INTERIM REPORT ON PROGRAMME REVIEW
Q3
Part 1 Programme details
Proposed title
Proposing School:
BSc (Honours) in Business and Information Systems (MECIT)
School of Retail & Services Management
Nature and duration of programme
Four years, full-time
**Derogations from DIT regulations apply. See page 3 of this report**
o
DIT awards requested:
BSc (Honours) in Business and Information Systems; with
classification in accordance with a grade point average
system, 2.30-2.99 Second Class, Lower Division, 3.0-3.69
Second Class, Upper Division and 3.70 -4.00 First Class
Exit Awards requested:
o Certificate in Business and Information Systems – 120 Credit Points (ECTS equivalent: 60),
unclassified
o
Diploma in Business and Information Systems– 240 Credit Points (ECTS equivalent: 120) in
accordance with a grade point average system classified 1.00 – 2.70 Pass, 2.71 – 3.70
Merit, 3.71 Distinction
o
Advanced Diploma in Business and Information Systems–360 Credit Points(ECTS equivalent:
180) in accordance with a grade point average system1.00 – 2.70 Pass, 2.71 – 3.70 Merit,
3.71 Distinction
Parallel award sought from other award body
None
Professional/external accrediting body
None
Background
This programme is jointly managed by the Middle East College of Information Technology
(MECIT) in Oman and the School of Retail and Services Management in DIT. As part of the
Institute’s partnership arrangements it was proposed by an Accreditation Committee in January
2009 that MECIT be accredited as a partner institution of DIT. The programme arises from
ongoing collaboration between MECIT and DIT and is designed based on an informed
understanding of the need for high calibre management graduates with equally strong Information
systems base.
Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes:
The overall aim of the programme is to develop a high level of intellectual awareness and
technical competence in the subject area of Business and Information Systems, through a
process of education, with possibility to pursue pathways in one of the following fields:
1. Supply Chain and Logistics Management
2. Human Resources Management
3. Accounting
It is expected that graduates of the programme will be able to take their places in Management
and Information systems related positions in Business, Commerce and the Public sector and
demonstrate a high level of competence. For those wishing to pursue a career in one of the three
specific disciplines (pathways), the programme aims to develop the students’ knowledge and
understanding in the major elements of the management of these sectors and a range of
technical competence and key management skills. The programme integrates these with the
larger needs of the country and the region and is positioned at a level expected of producing
competent and responsible business professionals.
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Learning Outcomes
On completion of the programme, students are expected to be able to demonstrate:
A. Subject knowledge and developed understanding of:
a) Basic business areas and the relationship and interdependence of business functions with
technological aspects of organisations.
b) The inter-dependence and inter-relationship between the organisation, its environment
and management in the technological context.
c) Concepts, frameworks and the underlying principles of business management and
information systems.
d) Contextualised and specialized aspects of the business environment.
e) The impact of technology and globalisation on organisations and their management.
f) Research methodologies and appropriate applications.
B.
a)
b)
c)
Subject-Specific Skills - able to:
Critically analyse given scenarios in the light of business and technological knowhow.
Apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research skills.
Select, apply and evaluate key business tools and theories to develop integrated
applications to a range of business issues.
d) Demonstrate an awareness of the significant current and future business, technological
and environmental issues that impact on the organisation.
e) Develop specialist technical know-how relevant to the chosen pathway.
C. Intellectual skills - able to:
a) Critically evaluate arguments and evidence – capacity to identify assumptions, to identify
implicit values, to define adequately and generalise appropriately.
b) Analyse and conclude from structured or unstructured situations.
c) Locate, extract and analyse from multiple sources.
f) Analyse, interpret and use data in pursuit of solutions to specific business and information
systems problems.
g) Plan, design and innovate based on specific business and information systems scenarios.
h) Recognise the limitations of current knowledge and familiarise with sources of new
knowledge.
i) Integrate knowledge and work-life experiences.
j) Appreciate social, technological, environmental and ethical issues in a business and
information systems context.
D. Key skills - able to:
a) Participate constructively in a non-structured team as well as group environment.
b) Manage autonomous, independent learning and be self-directed in terms of time,
motivation and planning.
c) Take direction, accept criticism and use feedback to enhance own performance and that
of others.
d) Apply numerical skills.
e) Communicate effectively with peers and supervisors on technical and non-technical
matters.
f) Effectively use communication strategies and information technology.
Programme structure
This honours degree programme is to be offered on a modularised
and semesterised basis. .
Minimum Entry Requirements:
Minimum entry requirements for accessing this programme are as follows:
 General Education Certificate (equivalent to final second level certification), or equivalent
qualification, and
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A minimum of 5.5 score on IELTS or its equivalent or successful completion of the MECIT
Foundation Programme.
