School of Computing and Mathematics

Overview

Dual Honours Information Systems requires a solid grounding in Computer Science, and for that reason the course shares some modules with Dual Honours Computer Science. However, it focuses on the software, people, data, procedures and hardware that work together to provide the information systems essential to running an organisation. Producing information systems requires teamwork and the skills to analyse a problem, to develop plans for meeting the needs as effectively as possible, to implement these plans, to test that the results are consistent, and finally, to confirm that the system meets the original need.

While there is some exposure to modern programming technologies, the course does not require study of the more detailed programming modules from Dual Honours Computer Science.

Many of our Information Systems graduates move into employment that is directly computing-related, for example as systems analysts, database engineers and managers and consultants. In some cases the employment sector is also related to another Dual Honours degree subject, which enables our students to offer a unique blend of skills to potential employers. A substantial number of our graduates go on to study for higher degrees in a wide range of subject areas, at Keele and elsewhere.

The BSc Dual Honours Information Systems course is suited to those students who would like to study Information Systems with a second subject (see list) in equal weight for three years and so gain a deep understanding of a domain that either compliments the discipline or to which they can then apply their computing knowledge, for example in their final year project or subsequent career. The course explores the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline and places an emphasis on the practical design and development of information systems, including databases and web-based systems. It is delivered by the School of Computing and Mathematics.

Another option is to specialise exclusively (or ‘major’) in Information Systems in the final year of an otherwise Dual Honours Information Systems programme. This route is referred to as ‘BSc Information Systems (Major)’. To apply, students should select G501 and indicate their choice of second subject (from the Dual Honours list) for first and second years in the ‘Further information’ section of their UCAS form.

All Dual and Single Honours Computing courses, including Information Systems, have a common first semester and common entrance requirements. This retains flexibility of choice during the first semester of the first year. There are no specific subject requirements for entry to our computing courses, and no previous experience of computing or computer programming is assumed. The courses do not involve an advanced level of mathematics, and any mathematical knowledge needed beyond that at GCSE level is taught as part of the modules included in the courses.

The content of the final year modules reflects and is informed by the research interests of teaching staff, discipline and industry trends and market requirements, giving students an opportunity to explore topics at the leading edge of the discipline.

Course Content

First Year

Core modules:

Fundamentals of Computing introduces the core concepts of the discipline, and acts as a foundation for other modules covering these topics in more detail. It enables you to understand the links between individual modules on your course, and to understand them properly in context.

Programming I introduces the fundamental concepts underlying computer programming together with techniques for applying these using a contemporary programming language. The module has a strong practical element.

Information Systems and Interaction provides students with an introduction to Information Systems and an opportunity to apply the knowledge and understanding they gain to a pratical task. It also explores the human-computer interface and introduces concepts, techniques and tools that support the analysis of needs for, and design of, system interfaces. The main focus is on web interfaces.

Cybercrime enables students to actively engage in today's electronic society, with an understanding of the risks that they will encounter and the measures that may be taken to counteract them.

Second Year

Core modules:

Requirements, Evaluation and Professionalism develops skills in the design and execution of empirical studies to gather evidence about software systems, methods and processes. It also covers requirements engineering and enables you to recognise the professional, economic, social, environmental and ethical issues involved in the development and use of computer technologies.

Web Technologies provides an understanding of Internet communication architectures (such as client-server) with reference to standard protocols, and enables you to develop multi-tier web applications and configure the servers on which these rely.

System Lifecycles and Design provides you with knowledge of the techniques and processes to undertake the design of a system once requirements and analysis activities have been completed.

Database Systems introduces databases and database management systems by providing theoretical knowledge and practical experience in data modelling, database design, implementation and administration.

Third Year

You study a selection of more advanced and specialist modules. You also undertake an individual project that continues throughout the year under the supervision of a member of staff, culminating in a written dissertation. Dual Honours Information Systems students take the first and choose two additional, and students majoring in Information Systems take the first two and choose five additional, of the following modules:

Advanced Information Systems provides an advanced understanding of the use of information systems for decision support, and of the issues involved in the planning and management of information systems.

Double-weighted Project enables you to undertake a project equivalent to two standard (15-credit) modules rather than one. This option can be used to tackle a larger or more complex problem.

Software Engineering Project Management provides an understanding of the scope of, and problems and techniques associated with, software engineering project management.

