TECHCOMM 7047OL - Systems Fundamentals
Online - Quadmester 1 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code TECHCOMM 7047OL Course Systems Fundamentals Coordinating Unit Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation & Innov Centre Term Quadmester 1 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s Online Units 3 Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Emeritus Professor Vernon Ireland
Name: Professor Vernon Ireland
BE, BA, MEngSc, PhD, FIEAust, EngExec
Short Bio:
From 1991-1996 Vernon was Corporate Development Director of Fletcher Challenge Construction, responsible for people and
business systems improvement in the USA, NZ, Australia, the Pacific and Asian businesses. He then became CEO of the Australian Graduate School of Engineering Innovation, an advanced engineering centre.
Prior to this he was Dean of the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building at the University of Technology, Sydney. He was also Chair of the Building Services Corporation of NSW from 1987 to 1990 reporting to both Labor and Coalition Ministers. While an academic he completed his PhD in project management. After graduation he practised as a structural engineer for seven years.
Vernon initiated and completed the proposal to Congress and Council of Engineers Australia to establish CELM and was Deputy
Chair of the National Board for five years.
He was also President of the Sydney Division of Engineers Australia in 2004.
Vernon Ireland is currently Director of Project Management and Industry Programs for the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation
and Innovation Centre of The University of Adelaide. He is based in Sydney.
Vernon has received three medals:
· The Silver Magnolia Medal awarded by the Shanghai Government for contributions to Chinese overseas relations;
· The Rotary International Gold Medal for contribution to vocational Education;
· Engineers Australia’s Medal for contribution to engineering.
Vernon has conducted four sets of international benchmarking studies, comparing Australia’s project management performance with that of the USA, the UK, Canada, Germany, Sweden and New Zealand for two Royal Commissions.
He has recently edited a volume of the Australian Journal of Civil Engineering on the business, leadership and management of
civil engineering.
He has been named by the Shanghai Government as one of the world 100 experts on Infrastructure.
Email: vernon.ireland@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: +61 411 153 861
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
Monday 12 January to Sunday 22 March 2015 -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Identify what a complex system is and how they differ from simple and complicated systems 2 Use key aspects of complex systems and the benefits of particular approaches in managing complexity 3 Recognise whether a proposed system or project should be primarily in a controlled space or in the innovation space on the edge of chaos in order to gain the benefits 4 Recognise the benefits of system dynamics and its use in identifying leverage points in systems 5 Recognise the benefits of ‘Dancing with Systems’ rather than top-down management 6 Apply these advanced and uncommon skills to address societal problems 7 Investigate international best practice 8 Demonstrate continued learning and personaldevelopment through continued investigation of development in the discipline. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-8 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 4-5 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4-6 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6-8 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 6-8 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7-8 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 6-8 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6-8 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
NO TEXTBOOK REQUIRED
Recommended Resources
Additional Support References are: Week 1 Kurtz, C. F., & Snowden, D. J. (2003). The new dynamics of strategy: Sense-making in a complex and complicated world. IBM Systems Journal, 42(3), 462-483.
Norman, D. & Kuras, M. (2006) Engineering Complex Systems in Complex Systems (C10) (2006), in Complex Engineered Systems, edited by Dan Braha, Ali Minai and Yaneer Bar-Yam, Springer;Week 2
Andriani, P. (2011), Complexity and Innovation, in Allen, P, Maguire, S. & McKelvey, B., [Eds], (2011), SAGE
Handbook of Complexity and Management, Los Angeles, 454-470;
Andriani, P., & B. McKelvey. (2010). Using Scale-free Theory from Complexity Science to Better Management Risk. Risk
Management, An International Journal, 12(1): 54-82.Week 4 Andriani, P. & Mckelvey, B., (2011a),Using scale free processes to explain punctuated change in management-relevantphenomena, International Journal of Complexity in Leadership and Management,Vol 1, No 3, 211-249; Andriani, P. & Mckelvey, B., (2011b),From Skew Distributions to Power Law Science, in Allen, P, Maguire, S. &McKelvey, B., [Eds], (2011), SAGE Handbook of Complexity and Management, LosAngeles, 254-273; Week 5 van Eijnatten, F. M.(2004a). Chaordic SystemsThinking: SomeSuggestions fora Complexity Framework to Informa Learning Organization. The Learning Organization, 11(6), 430-449. van Eijnatten, F. M. (2008). A Toolkit for Phase Transitions. Proceedings of EuropeanChaos and Complexity in Organisations Network (ECCON) Annual Meeting, 17-19 October. Bergen-Ann-Zee. Zhu, Z.(2007). ComplexityScience, Systems Thinkingand Pragmatic Sensibility. SystemsResearch andBehavioural Science,24(4), 445-464. Week 6 Bak, P. & Chen, K., (1991),Self-Organised Criticality, Scientific American. January; Helbing, D. (2013),Globally networked risks and how to respond, Nature, vol. 497, no. 7447; Week 8 Bosch, O., C.N. Nam, T. Maeno, & T.Yasui, Managing Complex Issues through Evolutionary Learning Laboratories,Systems Research and Behavioural Science, 2013. Week 9 Meadows, D., (2008), Dancing with Systems,Donella Meadows Institute,http://www.donellameadows.org/archives/dancing-with-systems/
Course Notes, Readings and PowerPoint Slides
These are all available electronically for enrolled students by download from MyUni.
Library Resources
The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. The University Library web page is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/
From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is offered in blended learning mode with the face-to-face component offered as intensives.
Workload
No information currently available.
Learning Activities Summary
No information currently available.
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
No information currently available.
Assessment Detail
No information currently available.
Submission
No information currently available.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
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