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COIS11011
Foundations of Business Computing
2008 TERM ONE
Course Profile
© Copyright Central Queensland University (CQU) 2008
Copyright material contained herein is either copied and/or communicated with the express
permission of the Copyright Owner or under the provision of the Copyright Act 1968.
CQU authorises the copying and/or communication to public access of this document provided
that copyright material, other than that created by the author/s, or for which permission has been
obtained, is restricted to CQU staff and students through a password protected Appendix.
CQU CRICOS Codes: 00219C - Qld; 01315F - NSW; 01624D - Vic
CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
PART A
Course details
Course code
COIS11011
Course name
Foundations of Business Computing
Faculty
Faculty of Business & Informatics
Level
First Level
Units of credit
Six (6)
Prerequisite/Corequisite
Suggested study commitment 12 hours per week
Term of offering
2008 Term One
Course website
http://mycqu.cqu.edu.au
Campuses
Brisbane, Bundaberg, Emerald, Flexible Learning, Gold Coast,
Mackay, Melbourne, New Zealand, Rockhampton, Singapore
Delivery Site, Sydney
You must contact your faculty for their latest Guide for Students
This Course Profile contains important information. Please ensure that you read it
carefully. It is also strongly recommended that you keep this copy of your Course Profile
for future reference.
Throughout this document the term off-campus student means:

those students who are enrolled in the course by the Flexible, Distance or External mode.
This definition also relates to those students enrolled through Hong Kong College of
Technology, Hartford Institute (Singapore) or LaSalle-DHU (Shanghai). Students who are
enrolled by the flexible mode and who attend lectures on any of the Queensland campuses
are still referred to as off-campus students.
Throughout this document the term on-campus student means:

those students who are enrolled in the course by the internal mode at any of the Queensland
campuses or any of the Australian International campuses.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Course synopsis
Concepts and terminology of computer hardware, software, data storage and data
communications are covered in this course. The course focuses on the relationship between
computer technology and business organisations. Concepts covered include information systems
development, use and management. Emerging technologies and their effect on how organisations
do business are also covered. Practical work: Students will undertake practical work including
word processing, spreadsheet, World Wide Web and database. Access to E-mail, Internet, and
office productivity application software is mandatory.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. understand the basic concepts and terminology relating to computer hardware, software, data
storage, and data communications
2. understand the networked economy and how information technology provides the
infrastructure for this new economy
3. discuss the human factors associated with the use of computerised information systems,
including managerial, ethical and social considerations
4. describe the effect that information systems and organisations have on each other
5. describe how information systems are acquired and developed
6. apply the knowledge acquired for points 1 to 5 above to other courses of study
7. utilise the Internet as a major source of information
8. complete microcomputer application software skills tasks requiring the use of electronic mail,
Internet, file management, spreadsheet, word processing and database software
9. demonstrate report writing skills and idea formulation/presentation using charts, graphs, and
presentation software.
Assessment (approved by Academic Board)
Examination
50%
Other Assessment
50%
100%
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
PART B
Continuous assessment / examination
To obtain a grade of Pass or higher in this course a student:
* must score at least 45% (22.5/50) for Assessment items overall;
* must score at least 45% (22.5/50) for the examination; AND
* must score at least 50% for the course overall.
For example, if you scored 45% for both assignments combined, you would need to obtain 55%
in the final exam in order to achieve the minimum 50% overall for a grade of Pass (P) for the
course.
Assessment for all students
Assessment for the course will be on the basis of:
Assessment item 1: Developing office skills
20%
12 noon AEST,
Thursday, Week 7
Assessment item 2: Survey of IS theory
30%
12 noon AEST,
Thursday, Week 12
Examination
50%
Assessment and examination information are located in Part C of this Course Profile and are
available online to CQU staff and students only.
Textbooks
Textbook information shown is correct at Friday, February 15, 2008 at 04:00 PM. Please use this
link to obtain current and purchasing details:
http://content.cqu.edu.au/TeachingData/textbooks_view.do?term=2081&course=COIS11011
Prescribed
Faculty of Business & Informatics Staff 2008, COIS11011 Foundations of Business
Computing Study Guide, 2081, DTLS, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton.
• Faculty of Business & Informatics staff 2008, COIS11011 Foundations of Business
Computing Developing Office Skills Guide, 2081, DTLS, Central Queensland
University, Rockhampton.
• Jessup, L & Valacich, J 2007, Information systems today: managing in the digital
world, 3rd edn, Prentice Hall I&T, Englewood Cliffs.
•
Note: This book comes packaged with MyITLab, an online access code, at no extra cost
to students.
Do not rely on the CQU Library for set textbooks, as multiple copies are not available.
Contact details
Details shown are correct as at Friday, February 15, 2008 at 04:00 PM. Please use this link to
view current contacts:
http://lecturer.cqu.edu.au/lecturer.jsp?term=2081&course=COIS11011
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Rockhampton Coordinator:
Mr Ken Howah
Contact details:
Phone: +61 7 4923 2510
Fax: +61 7 4923 2646
Address: Central Qld University, Building 352/G.19 Faculty
of Business and Informatics Rockhampton City Campus
Central Queensland University Bolsover Street
ROCKHAMPTON QLD 4700
Email: k.howah@cqu.edu.au
Additional contact details
A directory of assistance containing important telephone numbers and other information for both
on-campus and off-campus students will be provided on the web, before term starts, at:
http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=7
If you are unable to access the web for this information please telephone the relevant School
Administrative Officer on (07) 4923 2145, (07) 4930 9728 or (07) 4930 9359 and a copy will be
provided.
Course presentation
Web mail
The university allocates every student an individual email address, the format of which is
studentnumber@student.cqu.edu.au (e.g. S00011123@student.cqu.edu.au). This is the official
email address that the university will use for all email correspondence. Student emails can be
accessed through http://webmail.cqu.edu.au or http://mycqu.cqu.edu.au. Students are expected to
check their official email address on a frequent and consistent basis (at least once weekly).
Students are encouraged to review the new university policy relating to email communication at
http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy.jsp?policyid=642 which has been introduced to ensure all
course and program updates are received.
All students
The presentation for all students, in addition to this Course Profile, comprises:

