Luleå University of Technology
home search contact us student
Course Catalog 1998/99


Business Adm and Social Science

IED320 Introduction to General Systems Theory 7.5 ECTS credits

TIMEPERIOD:


LANGUAGE:English/Swedish

EXAMINER
Guohua Bai Univ adj


PREREQUISITES
Administrative Data Processing System AI, 15 credits.

COURSE AIM
The aim of the course is to give the students knowledge on General Systems Theory,
in context of information systems applications, such as Artificial Intelligent (AI), decision
support systems (DSS), informatics.

CONTENTS
- The Emergence of Holistic Thinking
- Basic Idea of Systems
- Some Selected systems Theories (Boulding´s Hierarchy Theory; Miller´s Living Systems
Theory, Checkland´s Soft Systems Methodology, Beer´s Viable Systems Theory, etc.)
- Information and Communication Theory
- Theory of Brain and Mind
- Artificial Intelligence and Life
- Decision Making and Decision Support Systems (DSS)
- Informatics
- Introduction to Some Systems Development Methodology (Life-cycle, Prototyping, Participatory
Design, Integrated Design Methodology)

TEACHING
Teaching will take the form of lessons and seminars.

EXAMINATION
Course grade scale: Excellent (VG), Pass (G), Failed (U).
Examination will be in the form of required project assignments, participation in seminars, lab. and written examination.
COURSE GRADE SCALE: U, G, VG

ITEMS/CREDITS
Individual exam 6.00ECTS
Required assignments 1.50ECTS

COURSE LITTERATURE
IES/DSV Luleå tekniska universitet: DSV AII - Röda Tråden, 1997
Skyttner, Lars: General Systems Theory - An Introduction, 1996, Antony Rowe Ltd. Chippenham, Wiltshire.

References:
Flood, M. C: Creative Problem Solving - Total Systems Intervention, 1991, John Wiley & sons,
New York.
Scandinavian Journal of Information System, ISSN 0905-0167.
Journal of Systems Research and Behavioral Science, ISSN 1092-7026, Wiley.


Further information: Bai Guohua


Valid for school year 1998/99.
Current version this school year:http://www.luth.se/stuka

Web Editor: Karin.Lindholm@dc.luth.se


The University | Student | Research | Search | Contact us | In Swedish


LULEÅ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
University Campus, Porsön, 971 87 Luleå. Tel. +46 (0) 920-91 000, fax +46 (0) 920-91 399
Last edited 1998-12-16