Director of program: Dr Chris White
Introduction
The Graduate Diploma in Business Systems course aims to provide an education and training in methods used in the design, development and application of computer systems for the management of business operations. This involves the study of business-related procedures and computer techniques leading to an understanding of the design, operation and control of computer-based systems. Applications include business data processing, planning, scheduling, forecasting, production management, inventory management, accounting, marketing, personnel management, financial management, business modelling and operations management.
Admission requirements
Entrance normally requires a first degree which is recognised as equivalent to an Australian degree, but not one with a major in information systems. Those expecting to complete their degree in the current year may apply.
Fees for Australian residents
In 1995 the course fee is $8000 or pro rata per subject.
International students
International students may be admitted on a full-cost fee basis.
Duration
The course consists of one year of full-time study. The option of two years part-time study is available to Australian residents.
Course structure
The course consists of seven subjects, the majority of which should normally be selected from the fourth-year subjects offered by the department. The balance of subjects should be drawn from the graduate (fourth-year) programs of the university with the approval of the relevant teaching department and the head of the Department of Business Systems or nominee.
Students who have completed similar subjects in previous studies will normally be required to make substitutions.
Seven of the following subjects must be completed.
1. BUS4520 Computer information systems
2. At least four of the following subjects:
* BUS4020 Trading and financial systems (7 points)
* BUS4030 Financial modelling (7 points)
* BUS4112 Database systems and data management (7 points)
* BUS4150 Computer facilities management (7 points)
* BUS4200 Chinese language information technology (7 points)
* BUS4300 Business communications (7 points)
* BUS4410 Advanced programming for database applications (7 points)
* BUS4420 Operations research methods (7 points)
* BUS4502 Decision support systems and computer simulation (7 points)
* BUS4510 Quality and reliability (7 points)
* BUS4530 Software systems design and development (7 points)
* BUS4540 Project management (7 points)
* BUS4550 Business statistics (7 points)
* BUS4560 General operations management (7 points)
* BUS4570 Computer models for business decisions (7 points)
* BUS4611 C programming for business applications (7 points)
* BUS4620 COBOL programming (7 points)
* BUS4630 Operations management systems (7 points)
* SYS4071 Systems analysis and design (7 points)
3. Subjects from other graduate programs offered by the university
Assessment of performance
Students' results are given a pass or honours grading in each subject. The minimum standard required is at least a pass in each subject.
Entry to the Master of Business Systems - second year
The Graduate Diploma in Business Systems course and the preliminary year of the Master of Business Systems course are identical. The Master of Business Systems second year can be taken in one of three ways:
1. By coursework only (eight subjects of coursework);
2. By coursework and thesis (two subjects of coursework and a thesis of weight 75 per cent, including a research report);
3. By one subject of coursework and a major thesis of weight 87.5 per cent.
Students are eligible to apply for entry into the second year by coursework provided they pass the seven subjects required for the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems.
Students are eligible to apply for entry into the second year by coursework and thesis provided they:
(a) obtain sufficient marks in the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems. (The exact cut-off score will depend on the number of applicants and the places available);
(b) obtain a pass in at least one of BUS4530 (Software systems design and development) or BUS4410 (Advanced programming for database applications) or an equivalent subject.
Admission to the Master of Business Systems by thesis (weighted at 87.5 per cent) is available only under exceptional conditions, eg where students have an unusually strong coursework and project background in the field.
Students wishing to exercise any one of the above options must apply by 31 October 1994 and must take up the offer promptly.