Foundations of Information Systems

Subject ISYS10001 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 one-hour lectures (two per week) and 12 one-hour tutorials (one per week)
Total Time Commitment:

120 hours
Prerequisites:

None
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

None
Non Allowed Subjects:

615-150 Organisational Processes

615-110 Foundations of Information Systems
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

email: reeva.lederman@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Information Systems is the study of the interaction between people, organisations and information technology. This discipline uses hardware and software as tools to solve business and organisational problems. Information Systems combines principles from business (such as accounting and management) and social sciences with the study of computing. Topics covered include: conceptual aspects of information systems including: systems thinking; the culture and competitiveness of organisations; the management of information technology outsourcing; strategic and operational business processes; and legal, ethical and security issues in information systems.
Objectives:

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Explain what organizations are and how they work
  • Explain how IT adds value for people and organizations
  • Explain how IT has transformed the way we design modern organizations, including global organizations
  • Explain why processes are so important in modern organizations
  • Demonstrate understanding of major business processes (such as order management, billing, new product development, IT investment decision making, and project management)
  • Be able to analyse and document routine business processes using tools such as data flow diagrams
  • Describe the ethical concerns associated with information privacy, accuracy, intellectual property, and accessibility
Assessment:
  • An individual assignment early in the semester (10%)
  • An individual assignment of up to 10 pages based on field work, due late in the semester (20%)
  • A group assignment of about 2000 words (20%)
  • A 2-hour written examination in the examination period (50%)

To pass the subject, students must obtain at least 50% overall

  • And 25/50 for the end-of-semester written examination
  • Students must also have an 80% attendance in tutorials
Prescribed Texts:

None
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

In addition to these subject-related skills, students should acquire or extend other valuable, generic skills. These include:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Working in teams
  • The capacity to write clearly argued essays
Related Breadth Track(s): Information Technology in Organisations

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