Welcome to FIT1003 IT in Organizations. This 6 point unit is core to all undergraduate degree programs in the Faculty of IT except the Bachelor of Software Engineering. The unit has been designed to provide you with an understanding of organizations, the contexts within which information technologies are used, and the IT professions. It explores many aspects of IT with emphasis on the relationship between theoretical knowledge and its practical application using cases and real examples.
The unit will provide you with an introduction and broad overview of the application of IT to the management of information in organisations, and the role of the IT professional in developing and implementing IT-based solutions to information problems.
The discussion of the organisational framework for IT and IT professional practice will be set within its broader social context. The opportunities, problems and risks associated with IT will be examined, together with their implications for the rights and responsibilities of IT professionals.
At the completion of this unit you will have knowledge and understanding of:
You will be able to:
You will:
Workload commitments are:
You will need to allocate up to 5 hours per week in some weeks, for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Monash is committed to ‘Excellence in education’ (Monash Directions 2025 - http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html) and strives for the highest possible quality in teaching and learning.
To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning Monash regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through Unit Evaluation Surveys. The University’s Unit Evaluation policy (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/unit-evaluation-policy.html) requires that every unit offered is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys as they are an important avenue for students to “have their say”. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
Faculties have the option of administering the Unit Evaluation survey online through the my.monash portal or in class. Lecturers will inform students of the method being used for this unit towards the end of the semester.
This unit went through a major re-development in 2007, and we are continuing to improve the teaching approaches and content of the unit, so we value your input on what works for you and improvements you would like to see. We are currently reviewing the assessment strategies for 2009 based on the feedback of 2008 students.
Contact hours : By appointment only - please email me with a brief description of your query and a contact phone no.
Contact hours : Thursday 2-3 pm, Friday 2-3 pm.
Contact hours : By appointment only - please email me with a brief description of your query and a contact phone no.
Contact hours : To be advised in lecturers and available on lecturer's door.
Consultation details will be available on the unit website.
Students from the Caulfield, Berwick, Gippsland, Sunway-Malaysia and South Africa campuses, and off-campus students in distance education mode are studying FIT1003 this semester. If you have questions that relate to the unit please use the Moddle discussion groups, where all students will benefit from the answer. Other discussion groups will also be available for more informal contact. You are strongly encouraged to participate in the discussion groups available in the FIT1003 Moodle site.
Personal questions related to your progress or study needs should be directed to your lecturer or tutor in person or by email.
FIT1003 provides students with a comprehensive set of weekly study guides, readings, tutorials and solutions to facilitate their learning. The lectures and tutorials will build on these teaching resources rather than reproduce them, and are an opportunity for you to raise questions.
Lectures: You are strongly advised to read through the study guide prior to the lecture, as two hours is far too short to cover all the important concepts. Emphasis in lectures will be given to providing examples of the concepts and discussing some of the debates that these ideas provoke.
Tutorials: Each week's material is accompanied by a set of tutorial questions, usually drawn from the textbook, that play two roles:
You are expected to have completed all or a subset of the questions prior to attending the class. In some cases students will be responsible for tutorial activities and so will need to prepare for the class. The tutorial classes will be used to discuss the questions that you have identified while you are attempting the set problems, and to explore some of these concepts in greater depth. Normally your lecturer will advise you which questions will be addressed during the tutorial class.
The assignments will provide you with feedback of your grasp of the content as well as record a mark toward your final grade.
On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system:
http://allocate.cc.monash.edu.au/
Students studying by off-campus learning will not have scheduled tutorial times. Instead, you are encouraged to use the discussion groups and chat rooms in Moodle as a virtual tutorial room.
If there is sufficient interest amongst OCL students in using the Marratech video conferencing system for group discussions this will be arranged.
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Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are 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.
