SUBJECT OUTLINE

31266 Introduction to Information Systems

Course area UTS: Information Technology
Delivery Autumn 2020; standard mode; City
Credit points 6cp
Result type Grade and marks

Attendance: 1.5hpw (lecture), 1.5hpw (tutorials)

Subject coordinator
Dr Morteza Saberi

Room 11.06.223

Phone:9514-2422

email:Morteza.saberi@uts.edu.au

The subject coordinator can be contacted by email or phone if you have matters of a personal nature to discuss (e.g.
illness, study problems, team problems, team reassignments) or want to request an appointment outside the normal
consultation hours. All emails must bear a meaningful description in the ‘subject’ box, beginning with subject number
(e.g., 31266 team problems, 31266 request for late submission due to illness).

Subject description
This subject describes today's business environment and how technology is integrated into business, government and
community systems. It covers the trends towards greater mobility, greater complexity, globalisation and business
networking, and ways that technology can deliver services to improve business competitiveness in an increasingly
global and networked environment. It describes the role of information systems (IS) for better business management
and the formation of business networks. Real-world case studies are presented to understand the role of IS in
obtaining and maintaining competitive advantage. This introductory subject explains activities used to develop,
implement and maintain IS. Techniques for building effective team collaboration skills and relationship skills are
demonstrated in this subject. In addition, ethics, privacy and information security are highlighted. In this subject,
students learn to apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical situations, learn to generate new ideas and learn how
to work together to develop team skills.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. Analyse the business, organizational and society environment, proposes effective types of IS for obtaining and
maintaining competitive advantage.

2. Describe data and knowledge management approaches.

3. Describe different system development methodologies.
4. Identify ethical issues in the IS context and propose recommendations.
5. Analyze end user experience.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes
(CILOs):
Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural
perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural,
legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)

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 Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop
components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams,
communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace.
(E.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Students will learn through 12 face-to-face lectures (1.5 hours) and 11 face-to-face tutorials (1.5 hours) over 12 weeks.

Lectures

Lecture notes for each week will be made available on UTSOnline. Students are expected to download the notes,
engage with new content and make use of it in the lectures. The lecturer will explain each topic based on the
UTSOnline materials and encourage students to clarify their interpretations through verbal interaction and feedback.

Tutorials

Tutorials are designed to engage students in learning activities, encourage them to collaborate with other students,
learn from each other’s ideas through group discussion and peer review, and to provide opportunities for additional
feedback on teaching materials that inform the assessment tasks. Tutorial classes will involve a range of planned
activities such as testing students’ understanding using weekly in-class quizzes, problem-solving activities, and group
activities and discussions. Students are required to learn concepts covered in the week’s lecture topic before each
tutorial.

Weekly tutorial questions (case study questions and discussion questions) and instructions for each class will be made
available on UTSOnline to enable students to engage with the content, draft their answers, then actively and
collaboratively complete the questions in the tutorials. Students will form collaborative groups to discuss their answers
with their peers, and complete problem-solving activities, analyse case studies and answer discussion questions in
teams.

Students are encouraged to come up with ideas and present them to the whole class, and are expected to evaluate
each other’s responses; this regular peer feedback will help students learn. Constant feedback as part of the tutorial
will be provided by extending the class collaborative discussion with reflective questions from the tutor.

Content (topics)
1. Introduction to Information Systems
2. Information systems within the organisation
3. Organisational Strategy, Competitive Advantage and Information Systems
4. Data and Knowledge Management
5. Ethics, privacy
6. Information security
7. Telecommunications and Networking
8. Acquiring information systems and application

Program
Week/Session Dates Description

Week 0 2 March Please read the Subject Outline

Make yourself comfortable with the UTS Online environment

Notes:

There is no face-to-face class in this week

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 Week 1 9 March Introduction to subject: Reviewing Subject Outline, Assessment Information-
Instructions

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 2 16 March Topic : Introduction to Information Systems

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 3 23 March Topic: Information systems within the organisation

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 4 30 March Topic : Guest lecturer(Digital Transformation)

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 5 6 April Topic : Organisational Strategy, Competitive Advantage and Information Systems

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 6 13 April Data and Knowledge Management

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

- 20 April StuVac

Week 7 27 April Guest lecturer (Cyber Security)

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 8 4 May Topic: Information Security

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

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 Week 9 11 May Topic:Ethics and privacy

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 10 18 May Topic:Telecommunications and Networking

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 11 25 May Topic: Acquiring information systems and applications

Notes:

Please Read lecture notes (slides and other materials)

Week 12 1 June Subject review

Additional information
Students are strongly encouraged to attend lectures and tutorials on a regular basis and contribute to class
discussions and activities. Students are reminded to complete the readings for each week prior to attending the
lecture/tutorial time in order to maximise their learning opportunity.

