London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Modules

60/D60
Introduction to Information Systems

This unit cannot be taken with 37 Computer-based information systems.

Information systems concepts: Notions of information, and data. Capture of information, storage and display. Introduction to systems ideas and their application to information handling activities. Role of information systems in organisations. Use of information in organisations and by managers. Issues of information technology at a national policy level. Students are expected to undertake small case studies of information systems within organisations.

Information and communications technologies: Review of the history of computer development. Introduction to computer hardware and software. Representation of data in computer systems, files and databases. Operating software, applications packages and user written programmes. Communications technologies and networks. The Internet. An introduction to programming concepts.

Systems development: The information systems development life cycle – feasibility, analysis, design, construction, changeover and operation. Introduction to structured development methodologies and prototyping. Data Modelling. Criteria for successful applications development. Professional roles in systems development. End user computing. Issues of the management of change.

Practical coursework: Introduction to software packages. The following types of packages are the basis for the required course work: spreadsheet, word processor, database. No specific packages are required to be used, but typical examples would be Lotus 1-2-3 or Excel for spreadsheets, Word or Wordperfect for wordprocessing, and Paradox or Access for databases. In the course work students are expected to demonstrate their ability to analyse and design small applications, as well as their mastery of the software. Course work undertaken with these packages counts for 25 per cent of the overall mark.

Note: Candidates taking this paper are required to submit coursework.