UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
BCT 1306 SYSTEMS AND SYSTEMS THEORY
FULL TIME/PART TIME
DATE: DECEMBER, 2017 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
a) Highlight the contributions of Ludwig von Bertalanffy in systems theory (5 Marks)
b) Justify why a business is a system. (4 Marks)
c) Distinguish between Redundancy and Symbiosis giving suitable examples (4 Marks)
d) Identify the components in a control system (5 Marks)
e) Using system theory explain why drug trafficking is a complex vice in society
(6 Marks)
f) Explain the term systems approach and give suitable examples. (3 Marks)
g) Define environment as used in system theory given an example of search in a business
firm (3 Marks)
QUESTION TWO
a) Explain the following terms (10 Marks)
i) Negative Entropy
ii) De-coupling
iii) Factoring
iv) Synergy
v) Equilibrium
b) Discuss why a system whose survival is threatened must change (5 Marks)
c) Why is systems thinking critical in an organization? (5 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) Designing of a user interface in computer systems is essential. Give four reasons.
(8
Marks)
b) Identify the essential components in a feedback and control system and explain their
functions. (12 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Explain how a smoke detector alarm system works by using your knowledge of systems
theory (6 Marks)
b) Universities must establish industry linkages to remain relevant Give reasons for this
argument (6 Marks)
c) Why should there be coupling between SALES DEPARTMENT systems and
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT in an organization? (8 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE
a) Distinguish between a Logical and physical system (4 Marks)
b) Describe the Just in Case(JIC) system from the system theory perspective (4 Marks)
c) Joblessness of the youth is a simmering problem in society. With your knowledge of
systems theory, how will you address the phenomenon? (12
Marks)