If a student has any issues in relation to any topic or assessment item, they need to raise this immediately with the
relevant party (e.g. Their Tutor/ Subject coordinator) and not wait until the assessment due time or the end of the
session.

Assessment
Group Work Issues:

Many students would have had some experience with working in teams. In this subject, it is aimed that the group
assessments, assignment two and group activities in assessment three, will assist students in learning how to work
together and in gaining team skills and knowledge. If any student has trouble with the operation of their team, they
need to ask their tutor for advice immediately as problems arise. A group meeting may be held to produce a solution.
Students are also required to be proactive in addressing their group work. No complaints about team operation will be
considered after the assignment has been submitted.

Assessment task 1: Information Systems in Business, Organization and Society

Intent: The purpose of this assessment is to examine students' ability to analyse real world organizational,
business and society case studies and problems and propose effective IS/IT related solutions.
Students must apply relevant problem solving methodologies to propose solutions. The proposed
solutions must be communicated effectively to the appropriate audience, such as tutors and the
subject coordinator.

Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning
Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1, C.1 and E.1

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 Type: Case study

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 25%

Task: This is an individual assignment. It involves students undertaking some basic research, evaluating
questions and case studies, and providing answers to the questions. A soft copy assignment
template contains case studies, questions and Answer Sheet will be made available on UTSOnline
for students to download and complete.

In order to be able to apply their knowledge in analysing the case studies; students are expected to
read the lecture notes and relevant material provided to students (e.g., readings, notes), review
tutorial questions and assessment information(e.g., instructions, material for assessment task),
undertake external research regarding the topics delivered in the lectures, and students are
encouraged to read the relevant chapters of the recommended textbook covered in the lectures.

The assignment Answer Sheet should be saved as a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx) and
submitted through Turnitin software (UTSOnline, Assignment 1, Turnitin).

Further information about this assessment will be provided in the class and also on UTSOnline.

Due: Wednesday 22 April 2020 at 23:59 Verbal and written feedback will be provided in week 9.

Criteria: The assignment Answer Sheet should be saved as a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx) and
submitted through Turnitin software (UTSOnline, Assignment 1, Turnitin).

Assessment task 2: Topic Presentation

Intent: The purpose of this assessment is to examine students' ability to identify and analyse privacy and
information security issues in the IS context and propose solutions and recommendations. This
assessment involves team work and requires students to collaborate with team members.

Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning
Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1, C.1 and E.1

Type: Presentation

Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed

Weight: 20%

Task: Students are to form groups of five and each group will be allocated one topic. Each group member is
required to make a two-minute presentation during their tutorial class.

Each group should choose a leader to submit the assignment report and presentation file.The
assignment report should be saved as a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx) and submitted through
Turnitin software (UTSOnline, Assignment 2, Turnitin). The presentation file should be saved as a
Microsoft PowerPoint file (.ppt or .pptx) and submitted to UTSOnline (Assignment 2, Dropbox).

Students are expected to prepare by reviewing the lecture notes and relevant material provided to
students (e.g., readings, notes), tutorial questions, assessment information(e.g., instructions, material

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 for each assessment task), and undertaking research on the topic of their presentation. Students are
encouraged to read the team work and presentation skill instructions, which will be available in
UTSOnline.

Groups will be assessed on both the delivery of the presentation and the content of the report.
Students will be assessed in group as well as individually. Group members will assess their peers in
SPARK. Further information about this assessment will be provided in the class and on UTSOnline.

Due: Soft copy submission: Saturday 9 May 2020 , 23:59. Each group member is required to make a
two-minute presentation during their tutorial class in Week 10 and 11. Written feedback will be
provided in week 12.

Assessment task 3: Weekly Tutorial Quiz and Activities

Intent: To assess student's understanding of specified concepts covered in the previous week's lecture
topic. The quiz will be closed book.

Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning
Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and C.1

Type: Exercises

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 25%

Task: This task will include in-class quizzes from a number of given subject topics and problem solving
and discussion activities.

