Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

IT professionals work with a wide variety of information systems and are increasingly required to interact with other professionals and understand business domains. In many cases it is necessary to develop custom systems to satisfy business requirements. Problem solving and communication skills and an understanding of the structure of information systems (e.g. hardware and software components) are required to effectively work with information systems developers. In this dynamic industry, self-managed learning is necessary to remain abreast of technology innovations.

Aims

This unit aims to teach you about the key concepts involved in the analysis, design, development, testing and management of corporate information systems. Critically, this unit will expand your understanding of the fundamental managerial, ethical and legal issues pertaining to the development of information systems. You will understand how to apply problem solving processes to real world problems. You will become aware of the communication gaps that exist between technology and business specialists and you will develop strategies for communicating in multidisciplinary development teams.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Identify and discuss the major operational, managerial, ethical and legal issues relating to information systems development (GC4, GC6).
2. Demonstrate your understanding of systems development life cycles and approaches (GC1).
3. Communicate and discuss, at a professional written and verbal level, both business and technical aspects related to information systems development to audiences in both Business and Information Technology forums (GC3).
4. Analyse and design information systems intended to support real-world business problems (GC2).
5. Develop suitable personal approaches to learning and problem-solving relevant to the pursuit of professional interests (GC4).
6. Work independently and in teams to resolve business problems (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

This unit introduces information systems development approaches as well as the operational, managerial ethical and legal issues surrounding these developments. To that end, in this unit you will be given exposure to topics such as the following:
- Information Systems and Networking Architectures.
- Information Systems Development Life Cycles.
- Operational, managerial, ethical and legal issues relating to systems development and systems integration.
- Systematic approaches to resolving real world business problems through the integration of information, software and hardware.
- Analysis and design for information systems development.
- Strategies for communication with stakeholders in multidisciplinary development teams.
- Format, structure and creation of relevant communication products.
- Quality control in information systems development.
- Self- and team-management of learning.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit emphasises a hands-on approach to learning and studying information systems and their development. The unit will comprise a one hour lecture and two hours of classroom time that will be in a PC Lab. The classroom time will be divided between practicals and exercises on the computers. Due to the emphasis on a hands-on approach to problem solving and learning, you will be expected to attend the weekly practicals and participate actively in the practicals. You will work individually or in small groups, as directed, with support from your lecturers and demonstrators. The practical materials relate directly to lecture content and the required assessment tasks and will assist you in learning.

All related learning and reading material will be made available on the QUT Blackboard site. Also, all weekly practical tasks, and suggested solutions, will be made available online.

The unit uses an interactive approach to learning through the frequent use of discussion and debate sessions within the practicals. Throughout the semester you will work on different aspects of the analysis, design and development of an authentic business information system. You will analyse system requirements, solve problems and identify solutions, build appropriate system modules and create appropriate documentation.

You will manage your own learning by identifying different problem solving methods and styles and practicing with different techniques and tools to become proficient. All material introduced will be discussed in the practicals but you will be required to do additional preparatory work at home to assist the learning.

Assessment

There are three kinds of assessment in the Unit: (1) analysis of information systems requirements, (2) the completion of a partially developed information system, and (3) an individual written final examination.

The analysis of information systems requirements will assess the students' ability to gather and elicit business and domain information and to derive information systems requirements. Students will be required to deconstruct a business scenario and an existing information system to identify the system components; the business functions and/or processes that are supported and the issues relating to the system's design and implementation. You will be required to work in a group of 4-5 students, and to provide a comprehensive report. You will get comprehensive feedback and a CRA rubric will be provided. This assignment is worth 30% in total and will be due in week 6. Participation in classroom activities and discussions will assist with this assignment.

The completion of a partially developed information system will assess the student's ability to inspect and critically assess information systems development efforts, to rectify existing problems and to see the development project through to completion. This assignment will assist students in developing team-work, project and time management skills, and to communicate findings in professional written and verbal form. Using appropriate techniques and tools, students are required to assess, revise and develop components to be incorporated into a partially completed information system. This will include, for instance, developing a Test Plan and an outline of the User Guide. Participation in classroom activities and discussions will assist with this process. You will be required to work in a group of 4-5 students, and to provide a comprehensive report. You will get comprehensive feedback and a CRA rubric will be provided. This assignment is worth 40% in total and will be due in week 12.

The final 2 hour exam is worth 30% in total. In the exam, all issues discussed in this unit will be covered.Feedback will be provided to students through consultation with lecturers and/or supervisory staff.

Assessment name: Report
Description: Deconstruction of a business scenario to identify requirements for the development of an information system.
Relates to objectives: 2 to 6
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Report
Description: A group report on the assessment and finalization of a partially completed information systems development project, and a group presentation of the findings in a seminar setting.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 6
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 12

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Final individual, written examination
Relates to objectives: 1 to 6
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

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

No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.

There is no required textbook for this unit. Students are encouraged to read widely from Information Systems and Information Technology textbooks, journals and magazines.

The necessary reading materials will be available on the unit BlackBoard site and/or on the unit's CMD, available through Blackboard. There will be other reference material recommended that will be made available by the lecturer and demonstrators. Useful Websites will be listed on the unit BlackBoard site at http://blackboard.qut.edu.au.

Risk assessment statement

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