for the bachelor's and master's degree programs 1 in at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU)

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1 1 COURSE STRUCTURE for the bachelor's and master's degree programs 1 in INFORMATION SYSTEMS (WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK) at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU) (as passed by the Degree Program Committee on February 26, 2003, and not rejected by the Austrian Federal Minister of Education, Science and Culture on June 2, 2003 (GZ /6-VII/6/2003)) On the basis of the Austrian Federal Act on University Studies (University Studies Act; Universitäts- Studiengesetz, or UniStG: Austrian Federal Law Gazette I No. 48/1997 in its current version), the Information Systems Degree Program Committee at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration hereby establishes the following course structure for the University's degree programs in Information Systems. GENERAL PROVISIONS 1. Target Qualifications (1) The bachelor's and master's programs in Information Systems open up international career opportunities through their international orientation and by offering more than 25% of all classes in English. The balance of theory and practice in the program serves to avoid purely formulaic or product-based knowledge. The inclusion of current research forms the theoretical basis for the program and enables students to question the current state of practice. Its structure is designed to encourage individual variations in the program, reflection on the material in an overall context, and independent efforts on the part of the students. The skills conveyed in the Information Systems programs are aimed at the development and introduction of applications as well as management in networked enterprises, especially in the IT sector. They range from constructive methods in information systems and information modeling to the design of information and interaction spaces, the integration of information systems in the business world, and the investigation of their effects. (2) The bachelor's program in Information Systems aims to equip students with professional qualifications and practical skills. The program aims to train specialists in the fields of information technology (IT) and information systems (IS). It focuses on conveying the IT knowledge necessary to qualify students for IT careers and is specifically aimed at new information technologies and their use in business. This includes designing, developing and introducing applications in the IT sector, for example in New Economy enterprises. Graduates of the bachelor's program will have access to career opportunities and areas of activity especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will continue to take advantage of the New Economy's potential by expanding their use of information and communication technologies for business-to-business and business-to-consumer electronic commerce in the coming years. These areas include, for example, business organization, consulting, training, systems analysis and business application programming. (3) The program's strong orientation toward business administration serves to differentiate it from other Austrian degree programs in information systems. This orientation is the result of fundamental education in business administration in the introductory phase of studies as well as the option of choosing IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Options and Advanced IT 1 The actual degrees conferred are Bakkalaureat (roughly equivalent to a bachelor's degree) and Magister (roughly equivalent to a master's degree).

2 2 Subjects. It also allows an effective combination of applied business administration knowledge with competence in the development of IT solutions. (4) The master's program in Information Systems enables students to gain the qualifications required for today's career profiles and supplements their practical competence with management and research skills. The focus of the master's program is to equip the students with the knowledge necessary to manage companies in the IT sector, with due attention to the skills necessary for leadership as well as academic education. The new use of media will put graduates in a position to design business information systems actively and to implement their ideas constructively in operative systems. Students are encouraged to design and develop business information systems creatively in order to implement new business ideas and improvements and to respond to changing environments. 2. Program Structure, Total Number of Hours (1) The bachelor's program in Information Systems comprises a total of 106 weekly hours and lasts six semesters. 64 of those weekly hours are to be completed in Core Subjects, 32 in Special Subjects and ten in Elective Subjects ( 13 Par. 4 No. 6 UniStG). (2) The introductory phase of studies ( 38 Par. 1 UniStG) comprises 34 weekly hours. (3) In the course of the bachelor's program, two bachelor's research papers are required: a) One related to an IT Specialization Area or an Advanced IT Subject b) One in the course of the IT Internship. (4) The master's program in Information Systems comprises a total of 47 weekly hours and lasts three semesters. Eleven of those weekly hours are to be completed in Core Subjects, 32 in Special Subjects and four in Elective Subjects ( 13 Par. 4 No. 6 UniStG).8 (5) As part of the master's program in Information Systems, a master's thesis is to be prepared as an individual academic paper. The topic of the master's thesis is to be chosen from the list of Core and Special Subjects in this course structure. 3. Examination Types (1) In this degree program, achievement is verified by the following types of examinations: a) Class examinations ( 4 No. 26 UniStG), abbreviated LVP (Lehrveranstaltungsprüfung) in this document b) Classes with continuous assessment of student performance ( 4 No. 26a UniStG), abbreviated PI (prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung) c) Subject examinations ( 4 No. 27 UniStG), abbreviated FP (Fachprüfung) (2) The examination type for each class in the course structure is indicated using the abbreviations above. (3) For classes with continuous assessment of student performance, the instructor is to inform the students of all class requirements in a publicly accessible manner before the class begins. 4. ECTS Credits (1) For class examinations, ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System ECTS, 87/327/EEC, Official Journal L 166 of June 25, 1987, CELEX No. 387D0327) are awarded according to the number of WU weekly hours earned in each class or examination. In general, 1.75 ECTS credits are awarded for each weekly hour. Exceptions include the IT Internship, for which a total of four ECTS credits are awarded, as well as Private Business Law I ( 6 Par. 4 No. 2), for which four ECTS credits are awarded. Seven ECTS credits are awarded for the subject examination in Fundamentals of Economics and Mathematical Methods. (2) In cases where a subject examination is required in a Competence Area or an IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option ( 10), the number of ECTS credits awarded for these examinations is calculated by applying the rule under Par. 1 Sentence 2 to those classes which do not involve class examinations or continuous assessment of student performance.

