Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to the development of business systems for B2C internet commerce. A complete, non-trivial B2C application will be built, in phases, using specific, currently popular technologies. Through this development the student will acquire an appreciation of many of the hardware and software infrastructure and business issues involved. In addition specific, currently marketable, development skills will be learned.

Reasons for retailers to go on-line will be discussed as well as the risks and threats involved. Peripheral, but important issues, such as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) will also be discussed. Typical hardware and software options and requirements will be assessed.

The B2C application to be built will involve product catalogs with search facilities, transaction processing using a third party (at various levels of dependency), shopping carts, product recommendations, customer accounts and application administration.

Emphasis will be placed on building highly flexible, modular/component-based B2C systems using a 3-tier application architecture.
Develops students understanding on the re-intermediation trend of portals, the implication of the push-pull model in the information portals, the use of search engine and the characteristics and properties of software agents in business applications.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have -

• knowledge of, and practical development skills in, B2C applications;
• an understanding of the business issues and context salient to B2C applications;
• ability to use popular software development packages for B2C Internet Commerce; and
• ability to develop a non-trivial B2C application, including for displaying catalogs and processing transactions.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prerequisites

FIT1002 or BUS1060

Prohibitions

IMS3280, BUS3960, BUS5960

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit3101