| Module Code: ENG1036 |
Module Title: COMMUNICATIONS - THE CORE OF COMPANY ACTIVITY |
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Module Provider: Engineering Teaching Group
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Short Name: SE5101
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Previous Short Name: SE5101
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Level: HE1
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Module Co-ordinator: WOODS RI Dr (Eng Teach Gp)
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Number of credits: 10
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Number of ECTS credits: 5
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| Module Delivery |
| Autumn Semester |
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| Assessment Requirements |
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Units of Assessment
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Method(s)
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Weighting towards Module Mark (%)
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Examination
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2-hour paper
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50%
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Coursework
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Assignment on information systems
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50%
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| Module Overview |
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
| Normal entry requirements for degree course in ETITB |
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| Module Aims |
To provide students with an in-depth understanding of the communication of business and technical information within an organisation.
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| Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
- Appreciate the kinds of information that a company might want to communicate.
- Understand the steps involved in the use of information.
- Appreciate the uses of information within a business context
- Understand how information flow is influenced by the organisational structure of a business
- Understand the technology (both software and hardware) deployed in business communications
- Appreciate the costs, benefits and limitations of the communications technologies available
- Design a communications system given a set of organisational, financial and geographical constraints
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| Module Content |
Introduction: data versus information; the elements of an information system – the acquisition, storage, processing and retrieval stages.
Business uses of information, the relationship with standard operating procedures and how this affects the deployment of communications technology.
The role of software in supporting business communications: the types of software packages available and the roles they play.
Basic data communications: transmission modes and media; switching methods; protocols and standards; error detection and correction.
Hardware and low-level software used in communications systems: LAN and WAN configurations; communications protocols; OSI seven layer functional model. Storage devices.
Different types of information system: transaction processing systems, management information systems, decision support systems, office automation systems, and executive support systems. |
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
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24 hours of lectures, 12 hours tutorial sessions, and 64 hours independent learning.
Total student learning time 100 hours.
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
Recommended background reading
The module is supported by some printed notes. Further recommended reading includes:
Alter S, Information Systems, 4th ed, Prentice Hall, 2002. (ISBN 01304 32423 )
Beyda WJ, Data Communications from Basics to Broadband, 3rd ed, Prentice Hall, 2000. (ISBN 01309 61396)
Dennis A, Networking in the Information Age, Wiley, 2002. (ISBN 04712 01898)
Hodson P, Local Area Networks, 4th ed, Continuum, 2003. (ISBN 08264 58661)
Laudon KC and Laudon JP, Management Information Systems, 8th ed, Prentice Hall, 2004. (ISBN 01312 06818) {earlier editions back to the 6th are sufficiently up to date}
Martin J, Enterprise Networking, Prentice Hall, 1996. (ISBN 01350 75750)
White CM, Data Communications and Computer Networks, 3rd ed, Thomson, 2004. (ISBN 06191 60357)
Required reading
None |
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| Last Updated |
15th August 2006 |
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