Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate handbook 2004: Units indexed by faculty
Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents

Postgraduate handbook 2004
Information Technology

Master of Information Technology (Research)

Course code: 1895 (formerly Master of Computing by research) + Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula, Berwick and Gippsland + Discipline coordinators: Dr Graham Farr (School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Clayton), Dr David Squire (School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Caulfield), Dr Kai Ming Ting (Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology), Dr Asad Kha n(School of Network Computing), Dr Marian Quigley (School of Multimedia Systems) + A minimum of one year of full-time study (two years part-time)

The Master of Information Technology (Research) is offered on the Clayton and Caulfield campuses by the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, on the Peninsula campus by the School of Network Computing, on the Berwick campus by the School of Multimedia Systems, and on the Gippsland campus by the Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology. It requires completion of a major thesis that shows independence of thought and demonstrates the ability of the candidate to carry out research in the selected field.

Areas for research include graphics and image processing, artificial intelligence, inductive inference, parallel and persistent computer architectures, systems analysis and design methodologies, knowledge-based systems, computer-assisted software engineering, programming paradigms and languages, object-oriented systems, formal specification, software metrics, decision support systems, human-machine interfaces, distributed systems, information storage and retrieval, robotics, digital communications, microelectronic circuit design and digital systems design, network security, multimedia authoring, mobile and distributed computing systems, image processing and computer vision, multimedia computing and communication, electronic data interchange and internet commerce, multimedia standards and protocols, multimedia interfaces, GUI design and programming; multimedia applications in teaching and learning, multimedia narrative, animation, game design and development, creating content in digital environments, societal implications of multimedia.

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirement for the Master of Information Technology (Research) degree is:

  1. a four-year honours degree in computing or in a related discipline with at least a class I or IIA pass, OR
  2. the equivalent to a distinction (or H2A) average in a four-year bachelors degree in IT or cognate discipline, OR
  3. a distinction average in a three-year bachelors degree in IT or cognate discipline and industry experience in research and/or development projects.

Students enrolled in an IT faculty masters coursework degree may apply to transfer to the MIT (Research) after completing 24 points of coursework units with at least a distinction or 70 per cent (H2A) average if they have had previous experience in a research and/or development project.

Course structure

A research candidate is required to undertake a program of supervised research within a school of the faculty resulting in the completion of a major thesis. The thesis will demonstrate the candidate's ability to carry out research in the field concerned and show independence of thought.

All students enrolled in the MIT (Research) are required to take a research skills unit (equivalent to that taught to IT faculty honours students) if they have not already completed an equivalent unit. Passing this unit is a conditional requirement.

The MIT (Research) thesis is graded (H1, H2A, H2B, H2, Fail), analogous to grading for an honours thesis. In the case of a dispute, a third examiner will be appointed.

Attendance requirements

Candidates are required to meet the following faculty attendance requirements:

  1. Candidates should meet with their supervisor at least once per month, and attend specific seminars.
  2. Full-time candidates are required to attend the university five days per week unless other arrangements have been made with their supervisor. Full-time students are also expected to spend the equivalent of five days per week working on the project.
  3. Part-time candidates are required to attend the university, on average, one day per week and be able to spend the equivalent of two days per week working on the project,
  4. Off-campus candidates are required to attend the university for two weeks per year
  5. Where work is to be done away from the university, the head of school should certify that suitable facilities, supervision and time are available to the candidate.

Candidates may also be permitted in certain circumstances to pursue a part of their research at other institutions and locations outside of the university.

It is possible for a candidate to transfer to PhD candidature if the school and faculty determine that the candidate has demonstrated an ability to undertake research and that the research topic will remain essentially unchanged, although its scope will be substantially broadened.

Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents