MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Computing & Information Technology Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996


UNDERGRADUATE COURSESPart 4

Undergraduate course maps appear in the Faculty of Computing & Information Technology printed handbook.

CONTENTS

  1. Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) - Caulfield and Peninsula
  2. Bachelor of Digital Systems
  3. Bachelor of Information Management

Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) - Caulfield and Peninsula

Course code: 0355

This course will not be taking new enrolments in 1996. It has been replaced by the Bachelor of Computing with major studies in computer technology, information systems and software development at Caulfield, and applications development at Peninsula campus.

Third year

The third-year course consists of any combination of third-year computing electives to make a total of at least thirty-six points. The third-year computing electives are to be chosen from the offerings of the departments of Computer Technology, Information Systems, Software Development and the Peninsula School of Computing and Information Technology, or equivalent subjects approved by faculty board. In addition, students complete the twelve-point subject SYS3030 (Industrial project) and two non-computing electives (four points each).


Bachelor of Digital Systems

Clayton campus

Course code: 0356

Course leader: Dr Simon Hill

Introduction

The course is designed to provide an integrated and practical study in computer hardware and software. The three major areas of emphasis are digital electronics, which involves the study of digital logic, circuit design and microprocessor systems; technical computing, which involves operating systems, assembler and higher level languages, and real-time software; and integrated applications, which involves control systems, computer communications, signal processing, robotics, graphics and artificial intelligence. These three areas are supported by studies in mathematics and electronics. During the course, students must undertake a project involving the development of integrated hardware and software.

The course is recommended for students seeking an in-depth study of computer hardware and related software with a view to applying their skills immediately in the design and development of digital devices and the building of integrated systems.

The course is at present available for full-time study over three years, with a fourth (honours) year also available.

Graduates meet the level 1 standard of knowledge for membership of the Australian Computer Society.

Entrance requirements

The prerequisites for entry are a grade average of D or above in VCE English and Mathematical Methods units 3 and 4. VCE Specialist Mathematics, Physics and Information Technology are strongly recommended. Students must also have VCE prerequisites appropriate for any first-year elective subject which they take.

Course structure

For course map details, please refer to Map 8 in the `Undergraduate course maps' section.

The course for the pass degree consists of subjects to a total value of 144 points, with:

(a) a core in digital systems subjects, totalling a minimum of seventy-two points (twenty-four in first year, sixteen in second year and thirty-two in third year);

(b) a sequence of approved software and computing subjects totalling a minimum of twenty-eight points (twelve in first year and sixteen in second year);

(c) a sequence of approved mathematics subjects totalling twenty points (twelve in first year and eight in second year);

(d) up to twenty-four points of other subjects as selected by the student. These may be additional electives in digital systems, computer science, information systems, or any other discipline.

In general, at most sixty points of first-year subjects may be counted towards the degree. Students must complete at least forty points of second-year subjects and at least thirty-six points of third-year subjects.

First year

The first year will typically consist of:

+ RDT1111 Digital technology I (6 points)

+ RDT1120 Digital circuits and devices I (6 points)

+ RDT1210 Digital technology II (6 points)

+ RDT1220 Digital circuits and devices II (6 points);

+ plus either

+ RDT1301 Software development I (6 points) and RDT1400 Software development II (6 points)

+ or

+ CSC1011 Computer programming (6 points) and CSC1030 Computer science (6 points);

+ plus either

+ MAT1010 Mathematics I (6 points) and MAT1020 Mathematics II (6 points) for students who completed VCE Specialist Mathematics and Mathematical Methods 3 and 4

+ or

+ MAT1050 Mathematical Methods (6 points) and MAT1020 Mathematics II (6 points) for students who have completed VCE Mathematical Methods 3 and 4 alone.

