KENYA METHODIST UNIVERSITY

MISC 116: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUNNESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS

COURSE OUTLINE
Course Description
This course provides a business perspective of Information Systems (IS), and examines the roles
of information systems in a modern organisation. The course introduces students to theoretical
and practical basics of business and information systems. It investigates information system
concepts such as data, input, processing, output, and information technology such as hardware,
software and networks. It investigates the use of information and communication technology
(ICT) as well as their convergence (coming together) to support business. The nature and value
of information as well as the impact of technology on organisations and society are also
considered. The practical component includes using the internet, word processing, spreadsheets
and database systems.
Course objectives
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
a) Explain the application of computers to different business fields and to explain the impact
of computers to the society.
b) Explain the relationship between people, processes, and information systems, and
understand the importance of information and information systems in supporting and
enabling core business processes.
c) Understand computer components and organizations
d) Evaluate the benefits and costs associated with information systems.
e) Demonstrate the ability to use business software as a tool when solving simple business
problems.
COURSE CONTENTS
1. Introduction to Information Systems in business
Definition of systems, information and information systems
Evolution of information systems
Components of information systems
Roles of information systems in business
Factors affecting the value of information in organizations
2. Business information systems and their applications
Information systems for business operations
Control and transaction processing systems
Information systems for managerial decision support
Management information and Decision Support Systems
Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Business

Information Systems for Strategic Advantage

Strategic Applications and Issues on Information Technology

3. Information Systems Hardware and Software

Definition and characteristics of a computers
Computer classification
Computer hardware
Computer peripherals: input, outputs and storage technologies
Criteria for evaluating computers or related devices to purchase
Factors affecting performance of computer systems
Computer software
Systems and application software
Proprietary and open source software
Evaluating packaged software for business use
4. Data/information processing Concept
Data processing activities
Data processing cycle: Acquisition, input, validation, processing, storage, retrieval, output,
communication and disposals.
Data organization: Data Items, Field, Records, Files and Databases
Data management and data modeling
Database Applications

Course Text books

1. OBrien, J. A..: Management Information systems: Managing Information Technology in the
E-Business Enterprise (Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, New Delhi, 1999).
2. Laudon, K.C. and Laudon, J. P.: Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital
Firm (Prentice-Hall of India Private Limited, New Delhi, 2006).
3. Turban, E. and Mclean, E. and Wetherbe.: Information Technology for Management:
Transforming Organizations in the Digital Economy, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,
Singapore, 2004
4. Alex, K.M. and Charles M.A. (2006). Comprehensive computer handbook, Ark Foundation
5. Carter N and Kamal, R. (2006). Computer Architecture, Tata MC-Graw-Hill