Information Systems BSc(Hons)

Why choose this course?

Today's information systems use social media, are online, and pioneer new ways of communicating. They are influencing all sectors of the economy, all organisations, and the ways in which people live and communicate. This course investigates the technologies that support these changes and how people use them to best effect.

What will you study?

This course includes the first-year curriculum shared by all single honours computing degrees, which gives you the flexibility to change courses to ensure that you have chosen what really suits you. During Year 1 you will study how information technologies are used by people and organisations; the impact of such technologies; how systems are designed and developed; how to programme; and how to use ubiquitously available technologies.

In Year 2 you will study the core information systems topics together with a specialist module in e-business processes. This examines the relationship between implementing an e-commerce strategy and integrating information across organisational departments and between an organisation and its customers and suppliers.
It covers business issues such as customer relationships, globalisation, knowledge management, organisational efficiency and service quality. You will also look at security – a major concern in internet business. Two option modules will enable you to further explore your specialist subject.

In Year 3 you will take two core information systems modules: Information Systems Management and Information Systems Strategy. In these modules you will:

• consider and apply current techniques for strategic analysis;
• study traditional and agile approaches to project management;
• examine requirements engineering; and
• investigate change management.

In addition, you will complete an Individual Project; in this we will expect you to draw together and extend the experience you have gained during the course. You will need to select the best techniques, structure and response to a real development need, and manage/control the work. You will also choose four option modules to suit your particular interests.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• Programming Essentials
• IT Toolbox 1
• IT Toolbox 2
• Business Organisation and Practice
• Systems Analysis and Design 1
• Programming Applications
• Technology and Change
• Group Design Workshop 1

Year 2

• Information and Project Management
• Systems Analysis and Design 2
• Database Systems
• Network Communications
• Group Design Workshop 2
• Electronic Business Processes
• Two option modules (eg Understanding Information, Decision Making)

Year 3

• Information Systems Strategy
• Project (double module)
• Information Systems Management
• Four option modules (eg Advanced Database Systems, E-Commerce, Social Computing, Mobile Business)