Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate Handbook 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

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. The MIMS can be studied in full-time and part-time modes and a number of units are available by off- campus learning. Each MIMS student is required to specialise in at least one area of information management and systems. The MIMS is accredited/recognised by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the Australian Library and Information Association, the Australian Society of Archivists and the Records Management Association of Australia.

SIMS also offers the Master of Information Management and Systems (Research) which is a research degree under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).

Entry requirements

A degree that is equivalent to an Australian bachelors degree. 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 which can be taken from any graduate program of the faculty, or with the approval of the course leader, from other faculties of the university. 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, business intelligence (subject to approval), library and information services or electronic record-keeping and archiving.

The course consists of 72 points of coursework units plus the '0' point FIT9001 unit. The requirement to complete FIT9001 is only applicable to on-campus students. The 72 points may include six or 12 points of individual project work or can comprise 48 points of units plus a 24 points minor thesis.

Of the units taken, at least eight (48 points) must be taken from the graduate units (fourth and fifth-year level) offered by the Faculty of Information Technology. At least four units (24 points) must be taken from units at a fifth-year level. Up to four units (24 points) may be taken from graduate units offered by other faculties at Monash, with approval from the course coordinator. With the approval of the course coordinator, up to two foundation (9000) units in addition to FIT9001 may be taken. FIT9001 is a '0' point unit and must be taken during the first semester of study. Completion of FIT9001 is required before students can enrol into their second semester of studies.

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.
Once a student has designed 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
Business intelligence (subject to approval)
Knowledge management
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

Course length

The course is of three semesters' duration.

Advanced standing (credit provision)

Students who have completed a graduate qualification with a recognised specialisation in information management or 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 the MIMS with advanced standing, a student must complete at least four level-five SIMS units and meet the specialisation and core unit requirements.

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.

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