Conceptual modelling is at the core of “Wirtschaftsinformatik”. On the one hand, it aims to provide developers and educated users with intelligible representations of corporate information systems. On the other hand, it serves as a foundation of software development. The lecture series starts with a comprehensive review of the reasons for designing conceptual models. It includes a discussion of current problems and challenges to be faced by those who are developing, introducing, maintaining and using corporate information systems. Against this background, the lecture gives an overview of basic abstractions applied in conceptual modelling. The students will learn rules that determine the construction of corresponding conceptual models – such as data models, data flow and statechart diagrams. Based on that foundation, the lecture series goes on to provide an introduction to object-oriented modelling.

With respect to analyzing the business and to designing information systems, the analysis of business processes is pivotal. To emphasise this, the lectures will first present an introduction to business process engineering and a critical discussion of the assumptions underlying it. Against this background, students will learn how to create and evaluate business process models. To assist with the task, they will be guided in how to apply the relevant modelling language. Accompanying scenarios serve to illustrate the purposeful use of corresponding modelling methods. Subsequently, participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to enterprise modelling, including discussion of the motivation behind it, its pivotal goals and core concepts.

The lecture series focuses on the foundation concepts of modelling. This will not be sufficient to acquire a satisfactory level of modelling competency. For that, students will need to develop skills of abstraction by designing and evaluating models. Therefore, it is mandatory to attend the corresponding tutorial.

As a default, a seminar is a forum for discussing current topics of ‘Wirtschaftsinformatik’. Usually, these topics will belong to one common generic topic. Every participant has to write a seminar paper on a topic he was assigned to. Subsequently, he has to present the paper and encourage its discussion. The seminar is aimed at three interwoven objectives. The seminar paper serves to practice scientific writing. Presenting it fosters the development of presentation skills, which include the proper use of presentation software. The collective discussion of the papers contributes to the development of a sophisticated perspective on the overall generic topic. At the same time it promotes the participants discoursive competence. As an exception, a seminar can be organized in a different manner, e. g. by putting more emphasis on team work.

Announcements of these topics and corresponding deadlines are presented on the WISEM-Webseite.

For writing a thesis at our chair, you find further information in "Theses"