Second year

+ RDT2110 Digital design I (4 points)

+ RDT2210 Digital design II (4 points)

+ RDT2120 Digital systems I (4 points )

+ RDT2220 Digital systems II (4 points );

+ plus either

+ RDT2131 Software development (4 points), RDT2141 Operating systems (4 points), RDT2231 Software engineering (4 points), RDT2241 Computer architecture (4 points)

+ or

+ CSC2010 Computer architecture (4 points), CSC2020 Operating systems (4 points), CSC2040 Science of programming (4 points), CSC2050 Software engineering I (4 points);

+ MAT2441 Mathematics for transforms (4 points) and MAT2452 Numerical methods (4 points);

+ Subjects chosen from digital systems or computer science electives, or from another discipline (8 points).

Third year

+ RDT3110 Digital systems project (4 points)

+ RDT3120 Embedded systems design (4 points)

+ RDT3130 Real-time systems design (4 points)

+ RDT3210 Digital systems project (4 points)

+ Approved digital systems electives (16 points)

The project subjects cannot be commenced until all the core second-year subjects are completed.

Additional elective subjects may be taken to complete the points requirements for the degree. Alternatively, a second major in an approved field such as computer science may be taken, in which case the elective component of digital systems subjects will be reduced to eight points.

Honours program in digital systems

Coordinator: Dr Henry Wu

Prerequisites

The normal entry requirement is completion of the three-year Bachelor of Digital Systems degree, or its equivalent, with a final-year average grade of credit or better in digital systems and related subjects.

The honours program will normally be available full-time; however the coordinator will be able to approve part-time study in exceptional circumstances, eg students with dependants. The honours program may not be repeated.

Structure

The honours program is arranged as a single subject of forty-eight points, RDT4000 (Digital systems honours). This subject comprises:

+ twenty-four points of coursework units (50 per cent of the assessment) selected from the fourth-year programs within the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology. Typically, three coursework units of four points each are selected in each semester;

+ a substantial project (twenty points, approximately 40 per cent of the assessment);

+ compulsory attendance and presentation at the departmental seminars (four points, approximately 10 per cent of the assessment).

Coursework units

Coursework units may be selected from any of the fourth-year programs within the faculty, but the selection must be approved by the coordinator. At least four units must be drawn from those offered by the Department of Robotics and Digital Technology. Approved third-year electives can also be taken. Selection of units is conducted during the first two weeks of a semester.

The RDT units supporting the honours year are drawn from graduate diploma subjects of suitable standard and from special units established for this program. Note that all units will not necessarily be run every year.

The following units have been offered in 1994-95 and are expected to be available in 1996:

+ Advanced computer graphics

+ Neural network fundamentals

+ Advanced digital signal processing

+ Computer networks

+ Digital communications technologies

+ Information security

+ Advanced robot programming

+ Advanced robot applications

+ Silicon compilation

+ Advanced computer architecture

+ Video coding and compression

+ Public telecommunications networks

+ Proprietary network architecture

+ Network design and management

+ Robotics II

In most cases the appropriate prerequisites must be completed before attempting honours units.

Project topics

In selecting a project students need to take into account both the research area and the prospective supervisor. Students are advised to consider selection of projects carefully and in advance. The selection of projects is conducted during the first two weeks of the first semester. The following is a list of projects undertaken in 1995.

+ Voice recognition

+ Video card that directly supports GUI primitives

+ Active vision applied to the problem of line-following

+ Netphone

+ Active noise cancellation

+ Ultra-sonic receiver for scuba-diver

+ Caroline fairness buffering

+ Tracking of moving objects in motion pictures

+ Line scan based image processing for quality inspection of steel products

+ A machine vision based navigation system for a mobile robot

+ Implementation of MPEG audio on the TMS320C80.


Bachelor of Information Management

Clayton campus

Course code: 1174

Course coordinators: Ms June Anderson and Mr David Foott

Introduction

The Bachelor of Information Management integrates studies in information theory and practice and computer-centred information management. In addition students undertake studies in a faculty other than Computing and Information Technology; these studies enable students to supplement their information management studies with another area of interest.

The Bachelor of Information Management can be completed in three years of full-time study.

