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

GRADUATE STUDIESPart 4

CONTENTS

  1. Graduate Diploma in Information Systems
  2. Graduate Diploma in Information Technology
  3. Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies
  4. Graduate Diploma in Robotics

Graduate Diploma in Information Systems

Caulfield campus

Course code: 1154

Course leader: Mr Martin Atchison

Introduction

The Graduate Diploma in Information Systems is offered by the Department of Information Systems. It provides specialised and directed study in contemporary techniques, methods and technologies in information systems to computing professionals.

Individual courses of study are constructed by selecting subject combinations from the wide range of available subjects. In this way courses can by constructed which, for example, specialise in systems analysis, systems design, decision support systems or information systems management.

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Information Systems is to present specialised coursework programs in areas of information systems to computing graduates. This will enable graduates to change direction in their career paths and increase their contribution to their place of employment and to the profession.

Admission requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelors degree with a major in computing, eg a Bachelor of Computing from Monash University or equivalent qualifications. Marks in third-year computing studies should be at a sufficient level to indicate a high likelihood of success in studies at a more advanced level. Consideration will be given to an applicant who has a relevant diploma plus work experience, or who has relevant professional qualifications and experience (normally, at least seven years) and is occupying a senior position in industry. The percentage of entry from the last category will be no larger than 25 per cent.

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the course fee is $8000 or $1000 per subject.

Course structure

The Graduate Diploma in Information Systems comprises forty-eight credit points of study taken over one year full-time or two years part-time. There is no research component. Subjects are taken from the third- and fourth-year offerings of the Department of Information Systems. In particular cases, students may be permitted to select subjects from the fourth-year offerings of other departments, or from the fifth-year subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems. No more than twelve points of third-year subjects can be studied. No more than twelve points of study can be taken from the subjects offered by other departments. A minimum of thirty points must be taken from the department's fourth-year subjects.

Individual courses of study are developed by selection from the following subjects:

+ SYS3044 CASE (4 points)

+ SYS3054 Decision support systems (4 points)

+ SYS3064 Knowledge-based systems (4 points)

+ SYS3074 Organisational issues in information systems (4 points)

+ SYS3084 Cognitive aspects of interface design (4 points)

+ SYS3094 Object-oriented analysis (4 points)

+ SYS3104 Systems analysis methods (4 points)

+ SYS3114 Neural computing (4 points)

+ SYS3124 Theoretical models of decision making (4 points)

+ SYS3134 Geographical information systems (4 points)

+ SYS3144 Project leadership for information systems (4 points)

+ SYS3184 Information systems theory (4 points)

+ SYS3194 Security in information systems (4 points)

+ SYS3214 Strategic inter-organisational systems (4 points)

+ SYS4130 Information technology strategic planning (6 points)

+ SYS4140 Information modelling (6 points)

+ SYS4160 Decision aids (6 points)

+ SYS4170 Executive information systems (6 points)

+ SYS4180 Knowledge-based systems (6 points)

+ SYS4190 Knowledge engineering (6 points)

+ SYS4210 Decision support systems (6 points)

+ SYS4220 Systems analysis (6 points)

+ SYS4270 Systems design and implementation (6 points)

+ SYS4360 Information systems management (6 points)

+ SYS4470 Human-machine interfaces (6 points)

+ SYS4540 Imprecision in intelligent decision support (6 points)

Course options - some examples

As each student's course of study will be highly structured, the electives selected should be appropriate to the expected educational outcomes. Each student's course of study must be approved by the course leader.

