Postgraduate handbook 2004
Information Technology

Master of Information Technology
(Minor Thesis)

Course code: 3316 + Berwick, Caulfield, Clayton, Malaysia, Peninsula, Gippsland, off-campus + Course director: Dr Maria Indrawan + Note that some campuses may not offer enrolment in 2004

The course is a 72-point masters, consisting of a 36-point minor thesis and 36 points of coursework.
The 36 points of coursework will include a research methods unit. The research methods unit (6 points) will be at the 4000 level. Of the five other units taken, a maximum of three units (24 points) may be selected from the faculty's 4000-level units in the Masters of Information Technology. Only one unit (6 points) may be at the 9000 level or from outside the faculty. Two out of the five units (12 points) must be selected from the 5000-level units offered by the Faculty of IT within the Masters of Information Technology.
The research and coursework components of this degree will be offered over summer semester. Summer semester is therefore part of the normal degree progression for the MIT (Minor Thesis).
The research component consists of a supervised extended minor thesis of at least one-and-a-half semesters length (for full-time students). Students are expected to complete a written research project proposal mid-way through the first semester. This is a hurdle requirement.

Course objectives

This masters degree has as its basic aims to (a) provide students with an in-depth knowledge of an area of study relevant to information technology and (b) provide preparation for further research.

On the successful completion of this degree, students will have:

• an in-depth knowledge of one or more areas of study relevant to information technology
• an understanding of the use of a variety of research methods appropriate to information technology
• a demonstrated competency in research communication, including oral and written presentations
• a planned and completed a substantial research project relevant to information technology
• documented by thesis the findings of a substantial research project
• be adequately prepared to undertake further research at masters or PhD level
• theoretical knowledge in specific areas so that they will have the intellectual and conceptual foundation to play leading roles in the development of the information technology industry
• the conceptual and theoretical framework to appreciate and integrate new software and hardware technologies, and, within an information technology context, to use them to develop solutions to complex problems in our society.

Course length

The course duration is three semesters full-time or six semesters part-time.

Admission requirements

Entrance normally requires a first degree that is equivalent to an Australian bachelors degree, with a credit average in results in level three units. Those expecting to complete their degrees in the current year may apply. It is expected that entrants will have a degree in a cognate discipline which provides a suitable basis for the course, eg computer science, computing, information systems, business systems, digital systems, information management, software engineering.

Advanced standing

Generally, students who have completed similar units in previous studies will normally be required to make substitutions. Credit will only be granted for postgraduate units that have not counted for the award of any other degree or diploma. Where credit is granted, the number of the elective units that may be taken outside the list of approved information technology graduate units may be reduced. In evaluating units for possible credit, a distinction will be made between a graduate unit and a postgraduate unit. Also, an attempt will be made to distinguish between fourth-year units and fifth-year units. Students can be granted at most 36 points of advanced standing credit.
Credit for unsupervised research prior to enrolment will not be granted as credit towards the required supervised research within the course. Credit will not be granted for units on the grounds that the material in the unit has been learned as a result of work experience. In these cases, students should choose another unit.

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