Information Systems Technologies MS113
Semester 1 2012/2013
MS113
Information Systems Technologies 2012-13
- Course Outline Objective
Lecture Information
Course Material
The objective of the MS113 course is to provide students with an introduction to
information systems and their underlying technologies. Students are introduced to
computers and technology, how this technology is used in business, and some of the
societal implications of computers and related technology. Students will be given an
understanding the use of information technology and information systems in business.
Name:
Email:
Lectures:
Room:
Format:
Ailish Kelly
Ailish.Kelly@nuigalway.ie
Tuesday’s 4-6pm
CA118
One two-hour lecture each week for semester one
Course content including the course outline, announcements and other material related to
this course will be available on Blackboard: https://nuigalway.blackboard.com/
•
Please ensure you bring a hard/soft copy of lecture slides to all lectures.
The course is divided into 6 modules. Once the course is completed, students will have
developed an understanding of information systems and their underlying technologies
Upon completion of each module, students will be able to:
•
Hardware
 Identify hardware located inside the system unit
 Identify and describe the types of devices that can be used for data storage
 Identify and describe hardware that can be used for input and output.
•
Software
 Discuss system software and understand how it enables the hardware of a
computer system to operate and to run application software.
 Discuss important basic concepts and characteristics of application software.
 Identify the most common types of application software used today.
•
Networks & Internet
 Explain networking principles
 Identify and explain common internet activities and connecting to the internet.
 Critically evaluate the World Wide Web and identify some of the security
risks related to network and internet use.
•
Business on the Web
 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of using web-based multimedia.
 Explain what E-Commerce is and how it can be implemented via a Web site.
•
Systems
 Discuss the types of information systems found in organisations today.
 Explain the activities performed during the system development process
(SDP).
 Explain the program development process step in the SDP.
 Discuss database concepts, database models and how databases are used
in conjunction with the World Wide Web.
•
Computers and Society
 Discuss the societal impact of computers, including some benefits and
security and privacy issues related to their prominence in our society.
 Critically address issues related to intellectual property rights, access to
technology, ethics, health, and the environment.
Overall Learning
Outcomes
Information Systems Technologies MS113
Semester 1 2012/2013
1.
2.
End of Year Examination
Continuous Assessment
60%
40%*
•
Continuous Assessment –
 Bi-weekly assignments - Completion of 5 assignments consisting of 10
multiple-choice questions (MCQ’s) worth 45%
 Attendance - 5%
•
Note: A minimum of 35% is required in the final written examination before
marks for continuous assessment can be included in the determination of the
overall mark for the subject.
Assessment
Subject grades are calculated as follows:
1 Class Honours
≈ 70%
nd
2 Class Honours Grade I
≈ 60%
nd
2 Class Honours Grade II
≈ 50%
Pass
≥ 40%
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Introductory 14th Edition, by Morley and
Parker. Course Technology 2012. (ISBN: 978-1-133-19025-7)
st
Subject Grades
Core Text
Note: The text book will be available in the library for 3 day loan in early October (date will
be announced in lecture and on Blackboard). The text book will also be available to
purchase in the University bookshop in early October.
Module
Readings
Lecture Weeks 2-8 (excluding Week 4)
Hardware – Weeks 2&3
•
The System Unit
 Processing
 Memory
•
Storage
•
Input and Output
Core Book Chapters 2, 3 & 4
Additional readings and resources on Blackboard
Software - Weeks 5&6 – MCQ 1
•
System Software
 Operating Systems
 Utility Programs
•
Application Software
Core Book Chapters 5 & 6
Additional readings and resources on Blackboard
Networks and the Internet - Weeks 7&8 – MCQ 2
•
Computer Networks
•
The Internet and the World Wide Web
•
Network and Internet Security
Core Book Chapters 7, 8 & 9
Additional readings and resources on Blackboard
Lecture Weeks 9-12
Business on the Web - Weeks 9 – MCQ 3
•
Multimedia and the Web
•
E-Commerce
Systems - Weeks 10&11 – MCQ 4
•
Information Systems and System Development
•
Program Development and Programming
Languages
•
Databases and Database Management
Systems
Computers and Society – Weeks 12 – MCQ 5
•
Computer Security and Privacy
•
Intellectual Property Rights, Ethics, Health,
Access and the Environment
Core Book Chapters 10 & 11
Additional readings and resources on Blackboard
Core Book Chapters 12, 13 & 14
Additional readings and resources on Blackboard
Core Book Chapters 15 & 16
Additional readings and resources on Blackboard
Information Systems Technologies MS113
Semester 1 2012/2013
Academic Information
Lecture Preparation
Generally, the best form of lecture preparation is to have studied the lecture material and readings from the previous lecture. The
textbook should be regarded only as the foundational resource of your study materials. Readings and other resources are
significant and should be reviewed shortly after the lectures.
Study Notes
Students are advised to take care to produce good study notes by synthesising the readings, textbook chapters and lecture
information on a weekly basis. Lecture slides are designed as an aid to lecture delivery and not as comprehensive notes for the
module.
General Information
Contacting the Lecturer(s)
In general, it is best to email lecturer(s) with your query or to request a meeting. Students should be aware that lecturers can be in
receipt of large volumes of emails and should therefore have a reasonable expectation with respect to response times (1-2 working
days). The responsibility to get a response remains with the student and you should send a polite reminder email if you have not
received a response after 2 working days.
Please note that your emails will be ignored if they:
Do not contain your Name and Student ID
Contain requests for exam tips, hints, topic to study etc.
Contain requests for examination results
Are, impolite or unprofessional
Also note that your emails may be ignored if they:
Are requesting information that is available in the course outline or on Blackboard
Do not contain a subject line (MS113)
Sight Disability
This course outline is available on Blackboard. Should you have a visual disability and require the document in
another format, please contact the lecturer(s) for same.