MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE

IN

COMPUTER BASED MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION SYSTEMS
(CBMIS)

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures 4

Fees 5
Tuition and Miscellaneous Fees
Examination Resits and Examination Only Fees
Identification and Registration
Fee Payment Deadlines and Payment Locations

List of courses 8

Course Description 9

Time Table (2016/17) 12

Attendance Policy & Cellular Telephones 14

Notice Board & Course Work Assignment 15

Examinations 16

Marking scheme, Cooperative Programme and Plagiarism 17

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 Introduction

The Mona School of Business and Management is the premier provider of academically-oriented
accounting education within the Caribbean region. The Mona School of Business and
Management is committed to producing masters IT and Management graduates with well-
developed analytical and technical capabilities, intellectually adaptive thought processes and an
orientation toward lifelong learning, enabling them to become effective practitioners and
researchers.

The Master of Science in Computer-Based Management Information Systems (CBMIS) at The

University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. The University is desirous of enrolling students
whose goal is to pursue the highest quality education, and with the objective of developing both
personally and academically. Since its inception in 1993, the CBMIS programme has sought to
train and educate students to have a positive impact in various organizations, both regionally and
globally. The purpose of the programme continues to be one of meeting the demand for the
management of information.

If you believe in discipline and hard work, and wish to enroll in a programme that will challenge
your creative energies in Information Technology, this is the best programme for you. Choosing
a graduate programme requires careful research and evaluation; please take the time to evaluate
the CBMIS programme and discover why it has been an excellent career choice for so many
business professionals.
The programme was established in response to the rapidly growing demand for a new type of
graduate student with an in-depth knowledge in management information systems and computer
science. This demand arises from the increased use of computer-based systems in the financial,
manufacturing, mining and retail sectors, as well as in the government sectors. Up to 1993, this
demand was filled by graduates either in Management Studies, or in Computer Sciences, at least
as far as junior positions were concerned.
For the first five years of the programme, most of the students came in with either a Computer
Science or a Management Studies degree. However, the popularity and high utility of the
CBMIS degree have resulted in a high percentage of our students coming from a more eclectic
pool of students. This development over the years demanded a response; and consistent with the
disciplines of management and information systems, we have sought to address the needs of the
students and the organizations that they serve. Thus, we have conducted the requisite review of
the CBMIS programme. This review has resulted in what we believe is a better fit for both
students and the various organizations in which they work. The changes that came out of this
review are reflected in the detailed programme overview.
This programme will not only equip Jamaican nationals to fill these positions, but will also
continue to educate a new generation of Information Systems Analysts and Managers who will
spearhead the thrust by Jamaican firms to establish a sustainable competitive position in the
critically important information service sector.

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 Admission Requirements
The CBMIS is open to candidates with Bachelor’s degrees in any field. However, the
programme is designed for students with Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Sciences or
Management Studies. All applicants must meet the academic requirements of a masters degree
at the University of the West Indies.
All graduate applications are processed by the Graduate Studies and Research office. Only
completed files are evaluated. Applicants meeting the initial selection criteria will be contacted
by April. Some candidates may be invited to attend an on-campus interview. Final decisions
will be made in May.
All applicants are encouraged to apply early, and to avoid presenting an incomplete package for
evaluation. An application is considered complete when the following documents have been
received by the Graduate Studies & Research office:
• Completed application form.
• Application fee.
• Two Referee Reports (academic and professional).
• Official Transcripts from all colleges/ universities attended.
Candidates are required to have at least two years work experience. However, candidates with at
least a strong upper second class honours degree maybe accepted without this work experience.

Application Procedures
Candidates should apply for admission through the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Candidates meeting the initial selection criteria will be contacted on or before the first week in
May of each year and some candidates may be invited for an interview on campus. Final
decisions will normally be made by the final week in May, each year. Students will be contacted
through the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

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Tuition and Miscellaneous Fees
Tuition Fees JA$795,000.00

Examination Re-sits JA$12,000.00

Examination only fees JA$12,000.00

(To qualify for examination only you must receive a mark of 40% to 49% on the final
examination. Students who receive a mark of less than 40% must pay for an examination resit.
Students who fail a course twice normally are asked to withdraw from the
programme. However, if the Department is aware of extenuating circumstances
why a student should be given a 3rd attempt at an examination, a
recommendation will be made to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for
approval of the Board for Graduate Studies and Research. Please see Regulation 4
of the General Regulations for Graduate Diplomas and Degrees. Students who remain in
the programme after (2) years are required to pay the current fees.

NB Students who are doing Examination Only should indicate to the Coordinator at the
beginning of the semester via a written letter.

