The faculty offers a wide range of graduate programs from graduate certificate to higher degrees in business systems, computing, 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 consists of two semesters of full-time study, and a masters includes 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 and content. They can be regarded as falling into one of two groups - programs that extend knowledge in a particular discipline area and programs that have a professional orientation, providing cross-disciplinary access and training to develop professional expertise.
These courses build on a degree that is equivalent to an Australian 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 extending the knowledge of the discipline methodology and its application.
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.
The PDIT is a research higher degree that encompasses both coursework and doctoral-level research which involves the transformation of professional practice to knowledge that makes a significant contribution.
* Subject to approval.
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. They require a degree that is equivalent to an Australian bachelors degree in any discipline.
Caulfield - Master of Information Management and Systems by coursework, Master of Applied Information Technology, Master of Multimedia by coursework taught in collaboration with the Faculty of Art and Design and the Master of Business Technology
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.
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. The school must 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.
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 chapter three of the Monash University Doctoral Handbook, 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.
Applications from domestic students for all on-campus graduate courses should be made directly to the faculty admissions office at the Caulfield campus. Applications to study by off-campus learning should be sent to the Gippsland faculty office, except for applications for the Masters of Information Management and Systems off-campus learning units, which should be made directly to the faculty admissions office. 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 and mid-June for entry in July. Applications for
all off-campus 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, 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 mid-year admission to most 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.
For information on English language requirements for postgraduate students, consult the Monash University International Postgraduate Course Guide for 2003.
On 1 July 2001, the Australian Government introduced major alterations to Australia's Student Visa Program. These changes will have an impact on students applying for a student visa. Visit the website at http://www.immi.gov.au/ students/applying.htm to check English language proficiency test regulations.
The faculty charges postgraduate course fees for all postgraduate diploma courses and masters degrees by coursework. 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. Students can also take advantage of the Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS). More information on PELS can be obtained at http://www.hecs.gov.au/pels.htm.
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 under current government
funding arrangements.
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.
The faculty has many students based in Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong who are completing their degrees through off-campus learning courses offered in collaboration with partner organisations. Offshore students are subject to the same university, faculty and course regulations as students based in Australia.
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 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 learning (see the entry for the Master of Information Management and Systems).
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.
The Faculty of Information Technology is offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate units for non-award study for 2003. These units offer practical experience in computing areas in levels for students acquiring new or additional skills.
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 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.
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.
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.
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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