Study Guide

Developing Office Skills Guide

Material provided on the course website

Student use of the course website is required - this is provided using the Learning
Management System which can be accessed through the MyCQU Student Portal:
http://mycqu.cqu.edu.au/portal/dt. If you have difficulty logging in, please contact Helpdesk
on (07) 4930 9233.

Bulletin board on the course website for student discussion

Regular student access to email is required for this course

Regular student access to the Internet is required for this course.
All students are expected to follow a self-directed study schedule which meets the required
deadlines.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
On-campus students
The presentation for on-campus students includes:

3 contact hours per week.
Please note the presentation style and duration may vary depending on student numbers to ensure
an effective learning experience for every student.
All on-campus students are expected to attend every contact session.
Required resources
Guide for students
Students should refer to the referencing style set out in Chapter 2 of the Faculty of Business and
Informatics Guide for students, http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=492.
Computer (including software) requirements
You must have access to the Internet and email.
Computer equipment and application software are provided at all CQU campuses for students to
complete their assignments. Off-campus students can use computers and access the network at
Open Learning Centres. Access to the Internet is also available by using an Internet Café, or
through those public libraries or government offices that provide community Internet access.
You must have access to a computer that has an acceptable word processor, spreadsheet,
presentation software, and desktop database package. For more information about this as well as
the office skills component of this course, refer to the Developing office skills guide.
Recommended references
Off-campus students may call the CQU Library on 1300 369 038 (local call) to order references.
Please place your order early to avoid disappointment. If any of these resources are not available,
then please ask for alternative material.
The following is a brief list of useful general references:
Grauer, RT & Barber, the Exploring Series, Exploring Microsoft Office [2000, XP, 2007 etc],
Volume I, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
McKeown, P 2003, Information technology and the networked economy, 2nd edn, Course
Technology, Boston.
Pfaffenberger, B 2003, Computers in your future 2003 introductory, 5th edn, Prentice Hall,
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
PART C
Proposed weekly schedule
Week
Week beginning
dates
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and submissions
1
3 March
Managing in the Digital World
1
Start Part A of
Assessment item 2
2
10 March
Dual nature of Information Systems
1
3
17 March
IS infrastructure: hardware/software
4,TB1-2
4
24 March
IS infrastructure: data/knowledge
4,TB1-2
5
31 March
Networking and the Internet
TB4-5
6
7 April
E-commerce using the Internet
5
-
14 April
MID-TERM BREAK
7
21 April
Business Intelligence using IS
7
8
28 April
Enterprise Information Systems
8
9
5 May
Securing Information Systems
6
10
12 May
Managing ethical issues
10
11
19 May
Database management
TB3
12
26 May
Course review
Assessment item 1 due
Thursday, 12.00 Noon
Assessment item 2 due
Thursday, 12.00 Noon
2 – 4 June
Program Review Period
5 – 20 June 2008
Examination Period
Examination
TB=Technology Briefing sections in the Jessup textbook
Note: A recess is held during term. Please consult the CQU Handbook for specific dates and other
information at:
http://handbook.cqu.edu.au
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Assessment
Assignment submission
Each assignment for this course must be submitted as a single Word document.
The assignments must be submitted electronically only, using the Faculty’s Online Assignment
Submission Information System (OASIS). This system is accessible through the Webfuse learning
management system. Check for it in the Student Portal http://mycqu.cqu.edu.au/portal/dt. Marked
assignments and results are available for download using the same online system.
Important: You are strongly advised against lending or giving a copy of your assignment to
any other student to use. When incidents of copying arise, students who lend their original
work are often unable to prove they were the original author, and are consequently penalised
for plagiarism.
Policies and procedures for assessment
Students must familiarise themselves with the following policies and procedures:
Assessment and examination
policy and procedures
University Assessment of Coursework Policy
http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy.jsp?policyid=701
