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Awarded by: University of Greenwich
The MSc in Information Systems Management is from the School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences (CMS) at the University of Greenwich. The subject area of Computing Science at Greenwich has been ranked above all other London new (post 1992) universities, and the CMS is a winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education and the European Information Society Technologies (IST) Prize.
The MSc is designed to provide students with a sound knowledge of planning and control of information systems, giving them the essential skills and knowledge of tools to build effective systems incorporating databases and front end web-based technologies. Students will also develop the skills required for project management and strategic decision marking.
The MSc will appeal to IT professionals who wish to add to their technical and development skills to become better analysts and managers of information systems development.
Upon completion of the MSc, students will have met all of the academic requirements for Chartered IT Professional accreditation from the British Computer Society (BCS). The BCS is recognised as the Chartered Institute for IT, with over 70,000 members across the world, promoting wider social and economic progress through the advancement of information technology science and practice.
The Masters consists of a total of 8 modules and a project:
System Modelling
An engineering approach for building systems requires methods and tools to ensure that systems are built in the most effective way. In order to fully utilise corporate data a system must be well designed and well understood. This course will develop all aspects of designing an information system by using a CASE tool. Tools for Object Oriented design and Structured design will be used. To be able to use these tools creatively the student will need a sound knowledge of the techniques and methods employed in the design of information systems. The aims of this course are to advance the student's knowledge of design methodologies and how CASE tools can be used to aid the designer and develop the student's practical skills in the use of case tools to design systems. It also addresses the difficulties and intricacies of large scale system development and develops the student's ability to choose the most suitable modelling method for different problems.
Assessment: 50% exam/50% assignment
Audit & Security
The overall aim of this course is to show the need to consider information security threats and their subsequent audit and control at management level within an organisation. Students will be expected to utilise professional skills learnt in other parts of the programme and apply them to practical audit and reporting tasks. The main taught element will focus on how to identify security issues and apply principles of audit and control to management reporting. As part of the taught programme the course will aim to provide students with an understanding of the threats to information and information systems and the awareness of controls that may be applied to reduce risk from threats. The importance of good security policy at management level will also be covered.
Assessment: 50% exam/50% assignment
Systems Planning and Management
In order to fully exploit the advantages that information systems offer to business organisations, students need to understand the strategic options available and their effective implementation. The aim of the course is to provide students with sufficient knowledge to contribute to the development of a systems planning framework that will function as an integral part of the organisation's approach to its strategic development. By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate the context in which IS planning will take place and critically discuss the tools and techniques used to construct an IS strategy.
Assessment: 50% exam/50% assignment
Information, Methods and Culture
We live in a world that is increasingly dependent upon the use of technology and information. As technology changes and advances, the art of representing information and building appropriate systems is becoming progressively inexact and blurred. The Information Engineer of the future must be equipped with the appropriate skills to meet these challenges. The aim of this course is to understand the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of methods for information systems development. It explores the relationship between data, information and knowledge and the way macro and micro culture affects the system model and the success or failure of the resulting information system. It critically examines a number of 'soft' development approaches and how they add to the systems development process.
Assessment: 100% assignment
Project Management
The course aims to provide students with skills for planning, coordinating and controlling information system projects.
Specific outcomes are:
- To critically review the major contributors to successful projects.
- To understand the importance of ensuring that projects are allied to business objectives.
- To understand the importance of time, cost and quality in project management.
- To develop an appreciation of the impact that different Stakeholders have on projects.
- To develop an ability to appreciate different communication channels and how they help with successful project delivery.
- To understand project management control techniques.
Assessment: 70% Coursework/30% Test
Outsourcing and IT Management
In modern business organisations, IT is delivered using a range of models depending upon the size, nature of the organisation and organisational goals. In particular, many organisations are moving to a model of outsourcing their IT function, often on a global scale. In modern business organisations, IT is delivered using a range of models depending upon the size, nature of the organisation and organisational goals. In particular, many organisations are moving to a model of outsourcing their IT function, often on a global scale.
This course examines a number of the managerial and planning issues for the successful running of IT in an outsourcing environment. It examines different models for managing and maintaining Information Systems and Information Technology, looking at such issues as capacity planning, cost effectiveness, managing change, and approaches that lead to successful outsourcing. In particular, it looks at the issue of outsourcing in a global environment.
Assessment: 30% Seminar/70% Essay
Software Tools & Techniques
This course assumes that the student has gained prior knowledge of programming using at least a 3G language at degree level or experience at an equivalent level. It aims to give students an understanding of the concepts of object-oriented programming using Java. This will enable students to develop object-oriented programming skills.
On completion of this course the students should be able to:
- Understand the Java Environment and the use of the Java Development kit for the creation of Java programs.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of various object-oriented design techniques.
- Develop and critically appraise object-oriented applications in Java.
Assessment: 75% Coursework/25% Weekly Class Test
Internet and Web Technologies
The Internet has emerged as one of the dominating areas of IT development. The ever expanding range of applications within a global community that communicates, trades and exchanges information seamlessly has meant that the Internet and its associated technologies is a rapidly growing and changing area that requires in-depth knowledge as well as a wide range of skills. These web technologies have also been used to develop intranet and extranet systems to meet the needs of modern businesses. While vendor based technologies such as .Net play a major role as development tools for a lot of Web applications there is a growing community of Web technologies being developed using "Open Source" Technology. The aim of this course is to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use modern "Open Sources" web technologies. Specific aims are to develop students' knowledge about the technical and social issues affecting the emergence and development of the Internet, intranets and extranets and to encourage a critical assessment of the issues affecting the Internet. It will also develop practical skills in developing advanced Web applications using "Open Source" web technologies.
Assessment: 50% exam/50% assignment
Project
This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to conduct an individual piece of supervised work which reflects their programme area and is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline.
Businesses, industries and commercial enterprises, as prospective employers also require the MSc graduates to have a range of transferable skills. Such skills include being able to work independently, solve complex problems, organise their learning and work, and undertake and successfully complete projects running over several months. Employers also expect MSc holders to be able to evaluate their own work in the context of other related work, and draw and present their conclusions both orally and in the form of a cogent, well written and well presented report.
The project may include the design and development of a software or hardware project (or artefact) or involve an in-depth investigation of a relevant technical issue in an appropriate subject area with clearly defined questions, metrics and solution criteria using appropriate tools and techniques.
Assessment: 100% assignment
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