Games Computing delivers comprehensive knowledge of a games engine and the theory and practice of computer game design, and explores the human factors involved in game design and interactive media environments.

IT Architectures delivers the concepts, methods and tools involved in the IT architecture discipline, and examines the role of IT architects and software architecture within development projects. The module also outlines current architectural developments, such as service-oriented architectures. You will gain practical experience by undertaking a case study.

Communications and Networks extends your knowledge of principles and practice in communications and computer network technologies and their deployment.

Advanced Databases and Applications provides an advanced understanding of database techniques and current issues associated with database deployment.

Electronic Commerce provides a theoretical and practical understanding of the problems involved in the development of web-based electronic commerce applications.

Additional computing modules may be available to students whose other Dual Honours subject allowed them to elect to take the relevant precursor computing modules in their first and second years; see the Single Honours Computer Science entry.

Codes and Combinations

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours course can be combined with:

Foundation and Major course available:

For overseas students who do not meet direct entry requirements, we offer the opportunity to take an intensive International Year One in Computing leading to second year degree entry.

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and teaching take place in a range of settings, from individual supervision for final year projects and weekly tutorials, to lectures with 100 or more students present. In the first two years Dual Honours students usually have four one-hour lectures, a one-hour tutorial or workshop and three hours of supervised practical classes each week, as part of their Computer Science studies, and Single Honours students approximately twice that. Third year modules are taught by lectures, with some tutorial and laboratory work in certain options. In the final year students will also have regular one-to-one meetings with their project supervisor.

Students will be expected to spend a significant amount of time on their practical and tutorial assignments and private study. They will be encouraged to make use of the learning and teaching support that allows them to ask for help with any aspect of the course with which they are having problems, including any of the practical and coursework assignments.

Assessment methods vary from module to module, but we make use of both formal examinations and several types of coursework. Most modules use a mixed assessment system involving an examination, typically two hours long, and some coursework, which could be a practical assignment tackled in students’ own time, a laboratory or tutorial exercise, or occasionally an essay. Students will also have the opportunity to work as part of a group, which will provide valuable experience for future employment. In the course as a whole, approximately half of the assessment is coursework or project-based, and half by examination. Assessment from modules in the second and third year counts towards final degree classification. The project forms an important part of the final year’s assessment.

Computing facilities

The practical work for the course will be based mainly in the school’s own networked PC laboratories, with some modules using the Microsoft Windows operating system and some using Linux. The software supported includes the Java object-oriented programming language, Internet and multimedia packages, and database management systems. Web authoring software and languages, including Python, Perl, PHP and XML, are also supported.

Access to undergraduate computer equipment and network services is available both physically and by remote terminal access, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout most of the year. This gives students every opportunity to develop their computing skills outside the normal practical times and to work on more complex projects at any time. Additional laboratory facilities are provided for final year projects with specialised hardware and software.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

95% of Keele Computing graduates were in work or further study six months after finishing their course.

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

Information Systems and Business Management

Information Systems and Business Management combine extremely effectively. From the stock market to commercial information systems, almost every aspect of business and commerce these days includes information technology and computing. e-Commerce is undergoing a hugely rapid expansion and will be a major force in tomorrow’s business applications. Graduates from this popular course combination will have a sound understanding of business practice and the information systems that are increasingly at the heart of an organisation’s systems and operations. During the course, key aspects of such systems will be studied from both a business and a technology viewpoint. Introductory and advanced modules in information systems directly address applications of IT in a business context, and final-year option modules in e-Commerce and advanced databases, for example, strengthen further the links between the two subjects. The final-year project in Information Systems may also be set within a business context.

Information Systems and Biology

Information Systems combines well with virtually any other Dual Honours subject in that there are few areas of industry, commerce, government or society in general which are not touched by applications of information technology. The Information Systems and Biology combination is an excellent example of this synergy. IT is used extensively in the teaching and presentation of biological concepts and systems, from the higher levels of research through to the popular media. Most importantly, many new developments in biological science rely heavily on information technology for recording and analysis of data, and control systems, for example. The new and rapidly expanding field of biotechnology is an important example of these developments. Graduates with Dual Honours qualifications in Information Systems and Biology will be ideally equipped to enter careers in these new fields.

The Advanced Information Systems module in the third year features a case study which gives students hands-on experience; this year's case study involves helping a national charity extend its presence on social media such as Facebook.