Assignment preparation and
presentation
Chapter 1 Faculty Guide for students
http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=492
Referencing style
Detailed information: Chapter 2 Guide for students
http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=492
Assignment submission
Chapter 1 Faculty Guide for students
http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=492
Applying for extensions
http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=7
Assignment grading
http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_file.do?policyid=437
Plagiarism policy
http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy.jsp?policyid=198
Plagiarism detailed
explanation
Chapter 2 Faculty Guide for students
http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=492
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Assessment details for all students
Assessment item 1—Developing office skills
Due date:
Electronic submission via MyCQU by 12:00 noon
(AEST) Thursday, Week 7
Weighting:
20% of total course assessment
Length:
Report: 3,000 words maximum.*
ASSESSMENT
1MB maximum allowable file size*
Use Windows Explorer to check file size before
uploading. Other methods may not be accurate.
1
* Files with reports exceeding 3,000 words or over 1MB in size may be marked on a strictly pass/fail
basis, without reference to any marking criteria. In this case, a Pass will be a maximum of 50% not
including any late penalties that may apply. A Fail will automatically be 49% or lower, not including
any late penalties that may apply. To ensure receiving full credit for your effort, please observe the file
size limits.
This assessment item is for COIS11011 for Term One 2008.
Objectives
This assessment item relates to course learning outcome numbers 8 & 9 as listed in Part A.
The purpose of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to practice creating and formatting a
business report according to given requirements, and in doing so, to demonstrate the use of selected
features in a word processor, a spreadsheet program, and a presentation program. The assignment
allows you to apply acquired knowledge to a specific business scenario.
Details
General advice
Read the case notes carefully and fully. Read them through several times, make notes, diagrams etc as
you go, to assist with understanding the situation. Ensure you understand the problem as completely as
possible, and what you have to do, before starting work. If you need help, seek it early. Once you
understand the assignment and what it entails, read the “Report requirements” section for how the report
needs to be presented. Then, review the marking guide noting the criteria listed so that you understand
how it will be assessed.
It is a temptation to wait until you have “mastered” word processing or spreadsheets etc before starting.
This approach is often a mistake! You won’t have time to master the applications nor is that the
purpose of this course, and in any case, completing the assignments only needs a comparatively small
number of core features or tools in each application.
A suggested way is to learn-as-you-go. Open the applications and one by one, learn how to use the
features that are actually required in the assignment. This knowledge becomes your core skill set that
you can expand on as needed in the future.
Now go to the topic title below, get started, and good luck!
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Topic title: Maxi’s Grocery Mart *
*Case is adapted from “MIS Cases” 3rd Edition by Lisa Miller, 2007 Pearson Prentice Hall, New
Jersey.
Case background and brief
Maxi's Grocery Mart is a family-owned business currently experiencing a modest growth in business.
Leroy Feronti, the owner, wants to expand by renovating the grocery mart building, using a bank loan.
To help with the loan application, Leroy wants to prepare and review several pro forma (i.e. using
assumptions or projections) financial statements. He will use the pro forma financial statements as part
of his loan application and to help with decision making. He has asked you to prepare the statements
for him in the form of a business report. In addition, he would like a summary slide show using any
suitable presentation program.
Preparation of the pro forma income statement will require you to design a worksheet with input and
information sections, properly format the worksheet, construct simple formulas, perform simple ‘what
if’ analysis, and generate a chart.
Case scenario
Leroy Feronti is very active in his business, and also employs a store manager, assistant manager, and
17 full-time employees. The manager and assistant manager are paid a salary, and the employees are
paid an hourly wage. Each employee works 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year.
Renovating the existing building will cost approximately $450,000. Mr. Feronti needs to borrow
