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MSc Information SystemsAnglia Ruskin University

Qualification

On successful completion of the programme

you will be awarded an MSc Information

Systems.

Awarding Body

Anglia Ruskin University

Course Description

 The programme is designed to enable you

to achieve a Master of Science degree in

Information Systems by undertaking a rigorous

study of up to date theories, techniques and

issues and acquiring the practical skills that

are essential within the rapidly changing

environment so that you can pursue a related

career or further relevant academic study.

You will be provided with opportunities

to develop your knowledge and skills in

Information Systems in a flexible way, such

as developing an understanding of current

and emerging computer technologies. The

programme will enable you to explore the

issues around the management of Information

Systems in business and other contexts, and

will facilitate the development of expertise

and interest in topic areas of direct and

complementary relevance to the workplace.

Mode 

Online distance learning

Course Content (Modules)

1. Information Systems Strategy and

Development

 This module will give you an understanding of

the various strategies involved in the creation

of Information Systems and how the various

strategies relate to each other. The strategies

that will be considered are: Business Strategy,

Information Strategy, Data Management

Strategy, Software Strategy, Information

Systems Development Strategy. The module

will cover what is required in each of these

strategies and how they need to integrate

together to support the achievement of the

Business objectives. The module will also

cover the key methodologies that are used

in information systems development and will

cover the advantages and disadvantages of the

different methodologies.

2. Current Issues in Networking

 This module, which aims to deal with selected,

leading edge topics in networking and data

communications, is intended to develop

in depth and critical analysis of research

issues relating to network technologies and

applications.

 The module presents various research topics

within networking, showing the issues that

these topics face and the current position of

research in these areas. It is expected that

the actual topics covered will change as

research develops, issues are addressed and

new problems arise. The focus is on leading

edge research and as such the main source for

material is published journals and conference

papers from credible academic sources.

3. Web-based Systems

 This module has been designed to allow you

the opportunity to develop your conceptual

and practical understanding of advanced web

application development tools and techniques,

and to enable you to design and implement

non-trivial web-based applications.

You will review and analyse the methodologies,

techniques, tools and approaches for the

investigation and development of Internet

based applications. You will evaluate

developing trends and technologies in website

development and web based applications. You

will review client-server computing, multi-

tiered architectures, mark up languages, client

side scripting, server side scripting and the

creation of n-tiered Internet applications. Also,

you will be able to comprehend and critically

evaluate the architecture of a data-driven

website, a modern development environment

and the relative effectiveness of computing

technologies for developing and supporting

data-driven website maintenance and security

issues. You will therefore be better equipped to

anticipate and select emerging technologies of

the future.

4. Research Paradigms

 This module will provide you with the

necessary knowledge and skills to critically

evaluate the use of evidence in computing and

digital media, to do research and generate your

own evidence-based material to justify your

professional practice.

 The module takes a broad view of research,

considering what is meant by research,

different approaches, scientific method, the

concept of developing knowledge and how

new knowledge is disseminated.

You will be expected to undertake a significant

amount of individual study including searching

relevant credible academic sources and

critically evaluating these sources and the

materials published therein. You are also

expected to develop your own project ideas,

either from your own work experience or from

consultations with academic tutors on the

programme. The module is therefore largely

driven by you, as you are expected to initiate

and manage communications with tutors as

required to explore possible dissertation topics.

5. Managing Client Focused Projects

 This module is designed to enable you

to gain an understanding of all the key

elements of managing a project which is to

be delivered to a client. The module covers

the key areas involved in an information

systems development of project management,

teamwork, consultancy and application design

and development. As information systems

development consists of teams, the model

will cover team formation, team building and

effectiveness of teams. The role of internal

and external consultants on a project will be

also discussed, as well as the importance of

application design and development.

6. Dissertation

 This module will enable you to undertake a

major piece of individual study in the field of

computing or computer applications. Projects

will be drawn from commercial, industrial or

research based problem areas involving you

in researching and investigating aspects of

applied computing, then producing a major

deliverable. The original research and the

project process will be fully reported in the

dissertation.

 The dissertation must focus on an area of

information systems that is covered in the

taught phase of the programme. The nature of

the research undertaken is not constrained. You

may engage in applied research by addressing

a problem or issue that is based on your work

Online distancelearning

Computing and Media faculty

 

63FREEphone 0800 COURSES/0800 268 7737 www.rdi.co.uk/apply admissions@rdi.co.uk

or other experience or you may engage in a

theoretical study of some aspect of information

systems. You will have initially presented

the topic to be researched in the Research

Paradigms module.

Assessment

You will complete a range of assessments,

including case study based assignments,

implementation of dynamic website,

supported by critical analysis and review, and a

dissertation.

Duration of Programme

 This course is expected to be completed within

2.5 years. However, our online distance learning

students have flexibility in setting their own

pace of study, which means that the course can

be completed in a minimum period of 1 year.

Entry Requirements

• First degree from an approved university

equivalent to a UK second class honours.

• English language ability equivalent to an

IELTS score of 6.5, where the medium of

undergraduate study was not English.

• Candidates without a first degree will be

eligible for entry if they can demonstrate at

least two years relevant work experience at a

supervisory level.

What’s Included

RDI’s virtual learning environment ilearn is used

to deliver all resources for this course including:

• Study materials - Access electronic

copies of your learning materials and

important information, such as assessment

instructions, whenever and wherever you

are.

•  Tutor support - Tutors use live chats and

forums to stimulate discussions, request

input and highlight external sources.

• External resources - Links to external

sources can include key journal articles, your

university’s online library, sites of topical

interest, etc.

• Discussion with other students - Forums

allow students to come together, share

thoughts and ideas and you can initiate

topics that you want to discuss with your

fellow students.

Workload

We recommend an average of 18 hours study

time per week for this programme.

Exemptions

Exemptions may be granted in respect of

other qualifications subject to the University’s

APCL regulations. It is not intended to provide

exemption via APEL.

How to Apply

In addition to a completed application form:

• A personal statement.

• Original or certified copies of your degree

certificate and transcripts.

• One professional work reference (covering a

five year period).

• Copy of your CV detailing your work history

(covering the last five years).

• For applicants whose first language is not

English, you will need to provide proof of

English language ability (IELTS or TOEFL).

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Email admissions@rdi.co.uk

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