Management Information Systems

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MMS 501) COURSE OUTLINE

Facilitator:	Ms Nodumo Dhlamini Office:		FD147, ICT Department Email:		dict@africau.ac.zw or dhlaminin@africau.ac.zw Office Hours:	Mondays after class Other times by appointment

RATIONALE

The world that we are living in has changed and is continuing to change. Today’s society is referred to as the knowledge or information society. It is said that for anyone, any organisation or any nation to be successful, must know how to access, utilize and disseminate information and knowledge. It is said that we are living through a knowledge revolution. Internet is the most celebrated innovation that continues to change the way we communicate, work, learn, collaborate and do business. Organisations are being challenged to perfect their business processes and model them for computer-based management information systems. Gone are the days when information systems were disjointed – now they have to “talk to each other” in order to achieve efficiencies in business operations. Whether we want it or not, we are caught in the midst of this change and to be able to undertake careers as accountants, managers or marketing professionals we need to be at the forefront of the revolution. This course, therefore, focuses on how to use and manage information technologies to revitalize business processes, improve business decision making, and gain competitive advantage.

AIMS

This course is designed to make the students knowledgeable about the fundamentals underlying the design, implementation, control, evaluation, and strategic use of modern, computer-based information systems for business data processing, office automation, information reporting, and decision making. The emphasis will be on the managerial and strategic aspects of information technology.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
 * Identify the fundamental concepts and theoretical constructs of MIS;
 * Describe the capabilities and limitations of the technology upon which MIS is structured;
 * Identify the applications opportunities of MIS in solving business problems;
 * Explain the development process by which MIS are developed, implemented and maintained; and
 * Outline the essential steps in the planning, management and control of organizational IS resources.
 * Explain the major social and ethical issues involved in the development and use of information and communication technology.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

A combination of lectures, discussions and practical exercises will be used. The Africa University Learning Management System (MOODLE) will be used to deposit all the notes and learning materials. All the participants are expected to access Moodle (Virtual Classroom) at least 4 times a week to check on notices, news, feedback and to contribute to ongoing discussions.

All assignments will be submitted electronically as instructed (either by email or uploaded onto Moodle. No printed assignments will be accepted.

All the participants are also advised to check their Africa University emails very regularly as this form of communication will be the official mode of communication.

The facilitator will advise the participants in advance if she wont be available and will either teach in advance, make up for the class upon return or leave work for the participants.

The participants are advised to read widely around the subject area.

ASSESSMENT

The continuous assessment will contribute 40% towards the final examination mark.

Calculation of Continuous Assessment

Class attendance and activity on Moodle	       15% Assignment 1					20% Mini Project					25% Test						40%

TEXTBOOK

O’Brien, J., (1997) Introduction to Information Systems, 8th edition Irwin McGraw Hill

ADDITIONAL READINGS AND HANDOUTS