$300,000 from the bank and will use income generated from the grocery mart to repay the loan.
To prepare a set of financial statements as requested, you are to use the income statement outline shown
in Figure 1 and use the grocery mart's 2006 sales as the base period.
You will use the 2006 sales to calculate sales, cost of goods sold, expenses, taxes, and net income for
the next three years.
When preparing the pro forma income statement, several assumptions and additional information items
are necessary – these are provided in Figure 2.
Design specifications
Mr. Feronti requests that the report have a consistent, professional, and well-organised appearance.
Looking at Figures 1 & 2, you realise that the worksheet requires both input and information sections.
Figure1 provides a worksheet outline, which contains the guidelines for constructing the information
section. Figure2 provides necessary data for the input section.
By creating separate sections this way, it becomes easy to not only view the input data that feeds the
income statement but also to be able to easily change the parameters, to facilitate decision making.
The information section contains the pro forma income statement, and this section provides the
information about projected sales, cost of goods sold, operating expenses and net income for the years
2007 to 2009. The sales for 2006 are the baseline for these projections.
Where appropriate, the information section formulas references the cell values contained in the input
section. For example, as you study Figure 1, you recognise that Mr. Feronti wants his store item sales,
cost of goods sold, and operating expenses expressed as a percentage of total sales.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
To facilitate the analysis, you place the total sales value in the input section, along with the other
assumptions. By doing this, your formulas in the information section can reference the cells containing
the total sales figure.
As you study Figure 2, you notice that Mr. Feronti's salary is 15 percent of gross profit. However, Mr.
Feronti only draws his salary if the grocery mart makes a profit, therefore you must build this logic into
the income statement. You do so by using the IF function.
Information specifications
Using Figure 1 as a template, first construct the initial income statement for 2006.
Then using this as the base, provide Mr. Feronti with the answers to the following questions by
completing the data columns for 2007, 2008 and 2009:
1. What impact will sales growth of 9% in 2007, 9.5% in 2008 and 10% in 2009 have on the grocery
mart's net income?
2. What impact will sales growth of 4% in 2007, 5% in 2008 and 5.5% in 2009 have on the grocery
mart’s net income?
3. Provide a pie chart that compares the various store items sales in 2006. The chart should label all
data items and have an appropriate heading.
4. If Mr. Feronti decreased his salary to 8% and increased the employees' hourly wages to$14, what
impact would this have on net income?
5. If the store hires two more employees (at the $14 rate), making a new total of 19 employees, what
impact would this have on net income?
6. Summarise the answers to the above questions in a short slide show of a maximum of 10 slides.
Note
Each question should be answered relative to 2006 figures. For example, in question 4, calculations
would be based on the 2006 figures.
Implementation hints
The preparation of this case requires you to apply basic spreadsheet construction concepts. For example,
since Mr. Feronti will change the input values during his decision-making activities, you should have a
separate input section for the input values. Keep in mind that the formulas in the information section
will reference the input cells. So in the formulas, you should use absolute and relative cell references,
instead of constant values (such as rates, dollar values etc).
This means you must avoid coding ‘hard data’ (e.g. the tax rate, or total dollar sales) into the formula.
Instead put referenced data into their own cells, and then reference the cells. Using absolute referencing
allows you to copy formula in one cell to multiple cells when the formula contains fixed cell references
that you do not want the spreadsheet to automatically adjust as it copies.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
FIGURE 1
Maxi's Grocery Mart Income Statement Outline
Sales
2006
2007
Deli
Assume 6% of total sales each year
Dairy
Assume 18% of total sales each year
Canned goods
Assume 12% of total sales each year
Frozen goods
Assume 20% of total sales each year
Meats
Assume 21% of total sales each year
Produce
Assume 12.5% of total sales each year
Dry Goods
Assume 9% of total sales each year
Video sales
Assume 1.5% of total sales each year
Total Sales
Assume $4,000,000 in total sales for 2006
Cost of good sold (CGS)
