Information Systems Honours introduces learners to research and advances learners in the study and development of Information Systems, providing a controlled maturing ground for learners in preparation for the Information Systems profession. Download a course brochure here.

The course is:

• Offered on either a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) basis.
• In part practially orientated and learners develop a larger scale system for a local business or community organisation. In the past, such systems have included, amongst others, full inventory/tracking system for a wine exporting business, a herd management system, facilities and booking management systems; and a learner management system.

Learners complete the following modules:

Research Methods, which introduces the learner to research methods, including critical thinking, analysis of data, presentation skills and academic writing.

Requirements Management, which aims to establish the importance of requirements management and consolidate techniques for requirements elicitation.  Furthermore, learners gain valuable, practical experience through the modelling of system requirements using the Unified Modelling Language 2.0.

Knowledge Management, which explores knowledge management as a discipline and investigates relevant technologies used by organisations to create, store and extract information and knowledge.

Corporate Communications, which provides learners with the skill set to manage and communicate with people effectively within an Information Systems context.

Electronic Business (eBusiness), which encompasses electronic commerce (the buying & selling of goods and services online and concentrates on external relationships) but goes far beyond to include the application of information technologies for internal business processes as well for the activities in which a company engages during commercial activity. Subsequently, in parallel to the theory, learners will be exposed to practical applications of web-based information technology.

Information Systems Management, which investigates the issues relevant to managing Information Systems, Information Technology and people, whilst making use of a computer-based information system as a tool for planning, controlling, decision making, and problems solving.

Mini-Research Paper, which requires learners to complete a mini-thesis on a research topic of interest to demonstrate that they can apply the knowledge and skills gained in the research methods module.

Systems Development Project, which requires learners to develop a system for a local business using skills and knowledge acquired during the year.  The objective of the Systems Development Project is not just the implementation of a working system, but also to appreciate the relevance of processes that have been taught at an academic level, gain some experience in project management, and enhance group and communication skills.
Learners are expected to apply appropriate techniques and tools throughout the Systems Development Life Cycle.  The system to be developed is of a fair size and will require a variety of skills and talents.  Tasks to be completed include: project management; a full requirements analysis resulting in a requirements specification document; designing the system resulting in a design specification document; implementing the system; testing and quality controlling the system; and, packaging and presentation of final deliverables to the client.

Those learners completing a full-time degree will be required to do all the modules, and those completing a part-time degree will complete either the Mini-Research Paper, or the Systems Development Project in any given year. The courses to be completed by part-timers will be assigned by the Department.