A COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENT (30%) TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A SOFTWARE SOLUTION TO A BUSINESS CASE STUDY (LEARNING OUTCOMES 2, 5, a-d,f,g)

A COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENT WORTH (30%) TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A SIMPLE RELATIONAL DATABASE TO MEET A GIVEN SPECIFICATION (LEARNING OUTCOMES 4, a-g)

A FINAL EXAMINATION WORTH (40%) (LEARNING OUTCOMES 1-7)

A ASSIGNMENT weighted at 30%.
A ASSIGNMENT - SECOND ASSIGNMENT weighted at 30%.
A EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS length 2 HOUR(S) weighted at 40%.
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- Data and Information - Information types, levels and quality
- Information systems.
- Information needs of organisations - typical systems
- Features of applications software - Financial, Spreadsheets and Databases, Spoken language systems
- Use of packages (typically Microsoft Office including databases, spreadsheets etc.)
- Selecting a system - design or build, evaluating packages
- Human aspects of Computer Systems (such as working patterns, CSCW, organisational structures,ergonomics, legal issues)
- Evaluating the Human Computer Interface
- Designing a system - overview of the SDLC
- Building a relational database - ERMs, normalisation, SSM, SSADM, RAD (i.e. soft v hard methods)?
- Implementation of a database system
- Ensuring system security (assessing and reducing risk)
- Ensuring system integrity (control issues)
- Evaluating system success
- Use of CASE tools
- Overview of Expert Systems

1. Describe the diversity of applications software available, the features they offer, and their relevance to modern businesses / organisations
2. Analyse the information needs of a business / scenario and design and implement a software solution
3. Describe some criteria for the selection of software to meet information needs
4. Design and implement a simple relational database to meet a given specification
5. Describe security and control issues affecting computer systems
6. Describe some of the factors affecting the designers of computer systems - such as methodologies, ergonomic, HCI, legal factors
7. Describe some of the diverse applications of computers in society, such as in education, medicine, conservation etc.

AND BE ASSESSED IN THE FOLLOWING COMMON SKILLS COMPETENCIES
a. 1. Manage own roles and responsibilities
b. 2. Manage own time in achieving objectives
c. 3. Undertake personal and career development
d. 4. Transfer skill gained to new and changing situations and contexts
e. 8. Receive and respond to a variety of information
f. 16. Use a range of technological equipment and systems
g. 17. Apply a range of skills and techniques to develop a variety of ideas in the creation of new/modified products, services and situations.

This will normally be delivered as two lectures and one tutorial/practical per week. In addition you will undertake case study assignment work, which will support the theory delivered in the lectures, in your own time.

IBM PC's. A suitable range of applications software such as MS Office, Sage Financial, Via Voice, Hardware to demonstrate alternative HCI design, such as headsets, graphics tablets, bar -code scanners etc. (this equipment may be observed in other contexts if not available in the labs)Visiting speakers will be encouraged, to broaden the student's appreciation of applications in the 'real world'.

No standard texts but the following type of books would be helpful

Reference material on Microsoft Office products
General reference book on Information Systems
Students will also be encouraged to read articles on topical issues, in current newspapers (any broadsheet) and magazines - (e.g. the economist, computing weekly etc.)