Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Decision Support Systems

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ISYS1018

City Campus

Postgraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011

Course Coordinator: Prof. Hepu Deng

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5823

Course Coordinator Email:hepu.deng@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

This course assumes that you have:

  • fundemental mathematical and spreadsheet skills.


Course Description

A decision support system (DSS) is a computer system that encompasses mathematical models, informational databases and a user interface to help managers make better decisions. This course is intended to develop an appreciation of the nature of managerial business decision making as well as a working knowledge of Decision Support Systems (DSS) for facilitating the process of semi-structured decision making. Issues associated with the development of these systems are introduced, along with some of the underlying mathematical modelling techniques that provide DSS with a problem solving capability.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the conclusion of this course, you should develop the following capabilities:
- Ability to select appropriate modelling techniques for supporting semi-structured business decision making
- Ability to identify and select appropriate decision support systems for generating innovative business solutions
- Ability to design and implement decision support systems for generating innovative business solutions


At the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:
- Recognize the relationship between business information needs and decision making
- Appraise the general nature and range of decision support systems
- Appraise issues related to the development of DSS
- Select appropriate modelling techniques
- Analyse, design and implement a DSS


Overview of Learning Activities

In order to develop the stated course capabilities, you are expected to actively participate in the following learning activities:
- Regular attendance and active participation in scheduled lectures and workshops.
- Reading of course notes and other assigned reading materials.
- Satisfactory completion of assessment tasks.
While a minimum attendance standard is not compulsory in this course, satisfactory completion of the program is required. Most students will find that regular class attendance is needed to achieve the necessary standard to pass this course.


Overview of Learning Resources

You are expected to regularly visit the Learning Hub of the Distributed Learning System (DLS) located at http://www.rmit.edu.au/online. The DLS provides access to important announcements, staff contact details, teaching schedule, assessment timelines and a variety of important teaching and learning materials.
You are expected to purchase the prescribed text book. You are advised to contact Student Services for assistance with learning and information on a range of supports available to support your academic success.

RMIT university will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course is on the basis of satisfactory completion of a set of class tests and assignments.
Should the course coordinator deem that variation to the assessment tasks is needed, then this will be discussed with the class and will only proceed with documented consent of 75 percent of the class.

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to the RMIT university assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document Assessment Policies and Procedures manual. An 1.2.4 Assessment Charter section of this document summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.