2016-2017 Miscellaneous fees and Identification Card

New Part-Time Students
J$
Identification Card – First Issue 500
Miscellaneous Fees 14,982
Total 15,482

Returning Part-Time Students

J$
Miscellaneous Fees 14,962
Total 14,962

REGISTRATION

Before the start of the academic year students are required to register for Semester 1, and
Semester 2 for that academic year. Part time students are required to register for semester 3 in the
summer.

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IDENTIFICATION CARD

New students can obtain an identification card after paying the identification card fee.
New students can register after obtaining an identification card,

The cost for identification card renewal is J$500. The renewal fee is also applicable to students
who change their enrollment status. The cost for identification card replacement is J$750.

Student Requirements
 Students should have an active registration status until the completion of their degree.
Students who are not doing courses in a particular semester must request leave of
absence from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for the inactive period.
 Students who are required to do prerequisites are allowed one sitting of the course
without being charged.
 Students must submit a request for a third attempt of any graduate course at the Office of
Graduate Studies and Research
 Undergraduate courses done in summer school will not be paid for by the programme.
 Students who are doing a second sitting of a graduate course must inform the Coordinator
in writing indicating their name, identification number, the course code, the name of the
course, and the semester in which the course is being done

Fee Payment Deadlines

Courses should be selected for all semesters at the start of the academic year (see structure of
programme). All tuition fees and miscellaneous fees become due and payable at the start of
each academic year. Students may opt to pay on a semester basis. Semester 1 tuition
fees and miscellaneous fees must be paid by the last working day in September
of that semester, Semester 2 tuition fees and miscellaneous fees must be paid
by the last working day in January of that semester and Semester 3 (Summer)
tuition fees must be paid by the last working day in May of that semester .
Failure to meet the deadlines will result in financial penalties (late registration fee of $1,000 as
well as a fine of (1) one per cent on the amount of fees outstanding).

Any student who does not comply with the final payment deadline will not have completed
his/her registration and will be given compulsory Leave of Absence for the semester. A student
on compulsory leave of absence will not be allowed to attend lectures, and will not be able to
access facilities such as the Health Centre and the Library.

Students are required to check on-line for financial clearance 3 days after payment of fees.

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Payment Locations
Fees can be paid to the Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM) via the following
methods:
 At the MSBM Accounts Department located on the North Complex via credit card, debit
card or manager’s cheque. (NB. Cash or personal cheques will not be accepted)
 Any National Commercial Bank Branch using a special MSBM voucher. Vouchers are
available at any MSBM reception desks, MSBM North Library\ Documentation Centre,
MSMB Accounts Department and from programme coordinator.
 By wire transfers (details available upon request from the MSBM Accounts Department.

In order to ensure prompt and proper credit of payment to your account, please submit a copy of
the bank voucher to the MSBM Accounts Department. NB. Scanned and faxed copies of
vouchers are accepted. FAX 977-4622, Attention Jodiene Hutchinson or by email to
jodiene.hutchinson02@uwimona.edu.jm\ merlyn.reid02@uwimona.edu.jm

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 List of Courses

Course Code Course Name Number

of Credits

COMP5730 Database Management 3

COMP5710 Introduction to Programming 3

COMP5110 Introduction to Software Engineering 3

COMP5740 Data Warehousing and Mining 3

MGMT6015 Basic Statistic 3

MGMT6016 Management Accounting 3

MGMT6017 Organizational Theory and Behaviour 3

MGMT6018 Marketing 3

MGMT6020 Decision Models for Managers 3

MGMT6021 Production and Operations Management 3

MGMT6019 Finance 3

MGMT6031 Final Project 6

MISY6110 Information Systems in Organization 3

MISY6113 Decision Support Systems 3

MISY6115 IT Economics 3

MISY6114 E-commerce 3

MISY6116 IT Governance and Policies 3

MISY6117 IT Project Management 3

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 Course Descriptions

MANAGEMENT COURSES

MISY6110: Information Systems in Organizations

This course establishes a foundation for understanding and analysing information in
organizations, and its role in creating strategic advantage in companies. It examines the factors
which underlie the evolution of Information Technology with the rapid convergence of voice,
text, graphics and video technologies with traditional technologies for data processing. The goal
is to introduce students to some of the basic concepts and current developments in IT and to
examine successful applications of IT to business problems in order to understand how to
improve their awareness of the managerial issues raised by IT and its use in inspiring
organizational effectiveness.

