Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate Handbook 2002: Units indexed by faculty
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Graduate programs


Taxonomy of graduate courses

The faculty offers a wide range of graduate programs from graduate certificate to higher degrees in business systems, computing, digital systems, computer science, digital communications, information management and systems, information technology, multimedia computing and network computing. A certificate entails one semester of full-time study, a diploma two semesters of full-time study, and a masters three or four semesters of full-time study. Certificates or diplomas may be offered at graduate or postgraduate level. Graduate awards usually require a degree, but not generally in IT. Postgraduate-level awards, in general, require an IT degree. These programs differ in their objectives, prerequisites, content and fees. They can be regarded as falling into one of two groups -- programs that extend and develop knowledge in a particular discipline area and programs that have a professional orientation, providing cross-disciplinary access and training to develop professional expertise.

Courses which extend knowledge

These courses build on a three-year bachelors degree with a major in the particular discipline or a fourth-year level course in the same discipline (honours, graduate diploma or masters preliminary). The focus is on the knowledge of the discipline methodology and its application.

Executive certificates
Graduate certificates
Graduate diplomas

Courses with a prerequisite of a three-year bachelors degree with a major in the discipline. Applicants with relevant professional qualifications and significant experience may also be considered.

Masters degrees

Courses with a prerequisite of a three-year degree or the equivalent with a major in the discipline.

Doctor of Philosophy

A course with a prerequisite of an honours degree at first or upper second class honours level, a masters preliminary qualification at the same level or a masters degree by research in the discipline or equivalent.

Professionally-oriented and cross-disciplinary knowledge

These courses provide an opportunity for people with a qualification in another discipline area to gain a first qualification in IT, and to develop expertise in computing and computer science, information management, business and information systems, network computing and multimedia computing.

Multimedia programs

Monash provides a range of courses in multimedia, from those that specialise in the computing aspects -- Master of Multimedia Computing (Faculty of Information Technology) -- and those that specialise in the design aspects -- Master of Multimedia Design (Faculty of Art and Design) -- to those that provide a broad-based education across all areas -- Master of Multimedia (provided jointly by the Faculty of Art and Design, which manages the course, and the Faculty of Information Technology).

Graduate certificates

Entry to these courses require a three-year bachelors degree in any discipline:

Graduate diplomas

Courses with a prerequisite of a three-year bachelors degree in any discipline.

Masters degrees

Courses with a prerequisite of a three-year degree or the equivalent with a major in any discipline:

Masters and PhD by research

Students enrolled in a masters degree by research or PhD undertake research into a topic of interest within a school of the faculty, under the supervision of an academic staff member. The thesis or research component comprises more than 66 per cent of the course and must show evidence of wide reading.
Students enrolled in a masters degree by major thesis submit a major thesis which shows independence of thought and demonstrates the student's ability to carry out research in the field concerned.
Students enrolled in a PhD submit a thesis which makes a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding in the field of study.
A wide range of research interests are pursued within the schools of the faculty. For information about research interests in a specific discipline, refer to the 'School information' section or contact the faculty office.

Supervision

Students undertaking a thesis pursue a course of research in a school of the faculty under the supervision of a member of academic staff from that school. In certain circumstances, the school may appoint both a main supervisor and an associate supervisor. An associate supervisor need not be a full-time member of staff, but should be recognised in the field of research.

Attendance requirements

While specific requirements may vary among the different courses, graduate research students are expected to meet with their supervisor and attend the university on a regular basis, and to participate in any seminar programs that are conducted within the school.
The rules applying to attendance are laid out in the PhD regulations and in the faculty's information on research courses. However, full-time PhD candidates should note that as well as meeting the attendance requirements laid down in section 7.3.2 of the PhD regulations, the faculty requires PhD candidates to pursue their research on campus unless they negotiate other arrangements with their supervisor. In the case of overseas study, permission must also be obtained from the PhD and Scholarships committee.
Part-time PhD candidates are also required to meet the on-campus residency requirements of the university.
For more detailed information about major and minor theses, students should contact the faculty office.

Applying for a course

Applications for all graduate courses should be made directly to the faculty admissions office at the Caulfield campus. International students must apply through the Monash International office at the relevant campus.
Applications for first-round offers for graduate diplomas, graduate certificates and coursework masters degrees close in November for entry in March of the following year. Applications for all off-campus distributed learning courses are made directly to the faculty administration office at Gippsland by mid-October (telephone (03) 9902 6962). Further information and application forms are available from the inquiry centre on telephone 1800 671 845.
Applications for masters degrees by research and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) may be made to Faculty Research Services at any time. Research scholarship applications should be submitted by the end of October of the preceding year to the Monash Research Graduate School, Clayton campus.