It requires the completion of a major in information management, which is made up of subjects from the Department of Librarianship, Archives and Records, supported by complementary computing subjects from other departments of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology. The computing options cover database concepts, network technology issues, systems analysis and design, programming and business applications of computing.

A minor sequence of studies is to be taken from a faculty other than Computing and Information Technology, such as Arts, Science or Business and Economics.

Major studies cover the techniques of processing information for optimal storage, retrieval and service delivery to clients, users and the community; governance, policy and information infrastructure; the development of strategic information policy; electronic communications and office automation systems. A mandatory information management project involving small groups of students working on a real-world problem is also undertaken.

At third-year level, students can either undertake additional information management subjects or take subjects from a faculty other than Computing and Information Technology to extend a minor to a major study.

Graduates will have a wide variety of skills relating to the implications of information management for people and organisations, and would be well suited to employment in business organisations, government instrumentalities, research bodies and universities.

Entrance requirements

Applicants will be required to have successfully completed the VCE or equivalent studies, with a grade average of D in VCE English in units 3 and 4.

Accreditation

Accreditation is being sought from the Australian Computing Society. Studies undertaken in this degree will also provide a foundation for further work leading to accreditation with the Australian Society of Archivists, the Records Management Association of Australia and the Australian Library and Information Association.

Course structure

For course map details, please refer to Map 9 in the `Undergraduate course maps' section.

The course for the pass degree consists of subjects to a total value of 144 points, with a major in information management and at least a minor in one other discipline.

The Bachelor of Information Management consists of an information management major made up of a fifty-two point sequence of subjects taken from the Department of Librarianship, Archives and Records and forty points of supporting computing studies from other departments of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology.

Students must also complete a minor sequence of at least twenty-eight points in a non-computing discipline. The minor sequence is normally made up of twelve points of first-year subjects, followed by sixteen points of second-year subjects. Students may choose any area of study for their minor sequence.

In general, a maximum of sixty points of first-year subjects may be counted towards the degree. Students must complete at least thirty-six points of second-year subjects and at least thirty-six points of third-year subjects.

First year

First semester

+ BUS1010 Introductory computing for business applications (6 points)

+ COT1700 The computing environment (6 points)

+ LAR1001 Documenting society I (6 points)

+ First subject in minor from faculty other than Computing and Information Technology (6 points)

Second semester

+ BUS1060 Computer programming for business (6 points)

+ COT1800 Public networks (6 points)

+ LAR1002 Documenting society II (6 points)

+ Continuation of minor from faculty other than Computing and Information Technology (6 points)

Second year

First semester

+ COT2180 Relational database (8 points)

+ LAR2003 Information processing (8 points)

+ Continuation of minor from faculty other than Computing and Information Technology (8 points)

Second semester

Two electives (8 points) from

+ LAR2004 Information policies and structures (4 points)

+ LAR2005 Legal systems and recorded information (4 points)

+ LAR2006 Electronic information sources (4 points);

Plus two electives (8 points) from

+ COT2004 Data communications and networks (4 points)

+ COT2170 Electronic document operations (4 points)

+ COT2200 Systems security and privacy (4 points);

Plus

+ Continuation of minor from a faculty other than Computing and Information Technology (8 points).

Third year

+ LAR3001 Information science (8 points)

+ LAR3002 Information management project (8 points)

+ Subjects offered by the Department of Librarianship, Archives and Records (8 points)

Students complete the final twenty-four points in one of two ways. They can extend the minor sequence to a second major by the addition of, usually, twenty-four points of third-year subjects from that discipline. Alternatively, they can pursue further studies in information management by selecting subjects from the list of third-year subjects below.

+ LAR3004 Information policies and structures (4 points)

+ LAR3005 Legal systems and recorded information (4 points)

+ LAR3006 Electronic information sources (4 points)

+ LAR3007 Group and corporate recordkeeping (4 points)

+ LAR3008 The technology of print (4 points)

+ LAR3009 Ethics and risks in information management (4 points)

+ LAR3010 Role and management of information services (4 points)


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