MGMT6017: Organizational Theory and Behaviour

This course introduces the basic concepts in social psychology relevant to the study and
understanding of individual and group behaviour in an organizational setting. It shows the
information system manager and analyst how interpersonal and structural variables influence job
and task performance, individual and group productivity and their impact on the achievement of
consistent quality in organizational outputs.

MGMT6018: Marketing
This course provides managers with an understanding of marketing concepts, methods and
techniques and how these are used to achieve organizational goals. It examines the marketing
mix and its application in planning and decision making in private and public enterprises. An
emphasis is placed on the design and use of information systems for improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of sales, distribution and marketing programmes.

MGMT6019: Finance
This course provides managers with the basic tools for efficiently using the financial resources of
an organization and understanding the objectives of financial management. It focuses on the
factors which govern the financial structure, cost of capital, market valuation, sourcing of short
and long term funds and dividend, working capital policies of the firm and methods of capital
budgeting. The course will also examine the use of financial databases.

MGMT6020: Decision Models for Managers

This course examines how formal analytic tools and quantitative techniques are used for
managerial decision making. It examines the application of statistical concepts and models to
decision making under uncertainty and linear programming and simulation models under

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conditional or relatively more certainty. An emphasis is placed on the development of computer
based decision aids for managers.

MGMT6021: Production and Operations Management

This course introduces managerial concepts and techniques that can be used to achieve
flexibility, reliability, efficiency and total quality in operations. Specific attention is paid to the
role of forecasting, systems design production planning and scheduling and materials
management. The use of information systems in planning, design and control of manufacturing
and service organizations is emphasized.

MISY6116: Governance and Policies

The course will enable students to gain an understanding of IT Governance, policy frameworks
and Corporate Governance and how to utilize these strategies to meet key objectives, manage
risks, deliver value and measure performance in an organization. Students will also be introduced
to the organizational interventions required to cultivate and sustain an effective, business-specific
IT governance model which is an essential tool for deriving benefits and meeting business
objectives.

MISY6117: IT Project Management

The course introduces students to the defining characteristics of IT projects, a variety of project
management techniques, the challenges involved in executing IT projects, how to recognize
warning signs associated with failing projects and how best to avoid them. The course will also
cover management issues associated with different alternatives for sourcing information systems
and acquiring infrastructure components.

COMPUTER COURSES

COMP5110: Software Engineering

This course examines some of the different approaches to software construction including object-
oriented approaches, formal specification techniques, and prototyping. The various stages in the
life cycle of a piece of software, and the tools available for supporting the activities taking place
in the different stages of the life cycle, as projects, will be examined.

MISY6113: Decision Support Systems

The course is divided into two sections. The first section will discuss organizational decision-
making within a problem-solving framework and examine the role of computer-based models in
supporting the various stages of the decision-making process. It presents an organizing
framework for classifying various types of organizational problems. Then Simon's model is used
to illustrate a normative approach to the problem-solving/decision-making process. The second

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section of the course discusses knowledge-based decision support systems, with a particular
emphasis on Expert Systems. We introduce students to Expert Systems as they offer an
alternative solution to solving problems for which traditional solutions do not exist. The
different stages involved in the development of expert systems and their relevance to real world
applications will be discussed

MISY6114: E-Commerce
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of E-Commerce
principles, strategy and business application in order to enable them to identify opportunities and
articulate strategies for employing E-Commerce initiatives within their own organizations

MISY6115: IT Economics
The primary aim of the course is to introduce students to the importance of financial
considerations in making decisions related to software; both in firms that develop software and in
firms that use software to help them better achieve their strategic objectives. It will provide
students with an introduction to the fields of software economics and IT business value analysis,
and expose them to some of the tools that they can use to help firms make financially more
responsible software related decisions.

COMP5740: Data Warehousing and Mining

The primary goal of Data Mining and Data Warehousing are to integrate heterogeneous data
stores into one large repository of data which can then be mined to discover patterns and trends
which would otherwise go undetected. Because of this emphasis will be placed on the steps
involved in building a Data Warehouse and the benefits they can provide to an organization.
Various Data Mining techniques will be studied, in terms of the algorithms used and the benefits
they can provide to an organization.

MGMT6031: Project
In lieu of a thesis, each participant in the programme will be required to undertake a project
which will entail defining and developing a software system which has real potential for solving
a practical problem of significance to managers. The system will require students to draw on
their capacity to analyse business problems as well as on their ability to implement the software
development tools, techniques and concepts learned throughout the programme.

