CIS1000 Information System Concepts

SubjectCat-nbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
CIS1000624251, 2007EXTInformation System Concepts1.00Toowoomba

Academic group:FOBUS
Academic org:FOB005
Student contribution band:2
ASCED code:029999


Contents



STAFFING

Examiner: Rohan Genrich




OTHER REQUISITES

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to USQConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/busgeninfo.html



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

On completion of this course students will be able to:

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



TOPICS


DescriptionWeighting (%)
1. Introduction to using computers
3.00
2. Application software, operating systems, and utilities programs
6.00
3. Computer system components and peripherals (system unit, input, output and storage)
6.00
4. Communications and networks
6.00
5. The Internet and e-commerce
9.00
6. Databases and information management
9.00
7. Information systems development
9.00
8. Programming development and computer careers
6.00
9. Social and ethical usage of computing
6.00
10. Using applications software - word processors, spreadsheets, databases, Web authoring and presentation applications
40.00


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. Note: the software package must contain Microsoft Word, Excel and Access.

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.

Students may purchase a customised book from the USQ Bookshop rather than the Bast, Cygman, Flynn & Tidwell (2006) and Gross, Akaiwa & Nordquist (2006) texts. This customised book contains selected pages from these two texts.

Bast, K, Cygman, L, Flynn, G & Tidwell, R 2006, Succeeding in business with Microsoft Office Access 2003: a problem-solving approach, Thomson Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

Cox, VL, Wermers, L & Reding, EE 2007, HTML illustrated introduction, 3rd edn, Course Technology, USA.

Gross, D, Akaiwa, F & Nordquist, K 2006, Succeeding in business with Microsoft Office Excel 2003: a problem-solving approach, Thomson Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

Stair, RM & Reynolds, GW 2006, Fundamentals of information systems, 3rd edn, Thomson, Boston, Massachusetts.

Summers, J & Smith, B 2006, Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.




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.

Benson, S & Standing, C 2005, Information systems: a business approach, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.

Brady, JA & Monk, EF 2007, Problem-solving cases in Microsoft Access and Excel, 4th edn, Thomson/Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

Fuller, RG & Ulrich, LA 2004, HTML in 10 simple steps or less, Wiley Publishing, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Gottleber, TT & Trainor, TN 2003, Even more excellent HTML with XML, XHTML and Javascript, 2nd edn, Irwin/McGraw-Hill, Boston, Massachusetts.

Grauer, RT & Barber, M 2003, Exploring Microsoft Office 2003 professional, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
(volume 1)

Jessup, L & Valacich, J 2006, Information systems today, 2nd edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Kroenke, DM 2007, Using MIS, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Laudon, KC & Laudon, JP 2005, Essentials of management information systems: managing the digital firm, 6th edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Luftman, JN, Bullen, CV, Liao, D, Nash, E & Neumann, C 2004, Managing the information technology resource: leadership in the information age, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Malaga, RA 2005, Information systems technology, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

McLeod, R Jnr & Schell, GP 2007, Management information systems, 10th edn, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

O'Brien, JA 2003, Introduction to information systems: essentials for the e-business enterprise, 11th edn, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Boston, Massachusetts.
(international edition)

O'Brien, JA & Marakas, GM 2005, Management information systems: managing information technology in the e-business enterprise, 7th edn, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Boston, Massachusetts.

O'Brien, JA & Marakas, GM 2007, Introduction to information systems, 13th edn, McGraw-Hill, Boston, Massachusetts.

Oz, E 2006, Management information systems, 5th edn, Thomson Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

Reding, EE & Vodnik, S 2001, HTML illustrated introduction, 2nd edn, Course Technology, USA.

Senn, JA 2004, Information technology: principles, practices, opportunities, 3rd edn, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Shelly, GB, Cashman, TJ, Vermaat, ME, Sebok, SL & Wells, DJ 2002, Discovering computers 2003: concepts for a digital world, Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

Stair, RM & Baldauf, KJ 2006, Succeeding with technology: computer system concepts for real life, 2005 update, Thomson Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

Stair, RM & Reynolds, GW 2006, Principles of information systems: a managerial approach, 7th edn, Thomson/Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

Turban, E, Kelly Rainer, R Jnr & Potter, R 2005, Introduction to information technology, 3rd edn, John Wiley & Son, New York.




STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITYHOURS
Assessment65.00
Private Study100.00



ASSESSMENT DETAILS

DescriptionMarks out ofWtg(%)Due dateNotes
ONLINE ACTIVITIES100.0010.0005 Mar 2007(see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT 1100.0010.0004 Apr 2007(see note 2)
ASSIGNMENT 2100.0020.0006 Jun 2007(see note 3)
EXAM A (MULTI-CHOICE)40.0024.00END S1(see note 4)
EXAM B & C (WRITTEN)60.0036.00END S1 
NOTES
1.
Please refer to the Introductory Book for details regarding the online activities. Objectives 1 - 12 relate to online activities.
2.
Objectives 1, 3 - 8, and 10 relate to assignment 1.
3.
Objectives 3, 8 and 10 relate to assignment 2.
4.
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 2 hours. Objectives 1 - 12 relate to the examination.


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 assessment items, achieve at least 50% for the examination and at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
  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

1.Assignments: (i) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the examiner. (ii) Students must retain a copy of each assignment submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the examiner. (iii) The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. (iv) Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner to negotiate such special arrangements. (v) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience.
2.Course weightings: Course weightings of topics should not be interpreted as applying to the number of marks allocated to questions testing those topics in an examination paper.
3.Referencing in assignments: Unless otherwise directed by the examiner, all written and oral assignments submitted by students must conform to the guidelines laid out in the 'Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication'. Any work not prepared in accordance with these guidelines may be subject to penalty or requirement for resubmission.
4.Make-up work: Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
5.Deferred work: Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination); IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
6.Appeals: Any appeal against the award of a grade in the course will be conducted in accordance with university regulations. These regulations are published in the university handbook.

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.


This version produced 17 Jul 2008.