IMS5401 Web-based Systems Development , Unit Information Guide (Semester 1, 2006)

Web-based information systems may require a development approach, development skills and a range of participants unlike those used for other forms of information system. This unit aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the nature of the web-based information systems development process, and how it is applied in different types of information systems.

The unit will examine the following main areas:

The emphasis throughout the unit will be on providing a broad overview of topics, rather than examining any one topic in great depth. There will be a strong emphasis on practical demonstration of the concepts being studied, and case studies will be used to highlight key aspects of theory.

C1. Know the technological capabilities associated with the internet and the world-wide web and the basic technological capabilities required to develop web-based systems

C2. Know the main tasks in the web-based information systems development process and the main techniques used to perform them

C3. Know the mixture of skills and competencies required for successful development of a web-based information system

C4. Understand the principles of good practice with respect to the management of web-based information systems project

A1. Recognise the range of skills and competencies required in the development of web-based information systems

A2. Recognise the special expertise and skills which information professionals can contribute to the development of a web-based information system

P1. Identify the range of technical and systems expertise needed in the development of a web-based system for a given set of circumstances

P2. Perform some of the basic information analysis and design tasks required during development of a web-based information system

S1. Recognise the importance of a team-based approach to web-based information systems development

S2. Interact with system users and with other members of a team in the tasks involved in the development of a web-based information system

S3. Develop interpersonal communication skills with team members in Web-based systems developement activities

IMS9001, IMS9003, IMS9049, or equivalent.

The pre-requisite units are required because the unit contrasts the nature of web technology and web development processes with the technology and development processes used for normal transaction-based information systems. It builds on the student's existing understanding of computer-based systems and the systems development process

You may not study this unit and IMSin your degree.

Required text(s)

There are no required text books for this unit.  References will be given to text books throughout the semester for students who want a text for specific topics.  See the recommended reading list below as a starting point.

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.

Software requirements:

Nil

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. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Goldfarb C & Prescod P (2004). XML Handbook, Prentice Hall

Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web Usability. New Riders

Rosenfeld, L. & Morville, P. (2002). Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing large-sclae web sites. O'Reilly

Sano, D. (1996). Designing Large-Scale Web Sites. Wiley

Siegel, D, (1997). Secrets of Successful Web Sites: Project Management on the World Wide Web. Hayden Books

Vaughan, T. (2001). Multimedia: Making it work (5th edn.). Osborne

Study resources for IMS5401 are:

The IMS5401 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, tutorial exercises, assignments and resource material will be posted throughout the semester.

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 50% and an examination with a weighting of 50%. Read this section VERY carefully.

To pass this unit you must:

Achieve a minimum mark of 40% for both the assignment and exam components of the assessment, and an overall mark of at least 50%

Your score for the unit will be calculated by:

Adding the exam and assignment components.  If you fail to achieve a mark of at least 40% in either the exam or assignment component, the highest mark you can be given is 44 N.

Assessment Requirements

Assignment specifications will be made available on the IMS5401 unit web site. Information about assignments will be published on the Unit's Notices Newsgroup.

Assignments will be submitted in hard copy form.  Electronic submission of assignments will be permitted only under exceptional circumstances, and by authorisation of the unit leader.  On-campus students must submit their assignments to their tutor by the end of the tutorial class in the week specified for submission.  The assignment must have the the appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached.  

Late submission of assignments

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of up to 5% per day at the discretion of the unit leader.  Assignments which are submitted more than a week late will be accepted only with the authorisation of the unit leader.

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. 

Requests for extensions must be made in writing at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

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.

Student's first point of contact with their lecturer or tutor should be through the scheduled lecture and tutorial classes.  The lecturer and tutors will also have scheduled consultation times each week of semester.  Additional consultation with either lecturer or tutor can be arranged by appointment.  All teaching staff are contactable by e-mail.

Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.

Consultation Times

These will be posted on the unit web site during the first week 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:

Mr Martin Atchison
Senior Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 31912

Mr Manoj Kathpalia

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.