Deli
Assume 50% of deli sales each year
Dairy
Assume 50% of dairy sales each year
Canned goods
Assume 75% of cg sales each year
Frozen goods
Assume 65% of fg sales each year
Meats
Assume 50% of meats sales each year
Produce
Assume 65% of produce sales each year
Dry Goods
Assume 66% of dry goods sales each year
Video sales
Assume 30% of video sales each year
Total CGS
Gross Profit
Sales less CGS
Operating expenses
Sales & Marketing
Assume 5.5% of total sales each year
General & Admin
Assume 8.75% of total sales each year
Depreciation
Assume $20,000 per year
Wages
Include employees, manager & asst mgr
Common Costs
Mr. Feronti's salary
Total Op. expenses
Income before tax, or Gross
Income
Gross profit less operating expenses
Income tax
Income * tax rate
Net Income
Gross income less tax
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2008
2009
CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
FIGURE 2 Assumptions & additional information
Growth and tax rates
Salary information
2007 growth=7.25%
Mr. Feronti: 15% of gross profit
2008 growth=7.75%
Manager: $55,000
2009 growth=8.25%
Assistant Manager: $40,000
Tax rate= 35%
Employee hourly wage: $12.00
The report requirements
Assignment task
Read the Background Scenario outlined above. Use your word processor to create a business report that
provides the requested information as detailed.
Assignment requirements
All components of the assignment (report, spreadsheets, chart, slides) must be placed in a single word
processed document which is submitted on the faculty’s online assignment submission system.
Regardless of which word processor you use, you will need to save your file in Microsoft Word format
before submitting it online.
Create the report in portrait mode, single spaced, using Times New Roman 12-point font. The report
must have a header and footer. In the header put your student number on the left side of the page and
your name on the right side of the page. The footer should have a page number that is centred on the
page. The header and footer should not appear before the page containing your introduction, but should
continue throughout the whole of your report (including appendices – if provided).
Your report is to include the following components:
1. Title page: Include on your title page a suitable title for the report, your name, student number,
date, who the report is for, and a Student Declaration as follows:
I certify that this assignment is my own work, based on my personal study and / or research,
and that I have acknowledged all material and sources used in the preparation of this
assignment whether they be books, articles, reports, lecture notes, and any other kind of
document, electronic or personal communication. I also certify that the assignment has not
previously been submitted for assessment in any other course or at any other time in this
course, unless by negotiation, and that I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise
plagiarised the work of other students and / or persons. I have read the CQU policy on
plagiarism and understand its implication. I can produce a hard copy of this assignment
within 24 hours if requested.
You MUST include this declaration in your assignment. Your submission of the assignment as part
of the required assessment for this course will be taken as official notice that you have agreed to and
signed the Student Declaration. If your assignment is submitted without this declaration, it
will not be marked.
Important: You are strongly advised against lending or giving a copy of your assignment to
any other student to use. When incidents of copying arise, students caught up in it are
often unable to prove they were the original author, and are consequently penalised for
plagiarism.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
2. Executive summary: State the purpose of the report and provide a brief summary of the report,
including the findings. This section should be less than a page in length.
3. Table of contents: This must be generated by the word processor software. The title page,
executive summary and table of contents should not appear in the table of contents that is generated.
4. Introduction: Identify the purpose of the report and identify the issues or matters you will be
discussing within the body of the report.
5. Discussion: The discussion is the main body of the report and contains the information requested in
questions 1 – 5 in Information specifications. The discussion refers to the spreadsheets and chart in
the appendices as appropriate. Discuss the assumptions made, and the key features of the
worksheets (e.g. its built-in ‘what if’ abilities) and include a note informing the reader how to use
the ‘what if’ feature built in.
6. References: References are not required in this assignment, but if you do refer to other sources for
