CIF 8103 · PhD in Information Systems · MUST
Welcome.
Let's begin here.
Before you dive into Week 1, this page orients you to everything you need to succeed in this module — from first steps to final submission.
Your first four actions
1
Read the Module Handbook
2
Post your intro in the forum
3
Download Week 1 readings
4
Attend the orientation session
A Note from Your Instructor
"
Welcome to CIF 8103: Systems Analysis and Design. You have chosen to pursue scholarship at the highest level of academic achievement, and this module is designed to both challenge and equip you for that journey.
I expect from you not the reproduction of existing knowledge, but its critical interrogation and eventual extension. Read widely, think deeply, engage generously with the ideas of your peers, and write with the precision and care that doctoral scholarship demands.
Meru University of Science and Technology occupies a proud and growing place in the landscape of African higher education. Through your doctoral work, you contribute not only to your own intellectual formation but to the reputation and mission of this institution — and to the broader project of building a vibrant, globally connected African research tradition in Information Science.
AK
Dr. Amos Chege Kirongo, PhD
Senior Lecturer · Department of Information Technology · MUST
First-Week Checklist
Read & Reference
Core materials to access immediately
- Download the Module Handbook (PDF/HTML)
- Review the 15-week curriculum outline
- Read Hevner et al. (2004) — mandatory Week 1
- Access MUST Library database portal
Engage & Introduce
Scholarly community participation
- Post your introduction in the Cohort Forum
- Review 2 peers' introductions and respond
- Read the Week 1 discussion prompt
- Draft your first response (due Wednesday)
Plan & Schedule
Set yourself up for success
- Save all assessment due dates to your calendar
- Note the Zoom synchronous session dates
- Install Enterprise Architect (MUST site licence)
- Set up Zotero or Mendeley for APA 7th
Set Up & Confirm
Technical & administrative tasks
- Log in to LMS — confirm access to all sections
- Test Zoom audio & video before orientation
- Review the Academic Integrity Policy
- Confirm your MUST email is active
Key Resources
Module Handbook
Complete study guide, schedule, outcomes, and policies
Open ↗
Week 1 Content
Lecture recording, readings, and discussion prompt
Go to Week 1 ↗
Discussion Forums
Weekly seminars, cohort dialogue, and peer critique
Join forums ↗
Assignments
Submission portals, briefs, and rubrics
View tasks ↗
Zoom Sessions
Bi-weekly synchronous office hours — Thursdays 10:00 EAT
Join Zoom ↗
MUST Library
ACM DL, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, AJOL & more
Access databases ↗
Assessment at a Glance
15%
Annotated Bibliography & Critical Essay
Due: Week 4 · 2,500 words · Critical synthesis of 15 seminal papers
15%
Modelling Assignment (UML / SysML / BPMN)
Due: Week 7 · Complex modelling exercise with theoretical justification
20%
Midterm Examination (Online)
Week 8 · 3-hour online exam · Units 1–4
25%
Research Paper (DSR Focus)
Due: Week 14 · 7,000 words · Journal-quality DSR paper
10%
Scholarly Presentation
Week 15 · 20-minute presentation with peer Q&A
15%
Engagement & Discussion Forums
Ongoing · Weekly posts due Wednesday; peer responses due Saturday
Doctoral Expectations
01
Log in at least 3× per week Engage with asynchronous materials, peer posts, and
announcements consistently throughout the semester.
02
Write with scholarly precision All submissions must use APA 7th edition referencing. Similarity index must remain below 15% (excl. references).
03
Attend ≥2 synchronous sessions/month Virtual office hours are where dissertation ideas get sharpened. Attendance is not optional at doctoral level.
04
Declare AI tool usage Any use of generative AI must be declared. All analytical and critical thinking must be authentically your own.
05
Late penalty: 5% per day Submissions are via the LMS portal. Extensions must be requested in advance through the LMS messaging system.
06
Contribute to peer scholarship Peer critique is not optional. Doctoral candidates are expected to challenge ideas generously and constructively.
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