Students

COMP1750 – Introduction to Business Information Systems

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Kristi Ovsthus
kristi.ovsthus@mq.edu.au
Contact via Unit email: comp1750@mq.edu.au
To be announced on iLearn
Lecturer
Natalie Batshon
natalie.batshon@mq.edu.au
Contact via Unit email: comp1750@mq.edu.au
To be announced on iLearn
Credit points Credit points
10
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.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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:

  • ULO1: Explain the underlying business and organisational aspects that would affect information systems choices.
  • ULO2: Explain the role of information systems in businesses and describe how they can be used to improve business performance.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of how business information systems use data to support decision-making and drive business success.
  • ULO4: Design and develop basic web pages using HTML and other languages.
  • ULO5: Apply fundamental business productivity software applications to solve business problems.

General Assessment Information

We strongly encourage all students to participate actively in all learning activities. Regular engagement is crucial for your success in this unit, as these activities provide opportunities to deepen your understanding of the material, collaborate with peers, and receive valuable feedback from instructors to assist in completing the unit assessments. Your active participation enhances your learning experience and contributes to a vibrant and dynamic learning environment for everyone.

 

Assessment Information

Business Presentation

This is an individual assessment to be submitted on iLearn as a video presentation.

Practical Assessment

This is an individual assessment to be submitted on iLearn. The assessment must be completed using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, HTML and CSS.

Final Exam

This is an individual formal examination that will be conducted on campus and invigilated. The time and place will be published on https://iexams.mq.edu.au/ closer to the date.

 

Release Dates

  • Business Presentation: to be released no later than week 2
  • Practical Assignment: to be released no later than week 7
  • Final Exam: information and sample questions are to be released no later than week 13

 

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit, you must:

  • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%.

 

Late Submission Policy

  • 5% penalty per day: If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.

    • Example 1 (out of 100): If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

    • Example 2 (out of 30): If you score 27/30 but submit 1 day late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

  • After 7 days: Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

  • Extensions:

    • Short extension: Some assessments are eligible for a short extension. You can only apply for a short extension before the due date.

    • Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Late Submission

  • Business Presentation – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
  • Practical Assignment - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
  • Final Exam - NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted

 

  • Need help? Review the Special Consideration page HERE

 

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable, and significantly disruptive and may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through https://connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Business Presentation 25% No 07/04/2026 Individual Yes Open
Practical Assignment 25% No 22/05/2026 Individual Yes Open
Final Exam 50% No Exam Period Individual No Observed

Business Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 26 hours
Due: 07/04/2026
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Propose a technology based on a business case study that considers the business function, strategy, and other business aspects.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the underlying business and organisational aspects that would affect information systems choices.
  • Explain the role of information systems in businesses and describe how they can be used to improve business performance.

Practical Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 22/05/2026
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

The tasks will include a range of tasks, such as working with spreadsheets, databases, and web development.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how business information systems use data to support decision-making and drive business success.
  • Design and develop basic web pages using HTML and other languages.
  • Apply fundamental business productivity software applications to solve business problems.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

This assessment will test your overall understanding of Information Systems in a business context. It assesses your understanding of various business aspects and how they determine the suitable system and your ability to assess the potential and risks of adopting technologies. Be able to showcase your skills and understanding of the technologies used in the practical classes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the role of information systems in businesses and describe how they can be used to improve business performance.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how business information systems use data to support decision-making and drive business success.
  • Design and develop basic web pages using HTML and other languages.
  • Apply fundamental business productivity software applications to solve business problems.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

Each week, you should engage and participate in:

  • a two-hour lecture
  • a two-hour workshop

For details of days, times and rooms, consult your personal timetable.

Week 1 Classes

Note that both the lecture and workshop classes commence in week 1. 

 

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn. Queries to the convenor can sent to the unit email (comp1750@mq.edu.au).

 

Texts and Materials

Notes are available each week on iLearn, but they are intended as an outline of the lecture only and are not a substitute for your own notes or reading of any textbook or other additional material.

  • Textbook:
    • Experiencing MIS, Global Edition (8th edition) by Kroenke and Boyle (without MyLab) (ISBN: 9781292266985 for hardcopy or ISBN: 9781292724577 for eBook)
  • Alternative textbook (available via Leganto)
    • Experiencing MIS, Global Edition (7th edition) by Kroenke and Boyle (without MyLab) (ISBN: 9781292163574 for hardcopy or ISBN: 9781292163581 for eBook)

 

Technology used and required

  • Microsoft Excel (available for free for MQ students)
  • Microsoft Access (available for free for MQ students)
  • Alternative access to software via AppStream.
  • Notepad++ or other plain text editor (examples: NotePad (Windows) and TextEdit (Mac))

 

Unit Schedule

Outline of Topics

  • The Importance of MIS
  • Business Processes, Information Systems, and Information
  • Organizational Strategy, Information Systems, and Competitive Advantage
  • Hardware and Software
  • The fundamentals of Web design and development
  • Database Processing
  • The Cloud
  • Processes, Organizations, and Information Systems
  • Social Media Information Systems
  • Business Intelligence Systems
  • Information Systems Security
  • Information Systems Management
  • Information Systems Development

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

Based on the students' feedback from prior offerings, the one-hour practical classes are now two-hour workshop classes, to accommodate discussion based on the lecture materials, in addition to the hands-on exercises.

The practical assignment will now cover various skills covered in the hands-on exercises.

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook