An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2008­2009 Report to Údarás na hOllscoile Review of B.Sc. Business Information Systems Self­Assessment Review Group Visit Follow Up Meeting December 2008 26 th & 27 th February 2009 22 nd June 2009 This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above review, its context and its outcomes. Quality Office, September 2009
Report to Údarás – Review of B.Sc. Business Information Systems 2008–2009 2 1. Overview of the Programme 1.1 Aims and Objectives The objective of this 4 ­year programme is to produce high­calibre graduates with the business analysis and applied information systems skills needed in the organisation and management of enterprises. Core to the realisation of this objective is the building of competencies in systems development, business analytics, core business functions such as accounting and marketing, together with team and management­ focused competencies such as teamwork, communications, managerial decision­ making and enterprise­wide management knowledge. From a business perspective, the programme examines the use of technology in the modern business environment. Incorporating individual and team­based project work, the programme focuses on business, technology and technology management. Emphasis is placed on individual and group assignments, focusing on developing both applied technology skills and key interpersonal skills. 1.2 Background The Business Information Systems (BIS) group of the then Faculty of Commerce introduced the BSc in Business Information Systems undergraduate degree against the backdrop of Ireland embracing innovation. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) supported the development of the programme and both capital and recurrent budget accounts were established. The capital funding was appropriated to the construction of four computer suites and a multi­purpose teaching room as part of the €1 6m extension of the Cairnes building. The recurrent budget was the genesis of the current programme budget. In the period 2003­2006, the programme received an additional allocation of €110,000 from the HEA Information Technology Investment Fund for the provision of an Applied Computing Teacher whose primary function was to improve retention rates. The programme was designed to provide a high quality degree that would offer attractive career opportunity for its graduates in the context of an increasing need in the Irish economy for professionals with well­developed technology, technology management and business skills. This combination of skills makes Business Information Systems graduates particularly flexible in terms of career pathways, following post­degree job opportunities in the financial services, consulting, education, information technology and other sectors. The combination of business acumen, technology skills, management knowledge, communication and team skills make Business Information Systems graduates valuable assets to organisations. Indeed, in a survey of recent graduates, 87% are in degree­related employment. From a business perspective, the programme examines the use of technology in the modern business environment. Incorporating individual and team­based project work, the programme focuses on business, technology and technology management. Emphasis is placed on individual and group assignments, focusing on developing both applied technology skills and key interpersonal skills. The central objective of the 4­year programme is to produce high­calibre graduates with the business analysis and applied information systems skills needed in the organisation and management of enterprises. Core to the realisation of this objective is the building of competencies in systems development, business analytics, core business functions such as accounting and marketing, together with team and management­focused competencies such as teamwork, communications, managerial decision­making and enterprise­wide management knowledge.
Report to Údarás – Review of B.Sc. Business Information Systems 2008–2009 3 The programme includes an international student exchange component in year 2, where students have the opportunity to spend half of their second year studying in a foreign University. A paid industry work placement, which takes place from Jan to June in year 3, is a critical facet: companies recruit a talented student with a thorough knowledge of business operations combined with strong technology skills, and who are well suited to performing a variety of roles within their placement organisation. "My work placement with Intel is a fabulous opportunity to put into practice what I have learned." Barry, NUI Galway Business Information Systems student On completion of their work placement, students return to NUI, Galway for their final year, and develop specialist knowledge in strategic and technology management as well as enhance teamwork skills through a capstone final year team project. Since its inception, the programme continues to be developed, constructed and run by the Business Information Systems group, which comprises 11 permanent staff, with active research across 3 major research themes: Information Systems Innovation, Information & Decision Systems, and Information Systems Development. The group is part of the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, residing within the College of Business, Public Policy & Law. 1 HEA (2002) Creating and Sustaining the Innovation Society 1.3 Student Numbers The BIS course commenced in September 2002 with an intake of 22 students and has progressively increased to 28 in 2003/2004, 32 in 2004/2005 and 34 in 2005/2006, 37 in 2006/2007, 48 in 2007/2008 and 55 in 2008/2009. 1.4 Staff/Student Ratio There are 11 permanent staff members in the Business Information Systems group. ??? 2. Review Group Visit and Report This report arises from a visit by a review group to the J.E. Cairns School of Business and Economics on the 27 th of February, 2009. The Review Group consisted of: Mr. Liam Ryan, Managing Director, SAP SSC (Ireland) Ltd., (Chairperson); Dr. Regina Connolly, Senior Lecturer, Dublin City University; Professor Ephraim R. McLean, Computer Information Systems Department, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University; Dr. David Collings, Discipline of Management, NUI, Galway, and Dr. Niall Geraghty of the School of Chemistry, NUI Galway acting as Rapporteur. 2.1 Summary
· The BIS programme is fundamentally sound with a committed faculty. It compares well with similar programmes on the international scene.
