Course code: 0961
Coordinator, Computer Technology: Associate Professor John Daly
Introduction
This course is designed to produce graduates who satisfy the computing needs of industry, government and commerce. Upon completion of the course, graduates should be well suited to employment in the fields of computer programming, systems analysis and design, database management and related areas.
The course leads to level 1 professional accreditation by the Australian Computer Society.
Entrance requirements
The prerequisite is grade D or above in VCE English plus units 1 and 2 of any mathematics. Students must also have VCE prerequisites appropriate for any first-year subject which they take.
Part-time
Subjects are normally available in the evening at the Caulfield campus. Students should note that blocks of hours are provided during the day where possible to facilitate day release, ie to allow students to attend classes with the minimum time off work.
Course structure
For course map details, please refer to Map 3 in the `Undergraduate course maps' section.
The course for the pass degree consists of subjects to a total value of 144 points.
The pass degree, Bachelor of Computing, with a major in computer technology, consists of, at first level, the sequence COT1130 and COT1140, and concurrent studies in information systems and software development. At second level, the sequence consists of COT2138, eight points of subjects selected from other second-year computer technology subjects and a further sixteen points of concurrent studies in information systems and software development. At third level, COT3500 and at least another twelve points of third-year computer technology subjects must be completed.
Computer technology subjects occupy one-quarter of the first-year load, at least one-third of the second-year load, and at least one-half of the third-year load. Some students complete the other half of their third year with additional computing third-year subjects, giving them a full third year in computing. Other students complete the other half of their third year with a different discipline, giving them two majors, one in computer technology and one in the other discipline.
In addition, a minor of twenty-eight points (consisting of either a first-year sequence totalling twelve points and a second-year sequence totalling sixteen points, or a second-year sequence totalling sixteen points and a third-year sequence totalling at least twelve points) must be completed. All of the subjects for the minor sequence must be taken from the same discipline. The discipline is normally expected to be one from a faculty other than the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Computing are free to take subjects from other faculties as allowed by the regulations. For example, computer technology with mathematics or banking and finance or accounting is popular.
The following sequences of studies have been specifically approved: banking and finance, accounting, management, mathematics, psychology and sociology. Students may, however, choose from the full range of disciplines of the university.
The computer technology major has the professional aim of preparing students for employment as computer systems officers. Students will learn about the operation of computer information systems including management of computer hardware, operating systems, database management systems, and data communication systems.
In a large organisation, a computer information system is built around a database on a computer system. The management of performance, security and continuous availability falls on what is often called the operations group. This group of computing professionals will optimise database designs (database administration), monitor strategic change in the organisation and model the data and hence hardware needs (data administration), formulate strategic plans for technologies including communications, computer hardware and operating systems and database management systems. The job titles for members of this group include database administrator, data administrator, performance specialist, systems programmer, operations manager, data communications specialist. A major in computer technology will prepare students for such jobs.
A major in computer technology requires a minimum of fifty-two credit points of study and is outlined below.
First year (12 points)
First-year coordinator: Ms R Gedge
The first-year subjects form part of the core of subjects required to be taken by all students of the Bachelor of Computing at Caulfield.
* COT1130 Computer equipment (6 points)
* COT1140 Operating systems (6 points)
Second year (16 points)
Second-year coordinator: Mr Christopher Avram
The second-year subjects fall into two categories. COT2138 is the last computer technology core subject. Database is seen to be so important for computing professionals that this advanced database subject has been included in the core. The remainder of the field of computer technology is taught in three four-point elective subjects in second year. Students who major in computer technology will choose at least one of those subjects. The sixteen points of the computer technology major at second year comprise:
* COT2138 Relational database (8 points)
* Computer technology electives (at least 4 points) from COT2004 (Data communications and networks), COT2030 (Input-output technology), COT2040 (Comparative operating systems), or COT2200 (Systems security and privacy)
and computing electives (up to 4 points) from:
* Any subject from the list of computer technology electives
* Any subject from the information systems major
* Any subject from the software development major
Third year (24 points)
Third-year coordinator: Mr Bob Sier
The third-year subjects of the department will prepare computing professionals for both employment in the commercial data processing industry and higher study in an honours program.
