Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)

Master (Coursework)

Provided by

Programme Type

Full-time, Part-time

WKWSCI Graduate Coursework

wkwsci_coursework@ntu.edu.sg
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The MSc in Information Systems (MSIS) programme blends theory and practice to equip students with cutting-edge knowledge necessary for the design, development, maintenance, and management of information systems to provide better user experience.

The programme curriculum covers wide-ranging technical expertise and soft skills that an Information Systems professional is expected to possess in the areas such as:

Software Development & Infrastructure: Provides students with the core knowledge required for the design, development, and maintenance of information systems. 

Human Computer Interaction: Provides students with the knowledge for designing information systems that are both useful and usable from an end-user perspective. 

Management of Systems and Services: Provides students with the soft skills required for managing information system projects, information systems personnel, and resources. 

Information Management: Provides students with skills needed to store, organise, persevere, and manage information in a way that allows for its reliable, timely and accurate use. 

The following highlights the key features of the MSIS programme: 

  • Broad-based perspective of information systems education from experienced, multi-disciplinary faculty and industrial practitioners 
  • Offers a strong emphasis in users and management through theory and practice-based experiential learning 
  • Provides a solid foundation for mid-career professionals wanting to establish themselves in the industry 


To apply to the MSc in Information Systems (MSIS) programme, you need to meet these minimum requirements: 

  • A Bachelor's degree in areas such as Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or 
  • A Bachelor's degree with a strong information technology-related component such as those in Engineering or the Sciences, or 
  • A Bachelor’s degree plus relevant working experience 
  • Degree classification second class lower/Honours (Merit) and above or equivalent

*: Internships are not counted towards working experience, and it is recommended for applicants to have at least a minimum of one-year of full-time working experience in relevant fields.

For undergraduate degree not awarded by an English-medium University or is awarded by an English-medium University but the language of instruction was not English, you must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement (ELPR).

Minimum Score Required 

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic

600 (paper-based) 

6.5 

250 (computer-based) 

100 (internet-based) 

Note: The validity period for IELTS/TOEFL scores is two (2) years at the point of application. It is recommended the IELTS sub-scores should not be less than 6.0. Please note that only TOEFL or IELTS test scores will be accepted. Also, we do not require the submission of GRE or GMAT test scores.

In view of Covid-19, the following online test scores are acceptable for admissions for the AY2023-2024 intake by the Office of Admissions (OA).

  1. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
  2. TOEFL ITP Plus for China students
  3. IELTS Indicator
  4. IELTS for UKVI

There is only one intake in August. Applications for August admission will be open in November and close in mid-February. The outcome of application will be released from end April-May onwards via online. 

Programme 

Admission Intake 

Closing date for submission of online applications with supporting documents 

M.Sc.(Information Systems) 

[Programme Code: 143] 

August 

Application Period: 

1 November to 31 January 

Applications are to be submitted electronically via the NTU admissions website. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of S$21.40 when you send in your admission application per programme applied. Applications without application fee will not be processed. 

Applicants may check their application or result status online after receiving the acknowledgement receipt of your application via email. 

For more information on the admissions procedures, online application, list of supporting documents application or result status and other relevant details, please click  here to view the NTU admissions website. 

Submission of personal statement and referee letters are not compulsory, however, applicants may submit them if it is a value-add to their application.

We have no restrictions to the number of referee letters submitted, though applicants can limit them to two (2) or three (3) letters. Applicants can refer to the attached document for guide for referee letters.

The programme commences each year in early August and is available in both full-time and part-time. Students are required to complete 30 Academic Units (AU) within their candidature period to be awarded the degree.

Students have two option of study: 

  • Coursework and Dissertation 
    In this option, students take 8 elective courses and an individual project on which the student must submit a dissertation. To pursue dissertation, students require a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.00 and above. Students may require additional semesters for completion of their project.

          For more information on Dissertation, please click here.

  • Coursework Only 
    In this option, students take 9 electives courses and Critical Inquiry (group project). 

    For more information on Critical Inquiry, please click here.

