BSc HONOURS BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEGREE

Overview & facilities

The BSc Honours Business Information Systems degree covers a range of topics: from the strategic management of information systems to database management to interaction design. The Business Information Systems degree develops your confidence and skills across the board and reinforces your knowledge for an IT-enabled workplace. You will learn about current trends in the information systems sector and key skills of using state of the art information and communication technologies.

On this course you will adopt a holistic approach of information systems and business computing. The BSc Honours Business Information Systems degree is suitable for students who do not have an affinity for programming. You will become a key player in managing information, technology and people.

Download the School of Engineering and Information Sciences brochure.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Database Management Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module emphasises the fact that the success of information systems in any organisation is largely dependent on the quality of the underlying database. It is designed to introduce students to the principles of data management and to allow them to gain experience in designing and manipulating databases.

  Discovering Interaction Design (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Interactive devices and systems are becoming an ever-increasing part of our working and everyday lives. This module is an introduction to the area of interaction design. It aims to provide students with an appreciation of a variety of user experiences and users needs; and introduces them to some of the knowledge and practical techniques that can be used to ensure well-designed interactive systems through a series of design challenges.

  Fundamentals of Multimedia and Scripting (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to provide students with a solid foundation in scripting in a multimedia environment. Computer users expect dynamic, interactive and media rich experiences and this module allows students to use multimedia scripting to develop programming concepts and skills. This ensures students have a solid foundation for managing, developing, and evaluating their work. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their report writing skills and to explore some of the underlying logic that is used in programming. As these skills are developed in a multimedia environment, students will be expected to capture and edit images, sound, video and animation using a variety of different tools. An understanding of how media is stored on the computer is also introduced, together with an introduction to the physical properties of media types and their perception.

  Introduction to Business Computing (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module provides students with the knowledge and skills to become confident users of PC applications in business, particularly spreadsheets, word-processing and presentation software. Students will gain an understanding of the potential uses of these applications in different organisational contexts. The module will enable students to use PC applications at an advanced level to solve business problems, and to process and represent business information. Students will acquire mathematical and statistical skills to analyse quantitative data, and to represent that data in spreadsheets. Through practical tasks and assignments, students will also gain an understanding of the design principles in creating effective spreadsheets, presentations and reports.

• Year 2

  Database Systems: Design and Online (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Building on from an introductory module, this module focuses on deepening the understanding of database design, implementation and efficient use of facilities provided by a modern Database Management System. Emphasis is on the design of Business Systems using the relational model but other conceptual models including object-oriented and object-relational are introduced. Both theoretical and practical topics relating to database modelling and use are covered, including Internet technologies and tools for rendering databases for display to the client, enabling students to construct dynamic Web-based applications which access back-end databases.

  Decision Support Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the decision-making process in a business context and an appreciation of how Decision Support Systems may help in solving business problems. It covers a range of technologies use in Decision Support Systems and how these can be applied to solve semi-structures problems. The module also develops skills in the building of basic tools that van be used in a Decision Support System.

  Object Oriented Analysis and Design (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The module should provide a firm grounding in Business Systems Analysis and Design using: The Unified Modelling Language to model Information Systems, The Unified Process - a disciplined approach to assigning and managing tasks and responsibilities in a development environment. Learners on satisfactory completion of the module will have knowledge of information systems modelling and associated development life cycle issues. It would also impart skills of applying these techniques to real-life scenarios.

  Professional Project Development and Management (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module offers the opportunity of developing a range of professional skills through participation in group project work. You will learn to appreciate the importance of ethical, legal, organisational, environmental issues, business principles and the product life cycle; in addition you will develop those skills needed to work successfully as a member of a project team. The project topic will be based on other modules you take at level two and is relevant to the focus of your programme.