3 3 (3) For class examinations in an IT Specialization Area or an Advanced IT Subject in which a bachelor's research paper is written, two additional ECTS credits will be awarded (in addition to those awarded according to the rule in Par. 1). (4) 7.75 ECTS credits will be awarded for a passing grade on a master's thesis. BACHELOR'S PROGRAM 5. Core and Special Subjects Core and Special Subjects are as follows: Name of subject Hours (1) Fundamentals of Economics and Mathematical Methods 4 (2) Business Administration 16 (3) Economics 4 (4) Law 4 (5) Statistics 2 (6) Foreign Business Language 4 To be chosen by the student: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Czech (7) Information Systems 22 (8) Information Technology 8 (9) IT Specialization Area 16 (10) One IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option, or an Advanced IT Subject, or an additional IT Specialization Area 16 (11) Elective Subjects Classes and Examinations in the Core Subjects Classes and examinations in the Core Subjects ( 5 Par. 1 to 8) are as follows: Name of class Hours Exam type ( 3 Par. 2) (1) Fundamentals of Economics and Mathematical Methods: FP 1. Fundamentals A (Fundamentals of Economics) 2 (in subject examination) 2. Fundamentals B (Fundamentals of Mathematics) 2 (in subject examination) (2) Business Administration: 1. Accounts and Financial Reporting I 2 LVP 2. Marketing I 2 LVP 3. Personnel Management, Leadership and Organizational Behavior I 2 LVP 4. Introduction to Business Information Systems 2 LVP 5. Cost Accounting I 2 LVP 6. Procurement, Logistics and Production I 2 LVP 7. Corporate Finance I 2 LVP 8. Computer Lab: Business Information Systems 2 PI (3) Economics: 1. Political Economy and Economic History 2 PI

4 4 2. Economic Policy and Institutions 2 LVP (4) Law: 1. European and Public Business Law I 2 LVP 2. Private Business Law I 2 LVP (5) Statistics 2 PI (6) Foreign Business Language: 1. Business Communication I 2 PI 2. Business Communication II 2 PI (7) Information Systems: 1. Principles of Modeling 2 LVP 2. Principles of Programming 2 LVP 3. Computer Lab: Programming 2 PI 4. Fundamentals of Information Management 2 PI 5. IS Project Management and Teamwork 2 PI 6. IT Internship 8 PI 7. Advanced Practical Project I 2 PI 8. Advanced Practical Project II 2 PI (8) Information Technology: 1. Database Systems 2 PI 2. Algorithms and Data Structures 2 PI 3. Analysis of Information Systems 2 PI 4. Networks and Network Security 2 PI (9) In Fundamentals of Economics and Mathematical Methods, students are required to complete a written subject examination (as defined in 4 No. 27 UniStG) which is equivalent to four weekly hours. The Fundamentals A (Fundamentals of Economics) and Fundamentals B (Fundamentals of Mathematics) classes are completed by means of this subject examination. (10) One exception to Par. 6 No. 1 is the fact that the Business Communication I class is completed by passing a class examination in cases where the language selected is English. (11) The introductory phase of studies is made up of the following classes in introductory subjects and ones of particular importance for the degree program as a whole: 1. Fundamentals of Economics and Mathematical Methods (Par. 1) 2. Business Administration (Par. 2 Nos. 1 to 5) 3. Economics (Par. 3) 4. Law (Par. 4) 5. Statistics (Par. 5) 6. Foreign Business Language (Par. 6) 7. Information Systems (Par. 7 Nos. 1 to 3) 7. Special Prerequisites for Individual Classes and Examinations (1) Before attending Business Communication I ( 6 Par. 6 No. 1) in a Foreign Business Language, students must have a command of the respective foreign language to the extent specified in the curriculum of Austrian general secondary schools. (2) Attendance of the Introduction to Business Information Systems pre-requires knowledge of application software in fulfillment of European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) requirements.