Each course carries 3 Academic Units (AU) while Dissertation carries 6 AUs. Students may graduate after completing the programme requirement from either option of study. 

Candidature 

Candidates may apply either for full-time or part-time programme. To be awarded the degree, students will need to complete their programme requirement within their candidature period. A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.50 is required to successfully complete the programme. 

Full-Time Candidature 

Part-Time Candidature 

Minimum 

Maximum 

Minimum 

Maximum 

2 semesters 

4 semesters 

4 semesters 

8 semesters 

(Note: 1 academic year is equivalent to 2 semesters.) 

For more information on Grade Point Average (GPA), please click here. 

 

Not all courses listed in the curriculum will be offered in a semester. Courses offered are subjected to availability of instructors and resources. 

The following courses cover a variety of areas in the field of information systems and range from technology-oriented to management-oriented ones. MSIS students select them based on their individual learning goals and career objectives. 

IN6202 Information Architecture and Design 

This course examines information architecture as an approach to information systems design. Issues related to user interface design, users, usability and evaluation will be covered, and students will learn to apply these techniques to the Web. 

IN6203 Software Engineering 

Through this course students will learn about software process models and traditional software engineering methods. It also covers the fundamentals of object-oriented programming, as well as object-oriented analysis and design concepts and techniques. Students will gain hands-on experience in designing patterns and object-oriented frameworks and try software testing. 

IN6204 Software Project Management 

This course is an introduction to software project management concepts and management. Core issues that will be looked at include Project communication and documentation; Risk Management; and Best Practices. Students will examine case studies in project management to better grasp the various areas of software project management. 

IN6205 Database Systems 

This course will look at relational database models, database design, and data modelling as an introduction to database systems. Students will learn to manage database environments, database administration, transaction processing, client-server processing, and security, amongst other procedures. 

IN6206 Internet Programming 

This course deals with basic networking concepts and the handling of Internet communication protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, RTP, etc. Students will also learn Advanced Web page development with JavaScript, along with Server-side development technologies such as JSP and Java servlets. Security issues including threat identification, security strategies, encryption and authentication will also be explored. 

IN6207 Human Computer Interaction - Users, Tasks and Designs 

In this course students will be given an introduction to general design and usability issues, with respect to key cognitive and physical human capabilities and their relations to the design of usable and useful systems. The course will also look at international design heuristics and guidelines from three perspectives: cultural, ethical and legal, and relate design and usability methods to the wider systems development process. 

IN6208 Research Methods and Data Analysis for Information Professionals 

This course examines the concepts, issues and techniques related to research for information professionals. Topics such as problem definition, research design, data collection methods and procedures, as well as data analysis will be covered. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches will be considered. Students will also be reviewing research literature pertinent to information professionals in areas such as systems development and user evaluations. 

IN6220 Usability Engineering 

This course serves as an introduction to a range of user-centred tools, methods and techniques for building usable and useful interactive systems complementing other software development approaches. Students will learn about creative design aids and usability evaluation aids, as well as experimental evaluation methods that involve qualitative and quantitative methods. 

IN6221 Information Visualisation 

This course will examine the study of concepts, models and examples for improved information visualisation. Students will look at representation and interpretation data, as well as different forms of document visualisation such as TileBars, galaxies, themescapes, and Kohonen maps. 

IN6222 Mobile and Ubiquitous Applications 

Data communications and the networking concept have risen in today’s technology-centered society, hence this course addresses such mobile and ubiquitous applications. The course will look at technologies such as wireless networking, the development of mobile device applications, wireless network programming and messaging, and location-based wireless applications like GPS. 

IN6225 Enterprise Applications Development 

In this course students will learn to design and implement enterprise application systems, through enterprise component technologies such as EJB, CORBA and Microsoft.NET. The course content also looks at web services and web server administration. Students will examine key examples of enterprise application systems, namely information and knowledge portals and digital libraries. 

IN6226 Information Retrieval and Analysis 

This course will equip students with relevant knowledge about representation, storage, and access to very large digital document collections, as well as information retrieval models. Indexing and retrieval techniques and the evaluation of information retrieval systems are also key skills that will be covered. In addition, students will learn about text and Web mining in intelligent information extraction and integration. 

