Prerequisite Modules
Description
This module provides an overview of
information systems, their users, construction, and components. Of
necessity, it is general in nature, providing an overview of the
topics, rather than in-depth treatment.
Aims
The aim of this module is to
introduce the student to the de facto standard technical lexicon of
information systems practice, the basic architecture and organisation
of information systems, fundamental principles of information storage
and management, and the roles of various persons involved in the
development, deployment, and maintenance of information systems.
This module provides the student
with the necessary background knowledge and deployment context for
Database Systems.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this
module, the student will be able to:
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Explain, use appropriately, and
differentiate clearly between key terms (e.g. data, database, DBMS)
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Explain the evolution of
information systems technology
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Identify, describe, and differentiate between different information
system types (e.g. personal, departmental, enterprise)
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Identify, describe, and
differentiate between information system architectures
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Identify, describe, and
differentiate between different persistence strategies in
information systems
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Identify, describe, and
differentiate between different kinds of information system user
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Identify, describe, and
differentiate between different kinds of information system
interface
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Explain the suitability, or
otherwise, of different architectures and/or persistence strategies
to different information system types and/or users
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Define data quality, accuracy and
timeliness, and explain their importance
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Enumerate and describe mechanisms
for data collection
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Enumerate and describe the basic
issues of retention, security, and backup
Learning and Teaching Methods
Lectures, self-study, labs,
tutorials, and any combination of discussion, case study,
problem-solving exercises, readings, seminars, and computer-based
learning.
Content
Information Systems Users
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Parametric users (e.g. bank
clerks, call-center operatives)
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Sophisticated users (e.g.
accountants, business analysts)
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IS Professionals (e.g. database
designers, administrators)
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Casual Users (e.g. online
shoppers)
User interfaces
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Integrated into a broader
application
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Web-based, forms-based
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Report generators
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Query builders
Information Systems Architectures
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Client-server architecture
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Tiered architecture: 1-tier,
2-tier, 3-tier, and n-tier systems
Persistence Strategies
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File storage, records
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Embedded Database Libraries (e.g.
Berkeley DB, xBase)
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Database Management Systems (DBMSs)
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Special-purpose database systems
(e.g. GIS, data warehouses, multimedia databases)
Data Integrity and Retention
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Retention (e.g. archives for legal
or other reasons)
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Physical storage (e.g. disk, tape,
on-site, off-site)
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Backup and recovery: full and
incremental backup and restore, planning and dry-runs.
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Security: physical and
informational; technical and regulatory requirements
Data quality, accuracy and
timeliness
Assessment
The methods of assessment to be used
to measure the learning objectives stated above are written
examination and continuous assessment including one or more of
assignment, essay, problem-solving exercise, oral presentation, and
class or lab tests.
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Continuous Assessment: 20%
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Examination: 80%
Recommended
Reading
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Ross A. Malaga, Information
Systems Technology, 1st ed.; Prentice Hall, 2004; ISBN 0-13-049750-9
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Chapters 1 and 2 of Ramez
Elmasri and Shamkant B. Navathe, Fundamentals of Database Systems,
4th ed.; Addison-Wesley, 2003; ISBN 0-321-20448-4
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Chapters 1 and 2 of C.J.
Date, An Introduction to Database Systems, 8th ed.; Addison-Wesley,
2004; ISBN 0-321-18956-6.
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For more information contact
Ciarán O'Leary
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