Course code: 0961
Coordinator, Information Systems: Helen Smith
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.
Each of the majors in computer technology, information systems and software development can be studied as a discipline in its own right.
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 information systems, consists of a major sequence in information systems and forty points of specified corequisite subjects from other computing departments.
A major in information systems comprises the sequence SYS1001, SYS1252, SYS2168, eight points of subjects selected from other second-year information systems subjects, SYS3500 (Information systems project) and twelve points of subjects from other third-year information systems subjects.
In the major, information systems 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. An additional 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 in a discipline other than information systems must be completed. This minor is normally expected to be in a discipline outside 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. The structure of the major allows students to choose to deepen their computing knowledge by completing the elective component of their course with additional computing subjects, or to broaden their studies with subjects from other disciplines such as accounting, marketing, business administration, psychology etc. By making a careful choice of elective subjects in first, second and third level, students may obtain a second major in another discipline such as banking and finance or accounting.
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 major in information systems requires a minimum of fifty-two credit points of study. The subjects available at each level are outlined below.
First year
First year coordinator: Ms Peta Darke
The first-year subjects serve both as a general introduction to information systems and as a prerequisite for further studies. Thus they may be taken either by students wishing to major in information systems or by students whose major interest is in some other discipline, ie business, science, arts etc.
The first-semester subject SYS1001 introduces students to the concept of an information system and to the process of systems analysis. The information systems perspective on common data processing tasks is investigated and techniques such as data flow diagrams are used to record and evaluate the system.
The second-semester subject SYS1252 explores the analysis of information systems in more depth using additional diagramming and other techniques. There is an emphasis on structuring data to ensure appropriate data bases may be developed. Identifying user requirements is a major concern and both first-year subjects emphasise the need for appropriate communication with the future end users of information systems.
* SYS1001 Information systems (6 points)
* SYS1252 Systems analysis (6 points)
Second year
Second year coordinator: Mr Henry Linger
Second year develops further information systems knowledge and skills. In second year there is an emphasis on the design and implementation stages of system development which build on the analysis stages studied in first year.
There is one compulsory second-year subject, namely SYS2168. This subject completes the introductory study of systems analysis and design by addressing the design and implementation stages of system development.
Students select two subjects from the set of second-year electives to complete the required second year in information systems. BUS2174 develops a knowledge of project planning and control essential to all systems development projects; SYS2194 enables students to explore the development of information systems using a prototyping approach; and SYS2204 extends students' understanding of the communication requirements of information systems development while developing practical skills in communication with clients and end-users which will be highly desirable for future employment in this field. Employers of graduates from all disciplines are eager to employ staff with good communication skills so students are strongly encouraged to take SYS2204 as an elective.
* SYS2168 Systems design and implementation (8 points)
plus eight points of elective study from:
* BUS2174 Project management (4 points)
* SYS2194 Systems prototyping (4 points)
* SYS2204 Communication for information systems (4 points)
Third year
Third year coordinator: Ms Sharman Lichtenstein
Students wishing to major in information systems must take SYS3500 (Information systems project) and at least three other third-year information systems subjects. Some students may complete the other half of their third year with additional information systems subjects giving them a full third year in information systems. Other students may complete the remaining half of their third year with a different discipline to give them two majors, one in information systems and one in the other discipline.
The Information systems project (SYS3500) is an exercise in applying the skills and knowledge developed in the first two years of the course to a real-world problem where students can begin to appreciate the complexity of the system development process. Successful completion of the project is a rewarding experience and one which prepares students well for employment as a computer professional.
In addition to the project, students have a choice of a wide range of electives in information systems. Students can choose to broaden their knowledge of information systems topics with subjects in decision support systems, knowledge-based systems, neural networks and so forth, or to deepen their knowledge of analysis and design with subjects such as object-oriented analysis, systems analysis methods, CASE, cognitive aspects of interface design etc. SYS3184 (Information systems theory) is recommended for students intending to apply for the honours program but is not a prerequisite for honours.
* SYS3500 Industrial project (12 points)
plus twelve points of elective study from:
* SYS3044 CASE (4 points)
* SYS3054 Decision support systems (4 points)
* SYS3064 Knowledge-based systems (4 points)
* SYS3074 Organisational issues in information systems (4 points)
* SYS3084 Cognitive aspects of interface design (4 points)
* SYS3094 Object-oriented analysis (4 points)
* SYS3104 Systems analysis methods (4 points)
* SYS3114 Neural computing (4 points)
* SYS3124 Theoretical models of decision making (4 points)
* SYS3134 Geographical information systems (4 points)
* SYS3144 Project leadership for information systems (4 points)
* SYS3184 Information systems theory (4 points)
* SYS3194 Security in information systems (4 points)
* SYS3214 Strategic inter-organisational systems (4 points)
Corequisite studies
In order to complete the Bachelor of Computing with a major in information systems the following corequisite studies must be completed:
First year
* COT1130 Computer equipment (6 points)
* COT1140 Operating systems (6 points)
* SFT1101 Introduction to software development (6 points)
* SFT1102 Program design and data structures (6 points)
Second year
* COT2138 Relational database (8 points)
* SFT2201 Software engineering practice (8 points)
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 information systems can choose to take a fourth year in information systems. This is called the honours degree and is suitable for outstanding students wishing to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of information systems. It is essential for those who may wish to pursue a research career.
Honours program in information systems
Coordinator: Mr Peter O'Donnell
Bachelor of Computing (Honours) study in information systems is available only in full-time mode.
The honours year is designed to allow students to study an area of information systems 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.
Students undertaking the honours program are enrolled in a single subject, namely SYS4000 (Information systems honours). This subject 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 study up to twelve credit points of their coursework from other departments subject to the approval of the head of department. The overall SYS4000 grade of HI, HIIA, HIIB or HIII is determined by combining the coursework and thesis grades.
The information systems subjects at fourth-year level are:
* SYS4010 Reading subject (6 points)
* SYS4130 Information technology strategic planning (6 points)
* SYS4140 Information modelling (6 points)
* SYS4160 Decision support systems technology (6 points)
* SYS4170 Executive information systems (6 points)
* SYS4180 Knowledge-based systems (6 points)
* SYS4190 Knowledge engineering (6 points)
* SYS4210 Decision support systems (6 points)
* SYS4220 Systems analysis (6 points)
* SYS4270 Systems design and implementation (6 points)
* SYS4360 Information systems management (6 points)
* SYS4440 Artificial intelligence (6 points)
* SYS4470 Human-machine interfaces (6 points)