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 Time Table for the MSc. Computer Based Management Information Systems
Programme
Year 1 – 2016/17

Introductory Courses

General Class Schedule – Mondays – Fridays (5:30 pm – 9:00 pm)

Saturdays (9:00 am – 5:pm)

Date COMP5730 (CS51T): Database Management Systems - Dr. Lila Rao-Graham Examinations
MGMT6015 (MS60R) – Basic Statistics – Ms. Dahlia Daley-Nation
COMP5710 (CS51Q) – Intro. To Program Design- Mr. Ramon McLaren
MGMT6016 (61Q) – Management Accounting – Mr. Michael Roofe

Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat

July 18- July 30 MGMT6016 MGMT6016 MGMT6016 MGMT6016 MGMT6016 MGMT6016 – Sept 10
MGMT6015 – Oct 1
Aug 8 – Sept 17 COMP5710 COMP5730 COMP5710 COMP5730 MGMT6015 COMP5730 – Oct. 8
COMP5710 – Oct 15

SEMESTER 1 (Sept – Dec.)

Date Tuesdays Wednesday Saturdays Examinations

MISY6110 (MS60Q): Information Systems in Organizations – Dr. Delroy Chevers

MGMT6017 (MS61R): Organizational Theory & Behaviour – Dr. Ann Crick

MGMT6017 MISY6110 MISY6110 MISY6110 – Dec. 10

Oct. 18 – Nov. 26 MGMT6017 MGMT6017 – Dec. 17

SEMESTER 2 (Jan – April)

Date Tuesdays Thursdays Saturdays Examinations

COMP5110 (CS52Q): Introduction to Software Engineering – Dr. Curtis Busby-Earle

MGMT6018 (MS61S): Marketing – Mrs. Elaine Commissiong
MGMT6020 (MS62Q): Decision Models for Managers – Dr. Lawrence Nicholson
MGMT6021 (MS62R): Production and Operations Management – Dr. Delroy Chevers

Jan. 9 – Feb. 18 COMP5110 COMP5110 MGMT6018 COMP5110 – March 4

MGMT6018 – March 11
Mar. 20 – April 28 MGMT6020 MGMT6020 MGMT6021 MGMT6020 – May 13
MGMT6021 – May 20
SUMMER (May – July)

Date Tuesdays Thursdays Saturdays Examinations

MISY6114 (CS69Y): E-commerce – Dr. George Stewart

MGMT6019 (MS61T): Finance – Mr. Patrick Anderson

May 22 – June MISY6114 MGMT6019 MISY6114 MISY6114 – July 15

30 MGMT6019 MGMT6019 – July 22

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 Year 2 (Graduating Students )– 2016/17
General Class Schedule – Mondays – Fridays (5:30 pm – 9:00 pm)
Saturdays (9:00 am – 5:pm)
Introductory Courses (See page 1)

SEMESTER I (Sept. – Dec.)

MISY6113 (CS69X): Decision Support Systems - Dr. Vanesa Tennant

MISY6115 (CS69Z): IT Economics – Dr. Maurice McNaughton

Date Monday Thursday Saturday Examination

Oct. 18 – Nov. 26 MISY6113 MISY6117 MISY6113 MISY6113 – Dec. 10
MISY6115 MISY6115 – Dec. 17

SEMESTER 2 (Jan. – May)

MISY6116 (MS63T): IT Governance & Policies – Dr. Christine Charlton-Laing

MISY6117 (MS63S): IT Project Management – Mr. Dayton Spencer
COMP5740 (CS54U): Data Warehousing & Mining – Drs. Lila Rao-Graham & Gunjan
Mansingh
MGMT6031 (MS63R): Final Project - Ramon McLaren

Jan. 9 – Feb. 18 MISY6116 MISY6117 MISY6116 MISY6116 – March 4

MISY6117 MISY6117 - March 11

March 20 – April COMP5740 COMP5740 *Communications COMP5740 – May 13

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May 22 – July 29 Final Project Preparation and Presentation

* Communication Module will end June 30

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Attendance Policy

It is important for students to attend lectures regularly on a timely basis and to work steadily
throughout the semester to benefit fully from the programme. Students are required to sign the
attendance register. Any student who has been absent from the University for a prolonged period
during the teaching of a particular course during the semester for any reason other than illness or
whose attendance at prescribed lectures has been unsatisfactory (less than 75 % attendance) or
who has failed to submit essays or other exercises set by his/ her lecturer maybe debarred from
taking the end of semester examinations.

Any student who, having registered for a course and examination, fails to take the examination
shall be deemed to have failed the examination. In cases of illness the candidate shall present to
the Senior Assistant Registrar, Graduate Studies and Research, a medical certificate, as proof of
illness, signed by the University Health Officer or by any other Medical Practitioner approved
for this purpose by the University. The student shall send the medical certificate within (7) seven
days from the date of that part of the examination in which the performance of the student is
affected.

