[My Dog Ate My Homework!]

Hello,

Next year I want to do a postgraduate course in Information Systems and Technology at the City University London.

I was wondering has anyone done this course before?

If you have, can I get an explanation of each of the modules taken (including the optional ones you picked) and your overall thoughts on the course (Did you enjoy it? Was it interesting? Too difficult?).

Your replied would be appreciated.

[TheBallWinner]

I'm currently entering my final year then I'll conclude with a Masters after that.

It's pretty straight forward, especially the first year- there's ALOT of team based work. Some Project Management, some Professional Communications modules. Very limited Visual Basic programming but lots of SQL linked with Oracle which is an absolute bitch but of course the career opportunities are limitless in that field.

I'm not sure what else to say. I'll come back when I have more ideas

[My Dog Ate My Homework!]

(Original post by TheBallWinner)
I'm currently entering my final year then I'll conclude with a Masters after that.

It's pretty straight forward, especially the first year- there's ALOT of team based work. Some Project Management, some Professional Communications modules. Very limited Visual Basic programming but lots of SQL linked with Oracle which is an absolute bitch but of course the career opportunities are limitless in that field.

I'm not sure what else to say. I'll come back when I have more ideas

Thanks for the reply, but I was referring to people who are currently or have completed the masters in Information Systems.

[gbuchanan]

Hi,

I'm one of the admissions tutors at City; I'm currently covering for the IS&T tutor, who is on holiday this week!

I can happily explain the modules on the course, and the material that each covers. However, I thought it might help to explain what the course is for, so you can work out if it might suit you.

IS&T is primarily aimed at people who want to be involved in the planning and ongoing operations of strategic IT systems. It does not presume any background in computer science, as it approaches IT strategy from both social and technical directions - e.g. considering issues such as social dynamics and human resources alongside design and testing.

IS&T is one of our two long-standing business-oriented MSc programmes - the other being Business Systems Analysis and Design (BSAD). While BSAD emphasises consultancy and specification of short-to-medium term projects, IS&T emphasises knowledge and systems management over the long term.

I'll keep it brief for now, but if you want to discuss it drop me a line. Once Andy is back (in a week's time), I'm sure we could put you in touch with a student too...

George

[My Dog Ate My Homework!]

(Original post by gbuchanan)
I can happily explain the modules on the course, and the material that each covers. However, I thought it might help to explain what the course is for, so you can work out if it might suit you.

George, if you are able to explain the work each of the modules of the course consists of, that'll be great.

I'm just looking for a summary of the what the module is about and a brief description of the coursework/test that is included in the module.

(Original post by gbuchanan)
IS&T is primarily aimed at people who want to be involved in the planning and ongoing operations of strategic IT systems. It does not presume any background in computer science, as it approaches IT strategy from both social and technical directions - e.g. considering issues such as social dynamics and human resources alongside design and testing.

IS&T is one of our two long-standing business-oriented MSc programmes - the other being Business Systems Analysis and Design (BSAD). While BSAD emphasises consultancy and specification of short-to-medium term projects, IS&T emphasises knowledge and systems management over the long term.

Thanks for the overview about the course.

(Original post by gbuchanan)
I'll keep it brief for now, but if you want to discuss it drop me a line. Once Andy is back (in a week's time), I'm sure we could put you in touch with a student too...

Thanks. If I can possibly communicate with a student about the course, then that'll be good.

[gbuchanan]

Hi,

The course has five core modules, then a free selection of three (3) of nine optional modules, plus a dissertation.

I'll briefly recap each of the five core modules, then point out a few highlights from the optional list.

Core Modules:
Information Knowledge and Management - A key module for this degree, exploring the interplay between social factors such as human resources and organisational policy with the technical constraints of IT development.

Databases - Relational databases, their design, use, management and administration. A fundamental module on data storage.

Information Architecture - How to organise large volumes of data and documentation for efficient retrieval by users via browsing, search and other means.

Systems Specification - How to elicit and organise requirements into systems specifications with corresponding test plans and functional performance measurements.

Research Methods and Professional Issues - IT and the law, evaluating and assessing industrial and academic research, and planning and organising similar research activity.

Example optional modules:
Project Management - one of the more popular modules in the school. The content covers everything from scheduling to financing, technical and human resource management. Personally, I'd recommend this module to every student (I don't teach it - to be clear!)
Information Law and Policy - if you want to emphasise the management and executive angle of the degree, a good module to look at. Taught by IT law experts - great for ensuring you know the fine detail ins and outs!
Business Engineering with ERP Solutions - in contrast, a thorough examination of business process management using R3, ERP and SAP toolkits.
Web Applications Development - another good hands-on module covering the gamut of modern web development.
...there are a number of other good management and practice style modules - I'm happy to flesh out whichever direction you're more interested in!

I hope that helps for now...if you've got other immediate questions, go ahead. I'll pass your details on to Andy when he gets back!

George

[My Dog Ate My Homework!]

George, thanks for taking the timeout to write out the description of those modules for me.

There's a couple more questions I want to ask you.

Can I get an outline of the coursework (or tests) for each of the modules? So for example...

Research Methods and Professional Issues:
Coursework 1: A 10,000 word report on...
Coursework 2: Creating a plan of...

Also what is the timetable like for the duration of the course? (Is it possible to get a sample of the timetable, whether in PDF form or written down here?)

Thank you.

[gbuchanan]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay - crazy busy, and I was away for a few days.

Anyhow, here's the breakdown for some of the modules:

Information Knowledge and Management
100% viva on a related task assignment.

Databases
30% coursework (build a small database)
70% examination (on normalisation, joins and other principles)

Information Architecture
100% coursework (design the IA for a given website/repository)

Systems Specification
30% coursework (problem-based task on specifying an example system)
70% examination (critiquing, refining example specifications, validation and theoretical principles)

Research Methods and Professional Issues
70% coursework (research proposal with literature review)
30% examination (professional ethics, principles of research, etc.)
...note that I'd bet a bottom dollar this will be more coursework-based next year.

Information Law and Policy
100% coursework (essay on a legal/policy issue in a specified context).

Business Engineering with ERP Solutions
60% exam (R3 principles, etc.)
40% coursework (of which approx. 20% is laboratory work in class, 20% short-project work)

Sorry that's a bit patchy, but not being in the office holds things up horribly!

I hope that helps - I'm properly back as of tomorrow, so feel free to ask more questions if you want. As you can tell, while some modules are more exam based, overall there's more coursework than exams (most of the optional ones are coursework only tbh).

George

[My Dog Ate My Homework!]

^^^That's what I was looking for gbuchanan.

I haven't got any questions at the moment, but the information you've provided so far has been of great help and gives me some idea what to expect from the course.

Thanks.

[My Dog Ate My Homework!]

Is there anyone who is doing this master at the moment?

If you are, please tell us what the course is like (timetable, coursework, tutors, etc).