Information Systems

Subject description

Information systems fundamentals (information, data, knowledge, data sources); Data, information and knowledge structure (basic and complex data types, metadata, tabular data format, relationships, data model); Data storage (databases, data servers, data warehouses); Data use, maintenance, and management; Queries (query language, text search, multimedia content search, keywords, data mining); Data protection; Tools for working with data (direct connection, client/server system). Three tier architecture (web, active server applications, web services).

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with the fundamental concepts in the field of information systems. This knowledge is necessary for engineers engaged in the Information Society and is a part of general education. The course provides an overview of information systems, principles of planning and management, as well as various tools for their maintenance and data query.

Teaching and learning methods

The lectures provide a theoretical background of the discussed chapters. We also show the solutions to simple practical examples. At the end of each chapter discussion, students are encourage to further reflect on the topic and search for advanced solutions for more demanding problems. We also show how to implement these solutions in practice.

Students are provided with detailed study material.

In the first part of the laboratory exercises, students gradually learn how to use the dedicated software environment and to solve problems regarding working with databases.

Problems that we consider are predefined; we arrive to the solutions to these problems together, following an inclusive discourse. We present several solutions to one problem and encourage debate in order of finding the most appropriate one.

In the second part of the laboratory exercises, students are encouraged to use the acquired knowledge in a practical way – to solve a specific problem in the form of a project task. Students can work on the project alone or in a group. The maximum number of students in one group is three. The project task can be carried out independently or during regular consultations with the teacher, which then directs the student towards the best possible solution.

At the end of the semester, students report their final results with a possible literature comparison.

Expected study results

Students acquire knowledge regarding the fundamental principles of design, implementation and use of information systems. Teaching is primarily oriented towards students gaining an in-depth understanding of the basic concepts of information systems. At the same time, students gain practical knowledge about the principles of storage and working with data. Focus is given to developing creative solutions to challenges and problem solving. Students learn how to develop, implement and manage information systems for a variety of information system problems.

Basic sources and literature

1. T. Vidmar, Informacijsko komunikacijski sistem, Pasadena, Ljubljana 2002.

2. A. Silberschatz et al, Database Systems Concepts, Fifth Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2011.

3. H. Garcia-Molina, J. – D. Ullman, J. Widom, Database Systems: The Complete Book, Second Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014.

4. M. Arenas, P. Barceló, L. Libkin, F. Murlak, Foundations of Data Exchange, Cambridge University Press, 2014.