5 5 (3) There are no further prerequisites for attendance of the following classes and admission to the corresponding examinations: 1. Fundamentals A (Fundamentals of Economics, 6 Par. 1 No. 1) 2. Fundamentals B (Fundamentals of Mathematics, 6 Par. 1 No. 2) 3. Accounts and Financial Reporting I ( 6 Par. 2 No. 1) 4. Marketing I ( 6 Par. 2 No. 2) 5. Personnel Management, Leadership and Organizational Behavior I ( 6 Par. 2 No. 3) 6. Introduction to Business Information Systems ( 6 Par. 2 No. 4) 7. European and Public Business Law I ( 6 Par. 4 No. 1) 8. Business Communication I ( 6 Par. 6 No. 1) 9. Principles of Modeling ( 6 Par. 7 No. 1) 10. Principles of Programming ( 6 Par. 7 No. 2) (4) The prerequisites for attending all other classes in the introductory phase and admission to the corresponding examinations are passing grades on the Fundamentals of Economics and Mathematical Methods subject examination ( 6 Par. 9) and in at least four of the six classes (or the respective examinations) listed in Par. 3 Nos. 3 to 8. (5) Before attending Business Communication II ( 6 Par. 6 No. 2), students must receive a passing grade in Business Communication I ( 6 Par. 6 No. 1). (6) Before attending the Computer Lab in Business Information Systems ( 6 Par. 2 No. 8), students must receive a passing grade on the Introduction to Business Information Systems examination ( 6 Par. 2 No. 4). (7) Before attending the Computer Lab in Programming ( 7 Par. 7 No. 3), students must receive a passing grade in Principles of Modeling ( 6 Par. 7 No. 1) and Principles of Programming ( 6 Par. 7 No. 2). (8) Before attending the classes listed below, students are required to receive passing grades in the Computer Lab in Programming ( 6 Par. 7 No. 3), Statistics ( 6 Par. 5) and Cost Accounting I, and to have a command of English to the extent required to pass Business Communication II ( 6 Par. 6 No. 2). 1. Fundamentals of Information Management ( 6 Par. 7 No. 4) 2. IS Project Management and Teamwork ( 6 Par. 7 No. 5) 3. Advanced Practical Project I ( 6 Par. 7 No. 7) 4. Classes in the Information Technology Core Subject ( 6 Par. 8) (9) Before beginning the IT internship ( 6 Par. 7 No. 6), students must first receive a passing grade in the Fundamentals I and II classes (see Appendix 2) of their IT Specialization Area (under 9). (10) Before attending the Advanced Practical Project II ( 6 Par. 7 No. 8), students must receive a passing grade in the Advanced Practical Project I ( 6 Par. 7 No. 7). (11) Before attending any classes in an IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option, students must successfully complete all classes in the introductory phase ( 6 Par. 11). (12) Before attending any classes in an IT Specialization Area or an Advanced IT Subject, students must successfully complete all classes in the introductory phase ( 6 Par. 11) as well as all classes in the Information Technology Core Subject ( 6 Par. 8).

6 6 8. Special Subjects (1) In the Special Subjects, students are to select the following: a) One IT Specialization Area b) One IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option, or an Advanced IT Subject, or an additional IT Specialization Area (2) Appendix 4 lists mutually exclusive subjects. (3) In the selected IT Specialization Area or Advanced IT Subject, students are to write a bachelor's research paper in Advanced Topics VI. 9. IT Specialization Area (1) Students are required to select one of the following IT Specialization Areas: e-business Electronic Commerce Information Management New Media (2) Each IT Specialization Area comprises 16 weekly hours of classes. Each of these Specialization Areas follows a uniform sequence of four weekly hours in Fundamentals classes and twelve hours in Advanced Topics classes. (3) For each IT Specialization Area, the following is indicated in Appendix 2: 1. The name and number of weekly hours for each class 2. Special prerequisites for individual classes under Par The designation of all classes as involving continuous assessment of student performance. 10. IT-Oriented Specialist Business Administration Option (1) Students can choose to complete an IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option under 8 Par. 1. For this purpose, students can choose from the following options: Banking Studies Corporate Finance Commerce and Marketing Entrepreneurship Investment Banking and Catallactics Organization and Supply Management Operations Research Tourism Analysis and Leisure Marketing Transport Economics and Logistics (2) Each IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option comprises classes in the amount of 16 weekly hours (four weekly hours in Fundamentals classes and twelve weekly hours in Advanced Topics classes). (3) IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Options can either be offered completely in the form of classes with continuous assessment of student performance (Examination Mode A), or it is possible to offer four weekly hours of Fundamentals classes and four hours of Advanced Topics classes with continuous assessment of student performance. Students can then earn the remaining eight weekly hours by passing a subject examination (Examination Mode B), which is

