COURSE DESIGN 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 help you gain 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. 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.

Your work for this class falls into 3 categories: (1) preparation for class, (2) in-class activities, and (3) individual and group assignments.

Preparation

The schedule describes what you should do to prepare for each class meeting. Typically, this involves readings from your textbook or other sources linked form the schedule.

Your preparation for each class meeting is the key to getting the most out of each class's activities. It is therefore essential that you complete the assigned readings prior to class. As you read, think about what interests/surprises/informs/challenges you. Consider what questions I might ask about the material, or what questions you will bring to our discussion. Be prepared to ask--don't assume that I'll answer an unasked question.

Class meetings will typically consist of 3 sections:

Assignments

Individual assignments will provide more opportunities for practicing specific skills, and let you demonstrate to me what you have learned. Team assignments are the deliverables for your semester project, which provides you with the opportunity to work on a larger systems analysis effort.


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.





BOOKS AND READINGS

The required textbook for this course is the following:

I suspect that used copies are avaialble if you don't wish to purchase a new copy. The textbook can also be read as an e-book through the UNC Library.

In addition to the textbook, we'll read articles or selections from a variety of other sources. The course schedule has links to all of these materials, some of which are posted to the library's electronic reserves for this course. Those reserves are available via Sakai.





CLASS POLICIES

Class participation is a key element of this course. All students are expected to come to class prepared to be engaged, to participate in all class exercises, and to contribute to group discussions. In addition:

Assignments are due by the start of class on the day they are due unless otherwise specified. For assignments that are due on days when class is not scheduled, they must be submitted by the normal class starting time (even though class is not meeting) unless otherwise specified.

The required format for your assignments, as well as other submission tips, can be found in the "SubmittingAssignments.pdf" document posted to the Resources section of Sakai.

Assignments are to be submitted electronically using Sakai. Sakai enforces the late policy described below. Therefore, be sure you submit your assignment early to avoid last minute technical problems.

Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each day late, up to a maximum of three days. A "day" here refers to a 24 hour period, or fraction thereof, after the due date. For example, a late assignment turned in 25 hours late will be penalized as two days late. No assignments will be accepted if more than 72 hours (3 days) late.

Start early and ask questions. Many assignments may turn out to be more time consuming than expected. It is strongly suggested that you start working on assignments as soon as they are assigned. In this way, you'll have time to ask questions and complete your assignment before the due date.

Exceptions due to special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. When deemed appropriate, limited extensions may be granted. However, be sure to inform the instructor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE should you require a special accommodation. If a problem is known about in advance, then the instructor should be told before it occurs. Exceptions are much less likely to be provided if requests for accommodation are not made in a timely fashion.

Those with questions about course material, having trouble with assignments, or seeking any other kind of assistance related to class are encouraged to meet with the instructor during office hours. Regularly scheduled hours are posted to the "Course Information" section on the home page for this class website.

Meetings by appointment can be made when scheduling problems prevent students from seeking help during regularly scheduled office hours.

UNC-Chapel Hill has had a student-administered honor system and judicial system for over 100 years. Because academic honesty and the development and nurturing of trust and trustworthiness are important to all of us as individuals, and are encouraged and promoted by the honor system, this is a most significant University tradition. You are responsible for being familiar with the UNC-Chapel Hill Honor System.

In support of the University's diversity goals and the mission of the School of Information and Library Science, SILS embraces diversity as an ethical and societal value. We broadly define diversity to include race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, social class, age, sexual orientation and physical and learning ability. As an academic community committed to preparing our graduates to be leaders in an increasingly multicultural and global society we strive to:

The statement represents a commitment of resources to the development and maintenance of an academic environment that is open, representative, reflective, and committed to the concepts of equity and fairness.





GRADING

Grades for all assignments will be returned via Sakai. Individual assignment grades will combine to determine your final semester grade. Semester grades will follow the standard UNC grading system as outlined by the Office of the University Registrar. The grading scale will be curved, with the highest grades reserved (as outlined by the Registrar) for those with "the highest level of attainment that can be expected." Note that the threshold for an "H" (for High Pass) for graduate students requires exceptional performance, beyond what would be considered "A" work on the undergraduate grading scale.

Your grade for this course will be based on individual assignments, a team project, and participation. The approximate breakdown within those categories is as follows: