Postgraduate handbook 2004
Information Technology

Professional Doctorate in Information Technology

Course code: 3320 + Coursework at Caulfield only; research at Caulfield, Clayton, Berwick and Peninsula + Three years full-time or six years part-time

The Professional Doctorate of Information Technology (PDIT) is a research higher degree that encompasses both coursework and doctoral-level research. The research involves the transformation of professional practice to knowledge that makes a significant contribution in the area.

Course objectives

• To extend the knowledge, expertise and skill of students through the application of research to the problems and issues of professional practice in information technology that are found within the private and public sectors.
• To facilitate in-depth study of particular aspects of the application of information technology.
• To undertake doctoral level study of issues that are important to IT professionals, such as ethics and standards, management and administration, software engineering and other areas.
• To gain access to relevant academic theories, concepts and techniques.
• To gain experience in the design and conduct of research in information technology within an organisational context.
• To develop advanced research, analytical and written communication skills.
• To provide extended advanced study in IT for those whose background and experience is appropriate for leadership in the profession.
• To contribute to the improvement of professional practice through the application of research to problems and issues in information technology.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission into the PDIT, applicants should have:

• successfully completed a minimum of one unit in statistics or research methods or its equivalent at either graduate or undergraduate level, and
• either graduated with or have qualified for a degree or its equivalent in any field of information technology with honours class I or honours class II division A in this university, or
• graduated with a masters by coursework in any field of information technology with an equivalent honours class I or honours class II division A pass (the masters by coursework program must include successful completion of a research methods unit and a minor thesis), or
• graduated with a masters by research degree, or
• completed a course leading to a masters preliminary qualification in this university at a level rated by the relevant department and faculty as equivalent to honours class I or honours class II division A in this university, or
• qualifications which, in the opinion of the faculty board, are equivalent to, or are a satisfactory substitute for, any of the qualifications above. This may include relevant industry experience.

In addition, an applicant must normally have a minimum of two years of professional experience in any field of information technology.

Course structure

The structure of the program incorporates research projects, advanced study units, seminars and a final dissertation.
There are two components to the research program: the 24-point `Research project 1' and the 72-point `Research project 2'. The PDIT must contain as core, six points of approved quantitative research method units, six points of approved qualitative research methods, and 12 points of approved professional issue units, at doctoral level.

The PDIT program consists of the following core requirements:

• PDIT6001 Qualitative research methods in information technology (6 points)
• PDIT6002 Quantitative research methods in information technology (6 points)
• PDIT6010 Research project 1 (24 points)
• PDIT6003 Current professional issues in information technology 1 (6 points)
• PDIT6004 Current professional issues in information technology 2 (6 points)
• PDIT Seminar (0 points)
• PDIT6020 Research project 2 (72 points)

Advanced standing

Credit will only be granted for postgraduate units and research that have not counted for the award of any other degree or diploma. Credit may be granted for 6000-level unit; in this case, the number of the elective units in the PDIT may be reduced.
Exemption but not credit may also be granted for completion of equivalent units in research methods and in professional issues. Distinctions must be made between qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Credit for unsupervised research prior to enrolment will not be granted as credit towards the required supervised research within the course. In addition, 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.
Candidates may transfer from the MIT (Minor Thesis) to the PDIT provided they maintain a distinction average and meet all of the admission criteria, including at least two years of professional experience. In this case, successful completion of the minor thesis (24 points) may be recognised as equivalent to `Research project 1' (24 points). Coursework credit provisions for MIT transfers are as outlined above.

Credit must not be granted in respect of

• more than 50 per cent of the units in the PDIT, or
• work completed more than 10 years before admission to candidature

unless the faculty board in any particular case otherwise determines.

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