Electronic Commerce (EC) Programme
The four-year joint E-Commerce programme (EC) is offered by School of Computing (SoC) and School of Business (BIZ). The programme will have a mix of Information Technology (IT) and Business knowledge areas. Graduates of the EC programme will be in demand by companies in the E-Business space - an area large companies cannot ignore in today's new media age. E-Commerce students will develop into experts on Internet business. They will learn the basics of e-commerce, such as accounting, marketing, e-payment and e-economy, social computing, web forums and social networks, web user characteristics, e-loyalty and e-migration, and Internet technology. Students will become strategists in analysing and influencing e-commerce, such as web traffic, web opinion, virtual markets, virtual economy, electronic word of mouth, collaborative mobile and social e-commerce.
Curriculum
The nature of E-Commerce is dynamic, and there has been significant change over the years to the way business activities are done. Business has gone online and E-Business now spans a wide area - it is no longer just about conducting transactions online but changing the whole nature of business using information technology. This broader perspective covers not just new businesses in the online world but how existing or new offline businesses integrate the electronic channel into the business activities.
Our revised E-Commerce programme will have a mix of Information Technology (IT) and Business knowledge areas. Graduates of the new curriculum will be in demand by companies in the E-Business space - an area that companies cannot ignore in today's new media age.
In our programme, students will develop several competencies and expertise on Internet business:
- They will learn the basics of e-commerce, such as accounting, marketing, e-payment and e-economy, social computing, web forums and social networks, web user characteristics, e-loyalty and e-migration, and Internet technology.
- Students will become strategists in analysing and influencing e-commerce, such as web traffic, web opinion, virtual markets, virtual economy, electronic word of mouth, collaborative mobile and social e-commerce.
The revamped EC curriculum is structured and built based on the following technical and business skills and knowledge areas:
IT Area 1: Infrastructure
Studies into companies hiring behavior have found that both IT service providers and their client firms will need infocomm professionals with technical foundations. In preparing our students for this requirement, the revamped EC curriculum will provide students with the following proficiencies:
- Knowledge of web programming
- Understand the infrastructure of the internet and World Wide Web
Unlike traditional in-store shopping, where shopping information is conveyed to consumers through multiple channels, including the store environment, displays of products, product trials, and service, electronic commerce depends solely on web interfaces to communicate such information and to manage customer relationships. Hence, the EC programme is intended to provide students with the following proficiencies:
- Knowledge of interface development in the context of electronic commerce
- Understanding of fundamental technological artifacts to support customer relationship management via electronic commerce interfaces
- Understanding of the business processes facilitated by electronic commerce interfaces
Social media represents an emerging category of technologies and strategies based on the mass participation of users. Organizations are finding that tapping into social media can be beneficial, but is a difficult and tricky endeavor to accomplish well. The revamped EC curriculum will provide students with the following proficiencies:
- Fundamental understanding and knowledge of social media
- Strategies in engaging social media for business
- Marketing through social media and search engines
- Creation and deployment of social media tools
Information security is necessary to protect the information and systems, especially for businesses in cyberspace. Understanding of security principles will protect not just the website but the overall information security and continuity of the business. Students will possess the following proficiencies:
- Understand the importance and principles of information security
- Manage information security of the e-business
- Protect e-commerce websites using security technologies and practices
Business models and strategies guide organizations in creating and delivering value from their business activities. Students must possess a thorough understanding of the development and management of business models and strategies for the digital domain in order to lead techno-strategic initiatives. Under the revamped EC curriculum, students will possess the following proficiencies:
- Knowledge of strategic management and planning
- Knowledge of the development and deployment of business models for the digital domain
- Integration of IS/IT and business strategies
Companies are increasingly turning to services as their main engine of growth and profitability. Examples of key service sectors include IT services, hospitality, healthcare, transport, logistics, and financial services among others. With larger number of organizations using the web as a channel for service innovation, provision, and delivery, knowledge in this area becomes a requirement for students in the EC curriculum. Students will possess the following proficiencies:
- Understand the importance of online services
- Gain knowledge of online service creation, operation, delivery, and marketing
- Understand service innovation and quality assessment principles
Marketing is a fundamental business activity that has been revolutionized by technology and the Internet. To develop students’ capabilities to leverage on technology in marketing, the revamped EC curriculum will provide students with the following proficiencies:
- Understanding of marketing and the marketing function
- The use of technology and the internet in marketing
- The marketing of technology
- Strategies for managing customers, partners and products in the Internet age
These competencies will prepare our graduates for jobs in e-commerce entrepreneurship, online marketing, web design, web analysis, and web consultancy.
Programme Structure
| Modules | Modular Credits | Remarks |
| University Level Requirements | 20 | - |
Programme Requirements, consisting of:
|
120 | Students can replace B.Comp. Dissertation with 3 IS4xxx modules. Further details of these programme requirements are available here. |
| Unrestricted Electives | 20 | - |
| GRAND TOTAL | 160 | - |
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