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2023/2024  BA-BINTO1078U  Introduction to Information Systems

English Title
Introduction to Information Systems

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory (also offered as elective)
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc/MSc in Business Administration and Information Systems, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Maren Gierlich-Joas - Department of Digitalisation (DIGI)
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
  • Organisation
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 24-08-2023

Relevant links
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Explain the fundamental concepts and components of information systems including hardware, software, networks as well as basic web technologies (part I)
  • Compare the different approaches to developing information systems, including the initiation, the analysis, the design and the implementation of information systems as well as project management (part II)
  • Assess the key issues related to managing information systems (IS) in an organization, including the IS strategy, the organization and governance of the IS function, and the management of IS services (part III)
  • Reflect on the practical issues involved in addressing specific client problems in web-based information systems development (part IV)
Prerequisites for registering for the exam (activities during the teaching period)
Number of compulsory activities which must be approved (see section 13 of the Programme Regulations): 1
Compulsory home assignments
The compulsory activity consists of an oral presentation of a business information system (BIS) prototype. The activity is made in groups of minimum 2 and maximum 4 students.

If a student cannot participate due to documented illness, or if a student does not get the activity approved in spite of making a real attempt, then the student will be given one extra attempt before the ordinary exam. The extra attempt is an individual written home assignment (max. 5 pages) on a topic assigned by the course coordinator.
Examination
Introduction to Information Systems:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Written sit-in exam on CBS' computers
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 2 hours
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Aids Limited aids, see the list below:
The student is allowed to bring
  • Language dictionaries in paper format
The student will have access to
  • basic IT application package
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination may warrant that it most appropriately be held as an oral examination. The programme office will inform the students if the make-up examination/re-take examination instead is held as an oral examination including a second examiner or external examiner.
The Study Board can choose to change the re exam to a 20 min oral examination with two internal examiners.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam is in English language (questions and answers).

 

The exam generally comprises three different types of questions: 

1. Multiple choice questions on the different topics of the course

2. Analytical questions to solve (e.g., process and data models)

3. Essay questions to reflect on specific topics (e.g., explaining the advantages and disadvantages of a specific IS management concept)

 
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

The course provides an introduction to the technology, development and management of business information systems (BIS). The course assumes no prior knowledge of IS or IT, new concepts and terms are defined with comprehensive explanations. In this fast-moving area, the course covers both the crucial underpinnings of the subject as well as the most recent business and technology applications. The lecture walks through the following subjects:

Part I.  INTRODUCTION: 

1. Basic concepts, enterprise and functional business information systems
2. Hardware and software
3. Networks and the Internet
4. Web-based information systems 


Part II.  IS DEVELOPMENT 
5. Acquiring versus developing information systems
6. Initiating system development
7. System analysis and process modelling
8. System design and data modelling
9. System implementation and project management

 

Part III. IS MANAGEMENT 
10. Information systems strategy
11. IT organization and governance
12. Providing end-user services and service management

13. Ethical and legal aspects of information systems 

 

Part IV. ASSIGNMENT & WRAP-UP
14. Presentation of assignments

15. Course evaluation and Repetition 
Description of the teaching methods
The course will be taught as a set of independent lectures and exercise sessions. All lectures and exercises are planned to be conducted face-to-face on campus; however, a hybrid or online teaching mode will be used depending on any restrictions caused by the covid situation.

The course provides an introduction to the technology, development, and management of business information systems (BIS). The course assumes no prior knowledge of IS or IT, and new concepts/terms are defined with comprehensive explanations. In this fast-moving area, the course covers both the crucial underpinnings of the subject as well as the most recent business and technology applications.

The structure and contents of the lecture are for large parts based on the textbook by Bocij, Greasley and Hickie (2018), while also additional references are provided as needed. Students are expected to work through the readings specified in the course plan before each lecture.

The exercises in some parts repeat and deepen the lecture's content and provide room for preparing and helping the students conduct a group project. At the beginning of each exercise, instructors will present a set of tasks that the students then work on during the session. Suggested solutions will be presented at the end.

In summary, theoretical and conceptual material will be supplemented with:
• a group assignment in which students initiate, design and build an information system
• practical exercises to apply and reinforce the presented methods, technologies, and tools
• online resources and web links on specific technical topics
• case examples from a variety of sectors
• self-assessment questions (quizzes) in class to test the individual understanding
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback will be provided via different means and on different occasions, including the following:
• During the lectures, students receive instant feedback from the lecturer and take part in quizzes that test the achievement of specific learning goals
• During exercises, students can request feedback from instructors on specific issues of the given exercise tasks and solutions
• Prior to the last session, students will present their group assignment and receive instant feedback from the teacher and instructors regarding their group assignment
• Post-exam feedback will be offered that provides students with an understanding of the correctness of their exam answers
Student workload
Lectures 30 hours
Exercises 24 hours
Preparation of lectures (incl. reading and supervision) 42 hours
Compulsory group assignment 80 hours
Preparation for the exam 30 hours
Total: 206 hours
Expected literature

The literature can be changed before the semester starts. Students are advised to find the literature on Canvas before they buy any material.

 

  • Paul Bocij, Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management for the Modern Business Paperback, 6th edition, Pearson, 2018
Last updated on 24-08-2023