Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer, Tutor Frances Louise frances.louise@mq.edu.au Lecturer, Tutor Charanya Ramakrishnan charanya.ramakrishnan@mq.edu.au Tutor Kristi Ovsthus kristi.ovsthus@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit provides students with a basic understanding of the content of information systems; the types of information systems; the current roles of information systems in organisations; and the opportunities and business impacts of information systems. The unit also provides an overview of the tools, techniques and frameworks used to build information systems; the range of information technologies used to support information systems; and the ethical responsibilities of both the information system professional and the private user of information. Every business has an information system. These systems are a fundamental component of the business and provide the business with the information its people need to operate and manage the business. This unit lays a foundation for students to use information systems in the context of accounting, marketing, and finance, or develop business information systems that organisations want and need.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training
To gain introductory skills with an exposure to a 4th-generation programming environment
To demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process

General Assessment Information

Submission

Details for each assignment will be available via iLearn.

You are encouraged to:

set your personal deadline earlier than the actual one;
keep backups of all your important files;
ensure that no-one else picks up your printouts.

Late submission

Late work for the quizzes and assignments will incur 10% penalty per 24 hours from the due time. If you cannot submit on time because of illness or other circumstances, please apply for Special Consideration and contact the lecturer as soon as possible so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
In Class Participation	5%	Yes	Weeks 1-12, except week 6 & 11
Assignments	10%	No	Week 5 and 10
Quiz	35%	No	Wk 7 & 11
Final Exam	50%	No	TBA

In Class Participation

Due: Weeks 1-12, except week 6 & 11
Weighting: 5%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks). In accordance with the Faculty Board they have decided that, from S1 2018, all 100-level units in the Faculty will have a compulsory (hurdle) requirement on participation in tutorials, practicals and laboratories.

In-class voluntary participation will be assessed for 10 workshops during the session. A minimum total of 50% participation (exclusive of 2 quizzes weeks) will be required. In-class participation will be worth 5% of the total mark.

NB. As this is a hurdle assessment, in order to pass the unit you will be required to achieve at least 2.5/5 from the 10 weeks (exclusive of 2 quizzes weeks). If you receive any formal special consideration you will be given a waiver for that week. Please refer to https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process

Assignments

Due: Week 5 and 10
Weighting: 10%

There are two assignments in the practical workshops for ISYS104, which cover:

Excel (Spreadsheets) and Access (Databases).

The 2 assignments will be due on iLearn with each worth 5%. The total assignments worth 10%.

Week Due Assignment Points 5 MS Excel/Spreadsheets 5% 10 MS Access/Databases 5% Total out of 10% (of final grade)

NB. All details of each assignment will be available via iLearn.

You are encouraged to:

set your personal deadline earlier than the actual one;
keep backups of all your important files.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training
To gain introductory skills with an exposure to a 4th-generation programming environment

Quiz

Due: Wk 7 & 11
Weighting: 35%

In both weeks 7 and 11 there will be a short quiz in the workshop classes. The quizzes are worth 35% towards the final grade. These quizzes will cover important parts of the unit material and, as well as assessing your current level of mastery of it, give you and your tutor an opportunity to address any problem areas before the final exam paper. The quizzes will also include a short test based on relevant assignments. Please be on time for these classes, as the quiz will be the first thing in the class.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training

Final Exam

Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%

Regarding the examination process, note that

you are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable
the timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of examinations
no early examinations for individuals or groups of students will be set. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is the final day of the official examination period
the only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances, you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration.
If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training
To gain introductory skills with an exposure to a 4th-generation programming environment

Delivery and Resources

Teaching and Learning Strategy

ISYS104 is taught via lectures and workshops (tutorials and practicals) in the laboratory. The feedback that you receive plays also a crucial role in your learning.

Lectures are used to introduce new material, give examples of the advances in business information systems and technologies and put them in a wider context.

Workshops are small group classes which give you the opportunity to interact with your peers and with a tutor who has a sound knowledge of the subject. This also gives you a chance to practice your technical skills.

You have many opportunities to seek for and to receive feedback. During lectures, you are encouraged to ask the lecturer questions to clarify anything you might not be sure of. Assignments have been specially designed to deliver continuous feedback on your work.

Each week you should:

Attend lectures, take notes, ask questions
Attend your workshops and seek feedback from your tutor on your work
Read assigned reading material, add to your notes and prepare questions for your lecturer or tutor
Start working on any assignments immediately after they have been released.

Lecture notes are made available each week but these notes are intended as an outline of the lecture only and are not a substitute for your own notes or reading additional material.

Classes

Each week you should attend two hours of lectures and a one hour workshop class.

Note that workshops run for 12 weeks and commence in week 1. Note that for the summer period in S3, each day class represents a traditional week in other sessions.

Please note that you are required to submit a certain number of assignments and participate in a certain number of workshop class. Failure to do so may result in you failing the unit.

Textbook

The textbook for ISYS104 used this semester is:

Experiencing MIS, Global Edition (7th edition) by Kroenke and Boyle (without MyLab)

(ISBN: 9781292163574 for hardcopy and ISBN: 9781292163581 for eBook)

Technology used and required

iLecture/echo

Digital recordings of lectures are available.

Software

ISYS104 uses Microsoft Office Excel and Access in the lab and for the assignments.

Also available through AppStream https://goto.mq/appstream.

Website

The web page for this unit can be found at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au.

Student Support Services

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at https://students.mq.edu.au/.

Assumed knowledge

Basic computer use skills.

Unit Schedule

Date	Events	Lecture	Workshop	Assessment
Mon, 2 Dec 2019	Week 1	Chapter 1 - The Importance of MIS	Microsoft Excel	In-class participation*
Wed, 4 Dec 2019	Week 2	Chapter 2 - Business Processes, Information Systems, and Information	Microsoft Excel	In-class participation*
Thu, 5 Dec 2019	Week 3	Chapter 3 - Organisational Strategy, Information Systems, and Competitive Advantage	Microsoft Excel	In-class participation*
Mon, 9 Dec 2019	Week 4	Chapter 4 - Hardware and Software	Microsoft Access	In-class participation*
Wed, 11 Dec 2019	Week 5	Chapter 5 - Database Processing	Microsoft Access	In-class participation, Assignment 1 due by 5 pm*
Thu, 12 Dec 2019	Week 6	Chapter 6 - The Cloud	Review for Quiz 1	In-class participation*
Mon, 16 Dec 2019	Week 7	Chapter 7 - Organisation and Information Systems	Quiz 1	In-class Quiz 1
Wed, 18 Dec 2019	Week 8	Chapter 8 - Social Media Information Systems	Microsoft Access	In-class participation*
Thu, 19 Dec 2019	Week 9	Chapter 9 - Business Intelligence Systems	Microsoft Access	In-class participation*
23 Dec 2019 - 5 Jan 2020	Recess
Mon, 6 Jan 2020	Week 10	Chapter 10 - Information Systems Security	Review for Quiz 2	In-class participation* Assignment 2 due by 5 pm
Wed, 8 Jan 2020	Week 11	Chapter 11 - Information Systems Management	Quiz 2	In-class Quiz 2
Thu, 9 Jan 2020	Week 12	Chapter 12 - Information Systems Development Final Exam Review - Concepts	Review for Final Exam - Excel & Access	In-class participation*
Mon, 13 Jan 2020	Week 13	Final Exam Practice Paper and discussion	No workshops
Wed, 15 Jan 2020	Supplementary Quiz (with approved Special Consideration)
20-24 Jan 2020	Final Exam Period
Thu, 30 Jan 2020	Supplementary Exam 9:30-12:40 (for students with approved Special Consideration)
Thu, 6 Feb 2020	Result Publication

*In-class participation in workshop class is a hurdle requirement. You are required to achieve a minimum of 50% to pass the unit, regardless of your performance in other assessments.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Appeals Policy
Academic Integrity Policy
Academic Progression Policy
Assessment Policy
Fitness to Practice Procedure
Grade Appeal Policy
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training

Assessment tasks

Assignments
Quiz

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training

Assessment tasks

Assignments
Quiz
Final Exam

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training
To demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process

Assessment tasks

In Class Participation
Assignments
Quiz
Final Exam

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training
To demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process

Assessment tasks

In Class Participation
Assignments
Quiz
Final Exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training

Assessment tasks

Assignments
Quiz
Final Exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To develop an understanding of how such applications work, to a level where students can learn new material without requiring formal training
To gain introductory skills with an exposure to a 4th-generation programming environment

Assessment tasks

Assignments
Quiz
Final Exam

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate a competence with basic information technology applications, including basic computer management, e-mail, web browsers, web-page creators and productivity software
To demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process

Assessment tasks

In Class Participation
Assignments
Quiz
Final Exam

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance
To demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in their learning process

Assessment tasks

In Class Participation
Quiz
Final Exam

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To develop an introductory understanding of a range of important and/or current IT issues
To understand the core principles and components of the Information Systems discipline
To recognise how information systems can be used to improve business performance

Assessment tasks

Assignments
Quiz
Final Exam

Standards and Grading

Unlike many units, ISYS104 covers a wide range of areas, but at limited depth. Therefore it is not appropriate to identify core knowledge and assess the students' mastery of that at increaing levels of complexity. Instead, the assessment of learning outcomes is based in large part on the amount of knowledge the student gains across the range of the unit, as assessed by performance in the assignments, quizzes, pratical exam and final examination.

GRADING

L.O. 1-3	PASS	CREDIT	DISTINCTION	HIGH DISCTINCTION
Knowledge development	Reproduce definitions and ideas, show some breath of understanding	Show breath of understanding across most of the unit material	Apply terminology and ideas in some new contexts, show breath of understanding across most of the unit material	Apply terminology and ideas in new contexts, show breath of understanding
L.O. 4-6	PASS	CREDIT	DISTINCTION	HIGH DISCTINCTION
Application Literacy	Able to use most of the application functionality specified in the assignments and practical exam	Able to use almost all of the application functionality specified in the assignments and practical exam for one of the applications covered, and most of the functionality for the remainder.	Able to use almost all of the application functionality specified in the assignments and practical exam for half of the applications covered, and most of the functionality for the other half.	Able to use almost all of the application functionality specified in the assignments and practical exam

Your final grade will depend on your performance in each part of the assessment of the unit. In Class Participation is a hurdle. In order to pass the unit, you must attend at least 5 out of 10 mix classes (exclude the two quizzes week) as explained in the Assessment tasks. In addition to this hurdle, to obtain a grade of Pass (P) or higher in this unit you will need to obtain an overall mark of at least 50% (calculated according to the weightings given above).

Obtaining a higher grade than a Pass (P) in this unit will require a student to obtain the required total number of marks (Credit - 65, Distinction - 75, High Distinction - 85).

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.