INFO201 Environmental Data Analysis

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO102 Introduction to Data Analysis
Teaching Organisation 4 contact hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

Environmental Data Analysis introduces students to multivariate empirical methods of environmental analysis. The aim of Environmental Data Analysis is to bring students to the stage at which active research on ecological assemblages is possible, enabling students to continue to Applied Studies I and Applied Studies II in third year.

 

INFO202 Systems Analysis and Design

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO101 Fundamentals of Information Systems
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit focuses on the discipline of developing information systems in organisations, and   imparts skills by which students can perform Systems Analysis and Design (SAD) of information systems. Specifically this unit will examine: General Systems Theory as the source of vocabulary and principles behind systems work; the responsibilities, activities and methodologies of Information Systems developers; Systems Analysis and Logical Modelling; Systems Architecture - costs and implementation options; and Systems Design - the conversion of logical models into physical specifications. The material covered in this unit will be further developed in the following subjects: Object Oriented Systems Development, Database Design 1, Project Management, Decision Support Systems, End User Support.

 

INFO204 Database Design 1

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

Database management systems play a significant role in the storage and provision of information for business and industry applications. This unit reviews the evolution of database design techniques and database systems. Students examine the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of database applications, providing an enhanced context for technological innovation within organisations.

 

INFO205 Data Communications 1

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO101 Fundamentals of Information Systems
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the concepts and theories of data communications with practical applications. It provides students with a detailed coverage of the options and functions for the transmission of data between sites. This will allow students to assess and evaluate the potential for data communications hardware and software to meet the particular needs of organisations.

 

INFO206 Ethics and Informatics

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 3 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

The discipline of ethics can be described as a systematic reflection on the morality of human actions. Its inclusion in the BIS course as a separate unit emphasises the importance of a considered ethical view of the professional practice of informatics, and of its social impacts. This unit examines some contemporary theories of ethics and their application to the work of informatics professionals.

 

INFO207 Data Communications 2

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO205 Data Communications 1
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit builds on the concepts presented in the subject Data Communications I. By providing a theoretical framework for data transmission and networking, students will gain insights into the design and management of computer networks. It will provide an opportunity to expand the breadth and depth of students' understanding of the principles of data communications, and their practical skills in network design and management.

 

INFO208 Technology Management

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

Competence in technology management is a critical skill for managers. This unit provides students with knowledge and understanding of a variety of technology management techniques. Using evolving management theory as a basis, the unit will explore the developing role of IT managers within organisations. Key issues affecting technology managers will be investigated, concentrating on practical aspects of technology deployment and maintenance.

 

INFO214 Software Engineering

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit introduces students to software engineering and practice and addresses both procedural and object-oriented development. The unit provides in-depth coverage of the fundamentals of software engineering by stressing principles and methods through rigorous formal and informal approaches. It also provides students with theory accompanied by real, practical applications by using case studies and examples from the current literature.

 

INFO215 Human-Computer Interaction

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

Information systems professionals require knowledge of the human factors which determine usability of information systems. Usability of a system is the quality of being readily understood and operated by its user community. An information system which enables its users to minimize errors, avoid undue stress and respond comfortably to workload demands, contributes positively to human productivity and well-being, as well as to corporate objectives.

 

INFO303 End-User Support

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO108 Communication Skills
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

Students taking this unit are likely, at some time in their future careers, to be involved in providing end-user support services. Historically, PC support has been provided by a combination of Information Systems staff, training resources, and "computer-literate" peers. The demands on these resources have been increasing over the last several years because of the proliferation of computer networks, multiple operating systems, and the multitude of applications running on personal computers. As prospective end user support professionals, students must be prepared to understand the substantial "fully loaded" costs of providing automated solutions to employees and to take a pro-active role in the formalisation of user support structures, problem tracking, and the determination of total demand and root causes. This unit is therefore intended to assist students to develop the knowledge and skills relevant to providing professional end-user support.

 

INFO304 Project Management 

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO202 Systems Analysis and Design
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit provides the opportunity for students to develop an integrated perspective on materials, financial and human resource management issues involved in the implementation of information technology projects. In particular, it is intended to extend students’ awareness from technology-centred concerns to include an understanding of the personal and interpersonal skills required for successful project management. This approach is consistent with the course’s overarching aim to educate information systems professionals who are not only technically competent, but who are sufficiently sensitive to human resource issues and organisational structures to be able eventually to support the successful management and implementation of information technology projects.