any reason, you would include those sources in this section. Otherwise, omit the section.
7. Appendices: The spreadsheets, pie chart and presentation slides should be placed in this section.
All spreadsheets must be accompanied by a copy of that spreadsheet showing the formula view.
Hint: In Excel, typing Ctrl~ key combination will convert a spreadsheet to formula view. Other
spreadsheets may have different methods.
Use Appendix A, B, C etc as appropriate to make it easy for you to refer to in the body of the report.
For more guidance on formatting the report and referencing correctly, refer to Guide for students,
available online at: http://fbi.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=492.
Before submitting your assignment
Review the assignment requirements. Have you achieved all of these? Have you included all of the
sections of the report? Check the marking guide for the assignment and ensure that your assignment
meets the marking criteria.
In addition to the assessment requirements specified in this Course Profile, students must adhere to the
rules specified in the CQU Handbook. In particular, your attention is drawn to rules on plagiarism in
the sections titled ‘Suspension or Exclusion’. Do not lend or give your assignment to any other student.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Marking Guide for Assignment 1 (20%)
COIS11011
Foundations of Business Computing
Term 1 2008
Student Full Name
Student ID
Codes: E = Excellent; G = Good; I = Improvement Required; R = Relearning Required
Description
Allocated
1. Presentation
Well presented; shows customer awareness
6
Slide show – clarity & quality
6
English Expression/ Spelling
4
Grammar
4
Section Total
20
Title page & Executive Summary
2
Introduction
2
Discussion
2
Header/Footer and Page numbering
2
Word Processor generated Table of Contents
2
Appendices
2
Section Total
12
Questions were answered (5x2 marks)
10
Answers were appropriate, logical, correct
15
Features including ‘what if’ well explained
8
Assumptions noted and explained
2
Section Total
35
2. Format Compliance
3. Discussion section
15
Awarded
E G I R
CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
4. Spreadsheets & pie chart (in appendices)
Easy to understand
4
Chart is pie type, correct & labelled
5
Formulae: general, no embedded data
6
Formulae: IF function
5
Formulae: Absolute referencing
5
Formula view provided and correct results
8
Section Total
33
Grand Total
100
Number of days late:
penalty=
Final Result
Marker's Comments:
0
Marks (Out of 20)
Marked
by:
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Assessment item 2—Survey of IS theory
Due date:
Electronic submission via MyCQU by 12:00 noon (AEST)
Thursday, Week 12
Weighting:
30% of total course assessment
Length:
Approximately 15 pages maximum, no word count required
ASSESSMENT
2
This assessment item is for COIS11011 for Term One 2008.
Objectives
This assessment item relates to course learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 as listed in Part A.
The main purpose of this assignment is to guide you through an exploration of major topics in
information systems to build up your knowledge, and for you to demonstrate that you understand and
can explain the basic concepts underlying Information Systems. The use of word processing skills is
expected in completing the assignment.
An intended side benefit of completing this assignment is to provide additional review and practice for
successfully sitting the final examination at end of term. The examination will consist of questions
similar to those covered in both Parts A and B below.
Assignment overview
This assignment is in two parts, explained below as Parts A & B. Both parts have the same purpose, to
survey or explore basic concepts in IS theory.
PART A
On-campus students
Tutorial in-class discussion and contribution – the topics to be discussed each week are outlined in the
Study Guide. You should bring the Study Guide and the Jessup textbook with you to every
tutorial.
Your attendance, participation and contribution will be marked – see marking guide below. On-campus
students may not substitute bulletin board participation for tutorial participation.
Off-campus students
You must participate and contribute to discussion on the Assignment 2 Discussion Forum located in the
course website Bulletin Board.
The topics to be discussed each week are outlined in the Study Guide. You must obtain a copy of the
Study Guide and the Jessup textbook.
Your participation and contribution will be marked – see marking guide below.
The topics to be discussed in tutorials and on the BBS are outlined in the Study Guide.
If you have problems accessing the website or bulletin board, you must immediately inform the
Off-campus tutor or course coordinator, or Helpdesk. Helpdesk can be contacted at
helpdesk@cqu.edu.au or telephone (07) 4930-9233.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
