Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Information Systems
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
If the student is enrolled for the English track then classes for that subject will be taught in the same language.
Teaching staff
Outside classroom sessions, students may send questions, comments and requests e-mailto lecturers via e-mail, or alternatively set up a face-to-face appointment with them.
- Spanish group: Joan Morató, jmorato@uic.es
- English group: Joan Morató, jmorato@uic.es
Introduction
The amount of information that businesses have to manage has grown exponentially in recent years. The information systems used for processing and analysing information have become essential tools in the business environment. Companies with optimal information systems management have a significant advantage, being able to speed up processes, reduce costs, improve internal monitoring and facilitate decision-making.
The information obtained from management systems is a major source for decision-making professionals. They must therefore be familiar with and have skills in using the different information processing tools, and the advantages, disadvantages and possibilities offered by each.
Specifically in this context, the efficient use of office tools such as word processors, spreadsheets, slide shows and small databases complements the knowledge of information systems, and should therefore be included in comprehensive information technology training for the business management field.
Pre-course requirements
It is assumed and required that the student has basic computer knowledge and skills, for example e-mail, browsing and conducting internet searches.
Objectives
The first objective is to acquire basic knowledge about information systems and their relevance in the business world.
Secondly, to achieve good skills in the use of office software (word processing, spreadsheets, slide shows and small databases) as useful tools for data analysis and presentation.
Finally, to master the formal presentation of reports, analysis and conclusions through documents, charts, graphics and slide shows.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 29 - To know what an information system is and its typology.
- 30 - To be familiar with information systems models: relational databases and mis, dss, eis, crm, scm, bi, km, erp, bpms models.
- 31 - To develop the ability to identify and interpret numerical data.
- 33 - To be able to search for, interpret and convey information.
- 41 - To be able to descriptively summarise information.
- 48 - To be able to identify the information needs in order to manage the main departments within organisations.
- 49 - To determine the main functions associated with information systems and their specific underlying functional needs, and vice versa.
- 50 - To acquire the ability to relate concepts, analyse and synthesise.
- 52 - To develop interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
- 53 - To acquire the skills necessary to learn autonomously.
- 54 - To be able to express one’s ideas and formulate arguments in a logical and coherent way, both verbally and in writing.
- 55 - To adopt good time management skills.
- 56 - To be able to create arguments which are conducive to critical and self-critical thinking.
- 59 - To skilfully use software and ICTs.
- 66 - To be able to retrieve and manage information.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student will understand the importance of information systems in the business environment. They will also be able to differentiate the main system types and understand the purpose of them.
The student will have acquired good skills in the use of office software, which, far from being a hindrance, will become a useful tool for addressing and solving problems of various kinds.
Lastly, the student will learn to work with data from information systems, critically analyse it and present it effectively and formally, with the final objective being assisting with decision-making in the business environment.
Syllabus
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The focus of this course is eminently practical. Students will use the computer both in class and at home to solve the problems and needs present in the daily life of the business manager: information retrieval and processing, results-oriented analysis and effective presentation of conclusions.
Additionally, exercises will be used to develop public presentation skills.
The theoretical knowledge required for the exercises will be given in advance.
Some communications will be sent by e-mail; it is therefore assumed that students check their e-mail daily.
|
TRAINING ACTIVITY |
COMPETENCES |
|
lecture |
29 |
|
in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays) |
33 |
|
case studies |
30 |
|
lecture |
48 |
|
lecture |
49 |
|
in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays) |
54 |
|
in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays) |
55 |
|
in-class practical work (solving problems/videos/text comments/essays) |
59 |
|
lecture |
66 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
A continuous evaluation method is used, where the final mark for a student will be calculated using the weighted sum of the following components:
- Attendance and class participation: 15%
- Class exercises: 15%
- Home exercises: 20%
- Public presentation in the classroom: 10%
- Mid-course examination: 10%
- Final examination: 30%
COMMENTS FOR BOTH GROUPS:
- To submit exercises, the student will upload the zipped file with their answers to the course online space.
- Exercises submitted after the deadline will be subject to a penalty according to the following scale: 30 points (out of 100) if submitted between 1 second and 48 hours late, a score of 0 if more than 48 hours late.
- Submitting incomplete or badly-formatted exercises due to following the instructions incorrectly will incur a penalty. From 3 to 5 mistakes, a penalty of -10% ; more than 5, a penalty of -30%.
- Each home exercise contributes to the aggregated mark for home exercises with a different weighting. These weightings will be made public during the course.
- Detection of copying or cheating in exercises, examinations or any other activity will result in such examination/activity being failed with a score of zero for all students involved, plus a penalty of 10 points (out of 100) on the overall mark.
- Copying or cheating two or more times will lead to failing the course.
- Class attendance is registered by students in the course virtual space. Students should register their attendance twice for each class: at the beginning and at the end. Students are allowed three absences (or six registrations) without any repercussion on marks. If a student misses more than three classes or forgets to register more than six times, the student's mark corresponding to class attendance and participation will be affected negatively.
- In the event that the average of the exercises at home is less than 30 (out of 100), a penalty of 10 points (out of 100) will be applied to the final grade.
- In case of not actively participating in the public presentation in the classroom, a penalty of 10 points (out of 100) will be applied to the final grade.
- Obtaining a score below 40 (out of 100) on the final examination or failing the Excel part of it will lead to failing the course.
- Students resitting the examination can choose if they prefer to be markd according to the continuous evaluation method or directly obtaining the final examination mark. In any case, the final mark for the second-sitting examination will never be higher than 70 (out of 100). If the student wants to be markd only using the final examination score, they should send an email to the lecturer requesting a change to the evaluation system.
- Each student repeating the course will be able to choose, in both the first sitting and the resit, whether they prefer to be markd according to the continuous evaluation method or by obtaining directly the final examination mark. In any case, the final mark for the second-sitting examination will never be higher than 70 (out of 100). If the student wants to be markd using only the final examination mark, they must send an e-mail to the lecturer requesting a change to the evaluation system. If the student continues with the continuous evaluation method, they must resubmit all exercises and activities.
- Foreign and exchange students (Erasmus and others) will be subject to the same conditions as other students, especially concerning the calendar, examination dates and evaluation system.
Bibliography and resources
Since this is primarily a practical module, the main supporting documentation is the help functions provided within the software tools used.
Some consultation bibliography will be proposed throughout the course