skills for the modern information industry

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Skills for the modern information industry

The view from Higher Education

Hazel Hall

School of Computing, Napier University

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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall

Presentation content

• Napier University• School of Computing• Undergraduate provision

– Focus on BSc Information Technology Management• Postgraduate provision

– Focus on two new programmes: MSc Information Services Integration and MSc Information Systems Project Management

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Napier University

• “New” university - tradition of teaching and “relevance”• 13,000 students• Programmes designed with specific careers in mind• 80% programmes offer placements• Professional accreditation• 97% Napier graduates in employment/further study within six

months of graduation

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School of Computing, Napier University

• Largest School of Computing in Scotland• 1500 students (full time equivalent) - HND, undergraduate,

postgraduate • 70 academic staff• Merchiston campus• Recent high ratings

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Well-managed work experience placement.

The quality of learning resources is commendable.

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) report 2002

A strongly supportive and collegiate atmosphere in the School.

Well-chosen range of teaching techniques.

Imaginative use of the impressive information technology.

The quality of teaching and learning is commendable. Project and dissertation

guidelines are excellent. Staff are dedicated, skilled and approachable.

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Research assessment

• Computer Science - 3a

• Library and Information Management - 4

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Research assessment

• Computer Science - 3a

• Library and Information Management - 4

Top Scottish University rating

Equal 6th position nationally

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Teaching provision

• Choice - route, placement, full-time/part-time• Breadth of curricula• Practical skills/theory balance (“innovation” - QAA)• Skills for employment - graduates who can

– solve problems in the “real” world– adapt to change– have ethical awareness and interest in professional issues– learn independently

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Undergraduate provision - suites

• Information Systems– 3(4) programmes

• Computing– 6(7) programmes

• Direct Entry (DEBS)– 4 programmes

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Undergraduate provision - suites

• Information Systems– 3(4) programmes including BSc Information Technology

Management

• Computing– 6(7) programmes

• Direct Entry (DEBS)– 4 programmes

Programme LeaderBrian Davison

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BSc Information Technology Management

Year 1

Year 2

Placement Year 3

Year 4

Year 4

Year 3

Complete studies June

Complete studies January

Ordinary degree after 3 years.Honours degree after 4 years.Optional 12 month placement.

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Specialist subject skills BSc ITM - examples of modules

• Business information sources• Business intelligence• Business systems analysis• Information strategy• Information systems management• Knowledge management• Security of information systems• Strategic management

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Specialist subject skills BSc ITM - examples of modules

• Business information sources• Business intelligence• Business systems analysis• Information strategy• Information systems management• Knowledge management• Security of information systems• Strategic management• Plus final year project (dissertation)

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Postgraduate provision - established programmes

• Networking• Information systems• Software technology• Interactive technology for e-commerce• Multimedia and interactive systems• Software engineering

• Plus PhD

MSc

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Postgraduate provision - new programmes

• MSc Information Services Integration - led by Colin Smith

• MSc Information Systems Project Management - led by Pritam Chita

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Postgraduate provision - new programmes

• MSc Information Services Integration - led by Colin Smith

• MSc Information Systems Project Management - led by Pritam ChitaRequisite knowledge for PRINCE 2 Foundation exam

Subject to validation, first intake September 2004

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New programme innovation is responsive to organisational and student demands

• content tied to “real” world• staff input based on research with industry and consultancy• students encouraged to use own organisation in assessment

work

• delivery meets organisational and student constraints• part-time delivery - 1 weekend per semester (Friday evening, all

day Saturday), fortnightly 4 hour classes on Thursday evenings• 100% course work assessed• CPD opportunities

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New programme structure

Module 1 Module 2

Module 3 Module 4

Module 5

Module 7

Module 6

Module 8

DISSERTATION

Eligible for postgraduate certificate

Eligible for postgraduate diploma

Eligible for MSc

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

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MSc Information Services Integration

Knowledge architecture Strategic thinking for IS

People in organisations Content integration

Technology challenges

Security compliance

Managing service partnerships

Action oriented research

DISSERTATION



Eligible for MSc

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

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MSc Information Systems Project Management

Knowledge architecture Strategic thinking for IS

People in organisations Project management

Technology challenges

Commercial risk management

Project environments

Action oriented research

DISSERTATION



Eligible for MSc

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

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Skills for the modern information industry

• Skills in understanding - of concepts and principles (i.e. theory); analysis, implementation and management of information services solutions (i.e. practice).

• Skills in application of concepts and principles.• Skills in evaluation of information services management and its

deployment to solve problems.• Skills in independent judgement and critical awareness - to

enquire, analyse, think creatively, reflect, reason, communicate.• Skills in achieving individual potential - basis for future personal

development, continuing professional development.

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Contacts

• www.soc.napier.ac.uk

• Hazel - [email protected]• Brian - [email protected] (BSc Information Technology

Management)• Colin - [email protected] (MSc Information Services

Integration)• Pritam - [email protected] (MSc Information Systems

Project Management)

skills for the modern information industry

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