Uganda Martyrs University

Faculty of Business Administration & Management

CSC 1201 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS
BAM I Course Outline 2014-2015
Lecturer: Hanghujja Sarah

0772947978

E-mail : shanghujja@umu.ac.ug

This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the fundamentals related
to information systems and to help them analyse the application of those fundamentals to business
organisations.

The course will further give students a computer appreciation through theoretical lectures that will
equip them with the basic computer architecture, terminologies, operations and applications and lab
sessions that give hands-on skills in the use of productivity software like spreadsheets, presentation,
and word processor.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1.

Discuss the concepts of information systems including data, information, knowledge, system,
environment, and information system.

2.

Analyse the interactions among information systems components including people, procedures,
hardware, software, data/information, networks and telecommunications technologies.

3.

Discuss how information technologies work together in enterprise networking and

internetworking with other organizations through the Internet

4.

Examine the role of information systems in capturing and disseminating organizational

information/knowledge and in enhancing management decision-making.

6.

Discuss the different levels of management in an organisation and the different types of
information systems used at each level.

7.

Analyse the different phases of information system development.

8.

Be able to use various Internet search engines in capturing and downloading information on
specific topics.

9.

Be able to use library and Internet resources to develop teamwork research, oral and written
presentation skills by preparing a report and a class presentation using OpenOffice.org Writer
and OpenOffice.org Impress application software.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course you should be able to:
1

Define and discuss the concepts of information systems.

Outline and discuss the different Components of information systems.

Explain the application of IT and ICT in organisations.

Examine the different types of information systems and their role in organisations.

Examine the value of information systems in the development of organisations.

Describe how information systems are used by different organisational functions and at different
management levels.

Discuss the related phases involved in information systems development.

Use the computer system and Internet search engines for the course work assignments.

Prepare and present the group work presentation and report using OpenOffice.Org Impress and
OpenOffice.Org Writer.

COURSE CONTENT

1. Basic concept of Information Systems

Data
o

Sources of data/information

Information
o

Attributes of good Information

Value of Information

Data/information flow

Information Storage

Knowledge

System

Environment

2. Information Systems (IS)

Components of Information Systems

o

Hardware

Software

Networks

Data/information Resources

People

Procedures

Information Technology (IT)

Information & Communications Technologies (ICT)

2

3. Common types of Information Systems

Introduction
o

Defining Information Systems from the business perspective

Evolution of Information System

Structure of an organisation
o

Organisational levels

Functional structure

Basic types of information systems

o

Data Processing Systems (DPS) / Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)

Management Information Systems (MIS)

Executive Information Systems (EIS)

Decision Support Systems (DSS)

Expert Systems (ES)

Classification of information systems in organisations

o

Organisational levels

Functional orientation

Support provided

4. Information Systems in Organisation

Organisational levels
o

Operational level

Tactical level

Strategic level

Functions of an Organisation
o

Sales and Marketing

Manufacturing and Production

Finance and Accounting

Human Resources

Characteristic of Information Systems

Advantages of Information Systems in organisations

Disadvantages of Information Systems in organisations

5. Data Management

Main concepts in data management:

o

Manual filing system

File-based system (computer file-based)

Database (DB)

Database Management System (DBMS)

3

Group Presentations

6. Information System Development

Systems Development Phases

Final Assessment
Evaluation
Coursework

50%

Group contribution/ course work

25%

Individual contribution/ test

25%

Final Assessment Test

Total

50%
100%

Resources

Laudon K.C. & Laudon J.P. (2006). Management Information Systems Managing the Digital
Firm. 9th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey

OBrien J.A., (2003). Introduction to Information Systems Essentials for the e-Business
Enterprise. 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin. North America.

Simon J. C., (2001). Introduction to Information Systems. John Wiley & Sons INC., USA.

Lucey T., (2008). Management Information Systems. 9th Edition, Book Power, Croatia.

Turban E., McLean E., & Wetherbe J., (2001). Information Technology for Management
Making Connections for Strategic Advantage. 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons INC., USA.

Forouzan B.A., (2003). Data Communication and Networking. 2nd Edition, TaTa McGraw-Hill.
New Delhi, India.

Yadav D.S. (2008). Foundation of Information Technology. 3rd Edition, New Age International
Publishers. New Delhi, India.

The Internet and E-Resources in UMU Library

Possible website will be given at the end of every Lecture. You are requested to also utilise this
facility on your own.