Monash University: University Handbooks: Off-Campus Learning Guide 2003: Units indexed by faculty
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Master of Information Management and Systems


General information

Course code: 2401 + Caulfield campus + Course director: Ms June Anderson + Australian residents - indicative annual fees: $16,000, or $2000 per six-point unit + International students - annual fees: $18,000 per year, or $2250 per unit
The Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) is offered by the School of Information Management and Systems (SIMS). The aim of the program is to prepare students for senior careers in the management of information and the development of information systems.
Graduates of the MIMS are expected to play leading professional roles in Australia and other countries. The course attracts students from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds. MIMS can be studied in full-time and part-time modes and a number of units are available by off-campus learning. Each student is required to specialise in at least one area of information management and systems.
SIMS also offers the Master of Information Management and Systems (Honours), which is a research degree under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).

Admission requirements

Applicants for admission must normally have qualified for a bachelors degree at Monash University or at another tertiary institution approved by the faculty board. Special entry provisions enable admission of candidates without formal tertiary qualifications who can establish that they have the foundation required for postgraduate studies.

Course structure

To qualify with the MIMS, students must complete 72 points of graduate units - 60 points from SIMS and 12 points of free choice electives. The SIMS units in the MIMS are shown in the list below. Each student's course of study must include IMS5022 (Contemporary issues in information management and systems) and at least one specialisation from information systems development, information technology management, knowledge management, decision support systems, library and information services and electronic recordkeeping and archiving.
Students should take careful note of prerequisites for the units in the specialisation that they have chosen and complete these units early in their course. Many units have foundation units as prerequisites. The foundation units have been designed for students with little prior study in information technology. Students who feel they have the knowledge and skills equal to a foundation unit may be able to apply for exemption without credit for the unit. They must then select another graduate unit in place of the foundation unit.
Once students have selected their course of study, namely the core unit and the requirements of their specialisation, they must then select other graduate units to make up their 72 points. This elective study can involve units from other specialisations or may come from the SIMS foundation and additional units. Some electives are classed as 'special entry' and admission requires the formal approval of the head of school. Up to 12 points of elective study may be taken from outside SIMS as part of the degree. It may be possible for some students to complete more than one specialisation in their degree. The specialisations completed will be acknowledged on the student's official academic transcript.
Students who successfully complete 24 points of units may exit the course with a Graduate Certificate in Information Management and Systems. Students who successfully complete 48 points of units may exit the course with a Graduate Diploma in Information Management and Systems.

Foundation units
Specialisations units
Decision support systems
Knowledge management

Plus any three units from the following list:

Information systems development
Information technology management
Library and information services
Electronic recordkeeping and archiving

Additional units

Special entry units

* OFFERED ON-CAMPUS AND BY OFF-CAMPUS LEARNING. OTHER UNITS ARE ONLY OFFERED ON-CAMPUS.

Course length

The course is of three semesters duration.

Advanced standing for previous study

Students who have completed a graduate qualification with a recognised specialisation in information management and systems, or who have extensive professional experience, may be granted credit and advanced standing. The granting of credit and advanced standing of more than 24 points is rare. To qualify for a MIMS with advanced standing, a student must complete at least four level-five SIMS units and meet the specialisation and core unit requirements. The SIMS procedures for the recognition of prior learning can be found at www.sims.monash.edu.au/courses/pgrad/mims/ course.html#standing.

Professional recognition

Students who successfully complete the MIMS may, depending on their unit choice, be eligible for professional recognition by the Australian Library and Information Association, the Australian Society of Archivists, the Records Management Association of Australia, or the Australian Computer Society. For further information on professional recognition, consult www.sims.monash.edu.au/courses/pgrad/mims/course.html#prof.

Further information

For more detailed information and application forms, contact the administrative assistant (Coursework), School of Information and Management Systems, Faculty of Information Technology, Caulfield campus, telephone (03) 9903 1059, fax (03) 9903 2005, email info@sims.monash.edu.au or refer to our website at www.sims.monash.edu.au.

Completed applications

Completed applications should be forwarded to the Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, PO Box 197, Caulfield East, Victoria 3145, by mid-June or mid-November. Note: Students should complete Faculty of Information Technology application forms, NOT the off-campus learning application forms.
Programs offered through the Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology (GSCIT)

Attendance

All computing courses listed in this section are available to students throughout Australia. The courses outlined here are designed so that it is possible to complete all requirements without any on-campus attendance. International enrolments may be accepted from countries where suitable library and communication facilities are available.

Electronic course delivery

All off-campus learning students in computing must have an IBM-compatible personal computer with a CD-ROM drive, printer, modem and access to the internet via an ISP in order to electronically submit assignment work, and to communicate with lecturers and other students. Monash University has a special arrangement in Australia, currently with Ozemail, to offer ISP services at a discounted rate - details will be supplied at enrolment time. This special arrangement does not preclude students from using their own ISP, and in some circumstances where Ozemail is not available in the local area, a local ISP must be used. As well as access for assignment submission and communication, some computing units require access to university or other suitable timesharing computers for use of software which is not available in the microcomputer environment. Persons living overseas may be eligible for admission to the courses listed, provided that they have adequate access to the internet.
Due to a quota on government-funded places and other resource limitations, it is not possible to offer a place to every qualified applicant for an undergraduate course. Those who do not possess their own computer or modem are advised to wait until they have received an offer before purchasing this equipment. Advice about the type of equipment required is sent to all successful applicants. Further information is available at www.gscit.monash.edu.au/ courses/ pcreqs.html. Some units have a specific software requirement, such as a language compiler. The cost of such software is generally comparable with textbook costs. In most cases, a given software product will be used in a number of different units.

Assessment

Computing units are generally assessed by a combination of assignments and final examinations.

Fees

Fees for undergraduate courses

Government-funded (HECS) places are available, subject to a quota. A small number of Australian fee-paying places can be offered.

Fees for graduate courses

In addition to amenities fees, a course fee will apply for Australian citizens and residents. These courses are fee-paying postgraduate courses for which no additional liability under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) will be incurred.
Fees paid may be tax deductible in accordance with Section 51(i) of the Income Tax Assessment Act, but students will need to determine their own tax position. Fees are payable by 31 March for the first semester, and 31 August for the second semester, and are refundable if withdrawal occurs by these dates. However, a non-refundable deposit is retained to cover course materials and administrative costs.
The Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS), the interest-free loan facility, is available to students enrolled in fee-paying postgraduate non-research award courses. Australian citizens and some Australian permanent resident visa holders are eligible. Students should note that the loan amount will be for tuition fees only. For more information on PELS, refer to the PELS information section in the ëAdmissionsí section of this handbook or call the PELS inquiry line on 1800 020 108.

Combined and double degrees

The following double degrees are offered in conjunction with the faculties of Business and Economics, Arts and Science.

Bachelor of Business and Commerce/Bachelor of Computing

For more information, contact the Faculty of Business and Economics, telephone (03) 9902 6380 or (03) 5122 6380, fax (03) 9902 6524 or (03) 5122 6524 or email enquiries.gippsland@buseco.monash.edu.au.or see page 1 of this guide.

Bachelor of Arts (Communication)/Bachelor of Computing

For more information, contact the Faculty of Arts, telephone (03) 9902 6339 or (03) 5122 6339, email humcass.info@arts.monash.edu.au or see page 1 of this guide.

Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Computing

For more information, contact the Faculty of Science, telephone (03) 9902 6431, fax (03) 9902 6931 or see page 1 of this guide.

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