· The quality of the graduates and their employability reflects very positively on the programme.
· The programme has aims and objectives that are appropriate to the strategic plans of the University, College and School.
Report to Údarás – Review of B.Sc. Business Information Systems 2008–2009 4
· The Programme Director and the Programme Board manage the programme in an efficient and student centred manner.
· The Industry Advisory Board is in line with best practice nationally and internationally. Meetings of the Board should however be better documented and its composition reviewed periodically to ensure, for example, that it reflects the areas where students are securing employment.
· Students in the programme are happy with how student­staff interactions are conducted and with how their views are incorporated in the management of the programme.
· The RG had a significant concern relating to the level of administrative support provided to the Programme Director and the Programme Board.
· The programme would benefit from having access to professional marketing support.
· The declining CAO points for entry into the programme are a source of considerable concern to all stakeholders.
· There is an urgent need to fill the two vacant positions in the BIS group and, in order to provide academic leadership, to make a senior academic appointment at professorial level.
· The courses in the BSc in Business Information Systems are well developed, well balanced, and up to date and strike a good balance between technical and managerial subject matter.
· The RG noted that the programme’s External Examiners had expressed their satisfaction with the examination papers and scripts they had reviewed, considering them to be of a high standard and to reflect good examination practice.
· The RG is concerned that the industry placement experience is not awarded university course credit. If it is to be awarded course credit and is to contribute to students' learning, then it will have to be carefully structured and monitored even more closely by staff.
· A very serious concern was expressed by the RG about student performance in the programme, as evidenced by the extremely high failure rates.
· The RG accepts that initiatives have been undertaken to address this issue, such as the appointment of an Applied Computing Teacher (ACT). It regrets that this position has been discontinued.
· The teaching of traditionally challenging courses such as Accounting in small classes, with course content tailored to BIS students, and with the use of MY Accounting learning materials, is another very welcome initiative.
· The levels of attendance at lectures, particularly in the first two years when it can be as low as 30%, needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
· The introduction of Semester 1 examinations and continuous assessment in all courses in the first year would provide students with early, and frequent, feedback on their performance.
· The RG is satisfied that the BIS programme staff have demonstrated a commitment to academic scholarship.
· More consideration needs to be given to the development of fourth level research in line with the University’s strategic plan.
Report to Údarás – Review of B.Sc. Business Information Systems 2008–2009 5
· All the stakeholders including the University, College, School, students and the wider community are well served by this programme. 2.2 Recommendations
· A strategic plan for the BIS programme should be drawn up.
· Better and more comprehensive documentation relating to meetings of the Industry Advisory Board should be maintained.
· The composition of the Industry Advisory Board should be reviewed in the light of the recommendations of the RG.
· Documentation relating to staff­student meetings should be maintained.
· Additional administrative support should be provided for the Programme Director and the Programme Board.
3. Action Plans National University of Ireland, Galway An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil Academic Review Programme 2008 – 2009 B.Sc. in Business Information Systems Follow Up Meeting Monday, 22 nd June 2009 Room 113, Ground Floor, J. E. Cairnes Building, NUI Galway Present: Professor James A Houghton (Chair), Professor James Ward ­ Registrar, Dr David Collings ­ Review Group Cognate, Dr William Golden – Dean of Business, Public Policy and Law, Dr Emer Mulligan – Head of School Business and Economics, Mr Martin Hughes – Programme Director, Professor Seamus Collins – Head of Accountancy and Finance, Dr Tom Acton – Head of BIS Group, Dr Iain MacLabhrainn – Director of CELT, Ms Mary O’Riordan – VP for Student Experience, Ms Maureen Linnane (in attendance). Action Plan for the Director and Programme Board: 1. The Programme Board and Director will contribute towards the formulation of the Strategic Plans of the School and College and will cooperate in the implementation of the strategic objectives set out by the School. 2. The Programme Board will continue to review the composition of the Industry Advisory Board every 12 ­18 months, and agree that this Board: a. meets regularly, as appropriate, about once a year b. records and maintains clear and comprehensive records of meetings. 3. The Programme Director will regularly remind liaison lecturers of the need to record and maintain documentation associated with staff­student meetings, between class representatives and liaison lecturers. 4. The Programme Director will continue to pursue additional resources for the programme including additional administrative support. The Head of the Discipline of Accountancy and Finance will make an application to the Head of School for funds for additional administrative support for this programme. 5. The Programme Board agree that marketing this programme must be consistent with that of the School, and will work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Head of School to develop a high­class promotional brochure, to be completed by December 2009. 6. The Programme Director will meet with the Dean to solve the problem of declining CAO points for entry into the programme, and to discuss an increase in entry level points for the programme for the next academic year 2009/10. 7. The Programme Board will work assiduously to address the issue of high failure rates whilst, at the same time, acknowledging that the students themselves must work conscientiously to achieve the appropriate academic standards set by the academic staff. 8. The Programme Board have agreed that the next cohort of students entering the programme in September 2009 will be awarded university course credits for the Professional Experience Programme (PEP) in the third year. The formal assessment process currently being devised, will be carefully structured and monitored and expected