PART B
ALL students will complete this part, to be electronically submitted as a word-processed document on
the Faculty’s Online Assignment Submission System.
You are to prepare answers in your own words to the questions posed below. Answers should take
approximately half a page each, be succinct and to the point. Be sure to read the instructions below.
Sources of information
DIRECT QUOTES FROM SOURCES ARE NOT ALLOWED. Instead, students are required to
research, read, understand and then paraphrase.
Sources you refer to should be acknowledged in a Bibliography at the end of the assignment. If you’re
not sure what a bibliography is, make it your business to find out.
Use a variety of web sources, e.g. avoid using Wikipedia for every question.
The minimum resource to use for all questions is the Jessup textbook. Your bibliography should list at
least this one book as you use it.
Important – see the marking guide below for marking criteria and other information.
The questions
1. What does the term ‘knowledge worker’ mean in the context of today’s business world?
2. What is the difference between ‘information technology’ and ‘information system’?
3. Explain the differences between ‘data’, ‘information’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘wisdom’. Why do you
think the differences are important to the ‘study, development, and use of information systems’?
4. View the four sites suggested by Jessup, www.informationweek.com; www.computerworld.com;
www.cio.com; and www.newsfactor.com. Then write a paragraph on which technologies and
issues seem to be current (‘hot’) at the moment, and which seem to be most important to business
managers, according to each of these sites.
5. What is ‘business intelligence’ and how do organisations use it for competitive advantage?
6. What is ‘autonomic computing’? According to Jessup, what are the five characteristics essential to
autonomic computing?
7. Define ‘outsourcing’ and how it is used in organisations today.
8. Imagine you are in charge of designing a new videoconferencing system for a large multinational.
What are some features you would include as essential? Which features would be nice to have but
may not be essential?
9. Compare and contrast the ‘click-and-mortar’ and the ‘click-only’ e-commerce business strategies –
find and list two examples of each.
10. Explain what a ‘revenue model’ is and how it relates to a ‘business model’? Use examples to make
your explanation clearer.
11. What type of regulations can be considered to be potential threats to e-commerce?
12. Explain the difference between a ‘forward auction’ and a ‘reverse auction’ in the context of
e-auctions.
13. List and describe the primary threats to information systems security.
14. Explain why it is necessary to conduct a ‘risk analysis’ as a first step in creating an information
systems security plan.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
15. Contrast ‘technological safeguards’ and ‘human safeguards’ in information systems security, using
examples to illustrate your points.
16. Describe the difference between ‘online processing’ and ‘batch processing’ using an example of
each to illustrate your answer.
17. Explain what are the ‘models’ used in decision support systems architectures.
18. How can ‘data mining’ and ‘visualisation’ be used to gain business intelligence and improve
decision making?
19. What is a ‘knowledge management system’ and what types of technologies make up a
‘comprehensive system’?
20. Describe what enterprise systems are and how they have evolved.
Instructions
Present your answers to the above questions as per the following instructions.
Provide the following sections in your assignment:
1. Title page: Include on your title page a suitable title for the assignment, your name, student
number, date and Student Declaration. This Student Declaration must read:
“I certify that this assignment is my own work, based on my personal study and/or research,
and that I have acknowledged all material and sources used in the preparation of this
assignment whether they be books, articles, reports, lecture notes, and any other kind of
document, electronic or personal communication. I also certify that the assignment has not
previously been submitted for assessment in any other course or at any other time in this
course, unless by negotiation, and that I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise
plagiarised the work of other students and / or persons. I have read the CQU policy on
plagiarism and understand its implication. I can produce a hard copy of this assignment within
24 hours if requested.”
NOTE: Your submission of the assignment will be taken as official notice that you have signed
the Student Declaration. If your assignment is submitted without this declaration, it will not
be marked.
