Information Systems and Systems Architecture
Code: 44743 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Archival Studies and Information Governance | OB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Miquel Rodríguez Aranda
- Email:
- miquel.rodriguez@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Although this subject does not require advanced technical knowledge, it is recommended to have basic familiarity with operating systems (such as Windows or macOS) and office software tools, especially Microsoft Excel, as well as a degree of autonomy in managing files, folders, and general-use digital applications.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Enable students to:
- Understand the role of information technologies in the fields of archival science and records management.
- Recognize the basic components of an information system and understand how it works at a general level.
- Identify different types of files and digital storage systems, and apply basic criteria to manage them appropriately.
- Apply basic Excel functionalities to structure, clean, analyze, and visualize information.
- Describe the general architecture of information systems and understand how their components and services interact.
- Understand the fundamentals of relational databases and their benefits.
- Design, create, manage, and query databases using SQL language.
- Identify basic functional requirements based on document management needs and communicate them clearly to technical teams.
Learning Outcomes
- CA05 (Competence) Validate technological instruments for document, information and data management based on the basic requirements.
- CA06 (Competence) Develop basic databases in organisations and archive centres.
- CA07 (Competence) Report the functions of information systems in professional settings in relation to archival science.
- KA12 (Knowledge) Recognise information technologies applied to archival science.
- KA13 (Knowledge) Define the specific concepts of information storage systems in the field of archival science.
- KA14 (Knowledge) Define the specific concepts of types of database management systems in the field of archival science.
- SA08 (Skill) Make basic use of computer applications for document, information and data management.
- SA09 (Skill) Distinguish between information systems and their functionalities in the archival context.
- SA10 (Skill) Determine the basic application requirements for document, information and data management.
Content
1. Fundamentals of Information Systems
(a functional and practical introduction to the digital environment applied to archival science)
1.1. What is Information Technology and why is it relevant to archival science
1.2. Basic components of a digital environment: hardware and software
1.3. What an operating system does and how to interact with it
2. Understanding and Managing Digital Files
(to understand file formats, where they are stored and how they are organized)
2.1. File types: structured, semi-structured and binary
2.2. Digital storage: local, network-based and cloud-based
2.3. Common tools: office applications, document management systems and electronic archives
2.4. Using Microsoft Excel to structure, validate and share information
3. How Information Systems Work
(an overview of system architecture and component interaction)
3.1. Architecture models: client-server, web services, cloud, virtualization
3.2. Layers of an information system: data, logic and presentation
3.3. Interoperability and system-to-system communication
4. Introduction to Databases
(how information is organized and accessed)
4.1. Key elements: tables, fields, records and relationships
4.2. Relational model and principles of normalization
4.3. Basic SQL queries
4.4. Non-relational databases
4.5. Use of databases in archival and records management environments
5. Translating Document Management Needs into Requirements
(skills for collaborating with technology providers and other stakeholders)
5.1. What is a functional requirement and how to identify it
5.2. Documenting requirements: diagrams and specifications
5.3. Requirement sheets and common use scenarios
5.4. Best practices for communicating with technical teams and specialized audiences
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Interactive classroom | 40 | 1.6 | CA05, CA06, CA07, KA12, KA13, KA14, SA08, SA09, SA10, CA05 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Practical exercises | 35 | 1.4 | CA05, CA06, CA07, KA12, KA13, KA14, SA08, SA09, SA10, CA05 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Readings | 25 | 1 | CA05, CA06, CA07, KA12, KA13, KA14, SA08, SA09, SA10, CA05 |
Teaching methodology: The teaching methodology will combine in-person or virtual lectures by the instructor, joint activities such as debates and presentations, individual and group exercises carried out in class, and individual assignments completed outside the classroom, which may be subject to evaluation. This methodological combination aims to facilitate the acquisition of the theoretical concepts required to pass the course, as well as to apply theory in the resolution of practical situations and decision-making related to the course syllabus.
Language of instruction: Catalan.
Use of AI: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted in this course as an integral part of the development of coursework, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using such technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a grade penalty for the activity or more severe sanctions in serious cases.
Gender perspective: A critical perspective is encouraged on how technological decisions can either perpetuate or help correct gender bias. Topics such as the apparent neutrality of information systems and the inclusion of gender-sensitive criteria in metadata and description practices are addressed.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical exercises from each module | 100% | 50 | 2 | CA05, CA06, CA07, KA12, KA13, KA14, SA08, SA09, SA10 |
Ongoing Assessment
Assessment is continuous; this course does not include a single final assessment.
The assessment activities will be linked to each of the course modules. There will be a minimum of 5 assessment activities, each contributing between 5% and 30% to the final grade.
At the beginning of the course, the calendar of assessment activities will be provided. Activities must be submitted within the indicated deadlines and will be carried out sequentially as the course progresses.
Review
When the final grade prior to official submission is delivered, the teaching team will communicate in writing a date and time for the review. The review of the various assessment activities will be agreed upon between the teaching team and the students.
Resit/Recovery
Students may access the resit option if they have submitted assessment activities that account for at least 66.6% (two-thirds) or more of the final grade and have achieved a weighted average score of 3.5 or higher.
At the time the final grade prior to official submission is delivered, the teaching team will communicate in writing the resit procedure. A resit activity may be proposed for each failed or missing activity, or several activities may be grouped into one.
Consideration of "Not Assessable"
A “Not Assessable” will be assigned when the assessment evidence provided by the student corresponds to a maximum of one-fourth of the total grade for the course.
Irregularities in Assessment Activities
In the event of an irregularity (plagiarism, copying, identity fraud, etc.) in an assessment activity, the grade for that activity will be 0. If irregularities occur in multiple activities, the final grade for the course will be 0. Resit is not allowed for assessment activities in which irregularities occurred (e.g., plagiarism, copying, identity fraud).
Bibliography
Books in digital format (ebooks):
To access it must be done from UAB computers or through http://xpv.uab.cat with the NIU and individual password from outside the UAB, (BR = relevant bibliography for the course).
Cercador: https://cutt.ly/bibcercadoruab
- (BR) Encyclopedia of computer science and Technology. Henderson, Harry. 2009.
- (BR) Aplicaciones informáticas de bases de datos relacionales, LibreOffice Base 6.x. Ladrón de Guevara, Miguel Ángel, 2020.
- (BR) Introducció a Internet: fonaments tecnològics i recursos per a usuaris. David Rincón Rivera, Lluís Casals Ibáñez. 2003.
- (BR) Sistemes operatius: teoria aplicada. Solsona, Francesc. 2015.
- Data Simplification: Taming Information with Open Source Tools. Jules J. Berman. 2016.
- Global E-Governance Series : E-Governance : A Global Perspective on a New Paradigm. Obi, T. 2007.
- Ethical and social issues in the information age. Kizza, Joseph. 2003.
- Database Modeling and Design. Toby J. Teorey, Sam S. Lightstone, Tom Nadeau and H.V. Jagadish. 2011.
- The Illustrated Network. How TCP/IP Works in a Modern Network. Walter Goralski. 2011.
- Virtual Machines. Versatile Platforms for Systems and Processes. James E. Smith and Ravi Nair. 2005.
Software
For the online virtual sessions, we will use Microsoft Teams.
Collaborative activities will be carried out using Miro virtual whiteboard.
There will be practical exercises with Microsoft Excel and databases.
Groups and Languages
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |