Course code: 0366
Course leader: Mr Dan Eaves
Introduction
The course is offered to those who have an existing tertiary qualification in computing or equivalent high-level work experience, and who are interested in furthering their knowledge in computing at a postgraduate level. Completion of this course at a high level of achievement may be counted as completion of the masters preliminary program.
The course aims to present the state of the art in commercial computing and address specialised areas in depth by coursework.
On completion of the course, graduates should be able to contribute at a higher level to the work at their place of employment, increase their contribution to the profession, and perhaps continue to further advanced study and research in the field.
The course is offered as a two-year part-time course conducted over four consecutive academic semesters, or as a one-year full-time course conducted over two consecutive academic semesters.
Admission requirements
The minimum entry standard is a recognised degree or graduate qualification in computing or a related discipline.
onsideration may be given to an applicant who has a relevant diploma plus work experience, or who has relevant professional qualifications and experience and is occupying a high-level position in industry.
Fees for Australian residents
In 1995 the course fee is $8000 or $1000 per subject.
Course structure
A student will be required to complete eight coursework subjects. The major streams of study available are system development, information technology, programming, decision support systems, intelligent systems, distributed systems, systems programming and object-oriented software engineering. A student may major in a particular area by choice of appropriate subjects, or obtain a general knowledge of advanced computing.
Subjects
* COT4010 Reading subject in computer technology
* COT4180 CASE technology
* COT4200 Computer equipment and operating systems
* COT4230 Relational database systems
* COT4300 Query languages and information retrieval
* COT4310 Information resource management and data administration
* COT4330 Deductive database systems
* COT4350 Data communications
* COT4430 Database design and administration
* SFT4020 Specifying non-sequential and real-time systems
* SFT4030 Software life-cycle processes
* SFT4040 Language design and semantics
* SFT4070 Logic programming
* SFT4090 Advanced programming tools
* SFT4100 Systems programming I
* SFT4110 Systems programming II
* SFT4151 UNIX software design and development
* SFT4490 Object-oriented programming
* SYS4130 Information technology strategic planning
* SYS4140 Information modelling
* SYS4160 Decision support systems technology
* SYS4170 Executive information systems
* SYS4180 Knowledge-based systems
* SYS4190 Knowledge engineering
* SYS4210 Decision support systems
* SYS4220 Systems analysis
* SYS4270 Systems design and implementation
* SYS4360 Information systems management
* SYS4440 Artificial intelligence
* SYS4470 Human-machine interfaces
As well, certain of the fourth-year offerings of the School of Computing and Information Technology at Peninsula campus may be taken. These include:
* CFR4501 Computer-assisted information systems engineering
* CFR4710 Software metrics and productivity
* CFR4720 Architecture of database management systems
* CFR4730 Graphical user interfaces and user interface management systems
* CFR4740 Information modelling and relational database design
Stream summaries
A summary of the intent of each of the major streams is presented below. Note that the streams are given for guidance only, and each student follows an individual course of study.
System development stream (SYS4130, SYS4140, SYS4220, SYS4270, SYS4360, COT4180) The overall emphasis of this stream is on the application system development process. The major topic areas include the conceptual framework of the systems development process with an emphasis on logical modelling; and the management of the systems development project including a study of some packaged methodologies and the organisational issues concerned with the management of information technology.
Information technology stream (COT4230, COT4300, COT4310, COT4330, COT4430) This stream studies the storage and retrieval of information with particular emphasis on databases. The major topic areas are: the structuring of data, data models and database architecture, with emphasis on relational DBMS; end-user facilities including database query languages; database administration including the role of data dictionary/directory systems and distributed databases; future directions of data models and database architectures and facilities; deductive and object-oriented database systems.
Programming stream (SFT4020, SFT4040, SFT4070) The aim of this stream is to present the state-of-the-art in the programming area. The major topic areas include a review of the latest programming techniques with emphasis on using advanced abstraction concepts; current trends, such as logic programming, object-oriented programming, syntax-directed programming, and rule-based programming; techniques used to control large software development.
Decision support systems stream (SYS4160, SYS4170, SYS4210) The aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of the nature of decision making and the application of information technology to support decision making.
Intelligent systems stream (COT4330, SYS4180, SYS4440, SYS4470, SFT4070, SFT4490) The major aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of current developments in human-machine systems and machine intelligence. The major topic areas include logic programming, natural language; knowledge-, rule-, frame-based systems; intelligent computer-assisted learning; cognitive aspects of computing.
Distributed systems stream (COT4200, COT4230, COT4350) The major aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of the impact of data communication and distributed systems on systems design. The major topic areas include packetswitching, digital data and local area networks; communication protocols; distributed systems.
Systems programming stream (COT4200, SFT4100, SFT4110, SFT4151) The major aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of the programming function at the operating systems services level and an appreciation of the conflicting demands for finite resources that must be resolved in a systems programming environment. The major topic areas include software architecture, interlanguage communication, communicating sequential processes and the management of risk and system security.
Object-oriented software engineering stream (SFT4010, SFT4030, SFT4090) The major aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of object-oriented methods and techniques for building large-scale software systems.