Undergraduate Handbook - School of Computing and Informatics ...

8.0 DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
8.1 Introduction
The Information System (IS) Department is one of the four academic departments at the Faculty of Computing and
Informatics Technology. The department provides both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Some areas of
the study and research in IS include System Analysis and Design, Data warehouses, Databases, Health Informatics,
Management Information Systems and Decision Support Systems. These provide students with a thorough
knowledge of the field thus providing an enduring foundation for future professional growth. Information Systems
students learn to become problem solvers in organizations, institutions, the economy and society. The department
currently has two dynamic research groups namely: Simulation and Modelling Group and Visualization group.
The department has 15 full time academic staff and a diverse collection of part time faculty to support the teaching
needs for the Information Systems student community. Administrative staff members supervised by the Head of
Department ensure the smooth functioning of the department’s operations. Information systems specialists focus on
integrating information technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of businesses and
other enterprises, enabling them to achieve their objectives in an effective, efficient way. This discipline’s
perspective on information technology emphasizes information, and views technology as an instrument for
generating, processing, and distributing information. Professionals in the discipline are primarily concerned with the
information that computer systems can provide to aid an enterprise in defining and achieving its goals, and the
processes that an enterprise can implement or improve using information technology. They must understand both
technical and organizational factors, and they must be able to help an organization determine how information and
technology-enabled business processes can provide a competitive advantage.
The department has a reputation for good teaching in a friendly environment. We have an active research
programme and our staff and research students collaborate with other universities and industry around the world.
Our main research specialties are in Geographical Information Systems, Information Visualization, Systematic
Dynamics Modelling, and Simulation in Support for Decision Making and Health Informatics. Information System
(IS) graduates are perfectly placed to adapt their careers to the evolving workplace and new career opportunities.
Some of the roles IS graduates are able to fill include: Business analyst, Network analyst, Intelligence/threat analyst
for top government organization, Web developer, Creative Internet campaigner, Systems designer/engineer, Ecommerce
project officer, Assistive technology designer, Technical support analyst, Bioinformatics analyst, Change
and transition manager, IS security auditor, Information Systems Project manager, Information Systems consultant,
Database administrator, Analyst programmer, Development manager, Technical research officer, Business systems
consultant and IS manager.
8.2 Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS) Programme
8.2.1 Overview
The primary objective of the Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS) degree programme is to train students as
information systems specialists in a business organisation context. The BIS will equip students with knowledge and
skills for planning, modeling and applying ICT to meet an organization‘s business requirements that are generally
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Dr. Agnes Rwashana Semwanga
Head of Department