Handbook

This is a foundational (Level 2) Information Systems (IS) course that is designed for BCom students pursuing an IS major.

The course will introduce students to the role and implications of IS in business and society. As an overarching theme, this course examines a range of information technologies, their issues, impacts and management in relation to organisational objectives, and human behaviour. Through this course, students will learn to appreciate and assess existing and emerging technologies affecting businesses, business relationships and their products and services. In taking this course, students will be provided with tasks and assignments that will aid in refining their ability to evaluate the value of IS, and deploy them strategically to improve businesses. The tasks and assignments will also improve their professional competencies, which include communication, teamwork, project management and research skills.

The topics that are covered in this course include understanding the role of Information Systems and IS Professionals in businesses, the relationship between systems, organisations and strategy, the nature and purpose of information systems, the analysis and improvement of business processes, as well as the emerging trends in IS. The course will also explore contemporary technology-enabled phenomena that are disruptive to the current business landscape. The course also touches on business Intelligence systems that support organisation decision-making. Students will be engaged in the discussion of the considerations behind the acquisition and development of IS, as well as the issues common to the management of IS projects. Lastly, the course addresses the need to manage cybersecurity and risks, as well as the potential ethical and social issues faced by businesses in relation to their use of IS.