Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence

General goals The Business and Computer Science course analyses different types of information systems and how they can contribute to the success of a company's objectives. Also, it presents approaches and models to be used to assess the quality of ICT processes, software and services. Furthermore, it provides the basic knowledge to plan, manage and control IT projects. Specific goals • Knowledge and understanding - Functional model and information structure of business processes - integration and data control requirements of business information systems - systems and technologies for developing and maintaining a successful e-business - main areas of application of information systems in various market sectors - IT organisation and IT quality assessment models - basic background knowledge, techniques/methodologies and soft skills for ICT project management - systems and technologies to develop&maintain a successful e-business - main application areas of info systems in various industries - ICT organisation and mainstream techniques (e.g. quality management) - basic definitions (context), techniques/methodologies and soft skills for project management in ICT • Application of knowledge and understanding - Analyse different categories of requirements extracted from different categories of users (stakeholders) of information systems - Select the appropriate model to assess the quality of ICT processes, software products and ICT services - Develop a feasibility study by selecting the appropriate application and technology architecture - Prepare, for a simple ICT project, a development plan respecting the constraints of time, cost, quality, and defining the appropriate organisation - Monitor an ongoing ICT project, applying project management techniques - Understand and evaluate lessons learnt in previous projects • Critiquing and judgmental skills: The combination of face-to-face theoretical lectures and practical exercises aimed at discussing and solving specific problems enables students to acquire the ability to assess the potential and limitations of approaches and models for the development of businesses and the achievement of their strategic objectives. • Communication skills: At the end of the course, students are able to illustrate and explain the main approaches to the management of the enterprise, its processes and ICT services to a variety of interlocutors who are heterogeneous in terms of background and professional role. • Learning skills: The student acquires the ability to independently conduct individual studies on specific topics related to information systems, process and service management. During the course, the student is stimulated to investigate topics of particular interest by consulting additional bibliographic material, such as academic articles, specialist books and websites. The acquisition of these skills is tested and assessed by analysing and solving new problems on the basis of the topics covered and the reference material distributed during the course.