The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the different types of information systems found in organisations, with particular emphasis on the processes involved in the design and development of database systems for business.
Information System Categories
Types of Information System found at different level of an organsiation: Operational information Systems; Management Information Systems; Decision Support Systems; Executive Information Systems; Features of each type of system, users, information requirements, outputs, value to the organisation; strategic implications.
Sources of Information Systems
Sourcing software solutions – the build or buy decision; Internal versus external development; Custom development versus acquisition of software packages; Outsourcing issues.
The System Development Lifecycle
System development models - waterfall, lifecycle; Rapid Application Development; Agile development. Development project phases - from feasibility analysis through to system implementation.
Database Management Systems (DBMSs)
The benefits of a DBMS for storing data; The relational database model; Structured Query Language (SQL), Relational database design - Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs). Introduction to Data Warehousing.
Database Development
Database creation, table design, establishing relationships between tables, resolving many to many relationships and basic forms design. Implementing entity relationship diagrams (ERDs) in a relational database. Developing effective data-entry forms; ensuring high quality data entry; retrieving data from the database using query tools, and database reporting tools.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 60 |
| Formal Examination | 40 |