The department's area of interest is the underlying technology of computing systems. It therefore embraces computer hardware, computer operating systems, data communications and database design and management. Graduates who specialise in these areas typically find employment as network designers, network managers, database designers, database administrators or data mangers. Others may gain employment as computer operations managers. Most would spend some early part of their career working as analyst/programmers, project team leaders and, possibly, project managers.
Teaching
The department's courses and subjects have been designed with an eye to the needs of graduates attempting to gain employment in commercial computing. To that end, subjects are designed to provide students with a balanced mixture of theory and practical experience. As a result, students entering the industry should be immediately productive in most organisations, and require minimal additional training in the remainder.
For undergraduate study, the department offers subjects in either a major sequence in computer technology or a minor sequence within the Bachelor of Computing course offered on the Caulfield campus; and, to a lesser extent, within other undergraduate courses that incorporate computer technology subjects, particularly the Bachelor of Information Management.
For postgraduate study, the department presents a wide range of subjects in the Graduate Diploma in Computing, the Graduate Diploma in Business Technology, the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology, and the Master of Computing courses. The department also provides for students undertaking the Master of Computing by research, and for PhD studies.
Objectives - Major in computer technology
The major in computer technology is the department's principal undergraduate offering. The major is a sequence of subjects available to students studying for a Bachelor of Computing at Caulfield; the subjects are also available to students in a range of other courses at Caulfield and on other campuses.
The aims of the major are:
* to provide undergraduate students in computing and other disciplines with the intellectual tools to enable them to apply state-of-the-art knowledge, skills, methods and techniques to the management of computer hardware, operating systems, database management systems and data communication systems;
* to provide the theoretical understanding which will be a foundation for learning and using new methods in the future, and the attitude which sees the constant updating of knowledge as required professional behaviour;
* to develop the students' communication and critical reasoning skills;
* to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental ethical issues associated with practising as computing systems officers.
Students completing this sequence will have knowledge and understanding of:
* computer hardware, computer architecture and computer operating systems used in building information systems;
* the application, operation, security and management of database management systems and databases;
* the application, operation and management of data communication systems;
* the content of appropriate standards and their application in computer technology;
* the basic economic, legal and ethical issues of computer technology.
They will be able to:
* apply fundamental principles in the performance of the various computer technology activities;
* develop and use appropriate tools covering all activities of computer technology;
* evaluate new technologies and tools to determine their applicability in a particular context;
* formulate strategic plans for an organisation in relation to its computer technology needs;
* develop innovative solutions to technological problems;
* clearly communicate the nature of, and the reasons for, recommending a computer system design in terms accessible to a range of clients including computer system users, application program developers, peer technology specialists and technology managers;
* undertake research and development tasks.
They will have developed attitudes which allow them to:
* act professionally as computer systems officers, database administrators, system administrators and systems analysts
* appreciate the ethical and social issues involved in the storage and transmission of data.