Philadelphia University
Faculty of IT
Department of MIS
First semester, 2014/ 2015
Course Syllabus
Course Title:
Course Code: 731110 Introduction to Information Systems and
Information Technology
Course Prerequisite (s) and/or co requisite (s):
Course Level: 1
None
Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Time: 11:10 – 12:00
Academic Staff
Specifics
Office Number
E-mail Address Office Hours Rank Name
and Location
STT 9:10-10:00 Assistance Maram Bani
[email protected] IT 331
MW 9:45-11:00 Professor Younes
Course (module) description:
This course provides an introduction to information systems and information technology, information
systems development concepts, and application software. It identifies the basic types of business
information systems, the major steps of the systems development process and some of the strategies
employed to lower costs or improve service. It explains how information is used in organizations and
how IT enables improvement in quality, timeliness, and competitive advantage. It also defines the
competitive advantages, types of roles, functions, and careers available in IS.
Course (module) objectives:
Students should be acquainted with handling and managing data and information in business
organizations and to understand the meaning of “Information Systems and technology and
their effects on organizations and the different types of business information systems and the
development life cycle.
Students must learn about different Computer Hardware and Software and different types of
computer networks. Students should know how to deal with e-commerce
Course/ module components:
Books (title , author (s), publisher, year of publication)
Using Information Technology. Authors: Brian K. Williams, Stacey C. Sawyer. Published:
McGraw-Hill/Irwin, Inc, 2013, 10th edition.
1
Support material (s): slides
Study guide (s) (if applicable).
Homework and laboratory guide (s) if (applicable).
Teaching methods:
Duration: 16 weeks in the semester, 48 hours in total
Lectures: 48 hours, 3 per week (including two 1-hour for first and second exams)
Learning outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding
1. Know and understand a wide range of principles and fundamentals of Information Systems and
Information Technology.
2. The application of IS and IT.
Cognitive skills (thinking and analysis).
Basic analytical steps of Information Systems and defining the specifications of the IT required in
business contexts.
Communication skills (personal and academic).
1. Plan and undertake a small individual project in IS and IT fields.
2. Use the scientific literature effectively and make discriminating use of Web resources.
3. Present seminars in IS and IT fields.
Practical and subject specific skills (Transferable Skills).
1. Use appropriate computer-based tools.
2. Work effectively with and for others.
3. Strike the balance between self-reliance and seeking help when necessary in new situations.
4. Get knowledge about self learning on the long run.
Assessment instruments:
Short reports and/ or presentations, and/ or Short research projects
Quizzes.
Home works
Final examination
Allocation of Marks
Mark Assessment Instruments
20 First examination
20 Second examination
40 Final examination
20 Quizzes, Home works, small projects and Reports
100 Total
Documentation and academic honesty:
Documentation style (with illustrative examples)
Protection by copyright
Avoiding plagiarism.
2
Course/module academic calendar:
Basic and support material to be covered Page 4 of 4
week
1+2 Topic1: Introduction to Information technology
3+4 Topic2: Computer Hardware
5+6 Topic3: Computer Software
First Exam
7+8 Topic4: Networks & Communication Technology
9 + 10 Topic5: The Internet and e-Commerce
11 + 12 Topic6: Databases, Data warehousing, and Decision
Second Exam Support Systems
13 + 14 Topic7: Building Systems & Software Development
15 + 16 Topic8: The challenges of the digital age
Final Exam
Expected workload:
On average students need to spend an hour of study and preparation for each 50-minutes lecture.
Attendance policy:
Absence from lectures and/or tutorials shall not exceed 15%. Students who exceed the 15% limit
without a medical or emergency excuse acceptable to and approved by the Dean of the relevant
college/faculty shall not be allowed to take the final examination and shall receive a mark of zero for the
course. If the excuse is approved by the Dean, the student shall be considered to have withdrawn from
the course.
Module references:
Books
1. Gerald M. Weinberg, an Introduction to General System Thinking, Silver Anniversary Edition,
2001.
2. James A. O'Brien, Introduction to Information Systems: Essentials for the e-Business Enterprise.
11th ed. 2003, McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
3. Fundamentals of Information Systems, Editors: Ralph M. Stair, George W. Reynolds,
Course Technology; Published: 2001, Thomson Learning, Inc.
4. Thomas L. Floyed Digital Fundamentals, Pearson Education 2000.
Websites
1. www.macnn.com
2. www.applix.com
3. www.computerworld.com
4. www.allina.com
