CIS 3004 Knowledge Management Systems

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

The growing importance of Knowledge Management Systems in the form of artificial intelligence, decision support systems, executive information systems, expert systems and group support software requires new skills to be able to develop, implement, and manage these systems in a business environment. Organisations are increasingly using knowledge management systems to help managers in creating, recording, sharing, and using knowledge for decision making. Skills in designing and using these systems will play an increasing part in applying technology to business needs. This course provides the student with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the analysis of applications suited to Knowledge Management Systems and in the development and application of systems which process knowledge rather than data, and explores the broader business and social implications of effective Knowledge Management.

SYNOPSIS:

This course introduces the student to the important field of Knowledge Management Systems in a business environment by introducing Knowledge Management concepts, and exploring how Knowledge Management is facilitated by various information system technologies. The emphasis throughout is on the practical use of software to acquire, create, disseminate, organise, and utilise knowledge for decision making Students are given practical experience in the development of a Decision Support System using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), and experience in working to presentation standards with Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. understand the terminology and concepts in Knowledge Management and Knowledge Management Systems;
2. apply and evaluate Knowledge Management software in a business environment;
3. demonstrate practical skills in developing Decision Support Systems using Excel with Visual Basic for Applicatons (VBA) and XML development tools;
4. understand current developments in the field of Knowledge Management Systems and their potential impacts on organisations.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

We recommend that you use Microsoft Excel XP (or later), Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 (or later), and Microsoft WordPad included with Microsoft Windows XP (or later).

The texts 'The Web wizard's guide to XML' and 'Decision support systems in the 21st century' will be available in a package from the USQ Bookshop at a cost saving to students.

You are required to monitor the course study desk (through USQConnect) for course updates and additional materials.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   If you are an international student in Australia you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. Failure to attend may infringe the conditions of your student visa. For all other students, there are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the assignments in aggregate. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must attempt all of the summative assessment items, achieve an aggregated mark of at least 50% in the total marks allocated for the assignments, achieve at least 50% in the examination, and at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items. Students who do not qualify for a passing grade may, at the discretion of the Examiner, be awarded a supplementary examination and/or assigned additional work to demonstrate to the Examiner that they have achieved the required standard. It is expected that such students will have gained at least 45% in the examination and 50% of the total marks available for all summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   This is a restricted examination. Candidates are allowed access to specific materials during the examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the examination for this course are (i) Writing materials: non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination; and (ii) Translation dictionaries: with the Examiner's approval, candidates may, take an appropriate non-electronic translation dictionary into the examination. This will be subject to perusal and, if it is found to contain annotations or markings that could give the candidate an unfair advantage, it may be removed from the candidate's possession until the appropriate disciplinary action is completed.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Guide to Policies and Procedures of the Faculty which can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/buspolproc.html.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. E-mail and Internet Access: Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.