CSE1204

Information systems 1

J Miller

6 points - Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour tutorial per week - First, second semester - Caulfield - Prohibitions: SYS1001, IMS1001, BUS1021, CFR1001, CFR1129, CFR1305, GCO1813, SYS2761

Objectives On completion of this subject students will have an understanding of the concepts of systems theory, system modelling and the nature and management of the systems development process, with an emphasis on the technical, informational and human elements of information systems; have an appreciation of the activities involved in the design, implementation and maintenance phases of the system development lifecycle; be able to apply the theories of communication and principles of group work, meeting procedure and collaborative writing; appreciate the nature of business information needs and appreciate the roles, responsibilities, attributes and competencies of the stakeholders involved in the development of information systems; appreciate the value of a systematic approach to systems development and the role of software ergonomics and documentation in the development of information systems; appreciate the requirement for professional ethics, intellectual property rights and legal requirements in the software industry and be able to apply the main basic systems analysis skills to a business problem; be able to apply effective professional communication skills in documentation and technical presentations, work in groups, conduct meetings and design user-friendly software.

Synopsis This subject introduces students to the fundamental concepts underlying the management of information systems development and is an introduction to the techniques for investigating, describing and modelling information systems. The subject concentrates on the nature of the systems development process and the business information needs of a variety of systems and defines the roles, responsibilities, attributes and competencies of the stakeholders involved in the development of information systems. The value of a systematic approach to systems development is stressed and students are encouraged to apply the main basic systems analysis skills to a business problem. The importance of professional ethics, intellectual property rights and legal requirements in the software industry is also discussed. The emphasis in the subject is on the development of the student's analytical and communication skills in relation to effective listening, reading, researching and writing and being able to analyse and report on acquired knowledge in technical, business or research reports and oral presentations. Case studies and business and non-commercial examples of information systems are used to develop these skills.

Assessment Examination (3 hours): 60% - Practical work: 40%

Recommended texts

Brockman R J Writing better computer user documentation from paper to hypertext version 2.0 Wiley, 1990
Gerson and Gerson Technical writing, process and product Prentice-Hall, 1997
Hoffer J A, George J F and Valacich Modern systems analysis and design Benjamin-Cummings, 1996
Whitten J L, Bentley L D and Barlow V M Systems analysis and design methods 3rd edn, Irwin, 1994

Back to the 1999 Information Technology Handbooks