IN6227 Data Mining 

This course revolves around the knowledge discovery process via data mining. Students will learn about the appropriate statistical techniques involved, and personally handle data mining software and tools. They will also get to apply data mining to complex data types. 

IN6228 Managing Information Systems 

This course explores fundamental IS concepts from an organisational and managerial perspective. Students will examine the organisational impacts, business value, and technological components of IS, while learning how to manage Global IS and integrate emerging information technologies. 

IN6229 Management of Information Systems Outsourcing 

This course provides an overview of management of IS outsourcing, which includes planning and management of IS outsourcing, sourcing strategies, models, related legal issues, and managing global IS outsourcing. Students will also examine risk mitigation practices and best practices and case studies of IS outsourcing. 

IN6230 Information Systems Security 

In this course students will look at basic security concepts such as confidentiality, amongst other protection methods and security protocols. The course also looks at secure operating systems and applications and anti-hacking security tools. 

IN6231 Security Policy and Strategy 

This course will examine survivability and information security and explore strategies for analysing and managing risk. Through best practices for enhancing organisational survivability and configuration management and control, students will learn about adequate policy formulation and implementation. 

IN6232 Intrusion Detection 

Through this course, students will learn the methods of detecting an adversarial cyber security or cybercrime intrusion or attack against information systems through the practice of digital forensics and incident response (DFIR). Students will gain hands-on experience in conducting cyber investigation and digital forensics on computer systems, networks and Internet. They will also learn to apply Data Science, Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence algorithms to detect and analyse such cyber intrusion. 

IN6233 Information Systems Leadership 

This course prepares individuals for leadership positions in the IT field. Key concepts, frameworks and methods in the domain of IT management are covered including IT leadership models, managing the IT function, IT operations, IT budget and cost modelling and IT workforce management. Research literature and pertinent case-studies in IT leadership will also be reviewed. 

IN6234 Advances in Human-Computer Interaction 

CI6234 is a follow-up course to CI6207 (Human-Computer Interaction, HCI). It is strongly encouraged that students should have taken either CI6207 or CI6202 (Information Architecture & Design), which provides students with an introduction to basic concepts in human-computer interaction. Besides improving user experiences with interactive devices and systems, this course focuses on applying technologies to achieve natural interaction between human beings, machines and their environments. This course will examine scenarios of use on potential applications where HCI can be applied, such as videogames, animated TV series or audiovisual productions, to name a few, and general domains of applications such as Smart Cities (e.g. information points) and Health (e.g. ergonomics, tele-assistance, applications for aged and disabled). 

IN6235 Applied Artificial Intelligence 

In this course, fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning algorithms will be covered. Topics in this course also include contemporary Artificial Intelligence algorithms like the popular Deep Learning. The key emphasis of this course is the application of such algorithms, hence there will be extensive coverage into how a combination of algorithms can be applied to address problems that cannot be easily solved through conventional coding approaches. There will be extensive hands on course work into the development and application of such algorithms. This will be done through laboratory sessions and sizeable project development. 

IN6236 Blockchain System Software Engineering

This course equips students with knowledge and skills to build blockchain-based software systems that are able to co-exist with legacy enterprise systems. The knowledge blends concepts and principles of blockchain and software engineering. The course covers how one addresses the challenges of building a blockchain-based system inclusive of smart contracts from a software lifecycle perspective; and the knowledge skills to address these challenges.

At the end of this course students will:

  • Understand the building blocks of blockchain and what makes blockchain secure and trustworthy. 
  • Understand smart contracts and be able to program smart contracts.
  • Understand blockchain system design principles.
  • Understand how to approach the incorporation of blockchain into enterprise systems from a software engineering lifecycle framework.
  • Understand the legal and ethical implications of blockchain-based systems.


