Course code: 0176
Departmental coordinators: Dr Noel Craske (Computer Technology); Ms Ilona Jagielska (Information Systems); Mrs Sita Ramakrishnan (Software Development); Mr A J McGregor (Robotics and Digital Technology)
Introduction
The Master of Computing by coursework is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program by coursework and minor thesis with an emphasis on the industrial relevance of computing and information systems. The course has two major objectives: to provide the conceptual and theoretical framework within which the student can appreciate and integrate the rapidly changing and increasingly sophisticated technologies (software, hardware and methodologies) so that they can be used by the graduate to develop solutions within an information technology context to the complex problems facing our society; to deepen the theoretical knowledge of students in specific areas of interest to a level appropriate to a higher degree so that students will have the intellectual and conceptual foundation to play a leading role in the development of the information technology industry.
The stream in digital communications is offered on the Clayton campus, and builds on the work undertaken in the Graduate Diploma in Digital Communications. The aim of the stream is to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to carry out design, development and management of modern digital and computer networking technologies at a high level.
Admission requirements
Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) of Monash University; or a degree in computing and a postgraduate diploma that is considered equivalent to BComp(Hons); or have completed the Master of Computing preliminary year.
Only applicants who have shown high academic ability by their performance in prior studies (at least class II A honours), will be admitted to each year of the course.
Fees for Australian residents
In 1995 the course fee is $8000 or $1000 per subject.
Preliminary study
Candidates who do not meet the normal entry requirements but who, in the opinion of the faculty, have the academic ability to complete masters level study may be permitted to enter a preliminary program as determined by the relevant department. These candidates may be required to take particular units from one of the postgraduate diploma courses offered by the faculty or complete such other study as required by the faculty before commencing the masters course. Preliminary studies are not counted as study towards the masters degree.
Duration
The normal duration of the course (excluding any preliminary study) is one year full-time or two years part-time.
Course structure
The course requires the completion of a minimum of four coursework subjects at fifth-year level. In addition students must complete a minor thesis in an appropriate department. The minor thesis has a weighting of between 12.5 per cent and 50 per cent of the course.
Candidates who wish to specialise in the domain of information systems should apply to undertake the Master of Information Systems.
Due to the dynamic nature of this field of study, new subjects will be introduced as is deemed appropriate. Not all subjects are available each year.
Students will be required to discuss their subject selections with departmental coordinators prior to enrolment to ensure the subject is appropriate to their thesis area. The currently approved subjects are:
* COT5010 Reading unit in computer technology
* COT5200 Advanced topics in distributed systems
* COT5210 Data security and cryptography
* COT5220 Advanced topics in database systems
* RDT5020 Distributed systems
* RDT5030 Advanced communications applications
* RDT5040 Protocol engineering
* RDT5050 Advanced network design
* RDT5060 Telecommunications management
* RDT5110 Digital communications project
* RDT5120 Digital communications thesis
* SFT5010 Reading subject
* SFT5020 Distributed computation and simulation
* SFT5030 Visual programming
* SFT5040 Case study in engineering software for reuse
* SFT5050 Software metrics and reliability
* SFT5180 Software engineering
* SFT5300 Systems support management
* SFT5400 Advanced issues in programming languages
* SYS5010 Reading subject
* SYS5110 Advanced topics in artificial intelligence
* SYS5120 Advanced topics in systems analysis
* SYS5150 Advanced topics in decision support
* SYS5260 History of computing thought
* SYS5270 Current topics in cognitive science
* SYS5280 Advanced topics in knowledge engineering
* SYS5306 Advanced issues in system design
* SYS5316 Design theory
Students may negotiate to undertake the study of up to two coursework subjects of equivalent standard offered by another faculty or tertiary institution.