Degree Profile of  Master of  Commerce in Information Systems Management
Institution:	Midlands State University
Type of Degree:	Masters
Credit Load:	336 credits
Level:	SADC-QF – Level 9
Accreditation Organisation(s):	Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
Period of reference:	Accredited by ZIMCHE in 2012

 

Purpose of the Programme

The goal of the programme is to educate students to become Information Systems Engineers and Managers who have the ability to conceive IT solutions in the widest context. The programme aims to develop the sound conceptual, technical, analytical and communication skills that are required to succeed in the I.T. profession. To this end, the programme employs a rigorous case analysis approach, which requires students to exercise their analytical abilities and develop effective verbal and written communication skills.

 

Entry Requirements

To qualify for entry into this programme, prospective students must hold a good pass in an honours degree in Information Systems, Computer Science or relevant qualification with a strong programming background.

 

Programme Characteristics
Areas of Study:	Programming; Artificial Intelligence; Database Systems; Management; Emerging Technologies
Specialist Focus:	The goal of the programme is to help meet the increasing demand for knowledgeable personnel who possess a balanced combination of technical and managerial skills.
Orientation:	Research and innovation oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on practical aspects
Distinctive Features:	The programme builds the research-technology-innovation continuum and focuses on knowledge development and application using a student-centred approach

 

Career Opportunities and Further Education
Employability:	Programmer; Project Manager; Chief Information Officer; Consultant; Database Designer; Systems Designer; Chief Technology Officer
Further Studies:	Doctoral studies in Information Systems or in interdisciplinary programmes related to Information Systems

 

Programme Delivery
Teaching and Learning Methods:	Lectures, tutorials,  group work, dissertation, individual independent study
Assessment Methods:	Written and oral examinations, tests, final year dissertation,  presentations, term papers, continuous  assessments

 

Programme Competences

Generic: Multidisciplinarity: Ability to draw appropriately from multiple academic disciplines to define and solve problems based on understanding of complex phenomena Quantitative and innovative reasoning: Capability to draw on big data and use analytics for informed decision making and strive to seek new ways of doing things Communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively and to present information orally and in writing and using ICTs to both expert and non-expert audiences Analysis and synthesis: Capacity for analysis and synthesis using logical arguments and proven facts. Ethical commitment: Professional integrity and awareness of  the impact of technology on society and the environment Entrepreneurial skills: Capability to identify and create new business ventures based on knowledge and new thinking paradigms

Discipline specific: Deep knowledge: Ability to analyse information systems  in terms of underlying principles and knowledge  Production skills: Ability to manage IT infrastructure projects, determine enterprise system requirements, analyse organizational data for business intelligence, lead information systems strategies and apply emerging technologies across the enterprise. Technology development skills: Ability to create and improve ways of handling data and electronic communication. Problem-solving skills: Ability to solve a wide range of problems in the business environment  by identifying their fundamental aspects and using both theoretical and experimental methods Analytical and computational skills:  Ability to use data to analyse  information systems and technological issues using appropriate IT packages

 

Intended Learning Outcomes

Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of information systems fundamentals in the business environment. Ability to use principles of information systems to understand software design, development and analysis. Ability to identify and define different information systems and practices for the corporate world. Understanding of the information systems in terms of the practices, technology applications and security systems. Ability to identify information systems security aspects. Use appropriate research methods to create new IT solutions for business. Develop computerized solutions that enhance efficiencies and outputs of the corporate sector. Create new business solutions in the corporate world.

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

  N.B. * denotes core modules

Electives will be offered subject to availability of personnel.

Level 1 Semester 1

Code Module Description             Credits

MIM 701 Operating Systems and Microcomputer Technologies 24

MIM 702 Advanced Database Technologies                                      24                  

MIM 703  Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems                           24     

MIM 704         Object Oriented Programming- Java                       24 

MIM 705 E-Commerce Strategies 24

  

Level 1 Semester 2

MIM 706         Simulation and Modeling                                        24            

MIM 707         E-Corporate Governance and Ethics                      24

MIM 708           Data Structures and Algorithms Design Java 2      24  

MIM 709         Information Systems Control and Audit                                  24

MIM 710         Strategic Management                                                             24

Level 2 Semester 1

MIM 801       Mobile Computing                                                       24

MIM 802       Agent systems                                                                     24

MIM 803        Neural Networks                                                             24

MIM 804         Strategic Marketing Management                                      24

MIM 805       Change Management                                                         24

Level 2 Semester 2

MIM 806      Dissertation                                                                                 48

   

  MODULE SYNOPSES

MIM 701: OPERATING SYSTEMS AND MICROCOMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

Review of fundamental Operating systems concepts. The history of design of operating systems. Detailed study of the internal functioning of operating systems. Optimization of modern operating systems performance. Case studies of Linux and Windows. Introduction to microcomputer system software and a comparison of microcomputer systems vs. embedded systems.