Students who are unable to attend lectures during the semester for any reason should apply for
leave of absence. Requests for leave of absence should be sent to the Senior Assistant Registrar,
Graduate Studies and Research, indicating the reason for the request. Leave of absence is not
automatic.

Cellular Telephones

Cellular telephones must be turned off during lectures and examination. Any student who fails to
comply with this rule during a lecture will be recorded as being absent for that lecture period.
Any student who fails to comply with this rule during an examination shall be deemed to have
failed the examination.

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Notice Board
It is important that students check on a regular basis the MSc Accounting Notice Board located
outside of Seminar Room 23 (SR23) upstairs Mona School of Business and Management
(South). The Notice Board is the usual mode of communicating to students.

Course Work Assignment

Course work assignments should be handed in on the due dates and within the time specified to
the MSc CBMIS Administrative Assistant or The front desk MSBM (South). Each student
submitting an individual assignment will receive a receipt. For group assignments one receipt
will be issued to the group. Course work assignments once receipted will not be released to
students.

The student registration number must be used to identify the student or students in the case of
group assignments, submitting the course work assignment. Names must not be placed on course
work assignments or on examination scripts. Course work assignment sent by fax or e-mail will
not be accepted.

After grading, course work assignments will not be returned to students. If you wish to obtain a
copy of your course work you must make a copy before you submit it for grading. Graded course
work can be viewed briefly. Students will not be allowed to take away the graded course work.
The facility for viewing graded course work will be available immediately after the course work
marks have been placed on the Notice Board. This facility will be available for 10 working days.
Course work marks will not be given out over the telephone or to third parties. Students who fail
the course work (receive a mark of less than 50) must see the Lecturer within 5 days after the
course work marks have been placed on the Notice Board to discuss her/his course work
submission

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Examinations
Students are not allowed to write examinations in pencil Examination scripts written in pencil
will not be graded. A pass/fail list for each course offered during the semester will be placed on
the Notice Board within 4 weeks after the date of the examination for that course. Examination
scripts can be viewed briefly. Students will not be allowed to take away graded scripts. The
facility for viewing graded scripts will be available immediately after the pass/fail list has been
placed on the Notice Board. This facility will be available for 10 working days.

Final examination marks will not be given out to students who visit the office, to students who
telephone or to third parties. If you wish to view your final mark for a course you must do so
online (unofficial transcript) Students who fail the final examination (receive a mark of less than
50, an FE designation) must see the Lecturer as soon as possible after the pass/fail list has been
placed on the Notice Board to discuss her/his performance.

In order to pass the course work or final examination a graduate student must receive a minimum
mark of 50% out of 100%. In order to pass a course you must pass both the course work and
the final examination. You must do over the section of the course (course work or final
examination) you failed. If you fail both sections you must do over the entire course (course
work and final examination). The following symbols are used to communicate examination
results:

P – Pass
FC- Fail Course Work
FE – Fail Examination
F – Fail Examination and Course Work

Students who fail a course twice normally are asked to withdraw from the
programme. However, if the Department is aware of extenuating circumstances why a student
should be given a 3rd attempt at an examination, a recommendation will be made to the Office of
Graduate Studies and Research for approval of the Board for Graduate Studies and Research

A graduate student, who is required to do an undergraduate course, must obtain a minimum mark
of 50% out of 100% in order to receive a passing grade.

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Marking Scheme
The marking scheme for Higher Degrees is as follows:

A- 70-100%
B+ 60-69%
B 50-59%
F 0-49%

Where graduate students write undergraduate examinations for postgraduate credit those
examinations shall be graded in accordance with the above scheme.

The Award of Distinction and of High Commendation

1. In taught master’s degrees which require the submission of a project or research paper, a
distinction is awarded to candidates who achieve an average of 70% or better (Grade A)
in the written papers and a mark of 70% or better in the research paper or project report.
A candidate failing a course (including an elective course) required for the completion
shall be ineligible for the award of distinction. Failure in co-requisite course or in a
qualifying course shall not exclude the student from receiving a distinction.
2. In two-year programmes conducted entirely by coursework, candidates, to qualify for
distinction, must obtain a grade of “A” in at least 70% of the written papers and the
average mark of all papers must not be less than 70%.

Plagiarism

The unauthorized and/ or unacknowledged use of another person’s intellectual efforts, ideas and
creations under one’s own name is regarded as a form of cheating. If a student is found guilty of
plagiarism, the student will be awarded a fail grade in the course concerned and may also be
subject to other disciplinary actions.

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