Before the quiz, students are expected to review the lecture notes and relevant material provided to
students (e.g., readings, notes), and complete the weekly tutorial questions. The quiz will be closed
book.

Further information about in class assessments will be provided in the class and also on UTS Online.

Due: In class in Weeks 4,6,9 and 12

Assessment task 4: Final Exam

Intent: The purpose of this assessment is to examine students’ level of attainment of all the subject
objectives. Students’ ability to analyse business, organisation and society environments and to
propose IS/IT recommendations for obtaining and maintaining competitive advantage will be
assessed, as well as their understanding of how to identify and address ethical issues in the IS
context. The exam is open book.

Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

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 Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning
Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and C.1

Type: Examination

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 30%

Task: Final Exam.

Students are expected to read the lecture notes and relevant material provided to students (e.g.,
readings, notes). Students are encouraged to read the relevant chapters of the recommended
textbook covered in the lectures.

Length: 2 hours plus 10 minutes reading time

Due: UTS Exam period

Further If final exam papers are marked by more than one marker, moderation will occur in line with UTS
information: policy

Moderation of marks
In order to maintain equity between tutorial cohorts, the subject coordinator reserves the right to moderate marks if
necessary.

Assessment feedback
Multiple forms of feedback will be provided to students in this subject including:

Formative Feedback:
Verbal Feedback in relation to students' questions, comments, class participation, and tutorial activities, as well as
generic feedback on assessment tasks.
Written Feedback on Assessments 1, 2 and 3.

Assessment 1: Feedback will be provided in week 9.

Assessment 2: Feedback will be provided in week 12.

Assessment 3: Feedback will be provided in weeks: 5, 8, 9 and 12.

Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Recommended texts
Management Information Systems, 1st Australian Edition R. Kelly Rainer, Heather Gray, Tomayess Issa, Graeme Pye,
Indrit Troshani, Brad Prince, Hugh J. Watson ISBN: 9781118646021

Introduction to Information Systems, 7th Edition, R. Kelly Rainer, Brad Prince, ISBN: 978-1-119-36296-8

Other resources
Online resources for this subject including lecture slides, tutorial exercises, assignment instructions, and
announcements will be available via UTSOnline at https://online.uts.edu.au/

U:PASS

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U:PASS

UTS Peer Assisted Study Success is a voluntary “study session” where you will be studying the subject with other
students in a group. It is led by a student who has previously achieved a distinction or high distinction in the subject
area, and who has a good WAM. Leaders will prepare activities for you to work on in groups based on the content you
are learning in lectures and tutorials. It’s really relaxed, friendly, and informal. Because the leader is a student just like
you, they understand what it’s like to study the subject and how to do well, and they can pass those tips along to you.
Students also say it’s a great way to meet new people and a “guaranteed study hour”.

You can sign up for U:PASS sessions via U:PASS website http://tinyurl.com/upass2017 Note that sign up is not open
until week 2, as it’s voluntary and only students who want to go should sign up.

If you have any questions or concerns about U:PASS, please contact Georgina at upass@uts.edu.au, or check out the
website.

Graduate attribute development

For a full list of the faculty's graduate attributes refer to the FEIT Graduate Attributes webpage.

For the contribution of subjects taken in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or Master of Professional Engineering
to the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies, see the faculty's Graduate Attributes and the Engineers Australia
Stage 1 Competencies webpage.

Assessment: faculty procedures and advice

Marking criteria

Marking criteria for each assessment task will be available on the Learning Management System: UTS Online.

Extensions

When, due to extenuating circumstances, you are unable to submit or present an assessment task on time, please
contact your subject coordinator before the assessment task is due to discuss an extension. Extensions may be
granted up to a maximum of 5 days (120 hours). In all cases you should have extensions confirmed in writing.

Special consideration

If you believe your performance in an assessment item or exam has been adversely affected by circumstances
beyond your control, such as a serious illness, loss or bereavement, hardship, trauma, or exceptional employment
demands, you may be eligible to apply for Special Consideration.

Late penalty

Work submitted late without an approved extension is subject to a late penalty of 10 per cent of the total available
marks deducted per calendar day that the assessment is overdue (e.g. if an assignment is out of 40 marks, and is
submitted (up to) 24 hours after the deadline without an extension, the student will have four marks deducted from
their awarded mark). Work submitted after five calendar days is not accepted and a mark of zero is awarded.