7 7 taken as an individual examination comprising a written part (lasting a maximum of four hours) as well as an oral part. A passing grade in the written part is a prerequisite for admission to the oral part of the examination. (4) For each IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option, the following is indicated in Appendix 1: 1. The name and number of weekly hours for each class 2. Special prerequisites for attending individual classes, providing for a sequence of four weekly hours in Fundamentals classes and twelve weekly hours in Advanced Topics classes. The sequence of classes is to be designed in such a way that all classes in the IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option can be completed within three semesters. 3. Whether all classes are offered with continuous assessment of student performance or a subject examination is to be taken (Par. 3). 11. Advanced IT Subject (1) Students also have the option of completing one of the Advanced IT Subjects listed below instead of the IT Specialization Area ( 9) and the IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option ( 10). Data Analysis and Decision Support GEO Information Systems Information Management and Law (2) An Advanced IT Subject is the combination of an IT Specialization Area and an additional subject. Each Advanced IT Subject comprises classes in the amount of 16 weekly hours, at least eight of which have to be offered with information technology content; two weekly hours have to be offered with integrative content which combines the subject areas included in the Advanced IT Subject. Each of these areas of specialization follows a uniform sequence of four weekly hours in Fundamentals classes and twelve weekly hours in Advanced Topics classes. (3) For each Advanced IT Subject, the following is indicated in Appendix 3: 1. The name and number of weekly hours for each class 2. Special prerequisites for individual classes under Par The designation of all classes as involving continuous assessment of student performance. 12. Elective Subjects (1) Students are required to complete ten weekly hours in Elective Subjects ( 13 Par. 4 No. 6 UniStG). (2) Electives can be chosen from the classes offered by any recognized Austrian or foreign university as long as an examination is required for each class. Appendix 4 provides a list of mutually exclusive choices. 13. IT Internship The IT Internship is to be completed within the framework of a class in which a specific topic is addressed and practical performance is evaluated. The IT Internship can either be completed as an internship at an external company or as an internship in the university environment (e.g., in a research project). The results of the IT Internship are to be summarized in the form of a bachelor's research paper. 14. Bachelor's Degree Examination The bachelor's degree examination consists of the subject examination and all class examinations, including grades received in classes with continuous assessment of student performance under 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and the subject examination in the IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option ( 10), where applicable.

8 8 15. Admission to Master's Studies The prerequisite for admission to master's studies is the successful completion of a bachelor's program in a related field or an equivalent course of study at a recognized Austrian or foreign institution of post-secondary education. MASTER'S PROGRAM 16. Core and Special Subjects Core and Special Subjects are as follows: Name of subject Hours (1) Information Systems 6 (2) Mathematical Methods in Business and Economics 5 (3) IT Specialization Area 16 (4) One IT Specialization Area, or one IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option, or one Advanced IT Subject 16 (5) Elective Subjects Core Subjects Classes offered in the Core Subjects under 16 Par. 1 and 2 are as follows: Name of class Hours Exam type ( 3 Par. 2) (1) Information Systems: 1. IT Strategy 2 PI 2. IT Management Control 2 PI 3. Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR) 2 PI (2) Mathematical Methods in Business and Economics: 1. Fundamentals 2 PI 2. Advanced 2 PI 3. Mathematical Methods in Information Technology 1 PI (3) Successful completion of the Fundamentals class is a prerequisite for the Advanced class. 18. Special Subjects (1) In the Special Subjects, students are required to choose the following from subjects not completed during their bachelor's studies ( 16 Par. 4): a) One IT Specialization Area ( 16 Par. 3) b) One IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option, or one Advanced IT Subject, or one additional IT Specialization Area ( 16 Par. 4) (2) Appendix 4 lists mutually exclusive subjects. 19. Elective Subjects (1) Students are required to complete four weekly hours in Elective Subjects ( 13 Par. 4 No. 6 UniStG).

