Information Systems

The School of Information Technologies aims to teach fundamental principles and practical skills in IT, and to establish the foundations for an entire career. Units of study in Information Systems major are available at standard and advanced level.

About the major

Information Systems is the study of people and organisations in order to determine and deliver solutions that meet their technological needs. Hence Information Systems deals with the following type of issues: strategic planning, system development, system implementation, operational management, end-user needs and education.

Information Systems study is related to Computer Science but the crucial distinction is that Information Systems is about making computer systems work to optimise the productivity and efficiency of organisations, whereas much of Computer Science is about developing software technologies to solve problems, which can improve quality of life and enhance delivery of service.

The school's research in Information Systems encompasses natural language processing, IT economics, social networking analysis, ontology design, data mining and analysis, and knowledge management and open source software.

Requirements for completion

• 12 credit points of 1000-level core units of study;
• 18 credit points of 2000-level core units of study;
• 18 credit points of 3000-level core units of study, including 1 interdisciplinary project unit.

A minor in Information Systems is available and articulates to this major.

Pathway through the major

The requirements for a major/minor in Information Systems are spread out over three years of the degree (possibly four years if students are completing a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree).

A sample pathway for the Information Systems major (over three years of a degree) is listed below.

Sample pathway - Information Systems major (48 credit points)

Year	Session	Units of study
First	Semester 1	Core: INFO1110 Introduction to Programming
	Semester 2	Core: INFO1113 Object-Oriented Programming
Second	Semester 1	Core: ISYS2110 Analysis and Design of Web Info Systems
	Semester 2	Core: ISYS2120 Data and Information Management		Core: ISYS2160 Information Systems in the Internet Age
Third	Semester 1	Core: ISYS3401 Information Technology Evaluation
	Semester 2	Core: ISYS3402 Decision Analytics and Support Systems		Core: ISYS3400 Information Systems Project

Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the table above.

For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Information Systems section of the unit of study table, Table S, in this handbook.

Fourth year

The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.

Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, which must include a minimum of 24 credit points in a single subject area at 4000-level, including a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points. Space is provided for 12 credit points towards the second major (if not already completed). 24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.

Honours
Requirements for Honours in the area of Information Systems: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 24 credit points of coursework.

Honours units of study will be available in 2020.

Contact and further information

Website: School of Information Technologies
E

T +61 2 9351 3423
Address:
School of Information Technologies J12
University of Sydney
NSW 2006

Program Coordinator
Dr Josiah Poon
T +61 2 9351 7185
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Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from Information Systems will be able to:

1. Develop a good understanding of the broader socio-technical systems in which the computer and communications systems are embedded
2. Carry out detailed information requirements analyses to elicit system requirements
3. Develop the skills to design and implement information systems
4. Have a thorough understanding of the challenges in implementing information systems
5. Have the skills and capabilities to plan and manage information systems projects
6. Acquire the ability to work effectively in teams and to communicate with the diverse stakeholders
7. Have sound knowledge of, and the skills to apply, a range of system development methods
8. Be equipped with applied research skills, which will enable them to undertake a wide range of investigations
9. Learn how to acquire the relevant data and to analyse the data to arrive at valid inferences.