 

INFO305 Information Technology Project 

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO304 Project Management or INFO319 Decision Support Systems
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week (1 individual consultation hour and 3 independent workshop hours) for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit provides students with the opportunity to carry out an individual or group project related to the application of technology to a specific information systems problem. Each student or group will be required to conduct a thorough investigation of their chosen topic then to design, develop and manage a project. A significant component will be their ability to report on their findings using a variety of presentation media.

 

INFO306 Programming Techniques 3

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO109 Programming Techniques 2
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

The unit builds on the concepts presented on Programming Techniques I and Programming Techniques 2 and provides students a conceptual understanding of Object-Oriented programming. Practical excise and some business case study will be used to develop students’ knowledge and appreciation of the principles of object-oriented programming. The unit examines the Object-Oriented features and the ways in which they influence the software engineering process.

 

INFO307 Virtual Organisations

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO205 Data Communications 1
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit examines the increasing use of virtual organisations in the public and private sector. It will discuss the role of virtual organisations as a strategic business tool and a community enabling device. A examination of current and future technologies for supporting virtual organisations will also be made.

 

INFO310 State of the Art in Information Systems

10 cp
Prerequisites 120 cp with at least 60 cp from INFO units
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

One of the many challenges facing today’s information systems professionals is that of keeping pace with the technological changes which drive the industry. For new graduates in particular, it is crucial that new and emerging technologies be studied towards the conclusion of their professional training. This unit therefore aims to give students an opportunity to gain an understanding of, and some experience in using, those technologies which have recently become dominant in the information systems industry. State-of-the-art technologies will be considered in a broad sense encompassing system architectures, software applications, development tools and methodologies, and information systems workplace practices. In adopting this broad perspective, the unit will also serve as a ‘capstone’ unit for the Information Systems double major sequence.

 

INFO313 Network Computing

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO207 Data Communications 2
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit extends upon the concepts introduced in Data Communications 1 and 2. The unit focuses upon implementing computer networking on various operating systems, managing and programming these systems. It also covers management issues relating to the wider network infrastructure.

 

INFO314 Object Oriented Systems Development

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO202 Systems Analysis and Design
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit expands on the object oriented concepts previously presented in Systems Analysis and Design. It will provide students with an understanding of both the theoretical and practical frameworks of the object oriented paradigm and the methodologies and tools supporting those frameworks. It will provide an opportunity for students to expand their breadth and depth of understanding of object oriented analysis and design and their practical skills in solving larger, more complex business information systems problems.

 

INFO315 Database Design 2 

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO204 Database Design 1
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit expands on the topics presented in Database Design 1 and covers advanced aspects of database management systems. By the end of the unit, students are expected to understand the basic concepts presented in the advanced database topics, as well as having gained hands‑on experience with a commercial standard database management systems through their participation in two database design and implementation projects.

 

INFO316 Web Design and Development

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO109 Programming Techniques 2, INFO204 Database Design 1
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This subject introduces students to various technologies that are required to develop web-based applications. These would include web page design, authoring tools, HTML, server side and browser side scripting, and database connectivity. In order to learn different web technologies, students will plan, design, implement and maintain their own web sites. This subject will provide an in-depth, hands-on experience on web design and web technologies.

 

INFO317 Programming Techniques 4

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO306 Programming Techniques 3
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit builds upon the topics covered in INFO306 Programming Techniques 3. It provides students with a broader understanding of Object Oriented programming and program development.

 

INFO318 Intelligent Systems 

10 cp
Prerequisites Nil
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

Intelligent system technologies, such as knowledge engineering, applied artificial intelligence and expert systems, fill a growing niche in corporate information systems. This unit provides students with an introduction to these technologies. In complementing the unit INFO301 Decision Support Systems, this unit examines the contribution of intelligent systems to modern organisations.

 

INFO319 Decision Support Systems

10 cp
Prerequisites INFO202 Systems Analysis and Design
Teaching Organisation 4 hours per week for 12 weeks or equivalent.

This unit examines the development of integrated information processing systems in business and industry. By providing a theoretical framework for the business environment, students will gain insights into the complex information systems including Business Intelligence systems, which are required to meet the information and decision support requirements of organisations.