Graduate studies - Faculty of Information Technology

The Faculty of Information Technology offers a wide range of graduate programs, from graduate certificates to higher degrees in all areas of computing and information technology.

A certificate entails one semester of full-time study, a diploma consists of two semesters of full-time study, and a masters degree includes three or four semesters of full-time study.

Certificates or diplomas may be offered at graduate or postgraduate level.

Graduate awards require a degree, but not generally in IT. Postgraduate-level awards 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.

Domestic students who do not hold an Australian equivalent degree but have extensive work experience should consider the Executive or Professional Certificate, which can be used as pathways to graduate/postgraduate study.

Programs

Courses that extend knowledge

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.

Relevant course types

• Postgraduate certificates
• Postgraduate diplomas
• Masters degrees by research / minor thesis (honours) / coursework
• Doctor of Philosophy.

Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research degree course and requires 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. PhD studies are offered at Berwick, Caulfield, Clayton, Gippsland and Sunway.

Professionally-oriented and cross-disciplinary courses that develop information technology knowledge

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 information technologies. They require a degree that is equivalent to an Australian bachelors degree in any discipline.

Relevant course types

• Graduate certificates
• Graduate diplomas
• Masters degrees by coursework.

Special pathways to graduate studies

The faculty offers special programs for those with extensive work experience and no undergraduate degree, who wish to progress directly to postgraduate studies by coursework. These courses require four to six years experience at or above a project or executive management or technical / senior technical level.

Relevant course types

• Professional Certificate
• Executive Certificate.

Professional recognition

The Faculty of Information Technology has designed its coursework programs to prepare graduates for entry to the information technology industry as professionals. Our courses are submitted to appropriate professional bodies to meet the requirements for entry to the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the society for information and communications technology professionals in Australia. In order to achieve that professional knowledge level, students need to complete courses of one year (or more) duration. The Graduate Diploma in Information and Knowledge Management is separately accredited by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA), and Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIM). Students completing relevant units within the Master of Business Information Systems, Master of Business Information Systems Professional and the Master of Business Information Systems (Honours) can also gain accreditation from ALIA, ASA, or RIM.

Research programs

Masters and PhD by research

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 two academic staff members. The thesis or research component comprises more than 66% of the course and must show evidence of wide reading.

Students enrolled in a masters degree by major thesis must 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 http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/research/ or contact the faculty office at fit-research@infotech.monash.edu

Supervision

Students undertaking a thesis pursue a course of research in a school of the faculty under the main 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.

Attendance requirements

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 seminar and other programs specified by 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 Research Graduate School 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.