Research Project 




IN6299 Critical Inquiry in Information Systems 

This course is an overview of how to design and conduct research projects in the area of information systems. Students will learn the processes in research study design, preparation of proposals and manuscripts, intellectual property and ethics, in addition to being introduced to the main types of research methods – though with a more in-depth examination of more useful methods, to address information systems problems. 

Cross-listed Courses from Other Programmes 

MC6367 Digital Media Governance 

This is a course on governing current, emerging and future technology: rules about rules, rules about the rulers and the ruled, and the shifting geopolitics of national, regional, and international digital realms. It aims to equip students with the knowledge of how international and national laws and policies regarding the Internet and digital media are made.  

The course will cover the governance of critical Internet resources, privacy, content regulation issues including moderation, the challenges of digital challenges, and emergent technologies. It will discuss surveillance, artificial intelligence as well as the tension in 5G technology. 

IS6751 Text & Web Mining 

This course is an introduction to text and web data mining. Students will learn how to analyse unstructured data (i.e. text contents), hyperlinks, and usage data on the Web using text and data mining techniques. The basic concepts of data mining: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and semi-supervised learning. Text mining: natural language processing and information extraction. Web mining: web crawling, web usage mining, and semantic web. Opinion mining and sentiment analysis. Tools for web data mining. 

IS6752 Data Extraction Techniques 

This course covers how to obtain data from the web, and prepare retrieved data in various formats for further analysis. Students will learn various data crawling techniques and tools both through lectures and hands-on exercises in labs. Principles and concepts of data collection and preparation; Data gathering techniques: Web crawling, APIs for Social media data collection; Database definition and manipulation: structured query language, transaction processing, and access control; Client-side technologies: Web content representation with mark-up languages and dynamic Web page generation with script languages. Server-side technologies: application programming languages. 

KM6315 Information Entrepreneurship 

Entrepreneurship theory; the entrepreneurial process; Developing successful business ideas, identifying markets and sources of revenue, industry and competitor analysis, and understanding the value chain; Developing an effective business model, creating a venture team, and marketing, sales and financial plans; Developing an efficient operations model, getting financing and funding, and strategies for growth; Managing partners and investors, staff and suppliers, and customers. 

CI7104 Network Analysis: Theory and Methods

This course introduces the core concepts of network theory and methods and discusses theoretical and analytic issues associated with network analysis. It consists of three major parts: the theoretical foundations of network analysis, the review of seminal and recent works on social and communication networks, and applications of network theory to real-world problems. The course focuses on (but not limited to) the following topics: homophily and community structure, tie strength and structural holes, diffusion and network effects, small-world phenomena, random graph model, large-scale empirical networks, and computational approaches to network analysis. Students will learn and use programming languages for data collection and analysis. All the programming skills necessary for the course will be taught in a step-by-step manner. Prior knowledge of linear algebra and calculus will be helpful, but is not required. 

CI7107 Advanced Quantitative Analysis for Communication and Information Research

This course introduces students to structural equation modeling. After reviewing fundamental statistical analyses, students will learn the process of conducting structural equation modelling. 

The course content is divided into three thematic groups:  

  • Theme 1 – Analytical and statistical fundamentals: This theme involves class discussions, activities, and assignments about several common statistical analyses. 
  • Theme 2 – Conducting structural equation modeling: This theme introduces key concepts and the process of conducting structural equation modeling.
  • Theme 3 – Special topics: This theme focuses on special uses of structural equation modeling, which researchers can use to answer many different research questions. 

 

Academic Integrity

Wee Kim School of Communication and Information is committed to pursue research excellence and ensures the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour in all academic and research endeavours. It is fundamental that assignments, projects and proposals for coursework and research programmes submitted by students are of the highest integrity, and plagiarism will not be condoned.

Plagiarism is defined as having used or passed off one’s own writings or ideas of another, without acknowledging or crediting the source from which the ideas are taken. It includes the following: 
• The use of words, images, diagrams, graphs, or ideas derived from books, journals, magazines, visual media, and the internet without proper acknowledgement; 
• Copying of work from the internet or any other sources and presenting as one’s own; and 
• Submitting identical work for different courses or to different journals and publications. 