Important: You are strongly advised against lending or giving a copy of your assignment
to any other student to use. When incidents of copying arise, students caught up in it are
often unable to prove they were the original author, and are consequently penalised for
plagiarism.
2. Table of contents: The Table of Contents (TOC) must be generated by the word processor
software as in the first assignment. The title page and table of contents itself should not appear in
the table of contents. The table of contents should be on its own page.
3. The questions: Type out each question formatted as a sub-heading. Each question should then be
an entry in the table of contents with page reference. Your answer should then follow the question
with a space in between. Most answers should take up to half a page, some may take a little more.
4. Bibliography: Include in this section any web site addresses that you referenced. If you have used
information from other resources, they should be included here as well. Ensure that you use the
Harvard referencing style for detailing all references. Remember that for the purpose of this
assignment, avoid using direct citations or quotes. You are to read sources, develop an
understanding of the material, and paraphrase using your own words. Unreferenced direct
quotations may be treated as plagiarism. If or when you paraphrase an idea, you should certainly
use an in-text reference to note the source.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
5. Header and footer: Provide a header and footer for your assignment. In the header, put your
student-ID on the left side and your full name on the right side. In the footer, insert a page number,
centred. The header and footer should not appear on the title page or in the table of contents page,
but should appear on all subsequent pages.
6. Style: Use Times New Roman, 12-point, for all non-heading text.
Before submitting your assignment
Review the assignment requirements. Have you achieved all of these? Have you included all of the
sections of the report? Also, check the marking guide for the assignment and ensure that your
assignment meets the marking criteria.
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Marking Guide for Assignment 2 (30%)
COIS 11011  Foundations of Business Computing  Term 1 2008
Student Full Name
Student ID
Codes: E = Excellent; G = Good; I = Improvement Required; R = Relearning Required
Description
Allocated
E G I R
Awarded
1. PART A: Presentation/contribution and
attendance in tutorials
Presented answer on behalf of group, OR
contributed to class discussion.
5
FLEX STUDENTS: Contributed to discussion
on electronic bulletin board
Attendance at tutorials, overall participation.
5
FLEX STUDENTS: Consistent participation
on electronic bulletin board
Section Total
10
2. PART B: Format Compliance
Title page, text is TNR/12-point
2
Header/Footer and Page numbering
2
Word Processor generated Table of Contents
2
Correct referencing, no direct quotes
4
Section Total
10
3. PART B: Answers to questions
Correct answers (2 marks each question)
40
Attempted all 20 questions
5
Answers are clear, spelling, grammar
5
Section Total
50
Grand Total
70
Number of days late:
penalty=
Total marks awarded out of 70
Marker's Comments:
0
=Marks (Out of 30):
Marked
by:
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CQU Course Profile for COIS11011 2008 Term One
Examination
Due date:
During examination period at end of term
Weighting:
50% of total course assessment
Length:
Two (2) hours.
Examination conditions

The examination is closed book. This means you are not permitted to take any unauthorised
materials into the examination room with you unless specified.

The exam is based on the Jessup textbook.

Calculators are not permitted.

You may take in :

ONE non-electronic, concise, direct translation dictionary into the examination room in
accordance with CQU policy. Dictionary must not contain any notes or comments.
View the University’s policy on examination in the Assessment of Coursework Policy at:
http://policy.cqu.edu.au
View important examination information at:
http://handbook.cqu.edu.au/Handbook/information.jsp?id=126
The examination timetables will be made available later in the term. View the examination timetable at:
http://www.cqu.edu.au/studinfo/admin/timetabling/index.htm
Further information on the examination will be available on your course website later in the term and
within your revision lecture.
Students should also note that if Supplementary Assessment is granted, this will in many cases take the
form of a Supplementary Examination as is required for professional body accreditations.
NOTE: The examination information provided in this Course Profile also relates to Deferred
Exams. No separate advice will be provided in the case of a deferred exam.
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