Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-life situations is essential for corporate systems management professionals. A substantial project, which should ideally be industry-based, with supervision from an academic, will develop your initiative and ability to apply your knowledge and skills in a team-based, professional capacity. Completing the project will also enable you to appreciate the complementary nature of the course material in total, particularly the need to integrate both technical and business knowledge and the importance of careful management of project.

Aims

This unit seeks to give you the opportunity to apply, under appropriate guidance, the knowledge and skills gained in your course to date and to execute a substantial Information Systems development project.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:
- prepare a Project Proposal, including a scope statement and a project plan of the tasks and an appropriate time schedule for a substantial information systems project; (GC1, GC3)
- adequately determine user requirements in relation to the product or system that is developed; (GC1, GC2, GC3,GC5)
- develop a product or system for a defined use; (GC1)
- prepare appropriate documentation of the product, or in support of a developed system; (GC1,GC3)
- work effectively in a team environment (GC5)
- be capable of critical, reflective and creative thinking and evaluation. (GC2, GC4, GC5)

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change

Content

You will undertake a project including all or any of the following:
- Business Analysis
- System Analysis
- System Design
- System Development
- System Implementation

You will document and communicate the results of the project, and demonstrate appropriate management of time and resources in preparing the project.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You are responsible for finding your own project work. This may be accomplished through establishing and securing contacts in local industry or agencies in either the private or public sector.

The project should be relevant to the professional practice of information systems. Where you are having difficulty in choosing a project the School's academic staff will provide assistance. You can view the Project option on FITSIS as a possible source of project topics.

You are also responsible for engaging a suitable staff member to supervise your project.

Project Proposals must be approved through formal agreement from either the unit coordinator or the supervisor BEFORE the end of the second week of semester. You must inform the unit coordinator who your supervisor is and submit it to the unit coordinator.

You are expected to work in small groups of 2 or 3. Those wishing to undertake a project on their own must obtain formal agreement from both the unit coordinator and a supervisor.

Assessment

Both you and the supervisor must agree on a project maximum rating as based on the nature and scope of the work to be undertaken BEFORE final assessment commences.

All assessable material (printed reports and manuals, software, demonstrations etc.) must be made available to the academic supervisor by the end of the last week of the semester lecturing period.

This unit is designed to cater to your needs and interests and as such your achievement is determined ultimately by your own initiative and effort.

While the specific requirements for assessment of each project are decided by the academic supervisor, it is expected that generally you will produce a Proposal, Project Report, Work Logs or Diaries and Working Papers (e.g., analysis).

Those undertaking software development projects are also expected to produce Specification Manuals, User Manuals and Verification of System Testing.

It is also expected that you demonstrate or formally present project work. You should check with your supervisor as to the number of copies of written reports that are to be provided.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
- Your supervisor will give feedback on your progress according to the meeting schedule you have negotiated and via formative assessment items.
- Peer feedback will be obtained via student evaluations and external feedback will be given at the time of your final presentation.

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Prepare a scope statement and a detailed project plan of your information systems project.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 5
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 3

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Part Two of Assessment. Project deliverables as agreed to by your client and supervisor and which may consist of items such as: your final user needs analysis, system and testing designs, documentation and the final product build which could be the system or a report for example. You may also be required to make a formal presentation of your final product/analysis to both your client and the supervisor.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 85%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Nil

Risk assessment statement

There is minimal health and safety risk in this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within FIT campus areas and laboratories.

There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 22-Jun-2012