Introduction to information systems T. Cornford, M. Shaikh is1 060 2013

1.13 Examination
Important: the information and advice given here are based on the 
examination structure used at the time this guide was written. Please 
note that subject guides may be used for several years. Because of this 
we strongly advise you to always check both the current Regulations 
for relevant information about the examination, and the VLE where you 
should be advised of any forthcoming changes. You should also carefully 
check the rubric/instructions on the paper you actually sit and follow 
those instructions.
The examination for this course is made up of two parts − a three-hour 
written examination and coursework submitted to the University of 
London International Programmes ahead of the formal examination. As 
noted above, full information on how to submit coursework is given in 
the Completing and submitting coursework and projects booklet. Further 
information on the requirements for the assignments is given in Chapter 2 
of this subject guide.
The format of the written examination is shown in Appendix 1. The 
examination has just one section with eight questions, of which you 
are required to answer three. These questions usually require either 
discursive answers between three and four pages in length (depending 
on handwriting and layout), or some structured problem-solving using a 
suitable technique such as data modelling. 

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Chapter 1: Information systems as a topic of study 
17
Remember, it is important to check the VLE for:
• up-to-date information on examination and assessment arrangements 
for this course
• where available, past examination papers and Examiners’ commentaries 
for the course which give advice on how each question might best be 
answered.
1.14 Glossary of abbreviations
In this area of study, as in many others, you will find that people use many 
acronyms and abbreviations. The following are the ones that we have used 
in this guide; you will undoubtedly come across others in the course of 
your reading and we have left some space for you to add them to this list.
ALU 
arithmetic and logic unit
ATM 
automatic teller machine
CAD 
computer-aided design
CAM 
computer-aided manufacturing
CASE 
computer-aided software engineering
CD 
compact disc
CIM 
computer-integrated manufacturing
CIO 
chief information officer
COTSS commercial off the shelf software
CPU 
central processing unit
CRM 
customer relationship management
DBMS 
database management system
DSS 
decision support system
DVD 
digital versatile disk
EIS 
executive information system
ERM 
entity–relationship model
ERP 
enterprise resource planning
ESS 
executive support system
FTP 
file transfer protocol
GUI 
graphical user interface
HTML 
hypertext mark-up language
HTTP 
hypertext transport protocol
HTTPS hypertext transfer protocol secure 
IaaS 
infrastructure as a service
ICT 
information and communication technology
IP 
intellectual property
IP
internet protocol (see also TCP/IP)
IPR 
intellectual property rights
IS 
information system
ISP 
internet service provider

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IS1060 Introduction to information systems
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IT 
information technology
kB (K) 
kilobyte
KMS 
knowledge management system
KWS 
knowledge work system
LAN 
local area network
mB (M) megabyte
MRPII 
manufacturing resource planning II
NGO 
non-governmental organisation
OIS 
office information system
RAIDs 
redundant arrays of inexpensive disks
RAM 
random access memory
RFID
radio frequency identification
ROM 
read-only memory
SaaS 
software as a service
SAN 
storage area network
SCM 
supply chain management
TCP/IP transmission control protocol/internet protocol
TPS 
transaction processing system
UML 
unified modeling language
VLE 
virtual learning environment
VLSI
very large-scale integrated circuits
VOIP 
voice over IP (internet protocol, see above)
VPN 
virtual private network
WAN 
wide area network
WIMP 
window, icon, mouse, pull-down menu
Information systems is a subject with a lot of jargon, and a lot of 
abbreviations and three letter acronyms (TLAs). Further abbreviations and 
acronyms will undoubtedly be found during your study and we advise you 
to keep an updated list.

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Chapter 2: Preparing for the project work
19