For some assessment tasks a late penalty may not be appropriate – these are clearly indicated in the subject outline.
Such assessments receive a mark of zero if not completed by/on the specified date. Examples include:
a. weekly online tests or laboratory work worth a small proportion of the subject mark, or
b. online quizzes where answers are released to students on completion, or
c. professional assessment tasks, where the intention is to create an authentic assessment that has an absolute
submission date, or
d. take-home papers that are assessed during a defined time period, or
e. pass/fail assessment tasks.

Querying results

If you wish to query the result of an assessment task or the final result for a subject:
Assessment task: query the result with the Subject Coordinator within 5 working days of the date of release of the
result
Final subject result: submit an application for review within 5 working days of the official release of the final subject
result.

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Academic liaison officer
Academic liaison officers (ALOs) are academic staff in each faculty who assist students experiencing difficulties in
their studies due to: disability and/or an ongoing health condition; carer responsibilities (e.g. being a primary carer for
small children or a family member with a disability); and pregnancy.

ALOs are responsible for approving adjustments to assessment arrangements for students in these categories.
Students who require adjustments due to disability and/or an ongoing health condition are requested to discuss their
situation with an accessibility consultant at the Accessibility Service before speaking to the relevant ALO.

Statement about assessment procedures and advice

This subject outline must be read in conjunction with the Coursework Assessments policy and procedures.

Statement on copyright
Teaching materials and resources provided to you at UTS are protected by copyright. You are not permitted to re-use
these for commercial purposes (including in kind benefit or gain) without permission of the copyright owner. Improper
or illegal use of teaching materials may lead to prosecution for copyright infringement.

Statement on plagiarism
Plagiarism and academic integrity

At UTS, plagiarism is defined in Rule 16.2.1(4) as: 'taking and using someone else's ideas or manner of expressing
them and passing them off as ... [their] own by failing to give appropriate acknowledgement of the source to seek to
gain an advantage by unfair means'.

The definition infers that if a source is appropriately referenced, the student's work will meet the required academic
standard. Plagiarism is a literary or an intellectual theft and is unacceptable both academically and professionally. It
can take a number of forms including but not limited to:
copying any section of text, no matter how brief, from a book, journal, article or other written source without duly
acknowledging the source
copying any map, diagram, table or figure without duly acknowledging the source
paraphrasing or otherwise using the ideas of another author without duly acknowledging the source
re-using sections of verbatim text without using quote marks to indicate the text was copied from the source (even if
a reference is given).

Other breaches of academic integrity that constitute cheating include but are not limited to:
submitting work that is not a student's own, copying from another student, recycling another student's work,
recycling previously submitted work, and working with another student in the same cohort in a manner that exceeds
the boundaries of legitimate cooperation
purchasing an assignment from a website and submitting it as original work
requesting or paying someone else to write original work, such as an assignment, essay or computer program, and
submitting it as original work.

Students who condone plagiarism and other breaches of academic integrity by allowing their work to be copied are
also subject to student misconduct Rules.

Where proven, plagiarism and other breaches of misconduct are penalised in accordance with UTS Student Rules
Section 16 – Student misconduct and appeals.

Avoiding plagiarism is one of the main reasons why the Faculty of Engineering and IT is insistent on the thorough and
appropriate referencing of all written work. Students may seek assistance regarding appropriate referencing through
UTS: HELPS.

Work submitted electronically may be subject to similarity detection software. Student work must be submitted in a
format able to be assessed by the software (e.g. doc, pdf (text files), rtf, html).

Further information about avoiding plagiarism at UTS is available.

Retention of student work

The University reserves the right to retain the original or one copy of any work executed and/or submitted by a student
as part of the course including, but not limited to, drawings, models, designs, plans and specifications, essays,

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programs, reports and theses, for any of the purposes designated in Student Rule 3.9.2. Such retention is not to affect
any copyright or other intellectual property right that may exist in the student's work. Copies of student work may be
retained for a period of up to five years for course accreditation purposes. Students are advised to contact their subject
coordinator if they do not consent to the University retaining a copy of their work.

Statement on UTS email account

Email from the University to a student will only be sent to the student's UTS email address. Email sent from a student
to the University must be sent from the student's UTS email address. University staff will not respond to email from
any other email accounts for currently enrolled students.

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