615-120 Information Systems in Organisations

This foundation subject in the Bachelor of Information Systems is delivered through a combination of lectures, technology demonstrations, and laboratory exercises. Various software packages are used, including spreadsheets, database managers, and systems for collaborative work. To facilitate additional practical understanding of information systems, electronic messaging between students and faculty is used to distribute information, carry out discussion, complete assignments, and coordinate class activity. Typical commercial systems are examined, including financial, inventory, electronic markets, computer-aided design, manufacturing etc. Additional topics include a selection from introduction to computer organisation; local, wide area, and telecommunications networks; and programming paradigms including both procedural and object oriented.

At the completion of this subject, students should:

• understand the different types of information systems used in organisations, and the roles of these systems;

• understand the interaction of organisational and technical issues in the use of information systems;

• have hands-on experience in developing and using small personal information systems;

• appreciate the opportunities offered by information systems to create value in organisations, and appreciate as well some of the challenges in achieving that value;

• have a technical foundation for understanding the hardware and software components of information systems; and

• be able to describe the technical aspects of an information system, including capacity, scalability, reach and range, adherence to standards, fit with technical architecture, and inherent advantages and disadvantages.

A 1-hour mid-semester test; a 2-hour practical examination; a 3-hour end-of-semester written examination; one individual assignment. Group and individual assignments together are expected to take about 25 hours. The weighting of assessment components will be announced at the commencement of the subject. Successful completion of this subject requires a pass in both the exam and the practical portion of the assessment.