, software engineering or information management systems, or a working experience with software systems in business settings.
Spring 2023
Advertising Analytics and Real-Time Technology
Justin E. Fortier MBA, Principal Data Scientist, ViralGains
This course provides a detailed overview of today's digital advertising technology industry. Students learn the ecosystem, common goals, success metrics, and key national and local competitors that define the industry. Key terms, such as real-time bidding and walled gardens, are introduced. Topics include the use of data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence as advertising technology optimization tools, and the challenges that recent legislation protecting consumer data present to advertising technology firms.
Prerequisites: Students need laptops loaded with Jupyter notebooks and Python 3.
Fall 2022
Time Series Analysis with Python
Dmitry V. Kurochkin PhD, Senior Research Analyst, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office for Faculty Affairs, Harvard University
Time series data (for example, closing prices of an exchange-traded fund, maximum yearly temperatures, monthly PC sales, or daily numbers of visitors) arise whenever correlations of adjacent observations in time cannot be ignored. This course covers modern methods for time series analysis and forecasting. In addition to mathematical foundations of time series, students get hands-on experience building predictive models in cases of both stationary and non-stationary time series. Topics covered in the course include autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation, Fourier analysis, stationarity, time series decomposition, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) process and the Box-Jenkins methodology, generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model, and long short-term memory (LSTM), a special type of recurrent neural networks (RNN) which has demonstrated to be superior to classical time series models in many applications.
Prerequisites: Introductory probability and statistics, multivariate calculus equivalent to MATH E-21a, and proficiency in Python programming equivalent to CSCI E-7. Familiarity with deep neural networks is helpful but not required. All coding exercises are performed in Python. Students are required to take a short pretest at the beginning of the course. The pretest score does not count toward the final grade but helps students understand whether their background in calculus, probability theory, as well as command of coding positions them for success in this course.
Spring 2023
The Future of Humanity: A System Approach
Fawwaz Habbal PhD, Senior Lecturer on Applied Physics, Harvard University
It is irresistible to think that the human race will survive forever. Yet, major changes are happening every day, and some of them create new challenges. Challenges can be complex and wicked. They may be related to new technology, the decline of sustainability, and human conflicts. Life goes on and even when there are wars, hope prevails. But is humanity safe? Are there existential risks? Is growth limitless? Are human values protected? Are there tipping points when the future becomes at risk? Among so many possible perils, how do we fit in? What is our role? How do we sustain sociability? What are the opportunities? What tools do we need to acquire and add to our skills? In this course, the instructor creates the provocations and exercises and guides the group. This course is a combination of learning useful techniques as well as valuable content, and is structured over three parts: an overview of systems thinking and systems mapping, tools and challenges, and navigating uncertainty by thinking in futures. Students learn through reflections and discussions, and solve problems using systems analysis and design methods. Students read, write, watch movies, and search the web for data to synthesize information. Most importantly, they create new ideas and solutions with their peers. Learning takes place through creating innovative solutions to human challenges, and small groups work to create insights and prototypes. Critical thinking and collaborations are the fuels for creating these innovative proposals.
Fall 2022
Introduction to GIS
Jeff Blossom MS, GIS Service Manager, Center for Geographic Analysis, Harvard University
This course introduces the concepts and components of a geographic information system (GIS). It also teaches the essential skills of spatial data management, analysis, and visualization through the use of the ArcGIS software package. Upon completion of this course, students understand the fundamental concepts of a GIS including spatial data models, spatial analysis, and cartographic principles. They also gain hands-on training in spatial data collection, editing, transformation, and mapping, as well as spatial analysis operations such as location-based query, address geocoding, terrain and watershed analysis, spatial interpolation, spatio-temporal analysis, 3D modelling, and a number of other GIS modeling techniques. GIS technology has broad applications in the natural and social sciences, humanities, environmental studies, engineering, and management. Examples include wildlife habitat study, urban and regional planning, contagious disease monitoring, agriculture and forestry, environmental quality assessment, emergency management, transportation planning, and consumer and competitor analysis. This course introduces a few selected cases of GIS application in different disciplines.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with Word documents, spreadsheets, and browsing the Internet.
Fall 2022
Remote Sensing Data and Applications
Magaly Koch PhD, Research Associate Professor, Center for Remote Sensing, Boston University
This course introduces students to remote sensing data, methods and tools used for the study of global environmental change. The growing concern about human impact on the environment has led to the development of new observation and analysis tools to tackle and monitor types, magnitudes, and rates of environmental changes. Timely observations by Earth observation (EO) satellite systems and improved mapping and analysis tools are enabling a better understanding of the environmental interactions that underlie our Earth systems, which is critical for developing sustainable solutions. This course enables students to search and use satellite imagery in the context of a number of disciplines including environmental studies, ecology, geology, hydrology, disaster assessment and management, and public health. Students learn the fundamentals of the EO systems and the tools (geo-portals, web-based tools, and open-source software) to observe, monitor, and assess the changes occurring on or near the Earth's surface. Hands-on activities explore human and physical dimensions of environmental change, environmental conservation and management, and disaster detection and mitigation. Students search and analyze global spatial data portals made available by various agencies and organizations (such as the United States Geological Survey, NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the European Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Potential topics covered in case studies and exercises include land use and cover change (urban sprawl, deforestation, and irrigated agriculture); extreme weather events (floods, droughts, wildfires, typhoons, and hurricanes); human and ecological health (aerosol and air pollution, wetland and forest health); food security and environmental sustainability (agriculture and water resources); and disaster assessment and management.
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of geospatial data or permission of the instructor.
Spring 2023
Strategic Information Systems
William Waas MBA, Adjunct Lecturer, School of Professional Studies, Northwestern University
This course examines current issues, themes, and research related to the strategic use of information systems in organizations. It focuses on the use of information and information technology for competitive advantage in businesses, organizations, and nonprofits. It explores the impact of an innovative environment on the design and implementation of strategic systems and explores the concept of strategic alignment between the business and information technology. It examines in detail the use of portfolio management in selecting information technology projects that provide real strategic value to the company. It explores the issue of deriving real value out of information technology investments and discusses the development of meaningful benchmarks. Also included are in-depth discussions regarding the impact of IT security and government regulations on the organization.
Spring 2023
Technology Leadership
James Farley MS, Senior Director, Head of Enterprise Architecture, Ironclad
This course takes students through a series of topics and case studies related to the facets of technology leadership. We first explore the various contexts, motivations, and paths that evoke leadership in technology. The course then progresses through a series of case studies and exercises in critical knowledge areas and skills required of technology leaders.
Prerequisites: Students must have held, or currently hold, a role developing and/or applying technology in some form. Software technology (software developer, web developer, architect) is one option, but a technologist from other fields (biotechnology, mechanical engineering) also meets the prerequisite. Students need to be experienced practitioners in their fields. Ideally, they have several years' experience creating and applying technology in their field and have both depth (practical technical expertise) and breadth (experience with a number of different contexts/business domains).
Fall 2022
Information Technology Finance and Communications
William Waas MBA, Adjunct Lecturer, School of Professional Studies, Northwestern University
Many information technology (IT) organizations lack the formal policies and procedures required to understand the true cost of providing IT services. IT managers and executives must communicate complex information and initiatives that improve productivity, cost management, and competitive advantage. To support better consideration of the factors driving technology decisions and formal cost recovery methodologies, the IT professional must present data and strategies to both other IT professionals and lay people without an IT background to executives, management, and staff within their organizations and to outside vendors and suppliers. Often, IT professionals must work and communicate productively in teams. This course focuses on the processes that make it possible to fairly allocate costs for IT services and gain information for assessing options, managing consumption, and perceiving the true value of IT; and the means of conveying information to ensure understanding and gain the cooperation of key partners in initiating positive IT financial initiatives.
Fall 2022
Capstone Seminar in Digital Enterprise
Zoya Kinstler PhD
This interactive fast-paced seminar focuses on digital technologies as tools for achieving business goals. A digital enterprise is defined as an organization whose business model and operating platform are driven by information technology (IT). Through readings and case studies, we learn how companies transform their products and systems by implementing digital technologies: cloud services, mobile and social platforms, data analytics, and internet-of-things communications. Then we roll up our sleeves and build a capstone project, architecting an IT solution for a realistic business scenario. The following concepts are covered: enterprise architecture, software systems, business processes, service orientation, system integration, and project implementation framework.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates for the Master of Liberal Arts, information management systems. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be good academic standing and have completed at least nine courses toward the degree, including all the core degree requirements. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Spring 2023
Capstone Seminar in Digital Enterprise
Zoya Kinstler PhD
This interactive fast-paced seminar focuses on digital technologies as tools for achieving business goals. A digital enterprise is defined as an organization whose business model and operating platform are driven by information technology (IT). Through readings and case studies, we learn how companies transform their products and systems by implementing digital technologies: cloud services, mobile and social platforms, data analytics, and internet-of-things communications. Then we roll up our sleeves and build a capstone project, architecting an IT solution for a realistic business scenario. The following concepts are covered: enterprise architecture, software systems, business processes, service orientation, system integration, and project implementation framework.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates for the Master of Liberal Arts, information management systems. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be good academic standing and have completed at least nine courses toward the degree, including all the core degree requirements. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Spring 2023
Capstone Seminar in Information Management
Richard E. Joltes ALM, Senior Content Analytics Architect, US Department of Transportation
The management and utilization of digital assets, especially those containing large amounts of unstructured text, represent an ongoing and rapidly growing challenge for all types of enterprises. In many cases, a large amount of textual content is created and stored on a daily basis, only to languish unused in forgotten archives until discarded or forgotten. In the intervening storage period, this content consumes valuable storage space and other resources that may be better utilized for other purposes, while producing no tangible benefit. Given the rapid growth of such content (EMC, a major player in storage, recently estimated that 40 trillion gigabytes of data [40 zettabytes] will have accumulated around the world by the end of 2020), what steps should enterprises take in order to manage and capitalize on it? Is it possible to glean useful, actionable insights from unstructured text, while not wreaking havoc on already strained IT budgets? How should projects intended to utilize this content be organized, and what objectives and success metrics should be established? Even more importantly, how can organizations plan for the future in the face of burgeoning, almost exponential growth in content and complexity? This course discusses approaches to these problems. We first cover the backdrop of today's storage nightmare and how it has evolved over time, then proceed to an assessment of the current state of unstructured content management. Using this background material, students then extrapolate on existing trends and needs for an organization (real or fictional), ultimately producing both short and long term plans of some duration (say, three to five years) for the organization's management and utilization of unstructured content.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates for the Master of Liberal Arts, information management systems. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be good academic standing and have completed at least nine courses toward the degree, including all the core degree requirements. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.