INLS 582_002, Systems Analysis

Syllabus

Rationale and Approach Policies Grading

Rationale and Approach

Systems Analysis is all about problem solving.

These are the fundamental questions whether you're fixing a broken system, adding new functionality to an existing system, or designing an entirely new system. The purpose of this course is to provide the knowledge, tools, and skills you need to answer these questions and design effective information systems.

The material we cover includes the theories that help explain information systems and people's interaction with them, tools and techniques for analysis and design, and best practices for systems analysis projects. Class readings include research articles, case studies, and documentation for specific modeling techniques. A major part of the work for this class is analyzing an information system problem and designing a solution for a real client. This group project gives real-life experience in information system problem solving. Individual assignments provide additional practice on specific techniques.

Class meetings will be a combination of lecture and discussion, walking through examples, and in-class exercises.  In general, I will introduce system concepts or analysis models and techniques in a brief lecture, and show an example of their application. Then we will do an in-class exercise (usually in small groups) to let you apply what you've learned, and discuss your questions and observations. We will also discuss case studies of systems analysis projects, to let you explore important concepts in other settings.

Helpful hints:

By the end of the course, I hope you will have learned the fundamentals of systems analysis and design, developed an arsenal of tools and techniques as well as the knowledge of when to use them, and produced a proposal that will solve an information problem for a real client. Information system problems are pervasive in our society: what you learn here may help you in many aspects of your future endeavors.


Policies

Participation

Assignments

Giving and Receiving Help

If your team is having difficulty with some aspect of your project, please come to see me. One of the educational outcomes of this class should be an increase in your effectiveness in getting advice from more experienced colleagues.

The Honor Code, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion of assignments, is in effect in this class. The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance gives examples of actions that constitute academic dishonesty. There are some specific guidelines for this class.

Electronic Devices in Class

Online Class Discussions

Coming soon. Class discussions will either take place via a list through UNC's listserv system, or via the Sakai messageboard. I will get in touch with you as more information becomes available.


Grading

Your grade will be based on individual assignments (40%), a team project (45%), and class and team participation (15%).

Individual work

Problem definition: 10%
Work models: 20%
Entity-relation diagram: 10%

Team project work

Information gathering plan: 10%
Presentation to class/client: 10%
Final specifications: 25%

Participation:

15% - includes:

Grading Scales:

Graduate   Undergraduate
H 95-100 A
A-
95-100
90-94
P 80-94 B+
B
B-
87-89
84-86
80-83
L 70-79 C+
C
C-
77-79
74-76
70-73
F 69 and below D+
D
D-
67-69
64-66
60-63
F below 60