IMIS Information Systems Practice

The Diploma Modules

Theme: People Issues
Course: Diploma
Module Title: Information Systems Practice
Module Code: D21
Resources:
Assessment: By a single 3-hour externally set examination paper
CATS Equivalent:

200 Notional Hours:
80 Hours Structured, 120 Hours Directed Self-Study

SPECIFIC COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:

D3.2 Describe the role of user participation in the IS development process, and explain how prototyping may help this process.
D4.1 Demonstrate the communication and problem solving skills required by Information Systems professionals in the workplace.
D4.2 Explain the IMIS Code of Ethics.
D4.3 Develop an understanding of the legal issues and social responsibility within the IMIS Code of Ethics.

MODULE AIMS:

To provide students with:

• An understanding of the role of a code of conduct in professional practice. (A1)
• An awareness of the legal issues related to information systems development and operation. (A2)
• A broad appreciation of the social and ethical impacts of information systems. (A3)
• An understanding of the key personal skills required by the Information Systems (IS) professional. (A4)
• An understanding of career development within the IS area. (A5)

MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to:

A1:

• Explain the relevance of a code of conduct to professional practice within IS. (LO1)
• Identify principal codes of conduct. (LO2)

A2:

• Describe the legal issues related to information systems development and operation. (LO3)
• Identify the main national and international laws relevant to information systems development and operation. (LO4)

A3:

• Recognise the social and ethical aspects of information systems applications. (LO5)

A4:

• Identify the key personal skills of the IS professional. (LO6)

A5:

• Explain the main elements of career advancement and professional development within IS. (LO7)

DETAILED MODULE CONTENT:

LO1: The Code of Conduct in Professional Practice within IS

• Professional responsibility.
• Functions of codes of conduct.
• Licensing.
• Code of conduct components.

LO2: Example Codes of Conduct

• IMIS Code of Ethics.
• ACM/IEEE-CS The Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.
• BCS Code of Conduct

LO3: Legal Issues Relating to IS Development and Operation

• Data protection.
• Computer crime:
• software theft
• unauthorised access, denial of service, sabotage
• fraud
• viruses.

LO4: National and International Laws

• Local national laws and regulation relating to information systems development and operation.
• International laws and regulation relating to information systems development and operation.

LO5: Social and Ethical Aspects of IS Applications

• Ethics in the Information Age.
• Privacy.
• Intellectual property rights.
• Security and human values.
• Stakeholder participation.

LO6: Personal Skills of the IS Professional

• Personal skills and self-awareness.
• Time management.
• Handling information.
• Verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Written communication.
• Interviewing.
• Assessment.
• Systematic problem solving.
• Decision making.
• Review and evaluation.

LO7: Professional Development

• Continuous professional development.
• Staff appraisal and its role in career progression.
• Career planning.