This is a core unit for the major in Information Systems in the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems (BITS). It is needed for the introduction of this major as part of revisions to the faculty restructure in 2006-07.

This unit has been updated as part of a 2009 review and comparison of data with current Handbook, Syllabus + and Callista data.

30/11/2017 - Unit disestablished at FEC 5/17 Item 7.3.

This is a core unit for the Information Systems major in the BITS. It aims to provide students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the nature of Information Systems as a discipline, and provide a contextual basis within which to learn, understand and critically evaluate the content of other units offered in the major.

Information Systems is a key area of the faculty's teaching program. The Information Systems major in the BITS is a generalist program which complements the other more technically-oriented and specialised majors in other aspects of IT. This unit will provide an important contextual framework to introduce students to the study of IS.

At the completion of this unit students will have -

A knowledge and understanding of:

• the nature of information and organisational information needs;
• the key concepts of systems theory, system modelling and the operation of information systems;
• the key concepts in information systems development and the management of the systems development process;
• the evolution of the Information Systems discipline, its conceptual foundations and its main specialist areas of study;
• the way in which the specialist topics within the Information Systems discipline are reflected in the roles and responsibilities of an information systems professional in the workplace.

Developed attitudes that enable them to:

• recognise the key features of the Information Systems discipline and appreciate the importance of its role in contributing to the development and implementation of solutions for organisational information needs and problems;
• appreciate the range and diversity of the fields of study and areas of professional expertise encompassed within the IS discipline;
• recognise the key professional and ethical responsibilities of IS practitioners.

Developed the skills to:

• identify and describe the key information systems issues surrounding organisational information needs and problems;
• apply an Information Systems perspective to the solution of an organisational information problem;
• use basic analytical and design techniques to describe an organisational information need or problem.

Demonstrated the communication skills necessary to:

• recognise the importance of inter-personal skills and team work in the work of an Information Systems professional;
• understand the relationship of Information Systems professionals to other stakeholders involved in dealing with information issues in organisations.

020399

This unit will examine the nature of the information systems discipline and the key areas of professional interest and expertise required by information systems practitioners. The unit will aim to prepare students for further study in IS, by establishing a framework within which topics covered in the rest of the IS major can be located and understood.

The unit will initially focus on the fundamental components from which the study of IS derives: information - its nature and uses within organisations; and systems - their characteristics and operation. Using these foundations as a base, the unit will then examine some of the major streams of IS theory and practice, including the technological basis for IS, organisational processes for acquisition and development of IS, and the management of IS within organisations. The unit will also discuss the fundamental generic skills required of IS practitioners in areas such as problem-solving, communication, working in teams, and professional ethics.

On-campus

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Studio room required

FIT

Martin Atchison