Overview
System integration is a pervasive aspect of IS practice. After completion of the foundation and core courses, MSc IS students need to synthesize what they have learned. Each essay shall be in an area directly related to IS/IT and must have a research component.
MSc IS students in COMP696 will have six months to complete the manuscript plus two months for review and required revisions. If you can not complete the full version of the manuscript within six months, you should apply for a course extension.
Outline
This is the final requirement for students choosing the course route. The essay provides a generalist rather than a specialist view, and will be a comprehensive critical survey of aspects of integration(applications, IS organization, and technology). Topics should show how disparate computer platforms and networks could be integrated to provide a flexible and efficient infrastructure for the organization. This course address both the WHAT and HOW of integration. The essay may identify significant open problems, but it is not expected to contribute significantly to their solution.
Course Route (Master's Essay): requires the completion of 3 elective courses (9 credits) plus the master's essay (3 credits). The essay should provide a comprehensive critical survey of aspects of integration (applications, IS organization, and technology). The essay may identify significant open problems, but it is not expected to contribute significantly to their solution.
Evaluation
To receive credits for the master's essay, the student must obtain a PASS grade.
Materials
The course materials will be available in electronic format and include: a Master's Essay Handbook that provides guidelines and explains the essay stages, and the MSc IS Style Guide.
Special Course Features
An essay supervisor is required, plus one additional reader. In addition to the essay, the student may be required to pass an oral examination on the contents of the Master's essay, to be administered by the essay supervisor and reader.
Information on Athabasca University Graduate Research fund can be found on the Research Centre's website.