MIM 702: ADVANCED DATABASE TECHNOLOGY

The module builds upon the student’s general understanding of database systems acquired in the prerequisite undergraduate module(s). Concepts such as database architectures, parallelism, distributed databases, speciality databases and applications, data warehousing, data mining and its algorithms, XML data and web databases will be discussed.

MIM 703: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERT SYSTEMS

This module seeks to consolidate the basics of artificial intelligence and expert systems and move to the application of these aspects in practical industrial situations. It also seeks to show how knowledge and reasoning are demonstrated through the use of intelligent agents. Knowledge representation techniques such as rules, frames, cases and semantic nets are also explored. 

MIM 704: OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING – JAVA

This module offers full coverage of the theory and practice of object oriented programming in a project based environment. Detailed concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, and encapsulation are covered. Java language concepts such as inner classes, exceptions, coupling, and cohesion will be described. The use of threads in java will be looked at.  Students should be able to develop real life applications using Object Oriented Programming aspects.

MIM 705: E-COMMERCE STRATEGIES

The module seeks to develop understanding and appreciation of significance of e-commerce concepts and issues in contemporary business world. The student will be able to examine the business implications of e-commerce in the following areas Corporate Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Customer Experience, Customer Relationship Management, E-Services, Marketing channels, distribution, Online Product Promotion and Payment Systems among others.

MIM 706: SIMULATION AND SYSTEMS MODELING

This module aims to equip candidates with modeling skills from the fields of mathematical programming and simulation to enable candidates to analyse management decision making problems. The process involves learning how to formulate models, how to construct computer models (using Cisco Packet Tracer), how to solve such models, how to interpret the output of such models. 

MIM 707: E-CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS

The module looks at corporate governance theories, corporate governance codes, Board of Directors, Corporate governance in Zimbabwe in private Companies and public sector companies. The relationship between IT governance and corporate governance, IT governance focus areas, IT governance frameworks, IT Governance Risk Management, Information Security Governance, Problems in implementing IT Governance in Zimbabwe. 

MIM708: DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHM DESIGN –J AVA 2

This module teaches concepts of data structures and algorithms for effective problem-solving skills and implementation of solution using Java. It focuses on dynamic data structures such as stacks, queues, linked lists, trees and graphs. Algorithms for searching and sorting, including common algorithm design techniques, will also be introduced.

MIM 709: INFORMATION SYSTEMS CONTROL AND AUDIT

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental concepts, procedures and standards of IS audit and controls, develop students’ practical skills in handling various types of IS audits and examining the IS controls and  prepare students to develop generic skills in communication, individual and team works, case analysis and reporting, and creative problem solving.

MIM 710: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

The manager as strategist, Organizational mission, Organizational objectives, Strategic auditing and process, Strategic control systems, Decision making process, implementation and strategic change in the internal and external organizational environments.

MIM 801:  MOBILE COMPUTING 

This module familiarises students with the mobile computing world. This course exposes students to the current trends in mobile services and applications. It focuses on new trends and various applications available in mobile services arena. It also introduces various concepts and ideas of in-trend applications running on mobile devices. Mobile Communication development, WAP, WML, SMS and Bluetooth or similar technologies will be covered. 

MIM 802: AGENT SYSTEMS

Agent technology has been considered as an important approach for developing distributed intelligent software systems that are able to act autonomously on behalf of humans. This module thus seeks to introduce students to these technologies that enable them to develop software agents while being conscious of the paramount agent properties which are intelligence, Agency, rationality, mobility and benevolence. 

MIM 803: NEURAL NETWORKS

Introduction, Neuron Model and Network Architectures, Perceptron Learning Rule, Background on Linear Algebra, Supervised Hebbian Learning ,Background on performance surfaces and optimization , Widrow-Hoff Learning ,Back propagation , Associative Learning  and Competitive Networks.

MIM 804: STRATEGIC MARKETING MANAGEMENT

The module aims to provide strategic insights into the broader understanding of marketing management and its critical role to the success of the business. Emphasis will be given to the fact that a strategy is a game plan and every game plan is contextual and dynamic and it depends on resources, competition, competencies and the environment.

MIM 805: CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Understanding the Changing Environment, Drivers of Change in the World around Us, Living in the Comfort Zone and Resistance to Change, Typical Change Initiatives, Understanding the Need for Change, Building Advocacy – Diminishing Complacency, Tactics for Success.