• Year 3

  Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Developing a Data warehouse for decision support and strategic planning has now become a most desirable objective for business organisations. A data warehouse, incorporating business intelligence, enables business organisations to discover new patterns and new phenomena in data in order to obtain analytical insight of business challenges. The aim of this module is to develop an appreciation and understanding of the techniques and approaches used to develop and deploy a data warehouse for purposes of business intelligence. The module will examine data quality and data transformation methods and practices, in addition to data warehousing modelling techniques, in order to build a quality data warehouse. Intelligent database and data mining theories and methods that aid knowledge discovery are introduced, as well as information retrieval, data presentation and pattern recognition techniques that facilitate and support business intelligence applications.

  Information Systems Project (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module provides the student the opportunity to further develop the knowledge and skills beyond the boundaries of the subjects taught in the course so that they will be prepared to meet the challenges in their future employment. In essence, the student will be going through a process of self development using their own initiatives and become intellectually mature with the guidance of a supervisor. The student is expected to either choose to do a theoretical project by undertaking an in depth investigation of a subject area related to his/her subject area or do a practical project involving system development and implementation that is relevant and useful to industry and commerce. In either case, the end product is expected to be considerably more sophisticated than any of the course work encountered in the taught course. Alternatively, the student can elect to do a research project with the approval of the supervisor. This research project can be a part of a larger project that is being carried out either in the School or elsewhere. The overall expectation of a good project is the demonstration of significant level of scholarship.

  Social, Professional and Ethical Issues in Information Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  With the increasing use of information systems in all areas of life it is increasingly important for today s graduates - who are tomorrow s professionals - to understand and appreciate the ethical implications and social impact of current technologies, to have a working knowledge of the legislation that applies in this area, and to apply their expertise in a professional way. This module encourages students to develop an awareness of their role in the implementation of new technologies, and the knowledge and skills necessary for a professional approach. The module will take an ethical perspective to computer technology, focusing on UK legislation and standards as they relate to IS practice for example Intellectual Property Rights in web design, database systems etc. , and will include considerations for design and the responsibilities and requirements of the IT profession - for example, as identified in The British Computer Society Code of Conduct: Promote equal access to the benefits of IS by all groups in society. Have regard for the legitimate rights of third parties. Promote public understanding of IS - its benefits and pitfalls. Have knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

  Strategic Management and Information Systems (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to provide the student with a clear of understanding of the issues that impact on the interface between the information provider and the information consumer. Students will develop a feel for the disparity between the provider and user within the overall management context. In particular the student will appreciate the management on-cost of such disparity. This module will provide the students with an understanding of the framework within which information assets are used to enhance the decision making processes with the organisation. The importance of understanding this framework and all the participants within the framework. The importance of distinguishing between information and knowledge at the organisational level. Students will be given an understanding of the importance of consensus between provider and user in terms of information provision. The overall value, strategically, of good information delivery. The role of strategic alignment in trying to make good information provision more of a certainty within the business environment. This module will provide the student with an understanding of the importance of good change management in relation to the increased reliance of companies on IT as a means of ensuing good information provision. That change is a human as well as an organisation issue. That understanding change issues can help to ensure full and productive use of information assets within the organisation. Students will learn the importance of protecting information assets especially with the outsourcing scenario. How outsourcing impacts on information quality and why security is strategically essential for information assets.

Download the course specifications.

Entry & applying

We normally make offers on a minimum of 200 UCAS tariff points, plus GCSE Maths and English Language at grade C. BTEC National Diploma/International Baccalaureate/Advanced Progression Diplomas at equivalent tariff. Access to HE - Pass. Applications from candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed. Additionally overseas students whose first language is not English will need a qualification that demonstrates competence in English, eg IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 paper-based or 213 computer based. We also offer a Foundation Year in Computing.

We also offer a Foundation Year in Computing.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas qualification, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country. For details of other equivalent requirements that Middlesex accepts see entry requirements.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students.

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

How to Apply

UK/EU students

Apply now

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have experience with helping students from your country and supporting them with their applications to study at Middlesex. Read more on international applications. 

Fees & funding

January Start Fees

UK/EU students: £3,375
International students: £10,400

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £9,000.
The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for International students is £10,400.

Click here to find out more about fees, funding and our scholarships in 2012.