Areas of study by faculty: Information Technology

The applications development major focuses on the technologies and techniques used to create computer-based systems and the development processes used in the construction of large-scale systems. It covers all aspects of the development process ranging from systems analysis and design to programming and implementation.

This major is ideal for technically-minded problem solvers who like to get behind the scenes and work within and across networks and web technologies and the applications that drive them. This major provides essential IT knowledge and skills to prepare graduates for careers in fields such as e-commerce, application software development, systems analysis and design, network management and database design. This major offers specialist units in networks, data communications and web programming.

Records managers and archivists ensure that vital records of social and organisational activity are created, managed and made available to business for accountability, corporate memory, enterprise knowledge and cultural purposes. Work settings include most major private and public sector organisations, and archival institutions. Knowledge managers are concerned with developing strategies and processes for managing organisational knowledge and knowledge flows to achieve organisational goals, enhance performance and add value. A particular concern is developing an environment conducive to the creation, sharing and application of organisational knowledge, and systems that support these processes.

Professional recognition

Completion of this specialisation, along with specified core units in the Master of Business Information Systems, is recognised for professional recognition purposes by the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIM) and the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA). Note that professional accreditation is dependent on unit choiceunit choice (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/current/accreditation/).

Business information systems focuses on developing and applying information technology solutions to business problems and preparing students for leadership roles in IT management. Students learn fundamental business and IT concepts and how IT can be used to serve business needs.

Topics covered include:

• analysis and interpretation of business data
• applications of information technology in industry
• business analysis
• business process reengineering
• business systems development within organisations
• current business information systems
• how information systems can support business processes and decision making
• how information technology is used within organisations
• project management
• techniques used to develop business information systems
• the fundamentals of business programming.

Skills developed include:

• application of emerging technologies
• business analysis
• business productivity improvement
• problem solving
• professional communications
• programming
• project management
• systems analysis and design
• teamwork.

The business systems major focuses on the use of computers and information systems to understand, model and solve complex problems in business and commerce. It is ideal for future entrepreneurs or managers who want to develop expertise in providing effective business solutions. This major provides a strong focus on systems used in business, while preparing graduates for careers in areas such as systems analysis, information systems management, business analysis, project management and IT consultancy. The major provides specialist units in e-commerce, business systems modelling and information systems management.

Twenty-first century science without computational support is practically unimaginable. Computational analysis and visualisation are the basis to cope with the vast amounts of data that modern science and engineering must process. Computers allow us to perform virtual experiments that are too dangerous, too costly, or plainly impossible to conduct in reality, and using simulation we can even explore hypothetical worlds. The computational science major complements computer science with foundational studies in another field of science and with specialised topics in scientific computation. It aims to produce graduates that combine a scientific education with computational expertise and are adept in trans-disciplinary work.

Computer science is concerned with the scientific design and application of computer software and hardware. It is a broad discipline, encompassing software design, programming, algorithm development, the computing hardware, and the theoretical foundations of computation, as well as the present and potential applications of computing that pervade modern society. The study of computer science is not restricted to current technologies and instead emphasises fundamental principles, thus enabling graduates to understand and indeed shape future developments.

Organisations and the environments they operate in become increasingly more complex, and information technology has become an indispensable component of the decision making processes that allow us to deal with this complexity. Decision support systems use innovative IT techniques to model organisations and to reveal the impact of alternative choices on the quality of service, operational costs, etc. Decision support applications include strategic planning, market analysis, resource allocation and scheduling, online adaptation and operational control. The decision support major complements the foundational studies in computer science, with topics on data analysis, decision making, intelligent systems, and decision support systems.

The enterprise information management major focuses on the nature of information and information needs, and the types of IT-based systems which organisations and individuals use to meet them. It covers topics such as business systems, information and knowledge management, systems support and management.

This major provides students with the technical and creative abilities to apply core knowledge of programming to game creation through a curriculum that emphasises game and interactive software development. Students use the tools and software used by the game industry, produce game design concepts and documents, and develop analytical skills for examining game play and game design. The major focuses on complex concepts such as game artificial intelligence, level design and testing. Students create complete works in character design, level design and game concepts and participate in every level of game development, from concept to final creation. The major includes nine specialist multimedia games development units covering the areas of games programming, 3D modelling, creating narrative and artificial intelligence for gaming.

