CIS8011 Emerging Information Technologies

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
CIS 8011 96233 3, 2009 EXT Emerging Information Technologies 1.00 Toowoomba

Academic group: FOBUS
Academic org: FOB005
Student contribution band: 2
ASCED code: 020399


Contents



STAFFING

Examiner: Abdul Hafeez-Baig
Moderator: Raj Gururajan



OTHER REQUISITES

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm>.



RATIONALE

The rate of change and direction of Information Technology (IT) represents both challenges and opportunities for business. On the one hand it has to distinguish between genuine IT trends and expensive blind alleys; on the other, to be competitive, it must quickly seize the initiatives offered by IT. It is important that students are familiar with these developments and are able to assess their value to business.




SYNOPSIS

This course introduces the student to the latest developments in Information Technology (IT) and provides skills in determining their value to business. This is done using a number of approaches for researching, analysing and synthesizing them from sources ranging from learned to trade journals. The student is required to apply these skills in an approved area of IT development applicable to business, under minimum supervision.




OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.
acquire an in-depth knowledge of recent information technology issues
2.
acquire an up-to-date understanding of the relationships between such technology and its applications
3.
develop an ability to distinguish between issues that are relevant today and those that represent the views of vendors, journalists and would-be prophets in a field which positively encourages such views, often without justification
4.
in pursuit of the above objectives, an ability to demonstrate, in whatever mode is applicable (on-campus, external or Web), oral and/or written skills in clear, logical and concise argument both for and against material presented to students for that purpose
5.
where possible, an ability to work in teams to achieve the above outcomes
6.
notwithstanding the above, an overall ability to communicate and present effectively, at the appropriate level, by whatever discourse, the knowledge obtained from this course.



TOPICS


Description Weighting (%)
1. Technology issues
50.00
2. Applications issues
50.00


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).




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.

These will be advised from time to time. Students are expected to read journals, newspaper articles and other appropriate materials at their level to augment their knowledge.




STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY HOURS
Directed Study 165.00



ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date Objectives assessed Graduate skill Level assessed Notes
JOURNALS 1 - 3 100.00 20.00 27 Nov 2009 All     (see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT 1 100.00 30.00 23 Dec 2009 All      
JOURNALS 4 - 6 100.00 20.00 08 Jan 2010 All     (see note 2)
ASSIGNMENT 2 100.00 30.00 29 Jan 2010 All      
NOTES
1.
Journal 1 submission due date is 27/11/2009, Journal 2 submission due date is 4/12/2009, Journal 3 submission due date is 111/12/2009.
2.
Journal 4 submission due date is 8/1/2010, Journal 5 submission due date is 15/1/2010, Journal 6 submission due date is 22/1/2010.


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 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded.
  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve 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:
    There is no examination in this course.
  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Not applicable.
  8. University Regulations:
    Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Student Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene university regulations. These regulations can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm>. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Procedures which can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm>.

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) In accordance with university policy, the examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. (iv) The examiner will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media. (v) 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. (vi) 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 any aspects of assignments assessing those topics.
3. Referencing in assignments: Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide at <http://www.usq.edu.au/library/help/referencing/default.htm>.
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 at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. A temporary grade of IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up) may be awarded.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  1. Computer, e-mail and Internet access: Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm>.


This version produced 19 Nov 2009.