Students are expected to observe academic integrity when writing and submitting assignments, projects or proposals for their coursework or research programmes, and provide references when citations are mentioned in their works.

For more information on NTU Academic Integrity Policy, please click here. 

Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures for Declaration of Authorship

In view of the University’s implementation of the academic integrity policy and code of conduct, publications of research done at NTU, including written assignments, theses and dissertations, must adhere to responsible reporting practices. For more information, please refer to the Research Integrity website.

Mode of Submission for Student 
• Online/softcopy assignments: Students are required to attach their assignments with a softcopy of the signed declaration of authorship form as one document for online submission. 
• Hardcopy assignments: Students are required to attach the hardcopy declaration of authorship form on the front page of their written assignments for hardcopy submission. 
 
Please check with respective course instructors if your written assignment requires the declaration forms. 

 

Course Fees

The substantial tuition subsidy from the Government of Singapore comes in the form of a MOE subsidy which is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and is offered to eligible students up to the normal course duration (one year for full-time students and two years for part-time students). Students who take longer than the normal course duration will be liable for non-subsidised (Full) tuition fees during the extended semesters. Students need not apply for the MOE subsidy if they are eligible.  

 

Note: From AY 2019 onwards, MOE subsidy only applies to Singaporean and Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) students. International students applying for Coursework Programmes will be liable for non-subsidised tuition fees.


Tuition Fees for Academic Year 2022-2023 

Tuition Fees per Academic Year (AY2022-2023) 
MSc in Information Systems (MSIS) 
Programme Status 		Non-Subsidised Fees (inclusive of GST) 
Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident 
S$S$S$S$S$
 Sem 1Sem 2  
Full-time 19,76519,950
9,75016,100
Part-time 9,8909,9754,8758,050

Notes on tuition fees 
• All fees stated are Singapore Dollars and are inclusive of GST charges. 
• The programme fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the programme fees without prior notice. Please click  here to view the tuition fee structure.

 

Tuition Fees for Academic Year 2021-2022 

Tuition Fees per Academic Year (AY2021-2022) 
MSc in Information Systems (MSIS) 
Programme Status  		Non-Subsidised Fees (inclusive of GST)  Singapore Citizen  Singapore Permanent Resident 
S$  S$  S$ 
Full-time  38,300  9,450  15,600
Part-time  19,150  4,725  7,800
Notes on tuition fees 
• All fees stated are Singapore Dollars and are inclusive of GST charges. 

• The programme fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the programme fees without prior notice. Please click  here to view the tuition fee structure.

Graduation Requirements 

Course Load and the Academic Unit System 
 
With the introduction of the Academic Units system in the university, the Master by Coursework programme students have to accumulate a total of 30 Academic Units (AUs) to graduate. Each course in the curriculum carries 3 AUs, with the exception of the Dissertation Project which carries 6 AUs. A 3-AU course comprises 39 contact hours of lectures, tutorials and laboratory work (unless otherwise specified). 
Grade Point Average Requirements 
 
The university adopts a Grade Point Average (GPA) system of calculating the overall academic performance of a student in a particular semester and for the whole programme. Letter grades obtained for courses are assigned grade points of 0 to 5.0. 
For more information on GPA, please refer to this link. 
 
The Term Grade Point Average (TGPA) represents the grade point average for all courses taken by a student in a particular semester. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) represents the grade point average for all the courses taken by the student. 
Poor Academic Performance 
A coursework student with poor academic performance will be subjected to the following actions: 
 
1. Academic warning if TGPA < 2.50 in any term of study 
2. Termination of Candidature if TGPA < 2.50 for the second consecutive term of study. 
A student is considered to be making satisfactory progress in any semester of study if he or she attains a minimum TGPA of 2.50. A student who obtains a TGPA of less than 2.50 in 2 consecutive semesters of study will be dismissed from the programme. 
To meet the academic requirement for graduation, a student must: 
1. Complete all the requirements for the programme of study, and 
2. Attain a minimum CGPA of 2.50 at the completion of the programme of study. 

 

FAQs

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