Chapter 23: Term 2 Study Overview

In this post, I write the overview of my study during the second term. As a reminder, I’m studying MSc. Business Systems Integration, one of the courses in School of Information Systems, Computing, and Mathematics. Similar with the first term, there are also four modules that have to be done for the second term. On the whole, I did not really enjoy this term study, comparing to last term. First, it might be because (in my opinion) some of the modules in this term are more difficult and more challenging than modules of last term. Second, I also have to prepare my dissertation topic in this term. Although the second term has ended, I still need to complete the examination for two modules next month.

The first module is Service Oriented Architecture. This module is delivered in one hour lecture session on Monday morning at 10 AM and two hour laboratory session after the lecture session. This module learning outcome is to enable students in discussing about the relative merits and implications of SOA adoption, and also in reflecting the theories and practical of SOA adoption. The module is only assessed by individual assignment, in which students need to submit a report of SOA implementation design and critical reflection based on the given case study. For me, this is the toughest module for this term, because I find it hard to write the coursework. The criteria for this assignment are a little bit unclear. Moreover, it is quite difficult to find the references that can support the implementation discussion section of this assignment. In addition, the laboratory session for this module also not so helpful, which then forced me to learn by myself on how to generate some required files for the assignments.

The second module is Semantic Integration Framework. This module is delivered in one hour lecture session on Friday afternoon at 2 PM and followed by two hour laboratory session after the lecture session. This module learning outcome is to provide students with the skill of constructing a core semantic integration framework foundation and critically reflect the use of this framework in wider organizational sphere. This module is assessed by two individual assignments and one group assignment. The first individual assignment is a 1,500-2,000 words assignment, which is focusing on the critical reflection of the role of semantic integration framework, either in Business Process Management or Software Engineering Lifecycle. On the other hand, the group assignment and the second individual assignment are based on the ontology’s domain, which need to be agreed with the module lecturer prior to the assignment kick off. The group assignment intend to produce the ontology based on the reached agreement with the module lecturer; while the second individual assignment aim to produce three competency questions using specific language in order to validate the produced ontology of the group assignment.

The third module is Systems Project Management. This module is delivered in two hours lecture session on Wednesday afternoon at 1 PM. This module also has one hour seminar session, which schedule can be selected manually by students. This module learning outcome is to build student’s critical understanding about the key issues and challenges in managing information systems project in contemporary organizations. This module is assessed by examination, which will be held next month. Right now, I’m still preparing for this examination.

The fourth module is Data Management and Business Intelligence. This is the most interesting module from this course. This module is delivered in two hours lecture session on Wednesday afternoon at 3 PM. This module also has two hours laboratory session, which schedule is created by the module lecturer and most students have to attend the laboratory session based on this schedule. The laboratory session aim to provide student with a practical skill in implementing business intelligence solution by using some SAP technologies, such as SAP BW and SAP NetWeaver. This module is assessed 25% by class-test and 75% by examination. The class test consists of 40 single choice questions, in which the test material was taken from both laboratory sessions and lecture sessions. Meanwhile, the examination will be held next month and I’m still analyzing the given case study for the examination.

~ by xhino on 12/04/2011.