Exemptions to individual components of the programme will be considered on a case by case
basis and may be offered on a module by module basis, subject to the agreement of both Joint
Chairpersons for the programme. Any exemptions will be considered only where common
modules have been completed or where there is a minimum of 75% overlap in module context
and where students have achieved a minimum grade of 60% or over. Exemptions will not be
awarded to any modules that are set at level 3.
Student assessment
In accordance with DIT Modular Scheme Assessment Regulations. However the following
derogations will apply.
 Exit Award Titles differ somewhat from the award titles as placed on the Irish National
Framework of Qualifications. (Refer to condition at the end of this report regarding this
matter)
 Classification system is based on a Grade Point Average system
 The minimum pass threshold is 50% in all subjects.
 Students have only one opportunity to repeat an examination, i.e. total attempts at an
examination = 2 attempts.
 In the event that a student has to repeat an examination, the minimum mark to be
achieved in continuous assessment component of the modules is 20 out of 50%. ???
A detailed student handbook the specific regulations on this programme is available in the Quality
Assurance and Academic Programmes Records Office.
Part 2
Review details and membership of panel
Schedule of Meetings: 25th May 2011, Boardroom, DIT Kevin Street
9.30 hrs
Tea / Coffee to be served: Introduction of members of Panel to the Director/Dean
of Faculty, senior staff from the School responsible for the programme and
representatives from the MECIT. Presentation to the panel on proposed changes
10.15hrs
Private meeting of Panel to review in detail documentation submitted and discuss
matters to be raised at subsequent meetings with various groups
11.00 hrs
Teas / Coffees Meeting of Panel with Head of School, Chairperson of the
Programme Committee, Representatives from MECIT and appropriate members of
the Programme Committee to discuss specific issues raised by the Panel.
12.30 hrs
Lunch.
13.30 hrs
Meeting of Panel with staff teaching on the Programme to discuss such matters as
syllabuses, teaching methods and assessment issues
14.30 hrs
Teas / Coffees: Private meeting of Panel to consider draft report.
15.00 hrs
Oral Presentation of findings of Panel to Director, senior staff, Chairperson of
Programme Committee and other staff as appropriate
Composition of Review Panel
Internal Members:
Mr. Frank Prendergast (Chair)
College of Engineering and the Built Environment
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Ms. Anna Cruickshank
Mr. Paul O’Reilly
Ms Nicole O’Neill
External Members
Dr. Sean Ennis
Mr. Michael O’Connor
Part 3
College of Arts and Tourism
College of Business
Quality Assurance Officer
Director of Teaching and Learning, Department of Marketing,
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager,
Siemens Ireland Ltd.
Comments on documentation and arrangements for event
Documentation provided: Programme documents A and B, including critical appraisal,
programme structure, and rationale of the programme, as well as core component and staff details
were provided.
Briefing notes provided: Extracts from the DIT Handbook for Quality Enhancement
Part 4
Findings of the Panel
The Panel is pleased to recommend that Academic Council approve the programme for the
awards of BSc (Honours) in Business and Information Systems with classification in accordance
with a Grade Point Average System indicated above, and at level 8 on the National Framework of
Qualifications.
The panel will also investigate recommending to Academic Council approval of the exit awards of
Certificate (Unclassified) as a minor award at level 6, Diploma (Classified) at level 6 and
Advanced Diploma (Classified) at level 7 as detailed above.
In line with DIT Quality Assurance Policies a full programme review should be undertaken after 5
years. During this five year period requests for minor changes to the programme should be
submitted to the DIT Business College board in early June each year and a completed Q5 form
should be submitted in November each year.
Conditions
 To facilitate the implementation of the classified exit awards, learning outcomes should be
included in the programme document for each of the exit awards and the external
examiner should be appointed from year 2 onwards.
 Staff Curriculum Vitae should be submitted to the panel.
 A statement of equivalency on the alignment of the MECIT & DIT grading systems and
classifications and assessment criteria for each classification should be included in the
programme document.
 Details included in the student handbook on Academic Policies and Procedures, General
Academic Policies and Grading and Evaluation should be embedded in the programme
document.
 Details on assessment included in the programme document and a schedule of
assessments should be included in the student handbook.
Recommendations
 The School of Retail and Services Management should nominate moderators for each of
the discipline areas each year.
 The formula for the calculation of the classification of the award(s) should be included in
the programme document.
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A summary workload table should be included, that details by module contact and self
learning hours, ECTS and assessment weighting.
Reconsider the title of the Maths module in year 1 to reflect that the module focuses on
mathematical applications.
Details should be included in the programme document on the industry liaison currently in
place in MECIT and consider developing student excellence awards and industry
sponsored prizes for high performing students.
Consideration should be given to including an on-line support workshop from DIT on
academic writing, DIT Style Guide and examination techniques.
The table on p19 should be corrected to include Business Economics.
The linkages between DIT and MECIT need to be indicated in terms of the awarding and
moderating role of DIT.
The document should be edited to remove reference to other Institutions not involved with
this programme.
Indicative reading lists should be updated.
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