MSc Information Systems

Course Code DNT1G500101
Duration 1 Year
Attendance Full Time
Award Degree of Master of Science

Overview
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Course Profile
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Overview

Why take this course?

The design, development and management of the large-scale computerised information systems critical to organisations in the 21st century offers major challenges and
opportunities. This course focuses on the complex social and technical issues involved in building and maintaining large systems, drawing on ideas and techniques from a wide range of disciplines.

The MSc Information Systems offers you a flexible programme of study that allows you to develop:

An understanding of the issues in designing and developing information systems,
A grasp of the fundamentals of rapid systems development, Understanding of contemporary approaches to analysis and design,
Exposure to key areas of knowledge for developing, analysing and understanding systems,
A broad understanding of the context and success factors for successful information systems projects.

You will explore current problems relating to the development of industrial-strength information systems for conventional and web-based implementations and gain practical experience of e-commerce systems development. The course is a full-time, one-year taught programme which can also be taken part-time over two years.

Contact time

Students have on average 15 hours of contact time per week with teaching staff through lectures, laboratory sessions and seminars, though this may vary depending on module choices. Additionally, students should allocate at least 25 hours per week for study, coursework assignments and projects.

Teaching and Assessment

You will take a number of taught modules covering technical and organisational aspects of the development, management and use of modern information systems. The choice of modules is made according to your academic background, experience and interests. You will also complete a dissertation on a subject in the field of information systems; this is often done in collaboration with a company or other organisation.

Recent dissertation titles include:

An enterprise ordering information system for a pharmaceutical supplier
Collaborative development of web-based information resources
Investigation into web accessibility and usability
Context and preferences for mobile computing
Stakeholder participation in web information systems

Career opportunities

As a graduate from this course you will be able to pursue a career in a number of fields, including software engineering, systems analysis, IT management or general management with a technical bias. You might also choose to continue your education through a PhD in order to pursue a career in industrial research or an academic career.

Course Organiser

Dr Dan Smith

Year 1

Year 1

Compulsory Study (100 credits)

Students will select 100 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Dissertation In this module, Masters students are required to carry out project work with substantial research and practical elements on a specified topic for their MSc dissertation. The topic can be chosen and allocated from the lists of proposals from faculty members, and/or determined by agreement between the students and their supervisor. The work may be undertaken as part of a large collaborative or group project. A dissertation must be written as the outcome of the module. more...	CMPSMP6X	60	Semester 2
Information Systems Issues This module explores basic information systems development and considers the stages and tools used in the traditional lifecycle approach. Although the main focus will be on describing the various methods used in contemporary development, time will also be spent looking at wider topics vital to the successful completion and implementation of information systems, such as stakeholder participation, prototyping and evaluation. The lecture course will be complemented by an individual project to explore an aspect of information systems development. more...	CMPSMB17	20	Semester 1
Research Techniques This module aims to prepare postgraduate students with necessary intellectual and practical skills for successfully carrying out research work for their MSc Dissertation in Computing Sciences and Computational Biology. Specifically, it teaches research methodologies, techniques and tools used in computing sciences, and more importantly, provides systematic trainings to enhance students' transferable skills and their understanding in ethics, social and legal issues involved in computing professions. more...	CMPSMP2Y	20	Year Period

Option A Study (40 credits)

Students will select 40 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
E-Business Systems Development This module explores the development of industrial-strength distributed information systems for Web-based implementations, using date-centric software engineering principles. Topics include: dynamic object-oriented system design, the use of persistent objects with relational databases, business models, business objects, XML and practical design and implementation for an architected n-tier, server-based systems environment. The use of these techniques for both e-Commerce and other systems will be discussed, using the Java Enterprise Edition Version 5 (Java E-E 5) platform for practical exercises. Considerable use is made of both advanced Java programming and relational databases, requiring prior knowledge of these subjects. more...	CMPSMB22	20	Semester 2
Human Computer Interaction An overview of Human Computer Interaction, including user interfaces on conventional computers and small footprint devices (e.g. smartphones). Human-Computer interactions are approached from a variety of perspectives, with an empasis on experimental evaluation. The module covers aspects of cognitive psychology and ethnographic methods necessary to understand and evaluate HCI. more...	CMPSMM23	20	Semester 1
Internet & Multimedia Techniques This module surveys the current and emerging technologies of the Internet and its impact on society, particularly e-commerce. The practical part of the module concentrates on the design and integration of web sites, using a range of tools and techniques in current use. more...	CMPSMB13	20	Semester 1
Systems Engineering Issues This module draws together a wide range of material and considers it in the context of developing modern large-scale computer systems. It will introduce, and put into context, topics crucial to the discipline of computer-based systems engineering (CBSE). Topics include: outsourcing; process improvement; the nature of systems; computer-based systems (CBS); systems failure; managing both systems and computer-based systems projects; total quality management; quality assurance and quality control; the maintenance of CBS; metrification, and risk management in CBS. This module is supported by a series of industrial case studies and includes speakers from industry (as available). more...	CMPSMB20	20	Semester 2

