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CMPC0B05 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING FOR BUSINESS

Module Code:
CMPC0B05
Department:
Computing Sciences
Credit Value:
20
Level:
0
Organiser:
Dr. Graeme Richards
The objectives of this module are to: Give students an understanding of the role of ICT within both the working and leisure environment; Comprehend the way that the world wide web has impacted on the world; Provide an appreciation of the role of ICT in various work disciplines; Appreciate the use and organisation of data; Introduce the student to the nature of information and how it is used in organisations; Introduce a range of software development ideas and technologies; Provide experience of web programming.

Lecture notes, handouts and other materials will be made available via Blackboard during the course of the module.

Module texts:

Lejk, M. and Deeks, D. An Introduction to Systems Analysis Techniques. Addison Wesley

Alternative texts:
Stair, R. and Reynolds, G. Principles of Information Systems: A Managerial Approach. Thomson
Now out of print but second hand copies available. Chester, M. and Athwall A. Basic Information Systems Analysis and Design, McGraw Hill

The Library has an extensive collection of programming, networking, computer architecture and systems development texts to support this module, as well as a number of copies of the course texts. Its journal collection and electronic subscriptions provide good coverage of the web-related topics.


Submission:

Written coursework should be submitted by following the standard CMP practice. Students are advised to refer to the Guidelines and Hints on Written Work in CMP.

Deadlines:

If coursework is handed in after the deadline day or an agreed extension:
 

Work submitted Marks deducted
After 15:00 on the due date and before 15:00 on the day following the due date 10 marks
After 15:00 on the second day after the due date and before 15:00 on the third day after the due date 20 marks
After 15:00 on the third day after the due date and before 15:00 on the 20th day after the due date.  All the marks the work merits if submitted on time (ie no marks awarded) 
After 20 working days Work will not be marked and a mark of zero will be entered


Saturdays and Sundays will NOT be taken into account for the purposes of calculation of marks deducted.

All extension requests will be managed through the LTS Hub. A request for an extension to a deadline for the submission of work for assessment should be submitted by the student to the appropriate Learning and Teaching Service Hub, prior to the deadline, on a University Extension Request Form accompanied by appropriate evidence. Extension requests will be considered by the appropriate Learning and Teaching Service Manager in those instances where (a) acceptable extenuating circumstances exist and (b) the request is submitted before the deadline. All other cases will be considered by a Coursework Coordinator in CMP.

For more details, including how to apply for an extension due to extenuating circumstances download Submission for Work Assessment (PDF, 39KB)
 

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the copying or close paraphrasing of published or unpublished work, including    the work of another student; without due acknowledgement. Plagiarism is regarded a serious offence by the University, and all cases will be investigated. Possible consequences of plagiarism include deduction of marks and disciplinary action, as detailed by UEA's Policy on Plagiarism and Collusion.


Module specific:

The objectives of this unit are to ensure that students:
 

  • appreciate the role of Information Systems in business;
  • appreciate the use and organisation of data;
  • understand the basic approaches to systems analysis;
  • comprehend the nature of information and how it is used in organisations.

Transferable skills:
 

  • Experience of the decompositional approach to complex problem solving;
  • Analysing problems in ways that lead to good computer-based solutions;
  • Systems analysis and design;
  • Experience of group working in a problem-solving environment.
  • Experience of systems analysis, design and development;
  • Experience of working individually;
  • Improved analysis and problem-solving skills;
  • Improved oral and written presentation skills;
  • Improved research skills

Subject specific:
   
On completion of this unit students will have:
 

  • an understanding of the key terms in the discipline (data, information, system, information system);
  • an understanding of how organisations use information;
  • a simple understanding of the main features of analysis, design and development models for contemporary applications development;
  • an understanding of the role of IS in the world today and what causes it to fail.
  • experience in using techniques to illustrate a business system as an aid to discovering the requirements for the system;
  • the ability to use basic top down analysis and design techniques

Teaching is by a mixture of lectures, workshops and self study. There is a strong emphasis on participation and active learning. Typical weekly contact is 3 hours of lectures, (total lecture hours 30). There is also a weekly 2 hour workshop (total workshop hours 20).

Total hours: 50

Lectures: 10; hours: 30; content (with provisional weekly schedule)
 

  1. Introduction: Systems, Information Systems, Data and Information. Types of Information Systems. Using Information in Business. The Systems
  2. Development Lifecycle. The Lives of Systems.
  3. Characteristics & Sources of Information, System Requirements and Analysis. The Users. Information Systems Failure. Rich Pictures.
  4. Analysis - Flow charts and Data flow diagrams.
  5. More data flow diagrams. Process specifications.
  6. The Importance of Databases - Database structure, ER diagrams More ER Diagrams. Basic Queries.
  7. Entity Life Histories.
  8. Reading Week. No Lectures
  9. The Human Computer Interface
  10. UML and OO.
  11. Basic Project Management.
  12. The Lives of Systems. Alternative Methods. Prototyping.
  13. Coursework Demonstrations

Workshops: 10, Hours: 20, Content (with provisional weekly schedule)



  1. No workshop
  2. No workshop
  3. Case Study - Rich Pictures
  4. Case Study - Data flow diagrams
  5. Case Study - Levelled Data Flow Diagrams & Process Specifications
  6. Case Study - Entity Relationship Diagrams
  7. Reading week. No workshop.
  8. Case Study -  Entity Life Histories
  9. Human Computer Interface. Usability exercises
  10. UML - Use Case Exercises
  11. Project Management Exercise
  12. Coursework Demonstrations

100% Coursework

CW1 - Analysis/Design Exercise (40%)

Students will work individually on two Information Systems scenarios and model them using two different analysis techniques, rich pictures and data flow diagrams.

CW2 - Lo-Fi Prototyping Exercise (60%)

Given a scenario for a standalone public information system, students will, in pairs, design the system using lo-fi prototyping techniques and formally present their system.