Information Systems I

Code:

EIG0021

Acronym:

SI I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Informatics
OFICIAL	Computer Science

Instance: 2009/2010 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Industrial Engineering and Management
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Engineering and Industrial Management

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MESG	1	Syllabus since 2007/08	1	-	6	56	160
MIEIG	63	Syllabus since 2006/2007	3	-	6	56	160

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

1 - BACKGROUND
Industrial Engineering and Management graduates will increasingly work on organizations using information systems to operate or to support operations and business strategies. It is therefore important that they know the basic technical concepts required to understand how information systems work, and to be able to negotiate with informatics departments specifications and designs in order to deploy effective information systems that are aligned with the objectives and strategies of organizations.

2 - SPECIFIC AIMS
The main aim of this course unit is to educate students to design adequate information systems that fulfil users’ needs and the objectives of organisations, always taking into account the short, medium and long term.

In particular to allow students to:
- Use conceptual modelling techniques, particularly UML class diagrams and use case diagrams.
- Apply user interface modelling techniques.
- Use design methods for developing information systems based on existing software processes.
- Apply relational modelling techniques.
- Use Database Management Systems (DBMS) for information systems prototyping.

3 - PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
Students will need a basic understanding of mathematics, in particular of relational algebra and calculus, and basic computer skills, all usually acquired before University education.

The following courses are also relevant for Information Systems I:
EIG0007: Computer Programming
EIG0011: Computer Programming II

4 - PERCENTUAL DISTRIBUTION
- Modelling concepts (conceptual modelling, relational modelling, user interface modelling, information systems development process modelling): 60%
- Technological concepts (relational database systems, programming, group project): 40%

5 - LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this course students will be able to:
- Develop the project plan for the development of an information system, from requirements specification and design to implementation;
- Establish the specification of requirements for an information system in natural language;
- Design an information system through use case diagrams, class diagrams, normalized relational model, and user interface mock-ups;
- Implement a prototype information system using a relational database management system, in particular Microsoft Access.

Program

1. DESIGN OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS:
Introduction to processes of analysis and modeling of systems and organisations; Intorduction to the design of an information system

2. USER INTERFACE MODELING:
Introduction to user interface modeling; Introduction to OAI model, forms of specification and prototyping tools; Recommendations, principles and rules to design interfaces; Main models of interface: menus, forms, dialogue boxes and direct manipulation; User interface modeling: problems

3. CONCEPTUAL MODELING OF CLASSES: static modelling of classes; object, attributes and methods classes; connections, associations and simple aggregations; generalisations and simple inheritance; Mapping between class model and relational model

4. DATABASE DESIGN:
Introduction to DBMS- Database Management Systems; Relational systems and SQL language; Database normalisation; Other DBMS models

5. CONCLUSIONS AND FINAL REFERENCES

Teaching methods and learning activities

This course unit is based on the following activity components:

A1. THEORETICAL NOTIONS
The theoretical concepts taught during theoretical classes should be learned by study activities and conceptualisation.

A2. THEORETICAL-PRACTICAL CASES
Students should study, practice and test cases and solutions presented in class.

A3. DBMS TOOL
After the presentation of the computer tool (Microsoft Access) students should autonomously use it.

A4. IS PROTOTYPE
Students have to design and develop a IS prototype. This project will be supervised by the professors.

Comment:
The groups will be composed based on a quiz available on: http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~sibd/aval

Software

Microsoft Access

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Eligibility for exams

Students have to reach a minimum mark to be admitted to exams (See General Evaluation Rules of FEUP).
All written examinations are closed book exercises. The most important formulas will be provided to students. It will also be taken into the account in the assessment the presentation, correctness and quality of the Portuguese language.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Mark will be based on the mark of the mini-tests (60%) and on the group assignment (40%).

P0- Mini-test Access: 10%

P1- Mini-tests TP
P1.1 Mini-test 1: 10%- Design of Information Systems and User Interface Modeling (Chapter 1 and 2)
P1.2 Mini-test 2: 20% - Conceptual Modeling (Chapter 3)
P1.3 Mini-test 3: 20%- Design of Databases, Functional Dependencies, Normalisation and SQL (Chapter 4)


P2- Group assignment
P2.1- Report: 15%
P2.2- Work developed- 20%- Delivery of a prototype
P2.3- Presentation- 5%
(Each presentation lasts 10 minutes. The professors will choose which student will give the presentation).


At the end of the assignment, students have to assess their colleagues using a system available on: http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~sibd/aval

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with a special status (working students, military personnel and high-level competition athletes) can either opt to be assessed as ordinary students or substitute components P2.2 and P2.2 by a computer exam. It will be based on the design of a prototype (P2.1= 2 values- 10%).

It will last around 5 hours (P2.2 + P2.3 =8 values- 40%). Besides they have to attend to a written exam (P3), in which the theoretical component (P3.1) is worth 4 values and the practical component (P3.2) is worth 6 values (P3.1 + P3.2= 10 values- 50%).

Classification improvement

Students can improve their mark in the following year, by improving the components they wish.

Observations

The members of the groups will be selected by the professors. This selection will be based on a quiz, which will work as way of defining students’ profile.

Each member of the group will have the chance to assess the performance of the peer members, by a system of crossed assessment.

Students, who failed this course unit in previous years, can ask to their previous assignments (P1. mini-tests or P2. group assignment) to be taken into account in the assessment.

Only students who achieve an average mark of 10 out of 20 in the component P1 can complete the course.

Students must earn a minimum mark of 10 out of 20 both on the report and on the assignment, for component P2 to be taken into account in a future assessment.
Besides the mark of the assignment can only be taken into account, if students have achieved a passing mark in the crossed assessment.

The grade of previous years’ assignments will be calculated based on a simple proportionality rule (for example, if a student have achieved a mark of 16 out of 20 on P2 and if in the current year they achieve a grade of 8 out of 20, it will be calculated as follows: (16/20)x8=6,4

Contact with students will be made by e-mail (SIFEUP).