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About Information Systems

What is an Information System?

While some people equate an information system with a software application, and others more generally with information and communications technologies, an information system is more appropriately understood as the collection of organisational processes, procedures, technologies, people and data that are brought together to deliver the information needed by individuals, departments, user groups, organisations and other entities to accomplish their goals.

Information and communication technologies serve as an important layer of modern information systems by providing enhanced capability for the storage, safeguarding, manipulation, retrieval and delivery of organisational data and information.

Information Systems (IS)...
... professionals thus focus on the application of Information Technology (IT) (computer resources, technical skills and communications networks) to problems in business.

What is a degree in Information Systems about?

The study of IS focuses on developing IT solutions to overcome business problems in the commercial arena

IS is a new and rapidly growing discipline that teaches students how to use, develop, and manage information systems technologies effectively and rationally in the business and economic environment. It is an important area of expertise that links to other specialist areas in the B Com, B Acc or B Econ Science degrees.

Information Systems as a degree program reflects the increasing dependence of organisations on their information processing and communications technologies to support their strategic/competitive, operational, managerial, and financial objectives. Throughout the course, students learn to focus on defining solutions to business problems. Although a strong emphasis is placed on the specification and development of IT (computer) based information systems solutions, students also learn that improvements in business processes and procedures often accompany the introduction of a new IT-based solution.

While students take courses that improve their technology implementation skills, rather than focusing internally on the technology itself, information systems students learn to focus on how the technology can be implemented to support the needs of organisations.

Consistent with the international curriculum guidelines of the Association of Information Systems, our curriculum intends to ensure that students are able to contribute to the design and implementation of information systems solutions that enhance organisational performance by developing:

1. broad business and organisational knowledge
2. strong analytical and critical thinking skills
3. interpersonal communication and team skills
4. strong ethical principles
5. appropriate technical implementation and technology management knowledge

History of IS @ Wits

Information systems was first studied at Wits in the department of applied maths, stats and computer science in the 1970s, when it was known as Business Data Processing. In 1979 IS became a division within the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Commerce. In 1994 it became its own department in the Faculty of Commerce.

In 2001 with the restructuring of the University, Information Systems became a division within the School of Economic and Business Sciences, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

Since 2004 Information Systems has been a division within the School of Economic and Business Sciences. Other divisions in the School include human resources, finance, insurance and risk management, marketing, and management.

Mission

"The mission of the IS faculty is to:

1. educate young South Africans to play a significant role in the IT profession
2. provide continuing education to IS professionals on contemporary issues by means of short courses and higher degrees
3. conduct research into IT in order to keep South Africans abreast of the latest developments."

Degrees in IS

BCom: 3 year major in information systems
BCom (Honours): 1 year full time honours degree or 2 year part time honours degree
MCom: Masters degrees by coursework and research or research only

Faculty

Information Systems students are taught by a team of highly dedicated lecturers with many years of both lecturing and commercial experience between them.

Tom Addison	Dr. Maria Jakovljevic
Mr. Jean-Marie Bancilhon	Mrs. Suzanne Sackstein
Mrs. Susan Benvenuti	Ms. Georgia Sirinidis
Professor Jason Cohen	Mr. Ernest Skinner
Mrs. Lyrice Cohen	Mrs. Linda Spark

Our Approach to Teaching IS

Students engage in real world business information and knowledge management problems, learning how to formulate and solve problems using the appropriate computer programs and software. Our courses are strongly management oriented, but at the same time giving graduates an overview of the technologies available and when they should be used.

During the three years of undergraduate study, students will be exposed to current programming languages, software packages, and exciting subjects such as e-commerce and the internet, databases, IS management and project management. Students tackle real-world problems by building information systems for firms in industry.

Lectures, small tutorial sessions, and practical laboratory sessions are offered by the highly qualified IS faculty. Their research interests are in the fields of E-Commerce, IS Education, IS Strategy, IS Management and Systems Theory ensuring the Wits IS curriculum is up-to-date with business requirements and of a high international standard.

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