1 About the course www.sheffield.ac.uk/is Skills relevant to your career Our MSc in Information Systems provides you with the practical knowledge you need in the fastgrowing field of information systems. We teach you to apply this knowledge effectively and confidently in organisations of all kinds. The course brings together issues relating to information, people, IT and the business environment in an organisational context. We ll also help you develop skills in keeping up-to-date with developments in this fast-moving area. As a result, our graduates are highly valued in industry, commerce and academia. In this research-led environment you will not only learn the well-established fundamentals but also the most advanced theories and techniques. You will further develop these research activities by exploring topics as part of your course and as part of your dissertation. A world-class place to study The MSc in Information Systems is run jointly by the Department of Information Studies and Department of Computer Science. Both departments have world-leading research groups in areas such as database systems, information retrieval, speech recognition, information extraction and information management. Why take the MSc now? Information industries are now one of the largest growing sectors of the economy. The success of these knowledge-based organisations lies in their information systems, which must effectively gather, process, store and disseminate information. This in turn means that knowledge of information systems, application and management is at a premium in the workplace. For details on how to apply, see page 11.
2 Information Systems. Information Systems in Organisations Professional Issues 60 credits of dissertation modules, taken with either the Department of Information Studies or the Department of Computer Science Course structure: two ways to take the MSc The MSc in Information Systems is available either as a Professional Preparation Programme for those who want to start a career in this area or a Continuing Professional Development programme to upgrade existing skills. Whichever you choose, your course is made up of core (compulsory) and optional modules. Professional Preparation programme This is aimed at candidates with little (up to one year) or no relevant work experience who wish to pursue a career in the field. You ll take modules worth a total of 180 credits. The core and dissertation modules are compulsory. You then choose modules from the list of options to make up the rest of your credits. Core modules (130 credits): Database Design Information Systems and the Information Society Information Systems Modelling on Optional modules (30 credits): Content Management Systems Digital Multimedia Libraries E-Business and E-Commerce Educational Informatics Electronic Publishing Healthcare Information Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Graphical Interfaces Human Computer Interaction and User Interface Design Human Resource Management Information Storage and Retrieval Research Information Systems Project Management Java E-Commerce Network Architectures Software Analysis and Design Optional modules : Computer Architectures Foundations of Object-Oriented Programming Java and UML for Programmers Network and Internetwork Architectures Find out what some of our graduates are doing now page 12.
3 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme If you have two or more years relevant work experience and you want to develop your knowledge and skills in your chosen professional area, the CPD programme is for you. You can enrol on the MSc, PG Diploma or PG Certificate level of study. For the MSc, you must take 180 credits. For the PG Diploma, you need 120 credits. For the PG Certificate, you ll take 60 credits. All core modules are compulsory. You choose the rest of your credits from the list of options. The number of core and optional modules you take depends on the level of study. Core modules (100 credits MSc, 40 credits PGDip and PGCert): Information Systems Modelling Information Systems Project Management Professional Issues Find MSc students only - 60 credits of dissertation modules, taken with either the Department of Information Studies or the Department of Computer Science Optional modules (80 credits MSc, 80 credits PGDip, 20 credits PGCert): Content Management Systems Computer Architectures Database Design Designing Usable Websites Digital Multimedia Libraries E-Business and E-Commerce Educational Informatics Electronic Publishing Foundations of Object-Oriented Programming Healthcare Information Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Graphical Interfaces Human Computer Interaction and User Interface Design Human Resource Management Independent Study. A maximum of three Independent Study modules may be taken. Information Storage and Retrieval Research Information Systems and the Information Society Java and UML for Programmers Java E-Commerce Network Architectures Organisation, Management, and Information Systems Software Analysis and Design out more about each module on pages 4-9.
