IMS2805 Systems Design and Implementation , Unit Information Guide (Semester 1, 2006)

This unit will further the student's knowledge of the traditional systems development lifecycle, with a focus on the design and implementation phases. By the end of the unit, the student will know the principles of how to design and implement a system, and will have experience in using the basic structured techniques commonly used in these phases.

The unit will introduce students to the nature of systems design and implementation as phases within the systems development process.

Topics include:

C1. Understand the purpose and objectives of the systems design and implementation phases of the structured systems development lifecycle, and the activities which they involve

C2. Know the main techniques which are used in systems design and implementation, and the purpose for which each is used

C3. Understand the key issues involved in systems design and implementation

A1. Recognise the value of a systematic team-based approach to the development of information systems

A2. Recognise the importance of the systems design and implementation phases of the structured systems development lifecycle

A3. Recognise the strengths and weaknesses of basic techniques for systems design and implementation

P1. Determine design and implementation requirements and identify a suitable approach for design and implementation of a simple business system

P2. Use basic design techniques in the development of elements of an information system

P3. Prepare and present a design specification for a simple business system

P4. Prepare and present an implementation plan for a simple business system

S1. Be able to work as part of a team responsible for carrying out systems design and implementation for a business system

IMS1805, IMS1906, IMS1907 or equivalent. You should have knowledge of

IMS1805, IMS1906, IMS1907 or equivalents

Required text(s)

None required.

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Hardware requirements:

Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may 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.

Hoffer, J.A., et al. (2002). Modern Systems Analysis and Design,  (3rd  edition) Addison-Wesley, Reading MA, USA.

Whitten, J.,Bentley, L. & Dittman K. (2001) Systems Analysis and Design Methods (5th edition), Irwin McGraw-Hill.

Study resources for IMS2805 are:

Lecture notes, tutorial exercises and assignment specifications will be available on the unit website.

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/ims2805/study

The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+

Assessment for the unit consists of 2 assignments with a weighting of 40% and an examination with a weighting of 60%. Read this section VERY carefully.

To pass this unit you must:

The 40% rule applies to units and determines the final result for a student where the student's performance in either the examination or assignment component of the unit is unsatisfactory. Students need to be aware of the 40% rule which is:
In order to pass a unit, a student must gain all of the following:
·         at least 40% of the marks available for the examination component, if any: i.e. the final examination and any tests performed under exam conditions, taken as a whole
·         at least 40% of the marks available for the assignment component: i.e. the assignments and any other assessment tasks (such as presentations) taken as a whole
·         at least 50% of the total marks for the unit.
Where a student gains less than 40% for either the examination or assignment component, the final result for the unit will be no greater than ‘44-N’.

Your score for the unit will be calculated by:

In order to pass a unit, a student must gain all of the following:
·         at least 40% of the marks available for the examination component, if any: i.e. the final examination and any tests performed under exam conditions, taken as a whole
·         at least 40% of the marks available for the assignment component: i.e. the assignments and any other assessment tasks (such as presentations) taken as a whole
·         at least 50% of the total marks for the unit.

Assessment Requirements

Assignment specifications will be made available on the IMS2805 website. Information about assignments will be published on the Unit's Notices Newsgroup.

Submit the assignment to your tutor by the date specified in the assignment requirements with the appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached. The due date is the date by which the submission must be received.

Late submission of assignments

Late assignments submitted without an approved extension may be acceptedTotal marks available for the assignment = 100 marks

This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment. 

Extensions

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. 

If you believe that your assignment will be delayed because of circumstances beyond your control such as illness, you should apply for an extension prior to the due date. All applications for extensions must be made in writing to your lecturer. Medical certificates or other supporting documentation will be required.

Grading of assessment

Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.

You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.

You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is 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.

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 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.

Consultation Times

Consultation times are yet to be finalised and will be posted on the unit website by start of semester.

If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:

Dr Peta Darke
Senior Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 32416

All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.