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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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
Research assessment
• Computer Science - 3a
• Library and Information Management - 4
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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
Research assessment
• Computer Science - 3a
• Library and Information Management - 4
Top Scottish University rating
Equal 6th position nationally
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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
Undergraduate provision - suites
• Information Systems– 3(4) programmes
• Computing– 6(7) programmes
• Direct Entry (DEBS)– 4 programmes
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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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 postgraduate certificate
Eligible for postgraduate diploma
Eligible for MSc
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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 postgraduate certificate
Eligible for postgraduate diploma
Eligible for MSc
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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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Skills for the modern information industry - Hazel Hall
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)