| Week | Topic | Study guide | References/Readings | Key dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Organisations | Study Guide 1 | Refer to Study Guide 1 | |
| 2 | Information and Information Systems | Study Guide 2 | Refer to Study Guide 2 | |
| 3 | Introduction to Business Processes | Study Guide 3 | Refer to Study Guide 3 | |
| 4 | Information Technologies in the Organisation | Study Guide 4 | Refer to Study Guide 4 | |
| 5 | Supporting Business Functions with IT | Study Guide 5 | Refer to Study Guide 5 | |
| 6 | Developing Successful IT Systems - Part 1 | Study Guide 6 & 7 | Refer to Study Guide 6 & 7 | Assignment 1 due |
| Mid semester break | ||||
| 7 | Developing Successful IT Systems - Part 2 | Study Guide 6 & 7 | Refer to Study Guide 6 & 7 | |
| 8 | Communication Concepts | Study Guide 8 | Refer to Study Guide 8 | |
| 9 | Working in Teams | Study Guide 9 | Refer to Study Guide 9 | |
| 10 | Communication in Organisations | Study Guide 10 | Refer to Study Guide 10 | Assignment 2 due |
| 11 | Managing IT Security | Study Guide 11 | Refer to Study Guide 11 | |
| 12 | Professional Issues | Study Guide 12 | Refer to Study Guide 12 | Assignment 3 due |
| 13 | Revision | |||
Haag, Baltzan and Phillips, Business Driven Technology, 2nd edition or 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill Irwin
Weekly readings, cases and problems are set from this text. Failure to obtain or have access to the textbook will not be grounds for special consideration. Limited numbers of copies are available for short term loan from some libraries, but you should not rely on these. Library acquisition processes do not ensure availability from the start of the semester at all locations.
Digitised readings for some topics are available from the FIT1003 Reading List:
http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/resourcelists/f/fit1003.html
Curtis, G. and Codham, D. (2005) Business Information Systems Prentice-Hall
Dwyer, J. (2005) Communication in Business: Strategies and Skills 3rd edition, Perason Education, Australia.
Eunson, B. (2005), Communicating in the 21st Century, John Wiley & Sons, Australia
There is no specific recommended software for the unit, however you will need access to:
Software may be:
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.
You are able to use the facilities available in the computing labs at university campuses. 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 5 hours per week in some weeks, for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Study resources we will provide for your study are:
You are expected to purchase or have regular substantial access to the prescribed text book. You will not be granted extensions or special consideration for assessment on the grounds that you were not able to obtain a copy if the bookshop has copies for sale.
The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.
The Educational Library and Media Resources (LMR) is also a very resourceful place to visit at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/library/
All unit and lecture materials are available through MUSO (Monash University Studies Online). Blackboard is the primary application used to deliver your unit resources. Some units will be piloted in Moodle. If your unit is piloted in Moodle, you will see a link from your Blackboard unit to Moodle (http://moodle.monash.edu.au) and can bookmark this link to access directly. In Moodle, from the Faculty of Information Technology category, click on the link for your unit.
You can access MUSO and Blackboard via the portal: http://my.monash.edu.au
Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then Blackboard under the MUSO learning systems.
In order for your Blackboard unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.
For example:
For more information, please visit: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html
You can contact the MUSO Support by phone : (+61 3) 9903 1268
For further contact information including operational hours, please visit: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html
Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html
The unit is assessed with three assignments representing 40% of the marks and a three hour closed book examination representing 60% of the marks. To pass the unit you must :
Title : Assignment 1: IT & IS in Organisations
Description :
The assignment is an individual assignment based on a case study of an organisation. You will present the assignment as a report.
Weighting : 15%
Criteria for assessment :
The criteria used to assess submissions are:
Due date : Week 6 - Monday
Remarks ( optional - leave blank for none ) :
Title : Assignment 2: Systems Development and Communication
Description :
This assignment will have both group and individual components. It will require your team to report on your analysis of a business problem and present a proposed solution to a client using a range communication techniques. It will address objectives relating to:
Weighting : 20%
Criteria for assessment :
The criteria used to assess submissions are:
Due date : Week 10 - Monday
Remarks ( optional - leave blank for none ) :
The assignment will be made available on the FIT1003 site in Moodle with detailed submission instructions. The title and due date are subject to change.
Title : Assignment 3: Presentation
Description :
Weighting : 5%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : Week 12 - Tutorial
Remarks ( optional - leave blank for none ) :
The assignment will be made available on the FIT1003 site in Moodle with detailed submission instructions. The title and due date are subject to change.
Weighting : 60%
Length : 3 hours
Type ( open/closed book ) : Closed book
You will be advised of assignment submission processes and requirements for your campus on the FIT1003 website.
You should complete, sign the plagiarism declaration and attach the Faculty of IT cover sheet to all assignment submissions.
The cover sheet is available via "Student assignment coversheets" on the Faculty website:( http://infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/assignments/ ) or in the Moodle site for the unit.
The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. 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. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.
Requests for extensions must be made to the unit lecturer at your campus 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.
Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.
Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
An assignment review will be released after all assignments have been returned.
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 the University Plagiarism policy and procedure (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) which applies to students detected plagiarising.
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.
The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.
The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.
Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:
Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.