1996 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

BT406 Data Base Design and
Implementation
3.j hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: BT404
Computer Programming Assessment: examination/
assignment
A subject in the Graduate Certificate in Business
Information Technology
Objectives
This subject is very much a hands-on subject. Students will
get the opportunity of using the relational DBMS, Oracle,
and associated query languages.
The major aim is to prepare students to be productive in
projects involving relational database applications.
After completing this subject successfully, students should:
be able to develop a data model for a small application;
be able to explain the advantages and disadvantages of
the database as opposed to the traditional file approach
of data processing;
have a good understanding of the termin~lo~ies and
concepts associated with relational DBMS;
be able to use SQL with confidence to define, load and
access data in relational databases;
understand the need for normalisation of data;
differentiate between logical and physical data
independence;
understand the strategies used in implementing a
database management system.
Recommended reading
Counney, J.F. and Paradice, D.B. Database Systems for
Management. 2nd edn, Homewood, Irwin, 1992
Date, C.J. An Introduction to Database Systems. Vol. 1, 4th (1986)
or 5th (1990) edn, Addison-Wesley
Kroenke, D.M. Database Processing. 4th edn, New York,
Macmillan, 1992
Shepherd, J.C. Database Management Theory and Application.
Homewood, Irwin Inc., 1990
BT407 Technology and Change
5 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment to be advised
A subject in the Graduate Certificate in Business
Information Technology
Objectives
The aim of this subject is to enable the student to
understand the significant impact that information
systems may have on an organisation strategically,
tactically and operationally.
Students will be able to know the processes by which
these changes may be managed.
Content
Topics include:
approaches to information systems planning;
understanding corporate culture;
impact of IT on management;
managing change;
evolving systems development approaches;
planning strategies;
project selection including project estimation and cost
benefit analysis;
project management;
team building;
training;
change-over;
ergonomic issues - hardware, software, people;
managing the use of IT;
improving productivity through IT.
Recommended reading
Koory, J.L. and Medley, D.B. Management Information Systems:
Planning and Decision Making. Cinncinati, South-Western, 1987
Sager, M. Managing Advanced Information Systems. New York,
Prentice Hall, 1990
BT408 Systems Platforms and
Networking
Refer BT631.
BT410 Information Systems Research
Methodology
2 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite:completion of the
Bachelor of Business or equivalent Assessment: pass/fail
only. Submission of thesis or dissertation proposal
A subject in the Honours Year of the Bachelor of Business
Objectives
To ensure that all Information Systems students who
are required to undertake a substantial research project
(leading to a thesis or dissertation) are familiar with the
requirements of academic research;
to assist students to develop a formal proposal for their
research project.
Content
The course provides a definition of an Honours, Masters
and PhD dissertation or thesis. It covers the academic
research process including: identifying a topic for research,
accessing the literature, placing research in a continuum of
knowledge, formally stating and justifying the research
question, designing and appropriate program of research,
choosing a research method, writing the proposal,
conducting the research and writing a thesis or dissertation.
Recommended reading
Phillips, E.M., Pugh, D.S., How to get a PhD, 2nd edn,
Buckingham, Open University Press, 1994
Neuman, W.L., Social Research Methods: Qualitative and
Quantitative Approaches, Boston, Allyn and Bacon, 1994
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