9 9 (2) Electives can be chosen from the classes offered by any recognized Austrian or foreign university as long as an examination is required for each class. Appendix 4 provides a list of mutually exclusive choices. 20. Master's Thesis (1) Each student is required to complete a master's thesis ( 61a UniStG). (2) The topic of the master's thesis is to be chosen from the list of Core and Special Subjects in this course structure. (3) Students can also propose topics themselves, or choose topics from the suggestions provided by available master's thesis supervisors. (4) The objective of the master's thesis is to be defined in such a way that the student can feasibly complete the thesis within six months. (5) Students are also allowed to write joint theses as long as their performance can be evaluated separately. 21. Master's Degree Examination The master's degree examination consists of all class examinations, including grades received for classes with continuous assessment of student performance under 17 and 18 and (where applicable) the subject examination in the IT-oriented Specialist Business Administration Option chosen by the student ( 10), as well as the examinations for Elective Subjects ( 19) not completed during the student's bachelor's studies ( 14). In addition, students must receive a passing grade on their master's theses. FINAL PROVISIONS 22. Entry into Effect (1) This course structure will go into effect on October 1, (2) The changes in this course structure pursuant to the University Studies Commission's resolution of January 16, 2004, approved by the University Senate on January 21, 2004, will go into effect on February 16, (3) The changes in this course structure pursuant to the University Studies Commission's resolutions of April 30, 2004, approved by the University Senate on May 12, 2004, will go into effect on October 1, Transitional Dispositions Degree program students who have already begun the Information Systems program under the structure specified in the Committee's resolution of April 23, 2002, at the time when this course structure goes into effect will still be allowed to complete the degree program in accordance with the structure specified in the Committee's resolution of April 23, However, these students will be required to pass the class examinations in Fundamentals of Economics and Mathematics by the end of the summer semester If this is not the case, they can only continue the degree program in accordance with the structure specified in the Degree Program Committee's resolution of February 26, 2003.

10 10 APPENDIX 1: IT-ORIENTED SPECIALIST BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OPTIONS Examination Mode A: Name of class, number of weekly hours: Name of class Hours Exam type ( 3 Par. 2) Fundamentals I 2 PI Fundamentals II 2 PI Advanced Topics I 2 PI Advanced Topics II 2 PI Advanced Topics III 2 PI Advanced Topics IV 2 PI Advanced Topics V 2 PI Advanced Topics VI 2 PI Passing grades in the Fundamentals classes are prerequisites for the Advanced Topics classes. Examination Mode B: Name of class, number of weekly hours: Name of class Hours Exam type ( 3 Par. 2) Fundamentals I 2 PI Fundamentals II 2 PI Advanced Topics I 2 PI Advanced Topics II 2 PI Advanced Topics III 2 (in subject examination) Advanced Topics IV 2 (in subject examination) Advanced Topics V 2 (in subject examination) Advanced Topics VI 2 (in subject examination) Passing grades in the Fundamentals classes are prerequisites for the Advanced Topics classes. The subject examination comprises a written part (lasting a maximum of four hours) as well as an oral part and is taken as an individual examination. A passing grade in the written part is a prerequisite for admission to the oral part of the examination. Therefore, no separate assessment of student performance is carried out in Advanced Topics III to VI. List of Specialist Business Administration Options by examination mode: Examination Mode A: Entrepreneurship Investment Banking and Cattalactics Operations Research Organization and Supply Management Tourism Analysis and Leisure Marketing Examination Mode B: Corporate Finance Commerce and Marketing Banking Studies Transport Economics and Logistics

11 11 APPENDIX 2: IT SPECIALIZATION AREA Name of class, number of weekly hours: Name of class Hours Exam type ( 3 Par. 2) Fundamentals I 2 PI Fundamentals II 2 PI Advanced Topics I 2 PI Advanced Topics II 2 PI Advanced Topics III 2 PI Advanced Topics IV 2 PI Advanced Topics V 2 PI Advanced Topics VI 2 PI Passing grades in the Fundamentals classes are prerequisites for the Advanced Topics classes. List of IT Specialization Areas: e-business Electronic Commerce Information Management New Media APPENDIX 3: ADVANCED IT SUBJECT Name of class, number of weekly hours: Name of class Hours Exam type ( 3 Par. 2) Fundamentals I 2 PI Fundamentals II 2 PI Advanced Topics I 2 PI Advanced Topics II 2 PI Advanced Topics III 2 PI Advanced Topics IV 2 PI Advanced Topics V 2 PI Advanced Topics VI 2 PI Passing grades in the Fundamentals classes are prerequisites for the Advanced Topics classes. List of Advanced IT Subjects: Data Analysis and Decision Support GEO Information Systems Information Management and Law

12 12 APPENDIX 4: OVERLAPS Only one subject can be selected from each of those listed under 1) to 3); this also applies to electives: 1) e-business ( 9 Par. 1) and Data Analysis and Decision Support ( 11 Par. 1) 2) Information Management ( 9 Par. 1) and Information Management and Law ( 11 Par. 1) 3) GEO Information Systems ( 11 Par. 1 / 16 No. 4) and the Geoinformatics & Geomarketing elective ( 12 / 19)