UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2014/2015
ORDINARY EXAMINATION FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
BCT 1306 SYSTEM AND SYSTEMS THEORY
DATE: APRIL, 2015 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and any other TWO
QUESTION ONE [30 marks]
a) Define the term system. (3 marks)
b) Who is the pioneer of system theory. (1 mark)
c) Why is it important to study systems theory. (4 marks)
d) What are the characteristics of a system. (5 marks)
e) State the SEVEN elements of any system. (7 marks)
f) What are the SIX components associated with a control system. (6 marks)
g) Define the following terms as used in systems theory
i) synergy
ii) coupling (4 marks)
QUESTION TWO [20 marks]
a) Distinguish between traditional thinking and system thinking. (7 marks)
b) Demonstrate that indeed a business is s system (9 marks)
c) Define the following terms as used in systems theory
i) Entropy
iii) Equifinality (4 marks)
QUESTION THREE [20 marks]
a) Distinguish between the following terminologies
i) Open and closed system (2 marks)
ii) Deterministic and probabilistic system (2 marks)
iii) Closed loop and open loop system (2 marks)
iv) Logical and physical system (2 marks)
v) Mechanistic and organic system (2 marks)
b) Draw a model for the tsunami warning system (10 marks)
QUESTION FOUR [20 marks]
a) Define
i) cybernetics (2 marks)
ii) system modeling (3 marks)
b) State the primary goal of a system? (1 mark)
c) List FIVE applications of systems theory (5 marks)
d) Distinguish between feedback and feedforward (4 marks)
e) What are the advantages of systems thinking (5 marks)
QUESTION FIVE [20 marks]
a) State the family systems theory (3 marks)
b) Distinguish between factoring and filtering (4 marks)
c) Why is an information system a socio-technical system (7 marks)
d) What is the relationship between decision-making and systematic approach. (6 marks)