4 Information Systems. Modules Computer Architectures Divided into two parts. The first introduces computer design and demonstrates how functional units can be modelled. The second part teaches how to put the bits together to make a complete computer. Demonstrates how to design instructions and how to compile from high level languages into machine code instructions. Content Management Systems This module introduces you to the requirements for web-based content management systems, and gives you the practical skills to design and implement such systems yourself. Database Design Introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of relational database design. Provides an overview of emerging database concepts such as object-oriented and distributed databases. Designing Usable Websites This module enables you to understand the key elements in the process of planning, implementing and testing a website to meet users need. You ll gain practical experience of creating effective web pages using application-specific packages. Digital Multimedia Libraries Explores the technical and practical aspects of creating and organising digital libraries, with particular attention to multimedia collections. You will study digitization of multimedia material, management of born digital content, as well as classification and cataloguing. E-Business and E-Commerce Addresses theoretical and practical aspects of e-business and e-commerce through an exploration of the digital economy. Equips you with knowledge and skills to understand and manage new ways of doing business.
5 Educational Informatics Introduction to current practice and research in educational informatics. Addresses theoretical and practical issues associated with the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support learning in the information society. Aims to help you engage critically with issues and debates in the field. Electronic Publishing Introduction to electronic publication, including: text encoding and mark up languages; the production, retrieval and analysis of electronic multimedia; and the commercial and scholarly impact of the electronic mode of delivery. Foundations of Object-Oriented Programming Introduction to the foundations of object-oriented programming using Java. The emphasis is on software engineering principles, concepts underpinning objectoriented design and development. Healthcare Information Provides an understanding of healthcare information and its importance to different health-related groups including: the public, patients, healthcare professionals and managers. Introduces you to the climate within which health information services are delivered and examines the provision and use of information by these different health-related groups.
6 Information Systems. Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Interface Design Introduces usability principles and the design process for user interfaces in interactive systems. The focus is on the underlying principles of HCI and user-centered design approach. Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Graphical Interfaces Investigates the issues and techniques involved in constructing software with a graphical user interface. Covers the fundamental principles of HCI and so provides a rationale for evaluating user interfaces. Independent Study modules For students with experience in information work at managerial or professional level to pursue an individual topic or topics relevant to their work background or career development needs. Students on the Continuing Professional Development course can take up to three such modules. Information Storage and Retrieval Research Introduces you to current research into computational methods for the storage and retrieval of textual and multimedia information. Looks at both semantically and statistically-based approaches to retrieval.
7 Information Systems and the Information Society Develops critical understanding of the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on social change in the Information Society. Information Systems Modelling Considers the role of information modelling within the organisation and provides an appreciation of the rigorous methods needed to analyse, develop and maintain computer based information systems. Information Systems in Organisations Introduction to organisations, management and information systems. Aims to provide an integrated set of concepts and tools for understanding information systems in organisations. Information Systems Project Management Provides a broad understanding of the fundamentals of information systems (IS) project management. Looks at the various IS development methodologies in use. Also covers project control activities and techniques including: estimation of development resources, risk management, systems quality assurance and human resource management.
8 Information Systems. Java E-commerce Introduction to technologies (primarily Java-based) involved in the development of systems to support electronic commerce. Focuses on technical architectures to support robust, secure, distributed, scaleable transaction processing. Java and UML for Programmers Presents the object-oriented approach to building large software systems from components in the Java Programming Language. You ll cover large scale program design and implementation issues using the Java Application Programmer s Interface. Network and Internetwork Architectures Introduces the principles of computer networks and internetworks, together with relevant background material on computer architecture. Emphasis is on concepts and design issues related to layered communication protocol architectures, local area networks and internetworking. Network Architectures Introduces computer networks with an emphasis on the concepts and design issues of layered communication protocol architectures, local area networks and packet switching, and the basics of internetworking.