Report to Údarás – Review of B.S. Biomedical Science 2008–2009 7 to be in operation by January 2010. Alternatives for students not placed on the PEP will be put in place, e.g. through CKI work, or other suitable projects. 9. The Programme Board has requested, through the School, that Semester 1 examinations will be introduced in all of the courses of the first year of the programme. The Programme Director will continue to encourage lecturers to increase the use and variety of continuous assessment methods throughout the programme. This should ensure that the students are provided with early, and frequent, feedback on their performance. 10. The Programme Board will take a more active role in encouraging students from the programme to participate in the University’s Alive programme. Action Plan for the Discipline of Accountancy and Finance: 1. The Head of Discipline will set the strategic objectives for the programme. 2. In order to help develop and improve research productivity by academic staff, in line with the University’s strategic plan and to ensure equity at both School and College levels, the Head of Discipline, together with the Head of School and the Head of the BIS Group, will examine staff workloads to ensure a fair distribution of responsibilities. Action Plan for the J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics: 1. During Summer 2009, the Head of School, together with the Senior School Administrator will address the issue of administrative support for all programmes in the School and examine the possibility of restructuring resources. Other Schools within the University who have good examples of staff reorganization will be approached for advice, with a view to replicating good practices. 2. With support from the Dean, the Head of School will submit an application to the Registrar for additional resources to employ a professional marketer, whose role would be to ensure that the School can compete successfully, in all areas, at an international level. In addition, the Head of School will support the Programme Board when developing a new brochure for the programme. 3. The Head of School is in agreement that the number CAO entry points for this programme needs to be increased, to enhance and add value of the degree, and will support the Programme Board in this respect. Action Plan for the College of Business, Public Policy and Law: 1. During summer 2009, The Dean, with interaction and advice from the Programme Board and Programme Director will open discussions with the Director of Academic Administration to ensure that the mismatch that occurred in the current year, in the management of offers and acceptances, is not repeated. 2. The Dean will liaise with the Registrar, Head of School and the Programme Board to develop initiatives to increase the CAO entry points for this programme.
8 Report to Údarás – Review of B.S. Biomedical Science 2008–2009 Action Plan for University Management: 1. The Registrar agreed to facilitate a meeting between the Programme Board and the Admissions Office, to ensure that the mismatch that occurred in the current year in the management of offers and acceptances is not repeated. 2. In relation to the filling of three vacant positions, § The Registrar has set up a review group that will report by September 2009 on priorities for a senior academic appointment at professorial level. This appointment will provide academic leadership in the BIS Group. These recommendations will go forward to APRC for approval by October 2009. § For the other two vacancies, given the current economic climate, The Registrar agreed to provide, if possible, some short term funding for part­time assistance for this programme, as a temporary solution. 3. The Registrar confirmed that the budget for the programme will be commensurate with its enrolment. It is intended that an increase in the number of students will be matched by an increase in funds for those students throughout the three years of the programme. 4. Poor attendance and high failure rates at examination are a problem in this programme and also across the University. Meetings have been set up at School level to address this problem for this programme. CELT will also address this issue on a University­ wide basis through the forum of Vice Deans for Learning and Teaching. Approved by: Programme Director, Mr Martin Hughes, 9th July 2009 Approved by: Head of Accountancy and Finance, Professor Seamus Collins, 10 th July 2009 Approved by: Head of BIS Group, Dr Tom Acton, 1 st September 2009 Approved by: Head of School, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, Dr Emer Mulligan, 14 th September 2009 Approved by: Dean of Business, Public Policy and Law, Dr Willie Golden, 13 th July 2009 Approved by: Registrar, Professor Jim Ward, 14 th September 2009 Approved by: Director of CELT, Dr. Iain MacLabhrainn, 31 st August 2009 Approved by: Director of Human Resources, Mr Chris McNairney, 31 st August 2009 Approved by: VP for the Student Experience, Ms Mary O’Riordan, 31 st August 2009 Professor James A Houghton Director of Quality 16 th September 2009