Master of Network Computing

• General information
• Course structure
  • Subjects (on campus and by distance education)
  • Subjects offered via distance education only
• Course objectives
• Course length
• Admission requirements
• Credit provision

General information

Course code: 2876 Peninsula campus and by distance education * Course director: Dr Chris Exton * Fees for Australian residents: $16,800, or $1400 per subject

Course structure

This masters degree substantially follows the structure adopted by the Faculty of Information Technology for degrees such as the Master of Information Technology, Master of Information Management and Systems, Master of Multimedia Computing and Master of Digital Communications.
Students complete 72 points of study of which six or 12 points may be taken as a project, or 24 points may be taken as a minor thesis. All other points are taken in fourth and fifth-level subjects (all of six points value). Of the 72 points, at least 24 must be taken at level 5. Although this degree is to be offered by the School of Network Computing, up to 24 points may be taken in subjects offered by other academic units within the Faculty of Information Technology. Of these 24 points, up to 12 points may be taken from graduate subjects offered by other faculties of Monash Universities with the approval of the course leader.
Students enrol in the Master of Network Computing. They may, however, as with other Masters coursework degrees within the Faculty of Information Technology (named above), exit the program after one or two semesters. Students exiting after one semester's study (four subjects) may take out a Postgraduate Certificate in Network Computing. Students exiting after two semesters (eight subjects) may take out a Postgraduate Diploma in Network Computing.
There are no core subjects. Students may select their subjects from those on offer, provided the program of studies conforms to requirements given above, from the following list:

Subjects (on campus and by distance education)

• CPE4001 Data programming in Java
• CPE4002 Data communications and internetworking
• CPE4003 Web topics
• CPE4004 Analysis and design of distributed information systems
• CPE5001 Modern cryptology
• CPE5002 Network security
• CPE5003 Software architectures
• CPE5004 Advanced multimedia programming techniques
• CPE5005 Information retrieval and browsing
• CPE5006 Virtual private networks
• CPE5007 Object-oriented middleware
• CPE5008 Electronic commerce technologies (subject to university approval)
• CPE5100 Reading subject in network computing
• CPE5501 Network computing project part 1
• CPE5502 Network computing project part 2

Subjects offered via distance education only

• GCO5805 Multimedia computing and communications
• GCO5806 Internet commerce

Course objectives

The Master of Network Computing aims to provide students with a first degree in a related discipline with the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to enable them to analyse a wide variety of information processing problems and to develop solutions to these using distributed systems and computer networks.
On completion of the course, students will:

• have a well-developed conceptual framework, enabling students to keep pace with developments in the rapidly changing field of network computing
• have a thorough understanding of one or more specialised areas of study within network computing
• be familiar with using current technology, systems and software relevant to network computing
• be able to practise professionally as a network computing specialist.

Course length

The course consists of three semesters of full-time study. The option of part-time study is available. The maximum time allowed to complete the course is six years.

Admission requirements

Entrance normally requires a first degree that is recognised as equivalent to an Australian bachelors degree. Those expecting to complete their degrees in the current year may apply. It is expected that entrants will have a degree in a discipline that provides a suitable basis for the course, eg computer science, computing, information systems, digital systems, or software engineering.

Credit provision

Generally students who have completed similar subjects in previous studies will normally be required to make substitutions. Credit will only be granted for postgraduate subjects that have not counted for the award of any other degree or diploma. Where credit is granted, the number of the elective subjects that may be taken outside the list of approved information technology graduate subjects may be reduced.
Advanced standing in the program is available to applicants who hold a suitable postgraduate qualification, or who have a four-year or honours degree with significant emphasis on information technology.

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