Undergraduate courses in computing have been offered at the Gippsland campus since 1984, within the School of Applied Science. In 1992 a separate Division of Computing was created within the School of Applied Science. This division has since operated as an academic department of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate courses. With the support of the faculty and the School of Applied Science, the division has grown steadily and expanded its range of activities. Consequently, it has become a separate administrative entity from the beginning of 1995.
The major objective of the new School of Computing and Information Technology Gippsland is to generate, evaluate and transmit knowledge through teaching, research and professional activity within its fields of expertise, for the benefit of both the region served by the Gippsland campus, and the wider national and international community.
Teaching and research
The School of Computing and Information Technology at Gippsland seeks to:
* equip its graduates with the knowledge, competence, aptitudes and skills required to operate effectively in their chosen profession;
* foster in its students an intellectual curiosity as a preparation for lifelong learning;
* promote a commitment in students and staff to serving their society, with an adherence to the highest ethical standards;
* provide a high quality, challenging and supportive learning environment appropriate to the needs of on-campus, distance education and offshore students;
* make available its intellectual resources to the region which it serves, and beyond, through applied research and consultancy which maintains the highest ethical standards;
* contribute to the development of computing and information technology through research and professional service.
The school carries out teaching and research with a primary focus on the use and application of information technology in commerce and industry. It offers two undergraduate courses, namely a degree (including an honours year) and an associate diploma, as well as a graduate certificate and two graduate diploma courses. Two research degrees, the PhD and Master of Computing, are also offered.
The school makes extensive use of off-campus teaching modes. Apart from the research degrees and the Honours year of the Bachelor of Computing, all its courses are available by distance education, and it also offers a number of subjects through the Open Learning Agency. In addition, the school delivers courses and subjects by distance education offshore in Singapore and Hong Kong. A number of staff have particular interests in the use of information technology to support teaching and learning, with a focus on techniques appropriate to the distance learning modes.
Research interests of staff in the school include the areas of human-computer interaction, databases, data communications, multimedia information systems, multi-valued logic, artificial intelligence, neural networks and optimisation techniques.
Objectives - Major in system development
System development is the synthesis of computer-based information systems and software systems, and encompasses the processes involved in the system development life cycle, including the determination of user requirements, systems analysis, systems design, software design and development, software testing and verification and software maintenance. Besides arriving at an understanding of these processes, students taking the system development major will acquire practical knowledge and skills appropriate to computing professionals working in systems development and related areas including: a sound understanding of computer hardware and software technology, a knowledge of computer architecture, systems software and database technology, and skills in software design and computer programming.
In their final year students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, for example by undertaking a significant project. They will also choose from a range of more advanced studies and develop to a greater depth relevant knowledge and skills in selected areas such as data communications and networks, systems programming, artificial intelligence, information systems management or human computer interface design and development.
On completion of the major in systems development, students will be able to:
* communicate effectively with users, clients and with other computing professionals;
* understand in general terms how businesses are organised and operate;
* think logically, and develop, analyse and communicate alternative solutions to problems;
* understand information technology, including the organisation and operating principles of computer hardware, systems software, data communications and database technology;
* use the basic research skills they have developed and locate and retrieve information in the technical literature from a range of sources, including on-line sources;
* understand and be able to use techniques for planning and managing the development of systems
* identify and document user requirements;
* understand the processes involved in system design and development;
* understand the principles and processes of software design;
* develop correct, well structured and well documented computer programs;
* cooperate with others and work effectively in a team environment;
* take initiative and work independently;
* exercise judgement to satisfy conflicting interests.
They will have developed the following attitudes:
* enthusiasm for the field of study;
* a concern for accuracy and a willingness to objectively assess their performance;
* an awareness of social values, and a commitment to strive to enhance the quality of life of those affected by their work;
* an appreciation of the importance of considering the needs of others within the community.