Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)

Module BUSS2011: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Department: Business School (Business) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BUSS2011: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 2 20 Available in 2016/2017 Queen's Campus Stockton

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • None.

Aims

  • The module aims to provide a management perspective on the business issues of realising benefits from investments in information systems.

Content

  • Introduction to information and information systems.
  • Elements of IS project management.
  • Sources of value from IS.
  • Benefits driven approach to planning investments in IS.
  • Succeeding in realising the planned benefits.
  • Developing a strategic business case for an IS investment.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of the module students are expected to:
  • understand issues involved in setting priorities for investments in information systems investments.
  • understand key factors that contribute to successful realisation of benefits from investments in IS/IT
  • demonstrate knowledge of the structure and format of an IS investment based business case
  • demonstrate knowledge of the factors relevant to seeking venture capital funding.
Subject-specific Skills
  • By the end of the module students are expected to:
  • be able to apply a number of key practices addressing the business issues of benefits realisation from IS projects.
  • be able to prepare and document a strategic investment business case for a major IS project
  • monitor and act upon the content of the financial statements related to running a start-up business venture.
Key Skills
  • Written Communication - e.g. by completing the assignments.
  • Planning, Organisation and Time Management - by observing the strict assignment deadlines
  • Problem Solving and Analysis - by applying the necessary analytical skills to make use of the taught material, in answering questions
  • Initiative - by searching relevant literature and information in preparation of the summative assignment
  • Computer Literacy and Information Retrieval - e.g. by word-processing summative assignments

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures and seminars. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars, and private study.
  • Formative assessment will be provided on the individual and group work undertaken during the seminars.
  • Summative assessment is by means of individual and group assignments.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 22 1 Per Week 1 Hour 22
Seminars 8 4 in Term 1, 4 in Term 2 1 Hour 8 Yes
Preparation and Reading 170
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Assignment 1 40% Written assignment 2000 words max 100% Same
Assignment 2 60% Written assignment 3000 words max 100% Same

Formative Assessment

Formative feedback will be provided on the work undertaken during the module seminars.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.