CIS 1000 Information System Concepts

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Education in business computer concepts is critical for workers in every discipline. Today, computer systems are used for business processes from communications to order processing to customer support and in business functions ranging from marketing to human resources to accounting and finance. Chances are, regardless of the occupation, students will need to have an understanding of what business computing systems can and cannot do and be able to suggest new uses for business computing systems and participate in the design of solutions to business problems employing business computing systems.

SYNOPSIS:

The aim of this course is to offer the traditional coverage of computer concepts, but through placing the content within the context of business and information systems, to enable students to effectively apply business computing systems as support tools within their study programme and profession. The course will explore fundamental concepts including: how business computing systems are involved in organisations; hardware and software usage within businesses; telecommunications and internet technologies, including intranets, extranets, and e-commerce; specialised business computing systems, including artificial intelligence, expert systems, and virtual reality; systems development; and security, privacy, and ethical issues. In addition, students will be exposed to a range of business computing applications and tasks including report writing, business analytical spreadsheet usage, database manipulation and report generation, and web development using HTML code.

OBJECTIVES:

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item/s that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective is/are shown in parentheses after each objective. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. understand basic computing terminology (Assignment 1, Examination)
2. understand the importance of and differences between information and computer literacy (Examination)
3. understand and proficiently utilise different types of applications software (especially gaining proficiency in utilising word processors, spreadsheets, databases, Web authoring and presentation applications), their usage, uses, and users (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
4. understand the basic components of the system unit and the way that they interact to form a single computing system (Assignment 1, Examination)
5. understand the different types of hardware devices (input, output and storage), their usage, uses, and users (Assignment 1, Examination)
6. understand the basic concepts of operating systems (Assignment 1, Examination)
7. understand computer-based communications and networking concepts (Assignment 1, Examination)
8. understand the basic concepts surrounding databases, database management systems, and understand the need for information management (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
9. understand the processes involved in information system and program development (Examination)
10. understand the concepts surrounding the Internet, e-commerce/e-business activities, and associated Web programming tools (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Examination)
11. understand the social impact of information technology (Examination)
12. understand the need for security, privacy and ethical implications in information systems usage (Examination).

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).

Software to be purchased or accessed: Microsoft Office XP Professional OR Microsoft Office 2003 Professional.

Storage media to be purchased or accessed: At least 256 MB USB 2.0 Drive, preferably 512 MB or larger for storage and backup of course work and assessment items.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

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 for Exam (Parts A, B and C) after the timetable has been finalised. The total working time for Exam (Parts A, B and C) is 3 hours.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   If you are an international student in Australia, you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. 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 satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner 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 submit all of the weighted assessment items, achieve at least 50% for the examination and at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course. 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% 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 aggregate of the weighted marks 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; (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; and (iii) calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination).
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. Learning resources: Prescribed texts and materials (see above); recommended reference materials (see above); printed Introductory Book and Study Book/s; and Studydesk and discussion list accessible via USQConnect.
2. E-mail and Internet access: Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.