Örebro University School of Business

Course Syllabus

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

The student should after the course:
- be highly familiar with one of the themes in information systems
- have the ability to use argument analysis to discuss and critique current research in the field of information systems
- have the ability to independently use argument analysis to evaluate and synthesize knowledge from one of the themes in information systems.

In the course there will be a set of pre-determined themes that students choose from. The selection of themes is based on on-going research in information systems at Örebro University and can vary between semesters depending on available teacher resources and student interests. Examples of themes:

- IS-evaluation
- Web Services
- IS security
- Agile project management
- Information and communication for development
- IT Management
- Usability

The course consists of three parts.

1) Lectures and seminars with a focus on the argument analysis method.
2) Individual work where the students use argument analysis to analyze selected articles within the selected theme (the theme supervisors select the papers). The analyses of the papers are discussed during seminars. Participation in the seminars is mandatory.
3) Writing a short paper. The students select, formulate and investigate an issue based on the chosen theme (in consultation with the theme supervisor). Argument analysis is used to formulate convincing arguments in a paper.

Teaching is in the form of lectures, seminars, and practical work. Participation in practical work and seminars is mandatory.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

FINAL GRADE
Grades awarded for the course are according to the ECTS grading scale.

To get a Pass the student must have the grade Pass on both examinations. To get a Pass with Distinction the student must have a Pass on the oral presentation and a Pass with Distinction on the short paper.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Informatics, Basic Course, 30 Credits; 30 Credits at the intermediate (B) course level within Informatics; and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at the advanced (C) course level within Informatics, alternatively Computer Engineering, 30 Credits, Basic Course; Computer Engineering, 30 Credits, Intermediate Course; and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at the advanced (C) course level within computer engineering. In addition, successful completion of the course "English B/English 6" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School or equivalent is required.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Remaining tasks should be completed as soon as possible according to the teacher's instructions.


Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Required Reading

Mandatory reading, approximately 200 pages, will be added to the course. The theme supervisors will provide literature for the selected theme.
Obligatorisk litteratur på ca 200 sidor kommer att tillkomma. Litteratur för valt tema kommer att tillhandhållas av temahandledare.

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