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MN30271: Information system development

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 100%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take MN20014 or take MN20074
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To impart an understanding of the complexity and difficulty of successful information system development in the Internet age. Although the roots of Information system development methods can be found in the engineering tradition of hardware and software development, more recent developments in IS research have highlighted the need to employ alternative paradigms that cater for the needs of the organization and those whose work is affected by the introduction of an information system. The recent rise of Internet-based information systems has introduced new challenges for the developer - building systems with global reach and building them in 'Internet time'. This unit gives students the opportunity to engage with current approaches to IS Development and links their understanding of general issues in Information Systems to the application of techniques and methodologies.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, the student should:
* be able to display a sound understanding of the role of IS development in organizations
* be able to analyze critically the strengths and weaknesses of a range of IS development methods
* be able to display a sound understanding of which methods to use in which situations
* be able to think in a systemic fashion about the organizational context of IS development
* be able to apply IS development modelling techniques to support the creation of software artefacts
* be able to display a sound understanding of the dynamics of the IS development process and the associated challenges to management.

Skills:
Intellectual skills
* a systematic understanding of the organisational context of IS Development and the process of managing it (TFA);
* the facility to apply subject-specific knowledge into a range of complex situations, taking into account the overall implications for the other areas of the business (TFA);
* a critical awareness of current issues and frameworks in IS Development methodologies(TFA)
* a conceptual understanding of theoretical concepts and frameworks that enables the student to meaningfully link theory and practice and the ability to critically appraise both theory and practice (TFA).
Professional Practical skills
* evaluate the current status of information use in an organization and practically contribute to the diagnosis and implementation of appropriate changes (A);
* operate effectively both independently as well as within teams and assume leadership roles where appropriate (F);
* apply industry-standard IS development tools and methods (TFA)
* be self-directed and able to act autonomously in planning and implementing projects at professional levels (F).
Transferable/Key skills
* an openness and capacity to continue learning with the ability to reflect on earlier knowledge and practice and integrate the new with past experience and effectively apply it to the present situations (TFA);
* an appreciation and in-depth understanding of the resources and competences required for successful cross-functional management in organisations including enterprise skills (TA);
* ability to conduct in-depth research into management and business issues (FA).
Personal/Interpersonal
* an ability to manage and work in teams with an awareness of issues such as culture, gender, working styles etc. and to use these to the benefit of the individual and the team (F);
* the facility to communicate including presenting and marketing themselves and their ideas; preparation and production of effective business plans and reports (FA).

Content:
The unit addresses the following topics:
* The IS development process
* Organizational analysis: stakeholders and soft systems
* Socio-technical design: ETHICS, participatory design
* Information modelling: data and process modelling with the Unified Modeling Language (UML)
* Software development: building a Web site with an industry standard authoring tool (such as Macromedia DreamWeaver)
* Integrative case study: covering organizational rrequirements through to software prototype
* Conceptual and philosophical foundations of IS development.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN30271 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Management (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCH-AAB04 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Management with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCH-AFM07 : MSci (hons) Chemistry with Management (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AKM07 : MSci (hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
School of Management
  • UMMN-AFB02 : BSc (hons) Accounting and Finance (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UMMN-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Accounting and Finance (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UMMN-ANB01 : BSc (hons) Business Administration (Full-time with Thin Sandwich Placements) - Year 4
  • TMMN-AFM03 : MSc Management (Full-time)
  • TMMN-AFM08 : MSc Management with Finance (Full-time)
  • TMMN-AFM06 : MSc Management with Human Resource Management (Full-time)
  • TMMN-AFM07 : MSc Management with Marketing (Full-time)
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UXXX-AYB05 : BSc (hons) International Management and Modern Languages (French) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AYB04 : BSc (hons) International Management and Modern Languages (German) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AYB06 : BSc (hons) International Management and Modern Languages (Spanish) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.