IF0FISJ: Foundation Information Systems

Module code: IF0FISJ

Module provider: Global Academy

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Miss Natalie Drake, email: n.drake@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IF0FDAJ (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 26 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module introduces students to information systems and their application in a clear and supportive way. Students will gain an understanding of how data is collected, organised and used to improve efficiency, accuracy, collaboration, and decision-making in various disciplines. Students will develop essential digital skills and learn how to use tools, such as Microsoft Excel, for practical exercises which will strengthen their technical skills in file management, digital presentations, documentation and data manipulation. Through authentic practical activities and real-world examples, the module builds confidence in safe and competent use of digital tools, supporting successful progression to undergraduate study and future careers. The module is suitable for students with or without a background in mathematics and statistics.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe what information systems are and their applications in academic and professional work settings. 
2. Acquire, organise, analyse and present information using basic Statistical concepts and common digital tools. 
3. Apply basic data handling skills to simple, subject-related problems. 
4. Recognise ethical, professional and social issues related to using information systems. 

Module content

• Introduction to Information Systems  
• Information Systems in various fields of study 
• Hardware & Software Fundamentals, File formats (Office 365, OneDrive, M.S Teams, M.S Authentication, etc) 
• Networks & Internet 
• Databases & basic Information System Tools, file management (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint) 
• Hand-on data analysis using Microsoft Excel 
• Digital Skills for Study 
• Ethics, Privacy & Digital Citizenship 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is delivered in person in the classroom with a lecture, a seminar and an ICT practical each week. Lecture materials are available online prior to each session. Weekly optional surgery hours for individual assistance are available as required. 

Students will also be expected to take responsibility for their own learning by setting goals and making regular use of the University library, Blackboard (the University Virtual Learning Environment) and other online resources. 

The schedule of this module, including start and finish dates, follows that of the January Start Foundation, which does not follow standard University Semesters. There is however significant overlap and Semesters referred to in this document are the University Semesters where most of this module teaching will take place. Information about specific key module dates will be provided by the International Foundation Programme prior to the start of the course. 

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.  

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Several formative assessments are conducted through: 

1. regular questioning in lessons to check students understanding through their responses 
2. routine quiz with automated marking testing students understanding of the theoretical concepts of contents covered in module. 
3. weekly hands-on practical tasks focused on at least one of these: analysis datasets, data visualisation and result interpretation. The practical sessions would involve problems of the type encountered in the coursework. 

Optional surgery (drop-in) sessions.  

All summative coursework is given formative feedback to enhance their effectiveness 

Reassessment

Additional costs