Option B Study (40 credits)

Students will select 40 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Applied Statistics This is a module designed to give students the opportunity to apply statistical methods in realistic situations. While no advanced knowledge of probability and statistics is required, we expect students to have some background in probability and statistics before taking this module. The aim is to introduce students to R statistical language and to cover Regression, Analysis of Variance and Survival analysis. Other topics from a list including: Extremes and quartiles, Bootstrap methods and their application, Sample surveys, Simulations, Subjective statistics, Forecasting and Clustering methods, may be offered to cover the interests of those in the class. more...	CMPSMC28	20	Semester 2
Data Mining This module is designed for postgraduate students studying on MSc courses. The module explores the methodologies of Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD). It aims to cover each stage of the KDD process, including preliminary data exploration, data cleansing, pre-processing and the various data analysis tasks that fall under the heading of data mining. Through this module, students should gain knowledge of algorithms and methods for data analysis, as well as practical experience using leading KDD software packages. more...	CMPSMC24	20	Semester 2
Database Manipulation This module introduces most aspects of databases, database manipulation and database management systems. Practical experience of database manipulation is provided through the use of SQL and the Java JDBC interface on a relational database management system. Database design is introduced using Entity-Relationship modelling and normalisation. more...	CMPSMB11	20	Semester 1
E-Business Systems Development This module explores the development of industrial-strength distributed information systems for Web-based implementations, using date-centric software engineering principles. Topics include: dynamic object-oriented system design, the use of persistent objects with relational databases, business models, business objects, XML and practical design and implementation for an architected n-tier, server-based systems environment. The use of these techniques for both e-Commerce and other systems will be discussed, using the Java Enterprise Edition Version 5 (Java E-E 5) platform for practical exercises. Considerable use is made of both advanced Java programming and relational databases, requiring prior knowledge of these subjects. more...	CMPSMB22	20	Semester 2
Human Computer Interaction An overview of Human Computer Interaction, including user interfaces on conventional computers and small footprint devices (e.g. smartphones). Human-Computer interactions are approached from a variety of perspectives, with an empasis on experimental evaluation. The module covers aspects of cognitive psychology and ethnographic methods necessary to understand and evaluate HCI. more...	CMPSMM23	20	Semester 1
Information Retrieval Information Retrieval technologies have been driven by large increases in on-line documents and the success of Internet search engines. This module explores the development of surveys in a range of IR topics and the use of natural language processing techniques and their role in IR. Some experience of a high level programming language (e.g. Java) is required. more...	CMPSMB29	20	Semester 1
Internet & Multimedia Techniques This module surveys the current and emerging technologies of the Internet and its impact on society, particularly e-commerce. The practical part of the module concentrates on the design and integration of web sites, using a range of tools and techniques in current use. more...	CMPSMB13	20	Semester 1
Systems Engineering Issues This module draws together a wide range of material and considers it in the context of developing modern large-scale computer systems. It will introduce, and put into context, topics crucial to the discipline of computer-based systems engineering (CBSE). Topics include: outsourcing; process improvement; the nature of systems; computer-based systems (CBS); systems failure; managing both systems and computer-based systems projects; total quality management; quality assurance and quality control; the maintenance of CBS; metrification, and risk management in CBS. This module is supported by a series of industrial case studies and includes speakers from industry (as available). more...	CMPSMB20	20	Semester 2

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

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