The information and communication technologies major focuses on the hardware and network infrastructure on which computer systems are run. It covers topics such as networks and data communications, web-based technologies, database, security, and IT infrastructure management.

This program provides doctoral (PhD) candidates with the opportunity to focus on developing knowledge and expertise in their chosen subject, as well as developing professional skills that will support candidate's career ambitions.

Each candidate's research will be supported by the development of a range of skills that will help them to become more efficient researchers, ultimately improving the quality of the research and developing generic/transferable skills of value to prospective employers.

Librarians and information specialists manage information and provide information services to clients in a wide range of contexts. They are concerned with analysing information needs, solving information problems, evaluating information sources, organising information, synthesising information into targeted information products, and training clients in the use of information products, services and systems. They work for commercial, government and community sector organisations, for information consultancies and as independent information brokers.

Professional recognition

Completion of this specialisation, along with specified core units in the Master of Business Information Systems, is recognised for professional recognition purposes by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Note that professional accreditation is dependent on unit choiceunit choice (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/current/accreditation/).

Mathematics is a powerful and universal language for precise reasoning and problem-solving. It provides the foundation for science in general and for computer science in particular. Complementing computer science studies with a major or minor in mathematics gives students a significantly deeper understanding of the formal aspects of computer science and an invaluable knowledge of methods and tools for solving challenging application problems. A major or minor in mathematics is highly recommended for all students who wish to specialise in the formal foundations of computer science.

In this major students learn about digital and interactive systems and the important links between technological and presentation skills. The major focuses on the multimedia development process and provides students with the knowledge and skills essential for the analysis, design and implementation of computer based multimedia products, services and systems.

Projects occur in almost every business. Project management includes all the organisational, business and technical activities in planning and executing projects. Modern project managers are business managers and project management is a common pathway to senior management roles. Project managers take part in almost all business functions, including planning the organisational structure, business strategy development, sales and marketing, cash flow and profit budgets, and the technical activities of planning and executing the projects. The main focus of this specialisation is to give graduates the knowledge they need to work in projects, or as an entry-level project manager.

The goal of the project management specialisation is to provide students with the practical skills required by a modern project manager. Project management is the technology used to plan and deliver projects based on other technologies. Graduates who have completed this specialisation will understand the modern approach to project management. They will have the knowledge to plan and manage projects. Students will concentrate on organisational, financial and business functions which support the delivery of projects. This knowledge will assist graduates in a variety of roles in industry or government.

In addition to an understanding of project management techniques and the desirable generic graduate attributes identified by the University, graduates should be able to:

• understand business operations and how the project management approach can contribute to the success of an organisation
• understand and provide advice on organisational structures and functions used by organisations whose main activities are projects
• understand financial analysis, valuation and pricing issues
• understand contract law, business strategy, and business and legal issues relevant to project management.

Graduates of the specialisation will have a strong theoretical knowledge of the most important practical areas of project management. This will enable them to work in projects and take entry-level positions in project planning or as a project manager.

The study of software engineering involves computer science, problem-solving, mathematical foundations of software engineering, programming, software development methodologies, software processes and lifecycles, software quality, testing and technical documentation.

It is concerned with the analysis, design, development and maintenance of software systems for a variety of applications, including large scale projects. Software engineers with these skills are highly valued by business and government organisations involved with large or small software systems.

Software engineering at Monash explores the design, construction and engineering of large complex software systems which meet information processing challenges, subject to constraints such as cost, time and risk management. Students undertake units in programming, engineering, mathematics and computer systems as well as studying specific software engineering units.

Studies also include a full-year group studio project with an industry client. A large number of units are laboratory-based, and students spend a significant portion of their time in individual and group-based project work. This approach develops skills in group management and dynamics, along with professional communication skills such as technical writing, documentation and presentation.

Large-scale systems development requires not only a solid grounding in computer science, but also sound knowledge of technological topics, such as computer architecture and networking. The systems development major combines the study of these areas with basic training in software engineering and is aimed at students who want to focus on the engineering aspects of information technology.