International students

International students, whose academic standard is at least equivalent to the minimum required of Australian students, can apply for a graduate course on a full-fee basis.
Full-fee-paying international students should apply directly to the university. Applications for direct entry are available from Monash International, Monash agents overseas, or the faculty offices.
It is possible to apply for a mid-year and summer admission to some of the faculty's graduate courses. For more information, ask at the faculty office.
Most of the graduate courses offered by the faculty are available to international students. Some courses, however, are not suitable for the needs of international students, eg those courses that are offered only on a part-time basis. Under the terms of a student visa, international students are required to study full-time. The course summaries detail whether courses are available to full-time or part-time students.

Fees for Australian residents for postgraduate courses

The faculty charges postgraduate course fees for all postgraduate diploma courses and masters degrees by coursework. The payment of postgraduate fees replaces the Government Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) for these courses. Fees are payable in advance each semester according to the number of enrolled units. For current fee information, refer to the faculty website at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au
A student will receive a full refund of the semester's course fees if the student discontinues the course and lodges the appropriate form to the faculty on or before the semester census date. No refund will be given for discontinuation after the semester census date.
Students who are undertaking masters degrees by research or the PhD and who hold permanent residency in Australia are formally liable for the HECS charge. However, full-time candidates in receipt of a Monash Graduate Scholarship or Australian Postgraduate Award are exempt from the HECS charge. Other full-time PhD candidates may be exempted from paying HECS if they enrol or re-enrol by a date set by the Monash Research Graduate School.

Part-time, offshore and off-campus distributed learning

Part-time students

Part-time students are expected to proceed through their course at half the rate of full-time students. Part-time evening classes are available on the Caulfield campus for most courses on that campus. At the Clayton, Peninsula and Gippsland campuses, classes are available only during the day. However, classes for the Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Communications and the Masters in Digital Communications are held in the early evening at the Clayton campus.
At Caulfield, the part-time evening classes normally commence at 4 pm or 6 pm.

Off-shore students

The faculty has many students based in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong completing their degrees under twinning arrangements or by distance learning and at the Monash University Malaysia campus. Offshore students are subject to the same university, faculty and course regulations as students based in Australia.

Off-campus students

All courses offered by the Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology, with the exception of research degrees, are available to students throughout Australia for part-time study by off-campus distributed learning. These courses are designed so that it is possible to complete all requirements without any on-campus attendance. Some units offered by the School of Information Management and Systems are also available by off-campus distributed learning (see the entry for the Master of Information Management and Systems). Off-campus distributed learning applicants are normally required to be at least 21 years of age.
All off-campus students in computing courses must have an IBM-compatible personal computer with a printer and a modem, in order to complete and electronically submit assignment work, and to communicate with lecturers and other students.

Non-award studies

The Faculty of Information Technology is offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate units for non-award study for 2001. These units offer practical experience in computing areas in levels for students acquiring new or additional skills.

Duration

Normally, all units are conducted over a 13-week period -- one semester. Summer-semester units are usually conducted on an intensive mode basis over a much shorter time period. Each unit may have an average of four hours contact time per week.
Day classes are available at the following campuses: Berwick, Caulfield, Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula. Evening classes are only available at Caulfield. Study via off-campus distributed learning is also available from the Gippsland campus. Some units at the Clayton campus are available in the late afternoon. Units may be taken as either assessable, ie complete assignments and exams etc, or non-assessable where no formal work requirements are done. Students choosing this non-assessable enrolment form of study are not able to obtain credit towards awards of the faculty.

Fees

Details of non-award unit fees may be found on the faculty's website. The Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) does not apply to non-award studies.
For all students, a compulsory amenities fee is also payable upon enrolment. The fee will depend on the level of enrolment. Payment of the amenities fee entitles the student to receive a student identification card and make full use of the extensive range of campus-based student support services and university facilities, and services such as the library and counselling support.

Unit admission requirements

Applicants would normally have completed the required prerequisite attached to the unit or need to be able to demonstrate a background and experience that is suitable preparation for study in the area.

Applications

All applications are to be made directly to the faculty offices on the campus where the unit will be held. Additional information and application forms are available at the faculty offices.

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