9 Professional Issues Provides an understanding of the relationship between technological change, society and the law. Emphasises the powerful role that computers and computer professionals play in a technological society. Introduces the legal areas which are relevant to the discipline of computer science. Software Analysis and Design Introduces software development in the business environment using object oriented techniques and the UML notation. Dissertation Everyone registered for the MSc has to complete a research-based dissertation from the middle of June to September (full-time attendance), after finishing the taught part of the course. The topic is chosen in consultation with members of teaching staff. There are opportunities to carry out dissertation studies with external organisations. CPD students may wish to undertake a dissertation project directly relevant to their own work situation. Students who have carried out such dissertations have welcomed the opportunity to tackle real-life problems. The dissertation is a major part of your degree, and you are allocated an academic supervisor to provide advice and guidance throughout the period of study. Professional accreditation The MSc in Information Systems is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). Graduates can apply for the professional membership grades of the Institute.
10 Information Systems. What suits you best? Full-time study The full-time course lasts 12 months, starting in late September each year. Part-time study Part-time students also start in September each year. The MSc normally takes about three years to complete. The taught part of the degree is studied over the first two years. You ll undertake dissertation study in the third year. The PG Diploma and PG Certificate normally take a maximum of two years to complete. Students who are able to complete the taught part of the MSc programme and the dissertation in two years are permitted to do so, but should note that the third year s tuition fees will be payable before a student can graduate. Funding Studentships are available from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) under their Professional Preparation Master s Scheme. If you intend to apply for this funding, we recommend you apply for a place on the MSc as early as possible, ideally by 31 December the year before the course starts. Competition for this funding is strong. Demand far outweighs the number of studentships available. This funding is not available to overseas students. www.ahrc.ac.uk
11 What qualifications do I need? For the Professional Preparation programme At least a second-class honours degree, or its equivalent in any subject. Relevant work experience is an advantage. However, students without work experience are considered on their own merits. For the Continuing Professional Development programme You need at least two years relevant work experience in information systems and a first degree in information studies. If your first degree is in another subject, you ll also need a relevant professional qualification or at least five years relevant work experience. What if I haven t got a degree? If you have other qualifications and substantial relevant work experience you may be considered for the PG Diploma or PG Certificate in Information Systems. Please contact us for further information and to discuss your particular circumstances. What if English is not my first language? You need IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in the writing and speaking components and at least 5.5 in the reading and listening components. Or TOEFL minimum score 575 (paper-based) 232 (computer-based) with at least 5.0 in the written English Test. If your application is successful but you don t have the necessary scores, you may be asked to attend an English Language course at the University before or during the MSc programme. How to apply Online This is the quickest and easiest way to apply. For details: www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/apply By mail If you didn t get a form with this brochure, you can download one from the website (above). Return your completed form and all supporting documents to the address shown. Supporting documents Your supporting documents may be sent by mail, or by email to inf-apply@sheffield.ac.uk. This includes documents such as references and transcripts.
12 Information Systems. Your future career What our graduates do Recent graduates from the MSc in Information Systems have taken up posts across a range of employment sectors in roles such as IT Consultant, Data Management Specialist, Website Developer, IT Project Manager, Technical Support Analyst, Software Developer, Systems Engineer, Graduate Analyst Programmer and Computer-Based Training Consultant. What our graduates say After completing the MSc in Information Systems I entered the Graduate Trainee Programme at Compaq. The experience gained from the various courses on the MSc programme has been an invaluable source of confidence to me. The requirement and documentation techniques developed during the dissertation period have also greatly assisted me in various other projects at work. Ghulam Chohan Graduate IT Trainee Compaq Computer Ltd As an information officer I am responsible for updating and maintaining the information presented on the YMCA intranet and the public internet. My role involves programming (mainly in HTML and ColdFusion), database management (SQL Server) and answering public enquiries. The MSc has helped me greatly in my career with subjects like database management, information systems and Java programming, Xiaoping Ling Information Officer YMCA England I feel that the MSc at Sheffield gave me an excellent grounding for my job in e-learning development. Not only has it equipped me with useful technical skills, such as web programming and database design, it has also given me a wider appreciation of the role of IT in business and the opportunities and challenges that implementing new systems brings. Tim Thornton Web Developer Virtual College