SYS1003

Information systems for business and government

M Atchison

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Caulfield, Clayton

Objectives At the completion of this subject students will know a variety of different types of information system which have been developed to meet different organisational information needs. They will understand how the need for these systems has evolved and how the systems are applied to meet these needs. They will be able to identify the type of system which is appropriate to a given organisational information problem, and the role which a systems analyst would be called upon to play in developing and implementing such a system.

Synopsis This subject aims to provide students with a broad overview of the nature and characteristics of the different types of information system which have evolved to meet the changing needs of large organisations in both the public and private sectors. It will discuss the evolution of information systems from their initial use for simple calculations and transaction recording, through to the wide variety of applications for which they are used today. This discussion will focus on the changing nature of business information needs and the changing capabilities of technology to satisfy them. The subject will examine in more detail some of the main types of information systems which are currently used in large organisations; these will include decision support systems, knowledge-based systems, geographical information systems and electronic commerce. For each type of system the discussion will examine the nature of the business information problem which the system helps to solve, the technological base for the system, and the role of the information systems professional in supporting it.

Assessment Examination: 60%
* Practical work: 40%

Recommended texts

Alter S Information systems: A management perspective 2nd edition, Benjamin Cummings, 1996
Gordon S and Gordon J Information systems: A management approach Dryden, 1996
Turban E, McLean E and Wetherbe J Information technology management Wiley, 1996