The second studio unit aims to extend students' skills in the use of productivity applications, such as modeling tools, HTML authoring applications, and word-processing. The unit exposes students to network fundamentals. As a continuation of the studio ethos, there is a concentration on applying fundamental knowledge from other first year second semester units in the BIS program. The studio provides that environment where students can integrate what they have learned in other units, and can see practical applications of some fundamental concepts. Again, there is provision for individual work and reflection, but there is also a strong commitment to ensuring that students can work well in small groups. The organization process is used as a basis for developing understanding of project management. Students will continue to develop their presentation skills at several stages of the unit.
Topics include:
Interview techniques to acquire information. Information gathering as part of the project process
How a system is specified. The purpose of specification as a framework for project management
Introduction to and further exploitation of tools and applications(System modeling, Word, HTML authoring, project management)
Introduction to basic network processes
Quality as an issue in project management
Organisation process as an example for project management issues
Documents for promotional information in the enterprise - the roles of documentation
Objectives
Knowledge and Understanding
Students will have knowledge of:
C1. How a system is specified
C2. The development of promotional information in business
C3. The basic elements of data communications
C4. Quality issues associated with project management
C5. Elements of documentation techniques used in project management
Attitudes, Values and Beliefs
A1. Students will continue to develop professional attitudes to documenting their work as an individual and as a member of a group
A2. Students will continue to develop their appreciation of the value of group work, and its fundamental application to systems processes
Practical Skills
P1. Students will further develop skills in the use of fundamental software tools, such as Modelling software, Macros in word-processing software, CSS development and application, Metadata authoring tools, Project Management applications, etc
P2. Students will acquire basic skills in how to connect computers in basic network configuration
P3. Interviewing techniques will be acquired and developed, as fundamental to early stages of project management
P4. Students will develop their skills in presenting material to clients
Relationships, Communication and TeamWork
S1. Students will further develop their understanding of group dynamics, and how to work within groups
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed IMS1501 or equivalent. Only available to students enrolled in the BIS or BIS(IM)/BEd or BA/BIS.
Unit relationships
IMS1502 is a core unit in the Bachelor of IS
You may not study this unit and IMS1000 in your degree.
McKeown, P.G. (2003). Information Technology and the Networked Economy (2nd Ed.). Boston: Thomson Course Technology. ISBN 0-030-34851-X
Textbook availability
Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.
Software requirements
All software is available in the studio precinct.
Hardware requirements
Students may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 4 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
Additonal readings will be given during the seminars and studios, and will be published on the unit web site.
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for IMS1502 are:
This Unit Information outlining the administrative information for the unit.
Additional resources will be published on the unit web site.
Online discussion are availbale on MUSO
Structure and organisation
Week
Topics
1
Introduction
2
TBA
3
TBA
4
TBA
5
TBA
6
TBA
7
TBA
8
TBA
9
TBA
10
TBA
Non teaching week
11
TBA
12
TBA
13
TBA
Timetable
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment for the unit consists of assignments with a weighting of 70%, reflective piece (10%) and an examination with a weighting of 20%. Read this section VERY carefully.
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
at least 40% of the marks available for the examination component, if any: i.e. the final examination and any tests performed under exam conditions, taken as a whole
at least 40% of the marks available for the assignment component: i.e. the assignments and any other assessment tasks (such as presentations) taken as a whole
at least 50% of the total marks for the unit
Where a student gains less than 40% for either the examination or assignment component, the final result for the unit will be no greater than ‘44-N’.
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
Assignments + Examination = Result
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Assignment 1:
Week TBA (5pm Friday)
15%
Assignment 2:
Week TBA
55 %
Reflective piece.
Week 12 (5pm Friday)
10 %
The exam is 2 hours long and is closed book.
Exam period (S2/06) starts on 23/10/06
20 %
Assignment specifications will be made available early in the semester - handout and on the unit web site.
Assignment Submission
Assignments will be submitted by electronic submission using MUSO, AND paper submission to the tutor's mail box. The appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached . The due date is the date by which the submission must be received/the date by which the the submission is to be posted.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 10% per day. Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted.
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
Requests for extensions must be made by 'email to the unit lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication methods
Email the tutor or the lecturer with specifc questions, or post general questions in the online discussion area (MUSO)
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices section in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
Email for an appointment. Times to be advised
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
Mr David Grant Sessional Academic Staff Member Phone +61 3 990 34326
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
