Course outline Code: INF701 Title: Management Informatics Faculty of: Arts and Business School of Business Teaching Session: Semester 1 Year: 2015 Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Donald Kerr Office: K1.25 Telephone: (07)5459 4860 Email: dkerr@usc.edu.au Contact Hours: As notified on Blackboard 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description Informatics, the support of information handling, spans a wide range of areas, such as business, social, media, environmental and health (Gammack, Hobbs, & Pigott, 2007). This course aims to provide managers with an understanding of the business aspects of informatics and how they relate to management issues such as the effective development of e-commerce solutions, the integration of computer technologies, knowledge management and decision support, business process re-engineering, social and ethical issues, and emerging issues relating to the role of the Internet and the digital firm in the modern business. 1.2 Course content Introduction to Informatics Classic themes of informatics Problem identification Strategic analysis frameworks Introduction to knowledge management Tools for knowledge processing Problem solving Decision and Choice Informatics and information systems Professional Knowledge and practice 2. Unit value 12 units
Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Discuss the major issues associated with informatics and management Identify ICT issues that potentially will impact business strategy Identify issues of culture, society and politics in managing international informatics Explain the relevance of a range of business analysis frameworks to ICT strategic analysis Discuss the interaction of managers, end-users and IT experts in ICT strategic analysis Undertake an ICT strategic analysis of an organisation You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: 1, 2 and 3 Creative and critical thinkers. Knowledgeable. 2 Empowered. 1, 2 and 3 Ethical. Creative and critical thinkers. 2 and 3 Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. 2 and 3 Empowered. 2 Creative and critical thinkers. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Must be enrolled in a postgraduate program 4.2 Pre-requisites Nil 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills Nil
Page 3 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) 5.2 Assessment tasks Task No. Assessment Tasks Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? 1 Essay Draft Individual 15% 1500 words Week 5, Friday, 5pm AEST 2 Essay Individual 45% 3500 words Week 11, Friday, 5pm AEST 3 Final exam Individual 40% Take home exam 100% Week 13 48 hours after release Where should I submit it? SafeAssign SafeAssign SafeAssign Assessment Task 1: Essay - Draft Goal: To develop your understanding of the important components of information systems in business. Product: Essay - Draft Format: Essay Question Informatics has a very important role in organisations and an understanding of how informatics can help an organisation achieve goals is vital. In this essay you are asked to identify key characteristics outlined as classic themes in informatics and relate them to existing people, processes and technology in a contemporary organisation. As this initial essay will form the foundation of the second assignment essay in which you are asked to analyse a case study of your own choosing, you may use the same organisation for the second assignment. This is an individual assessment and needs to be submitted electronically through SafeAssign. Criteria Identify how the classic themes of informatics relate to various technologies within an organisation. Demonstrate an awareness of how the identified technologies fit into the goals of the organisation. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Problem solving
Page 4 Assessment Task 2: Essay Goal: Product: Format: You will expand on the key components identified in the first assignment through a relevant case study and gain a deeper knowledge of using a strategic framework analysis. Essay This essay requires you to analyse a case study of your own choosing (alternatively one will be provided on a case by case basis if required) using the strategic framework analysis and knowledge processing tools provided in weeks 3 and 5. This is an individual assessment and needs to be submitted through electronically through SafeAssign. Criteria Demonstrate an awareness of how each strategic framework analysis tool can be used to determine the effectiveness of ICT with respect to alignment of the firm s goals and integration of ICT resources. Critically review the efficiency and effectiveness of the technologies with respect to the organisation through the lens of each framework. Demonstrate how knowledge processing tools can be used to provide competitive advantage to the case study firm. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Applying technologies Assessment Task 3: Final exam Goal: For you to apply learning from the last two assignments and to a provided case study Product: Final Exam Format: Open book exam Criteria Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the classic themes of Informatics. Identify informatics themes from a case study and relate them to identified technologies. Analyse the case using one preferred framework for strategic analysis. Demonstrate an awareness of the use of knowledge management tools and the competitive advantage that can be achieved through their development and usage. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving 5.3 Additional assessment requirements SafeAssign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
Page 5 Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus Lecture: 3 hours per week This course is also offered online 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Introduction to informatics o Theory and practice in informatics o Information systems Classic themes of informatics 2 Problem identification o Structure and complexity and general methods for solving problems o From problems to solutions 3 Strategic analysis frameworks o SWOT o Balanced Scorecard o Porters Competitive Advantage
Page 6 o Alter s Work Centred Analysis 4 Introduction to knowledge management o Nature of Knowledge 5 Friday, 3 rd April Good Friday Public Holiday o Types of knowledge Tools for knowledge processing o Creating and discovering o Intelligent knowledge technologies Mid Semester Break 6 Knowledge in informatics o Communities of Practice 7 Problem solving revisited o Creative problem solving strategies 8 Decision and Choice o Uncertainty and risk o Decision making theories and approaches 9 Decision and Choice o Methods of supporting decision making 10 Informatics and information systems o The systems tradition 11 Informatics and information systems o The technology tradition o The organisation tradition 12 Professional Knowledge and practice Ethics 13 Final exam Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. Text and hand-outs 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Gammack, Hobbs and Pigott 2010 The Book of Informatics Cengage Learning ISBN 13: 978-0-17-013044-8
Page 7 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements N/A 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email: StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. Faculty specific information LOCATING JOURNAL ARTICLES If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers" link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and issue or keyword as needed. ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEETS The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name, assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a receipt. HELP: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible.
Page 8 DIFFICULTIES: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School. General enquiries and student support Faculty Student Centre Tel: +61 7 5430 1259 Fax: +61 7 5430 2859 Email: FABinfo@usc.edu.au