University of Sydney Handbooks - 2020 Archive

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Information Systems

The School of Computer Science aims to teach fundamental principles and practical skills in information technology, and to establish the foundations for an entire career. Units of study in Information Systems major are available at standard level.

About the major

Information Systems is the study of people and organisations in order to determine and deliver solutions that meet their technological needs. Hence Information Systems deals with the following type of issues: strategic planning, system development, system implementation, operational management, end-user needs and education.

Information Systems study is related to Computer Science but the crucial distinction is that Information Systems is about making computer systems work to optimise the productivity and efficiency of organisations, whereas much of Computer Science is about developing software technologies to solve problems, which can improve quality of life and enhance delivery of service.

The school's research in Information Systems encompasses natural language processing, information technology economics, social networking analysis, ontology design, data mining and analysis, and knowledge management and open source software.

Requirements for completion

A major in Information Systems requires 48 credit points from this table including:

(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 18 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iii) 12 credit points of 3000-level major core units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level interdisciplinary project units according to the following rules:
(a) for students in the Bachelor of Advanced Computing or Bachelor of Computing they must complete the ISYS coded interdisciplinary project units
(b) all other students may complete either the ISYS or SCPU coded units

A minor in Information Systems requires 36 credit points, consisting of:

(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 18 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 3000-level selective unit

First year

Core: INFO1X10 Introduction to Programming and INFO1113 Object-Oriented Programming.

Second year

Core: ISYS2120 Data and Information Management, ISYS2110 Analysis and Design of Web Info Systems, ISYS2160 Information Systems in the Internet Age.

Third year

Core: ISYS3401 Information Technology Evaluation, ISYS3402 Decision Analytics and Support Systems
Interdisciplinary Project units: ISYS3888 Information Systems Project, SCPU Science Interdisciplinary Project.

In your third year you must take at least one designated project unit.

Fourth year

The fourth year is only offered within the Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.

Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, with a minimum of 24 credit points at 4000-level or above. Of these 24 credit points, you must complete a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points.

Honours
Meritorious students may apply for admission to Honours within a subject area of the Bachelor of Advanced Studies. Admission to Honours requires the prior completion of all requirements of the Bachelor' degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units. If you are considering applying for admission to Honours, ensure your degree planning takes into account the completion of a second major and all OLE requirements prior to Honours commencement.

Unit of study requirements for Honours in the area of Information Systems: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 24 credit points of coursework.

Contact and further information

W https://sydney.edu.au/engineering/about/school-of-computer-science.html
E
T +61 2 9351 3423

Address:
School of Computer Science J12
University of Sydney NSW 2006

Dr. Caren Han
T +61 2 9036 9759
E

Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from Information Systems will be able to:

  1. Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of the challenges in implementing an information system and be able to describe these challenges to others.
  2. Apply research skills, including acquiring and making valid inferences from relevant data, to undertake a wide range of investigations of information systems issues.
  3. Apply a range of system development methods.
  4. Plan and assist in managing information systems projects and assess potential risks and challenges in facing such projects.
  5. Design and implement information systems, utilising a range of system development methods.
  6. Work with diverse stakeholders, to elicit detailed requirements for an information system.
  7. Address authentic problems in information systems, working professionally and responsibly within diverse, collaborative and interdisciplinary teams.
  8. Recognise, and explain to others, the broader socio-technical systems in which computer and communications systems are embedded.