* COT3500 Industrial project (12 points)
* Computer technology electives (at least 12 points)
The allowable computer technology electives and computer technology projects are listed below.
Computer technology electives
* COT2004 Data communications and networks (4 points)
* COT2030 Input-output technology (4 points)
* COT2040 Comparative operating systems (4 points)
* COT2200 Systems security and privacy (4 points)
* COT3000 Physical database design and implementation (6 points)
* COT3002 Distributed computing systems (4 points)
* COT3020 Network technology (6 points)
* COT3030 Graphical user interface technology (6 points)
* COT3031 Client-server database systems (4 points)
* COT3032 Object-oriented database systems and storage managers (4 points)
* COT3100 Computer architecture (4 points)
* COT3150 Data communications software engineering (4 points)
* COT3151 Communication network performance (4 points)
* COT3152 Communication protocol engineering (4 points)
* COT3201 Information retrieval systems (4 points)
* COT3210 Document and imaging systems (4 points)
Computer technology projects
* COT3500 Industrial project (12 points)
* SFT3500 Industrial project (8 points)
* SYS3500 Information systems project (12 points)
Students in the computer technology major may count either SYS3500 or SFT3500 as their industrial project instead of COT3500, but must complete at least twelve points of third-year computer technology subjects.
Corequisite studies
To complete a computer technology major the following six subjects must also be studied.
* SFT1101 Introduction to software development
* SFT1102 Program design and data structures
* SFT2201 Software engineering practice
* SYS1001 Information systems
* SYS1252 Systems analysis
* SYS2168 Systems design and implementation
Double major in computing
Students considering a computing double major should be aware that special arrangements may be required and should seek an appointment with the faculty registrar to discuss course options.
Students undertaking a double major in computer technology, information systems or software development are required to count a maximum of twelve points of projects, ie one of COT3500 or SYS3500 or SFT3500, towards both majors. The additional points to make up the second major must be made up from the third-year offerings of the second major study being undertaken.
Fourth year
Students achieving a credit or better in third-year computer technology can choose to take a fourth year in computer technology. This is called the honours degree and is suitable for outstanding students wishing to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of computer technology. It is essential for those who wish to pursue a research career.
Honours program in computer technology
Coordinator: Mr Peter Granville
Bachelor of Computing (Honours) study in computer technology is available only in full-time mode and only on the Caulfield campus.
The honours year is designed to allow students to study an area of computer technology in depth. Central to honours study is applied research leading to the presentation of a minor thesis. This not only prepares students for a research or academic career but develops important analytical skills for professional practice. Students are expected, where possible, to conduct their research within one of the department's research groups.
There are no Monash or Government-funded honours scholarships available, but students may be employed on an established research project as a part-time research assistant or by the department as a sessional tutor.
COT4000 (Computer technology honours) requires the completion of twenty-four points of coursework at fourth-year level and a minor thesis (twenty-four points). Students select their program within the prerequisite structure as approved by the honours coordinator. Not all subjects will be offered in any one year. Students can also study up to twelve credit points from other departments of the university subject to the approval of the head of department. The overall COT4000 grade of HI, HIIA, HIIB or HIII is determined by combining the coursework and thesis grades.
The computer technology subjects at fourth-year level are:
* COT4010 Reading unit in computer technology (6 points)
* COT4180 CASE technology (6 points)
* COT4200 Computer equipment and operating systems (6 points)
* COT4230 Relational database systems (6 points)
* COT4300 Query language and information retrieval (6 points)
* COT4310 Information resource management and data administration (6 points)
* COT4330 Deductive database systems (6 points)
* COT4350 Data communications (6 points)
* COT4330 Database design and administration (6 points)
However, not all subjects are offered each year.