Module Title:
Informatics
Module code:
(if known)
COM409
Level:
Cost Centre:
Semester(s) in which to be offered:
Existing/New:
Existing
Originating Academic
area:
Module duration
(contact hours/
directed/directed private
study:
1
GACP
With effect from:
Title of module being
replaced (if any):
Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science
200
(60/60/80)
Credit Value:
JACS2 code:
20
G500
September 2009
N/A
Module Leader:
Status: core/option/elective
(identify programme where
appropriate):
Percentage taught by Subjects other than
originating Subject (please name other
Subjects):
4
Denise Oram
Core
0%
Programme(s) in which to be
offered:
Pre-requisites per programme
(between levels):
Co-requisites per programme
(within a level):
BA (Hons) Business Management
and IT
BSc (Honours) Computer Network
Management and Security
BSc (Honours) Mobile Computing
BSc (Honours) Creative Media
Computing
BSc (Honours) Applied Computing
None
None
Module Aims:
Informatics is the science of information, the practice of information processing, and the engineering of
information systems. This module aims to enable the student to appreciate the nature of information
and its value in a business environment, gain sufficient understanding of various business applications
of information systems and enable the student to understand the system development process.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify information needs within different functional areas of an organisation
Compare a range of information systems
Examine the tools available to organisations for information processing
Evaluate the information systems within an organisation.
Identify how information systems can be designed and operated in a legal and ethical manner
Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes:





Communication: Oral/writing communication skills
IT Skills: Retrieve information using search engines, browsers and catalogues; use appropriate
IT facilities to prepare and present reports in various formats
Problem Solving: Solve problems using appropriate tools/methods
Working with Others: Work effectively as part of a team, Negotiating and assertiveness
Self Learning: Managing one's own learning and development including time management and
organisational skills, reflecting on experience
Assessment:
100% coursework - The module will be assessed through coursework, using case studies, with
presentations, seminars and discussions. The assessment work to be included in the portfolio is to
include a series of tasks performed by the students as formative assessment (as part of the portfolio of
work) based on case studies. This might include diagrams of modelling techniques, analysis reports
etc.
Assessment
Learning
Outcomes to be
met
Type of assessment
Weighting
Duration
(if exam)
Word count or
equivalent if
appropriate
1
1-5
Coursework
100%
N/A
N/A
Learning and Teaching Strategies:
Lectures will be used to deliver key concepts, ideas, theories and examples. Tutorials will allow the
further exploration of the lectures and use scenarios, exercises, etc to give students the opportunity to
investigate and acquire further subject specific knowledge through individual and group work. Selfstudy exercises and reading will also be given.
Syllabus outline:
1 Development and Management of Information Systems
 Systems development process
 life cycle models
 system development methodologies
2 Information needs within different functional areas
 requirements analysis (strategic, tactical, operational)
 data requirements (inputs, outputs, processing activities)
 definition of information and data requirements
3 Range of information systems
 the impact of new technologies on business applications.
4 Tools available for information processing
 current tools (text processors, client-server, databases, artificial intelligence, data
warehousing, data mining)
5 Modeling

Using models to represent requirements
 ·Abstraction and decomposition
 ·Data flow model
 ·Use case modeling
6 Information systems within an organisation
 evaluation techniques: criteria (accuracy, suitability, timeliness, benefits, cost, confidence);
 professional, legal, moral and ethical constraints on information systems
Bibliography
Indicative Reading:
Cockburn, Lord Alistair. (2008),Writing Effective Use Cases, Agile Software Development (Crystal)
Series
Dennis, A., Wixom, B.H. and D. Tegarden (2008) Systems Analysis and Design with UML Version 2.0:
An Object-Oriented Approach, 3rd Edition, Wiley
Maciaszek L., (2007), Requirements Analysis and Systems Design, 3/Ed. Addison Wesley
Skidmore S & Eva M., (2004), Introducing Systems Development Palgrave MacMillan
Satzinger, J. W., Jackson, R. B., Burd, S. D. and Johnson, R., (2008), Systems Analysis and Design in
a Changing World, 5th Edition, Thomson Course Technology.
Satzinger, J.W., Jackson R.B., Burd S.D. (2005): with the Unified Process, Thomson Course
Technology
Sommerville.I, (2010), Software Engineering, 9/Ed. Pearson