FIT1003 IT in organizations - Semester 2 , 2007

Clayton

• Nasrin Rahmati

Malaysia

• Mylini Munusamy

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Relationships

This is a common core unit for all Faculty of IT undergraduate degrees (except Bachelor of Software Engineering). Students studying degrees of other Faculties may take FIT1003 as an elective where their course rules permit.

Unit leader

Lecturer(s) :

Additional communication information

Students from Malaysia and Clayton are studying the unit this semester. Discussion groups are available in the MUSO site for sharing information with all students. Questions that relate to the content of the unit are best asked in MUSO to give all students the benefit of the answer. Chat rooms will also be made available in the MUSO site.

Personal questions related to your progress or study needs should be directed to your lecturer or tutor in person or by email.

FIT1003 provides students with a comprehensive set of study guides, readings, tutorials and solutions to facilitate your learning. The lectures and tutorials will build on these teaching resources rather than reproduce them, and are an opportunity for you to raise questions.

Lectures: You are strongly advised to read through the study guide prior to the lecture, as two hours is far too short to cover all the important concepts. Emphasis in lectures will be given to providing examples of the concepts and discussing some of the debates that these ideas provoke.

Tutorials: Each week's material is accompanied by a set of tutorial questions that play two roles:

1. Because there is no text book, these questions let you test how well you have understood the content in the same way that textbook exercises normally do;
2. They form the basis of the interaction you will have with other students and your tutor during the tutorial classes.

You will be expected to have completed all or a subset of the questions prior to attending the class. The tutorial classes will be used to discuss the questions that you have identified while you are attempting them and to explore some of these concepts in greater depth. Normally your lecturer will advise you which questions will be addressed during the tutorial class.

The two assignments will provide you with feedback of your grasp of the content as well as record a mark toward your final grade.

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system:

http://allocate.cc.monash.edu.au/

Communication, participation and feedback

Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are 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.

Unit Schedule

Week	Topic	Key dates
1	Introduction to organizations and information
2	IT, systems and it-based information systems
3	IT and information systems in organizations
4	Communication in organizations
5	Communication for IT professionals
6	IT infrastructure in organizations	Assignment 1 due
7	Information systems supporting processes in organizations
8	Techniques for describing organizational processes
9	Key processes in organizations
10	Liabilities and risks of it and it-based information systems
Mid semester break
11	Developing and acquiring IT applications in organizations	Assignment 2 due
12	Being an IT professional
13	Revision

Prescribed text(s) and readings

There is no single text book for this unit. You will be provided with a reader with the required reading at the start of the semester. The reader contains extracts of many books and journals. All the references are also available in the Monash library.

Recommended text(s) and readings

• Boddy D, Boonstra A, Kennedy G (2004) Managing information systems : an organisational perspective, Prentice Hall
• Edgar, Stacey, L. (2003) Morality and Machines: Perspectives on Computer Ethics, Second Edition, Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury, Massachusetts.
• Gelinas U, Sutton S & Fedorowicz J (2004) Business processes and information technology, Thomson
• Mohan T, McGregor H, Saunders S, Archee, R (2004) Communicating as Professionals, First edition, Thomson Learning

Required software and/or hardware

There is no specific recommended software for the unit, however you will need access to:

• An Internet browser with Acrobat Reader
• A word processor
• A simple graphics editor such as that in Word or PowerPoint, which is useful but not essential

Software may be:

• purchased at academic price at good software retailers

Equipment and consumables required or provided

You are able to 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 5 hours per week in some weeks, for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

• A printed Unit Book containing 12 Study Guides
• A printed Reader with required readings.
• This Unit Guide outlining the administrative information for the unit
• The FIT1003 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary material will be posted.
• Communication information and newsgroups/discussion groups for each campus that can be linked to from the Unit Homepage.

Library access

The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

All unit and lecture materials are available through the MUSO (Monash University Studies Online) site. You can access this site by going to:

1. a) https://muso.monash.edu.au or
2. b) via the portal (http://my.monash.edu.au).

Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then the MUSO hyperlink.

In order for your MUSO unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

For example :

• MUSO supported browser
• Supported Java runtime environment

For more information, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

You can contact the MUSO Support by: Phone: (+61 3) 9903 1268

For further contact information including operational hours, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

Unit assessment policy

The unit is assessed with two assignments representing 40% of the marks and a three hour closed book examination for 60% of the marks. To pass the unit you must:

• attempt both of the assignments and the examination
• achieve no less that 40% of the possible marks in the exam
• achieve no less that 40% of the possible combined marks for the assignments
• achieve no less than 50% of totalled marks

Result = combined assignment marks/40 + exam mark/60

If you do not satisfy any one of the requirements listed above the maximum mark you can receive is 44 N

Assignment tasks

• Assignment Task

  Title :

  Assignment 1: Information and Communication in Organizations

  Description :

  The assignment is based on a case study of an organization and assesses Study Guides 1-5. You will present the assignment as a report.

  Weighting :

  15%

  Criteria for assessment :

  The criteria used to assess submissions are:

  • Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases. We will look for answers that reflect understanding of the underlying principles and theories.
  • Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question.
  • Presentation - that you have presented your answers in a suitably formatted report style.
  • Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument drawing on the theory presented in the unit.

  Due date :

  Week 6

  Remarks ( optional - leave blank for none ) :

  Please see the MUSO site for submission instructions

• Assignment Task

  Title :

  Assignment 2: IT and IS in Organizations

  Description :

  IT professionals need to understand the importance of information technologies and systems in supporting organizational processes, as well as appreciate the types of information systems that suit the needs to different areas of organizational activity. This assignment aims to develop and test your ability to:

  • Analyze why different types of information systems are needed to support various organizational processes.
  • Explain issues associated with the creation and use of IT systems.
  • Identify and explain issues related to liabilities and risks of IT/IS.
  • Understand techniques used to represent information and processes in organizations.

  Weighting :

  25%

  Criteria for assessment :

  The criteria used to assess submissions are:

  • Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases. We will look for answers that reflect understanding of the underlying principles and theories.
  • Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question. Presentation - that you have presented your answers in a suitably formatted report style.
  • Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument drawing on the theory presented in the unit.

  Due date :

  Week 11

Examinations

• Examination

  Weighting :

  60%

  Length :

  3 hours

  Type ( open/closed book ) :

  Closed book

Assignment submission

You will be advised of assignment submission processes and requirements for your campus on the FIT1003 website.

Assignment coversheets

You should complete, sign and attach the Faculty of IT cover sheet to all assignment submissions. The cover sheet is available in the MUSO site for the unit.

Due dates and extensions

The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. 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. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Requests for extensions must be made to the unit lecturer at your campus 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.

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day. Assignments received later than one week (seven days) after the due date will not normally be accepted. In some cases, this period may be shorter if there is a need to release sample solutions.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at:

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt. A sample solution to the assignments will be released two weeks after the due date.

Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

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 (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) 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.

Register of counselling about plagiarism

The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

Non-discriminatory language

The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

• Faculty of Information Technology Student Service staff, and / or
• your Unit Coordinator, or
• Disabilities Liaison Unit

Deferred assessment and special consideration

Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Special consideration in the awarding of grades is also possible in some circumstances. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.