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Unit outline_

INFS5002: Digital Business Foundations

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to the foundations of information systems and their emerging strategic role in transforming organisations and creating sustainable digital business models. Students develop an understanding of systems issues, information management and use, and how various digital technologies work together to create an infrastructure for digital business and how technologies (such as social media) are disrupting 'business as usual'. The role of information systems in capturing and distributing organisational knowledge and in enhancing decision-making is explored. Students will gain an understanding of how the information systems function and the processes in organisations can be leveraged to create digital innovation and business transformation. Finally, the special challenges and opportunities created by the pervasiveness of technology and the future disruptions resulting from digital technologies are explored.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Business Information Systems
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
INFS6001
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sebastian Boell, sebastian.boell@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
In-semester test Mid-semester exam
Written exam
20% Mid-semester exam period 80 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group project
Proposal and presentation
40% Week 12
Due date: 26 May 2020 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Individual assessment
A learning portfolio based on ongoing participation and reflection
40% Week 13
Due date: 05 Jun 2020 at 23:00
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Group project: The group project is set to enable you to examine and apply the disruptive and transformative nature of information systems at the organisational and individual level. The final deliverable is a full proposal for a system that will solve the client's problem if implemented and a pitch of your solution to the client.
  • Individual assessment: The learning portfolio (LP) component includes two parts: (1) LP1 - Participation and Weekly Quizzes (10%): LP1 is a progressive collection of your weekly contribution to class and participation in class activities, and demonstrated preparation by answering online quizzes related to the lecture recordings; (2) LP2 - Reflective essay (30%): A reflective summary of your own learning progress in this unit throughout the semester.
  • Mid-semester exam: This exam is designed to test the fundamental knowledge acquired in weeks 1-5. The exam is based on a real-life, industry-based case study..

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Information technology (IT) as technology; 2. Information technology as disruption Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 1. Information technology as transformation; 2. Information technology as information system (IS) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 1. Information technology as information; 2. Information technology as communication Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 1. Information technology as project; 2. Information technology as tool Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Information technology as system Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Midterm exam week Independent study (3 hr)  
Week 07 1. Information technology as workflow; 2. Information technology as tool for efficiency Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Information technology as design Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 1. Information technology as data; 2. Information technology as dilemma Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 1. Information technology as decision; 2. Information technology as strategy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 1. Information technology as insight; 2. Information technology as media Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Information technology as sustainable Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Information technology as discourse Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an integrated understanding of key concepts, techniques and trends in one or more fields of business practice and the challenges and opportunities involved in applying this knowledge in diverse contexts
  • LO2. question, assess and respond independently and creatively to assumptions, propositions and debates within one or more fields of business practice
  • LO3. apply a range of quantitative and qualitative research skills to identify and diagnose complex and unfamiliar problems and to use the evidence and findings generated to formulate strategically appropriate solutions within one or more fields of business practice
  • LO4. use a range of communications strategies to reach an agreement with others about appropriate responses to complex and unfamiliar problems within one or more fields of business practice
  • LO5. work collaboratively to address complex and unfamiliar problems within one or more fields of business practice
  • LO6. demonstrate ethical and social awareness and responsibility in personal decision-making and behaviour within one or more fields of business practice.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.