Computer programmer - systems analyst

A professional computer programmer with many years industrial experience who wishes to change to a systems analyst's position may select:

+ SYS3044 CASE

+ SYS3094 Object-oriented analysis

+ SYS3104 Systems analysis methods

+ SYS4130 Information technology strategic planning

+ SYS4140 Information modelling

+ SYS4220 Systems analysis

+ SYS4270 Systems design and implementation

+ SYS4360 Information systems management

+ SYS4470 Human-machine interfaces

Systems analyst - management systems support

A professional systems analyst who wishes to move into a management systems support role may select:

+ SYS3124 Theoretical models of decision making

+ SYS3134 Geographic information systems

+ SYS3214 Strategic inter-organisational systems

+ SYS4160 Decision aids

+ SYS4170 Executive support systems

+ SYS4180 Knowledge-based systems

+ SYS4210 Decision support systems

+ SYS4470 Human-machine interfaces

+ SYS4540 Soft computing in intelligent decision support

The department ensures subject relevance to current and future industry practice through close contact with public and private sector employers. Graduate diploma students have access to the department library and the department's honours and graduate study centre.

Graduate Diploma in Information Technology

Caulfield campus

Course code: 0366

Course leader: Ms Sita Ramakrishnan

Introduction

The course is offered to those who have an existing tertiary qualification in computing or data processing or equivalent work experience and who wish to further their knowledge of computing. It requires the study of eight semester-length subjects. Completion of the course with a high level of achievement may be counted as completion of a masters preliminary program.

The course aims to present the state of the art in commercial computing and address specialised areas in depth by coursework. On completion of the course, graduates should be able to contribute at a higher level to the work at their place of employment, increase their contribution to the profession, and perhaps continue to further advanced study and research in the field.

The course is normally offered as a two-year part-time course conducted over four consecutive academic semesters, or as a one-year full-time course conducted over two consecutive academic semesters.

Admission requirements

The normal entry requirement is a recognised degree or graduate qualification in computing or a related discipline.

Consideration may be given to an applicant who has a relevant diploma plus work experience, or who has relevant professional qualifications and experience and is occupying a high-level position in industry. Applicants without a formal computing qualification but with substantial industry experience, may also qualify for admission.

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the course fee is $8000 or $1000 per subject.

Course structure

A student will be required to complete eight coursework subjects. The major streams of study available are information technology, programming, distributed systems, systems programming and object-oriented software engineering. A student may major in a particular area by choice of appropriate subjects, or obtain a general knowledge of advanced computing.

Subjects

+ COT4010 Reading subject in computer technology

+ COT4180 CASE technology

+ COT4200 Computer equipment and operating systems

+ COT4230 Relational database systems

+ COT4300 Query languages and information retrieval

+ COT4310 Information resource management and data administration

+ COT4330 Deductive database systems

+ COT4350 Data communications

+ COT4430 Database design and administration

+ SFT4020 Specifying non-sequential and real-time systems

+ SFT4030 Software life-cycle processes

+ SFT4040 Language design and semantics

+ SFT4070 Logic programming

+ SFT4090 Advanced programming tools

+ SFT4100 Systems programming I

+ SFT4110 Systems programming II

+ SFT4151 UNIX software design and development

+ SFT4490 Object-oriented programming

+ SFT4830 Foundations of artificial intelligence

+ SYS4130 Information technology strategic planning

+ SYS4140 Information modelling

+ SYS4160 Decision aids

+ SYS4170 Executive information systems

+ SYS4180 Knowledge-based systems

+ SYS4190 Knowledge engineering

+ SYS4210 Decision support systems

+ SYS4220 Systems analysis

+ SYS4270 Systems design and implementation

+ SYS4360 Information systems management

+ SYS4470 Human-machine interfaces

+ SYS4540 Soft computing in intelligent decision support

As well, certain of the fourth-year offerings of the School of Computing and Information Technology at Peninsula campus may be taken. These include:

+ CFR4501 Computer-assisted information systems engineering

+ CFR4710 Software metrics and productivity

+ CFR4720 Architecture of database management systems

+ CFR4730 Graphical user interfaces and user interface management systems

+ CFR4740 Information modelling and relational database design

Stream summaries

A summary of the intent of each of the major streams is presented below. Note that the streams are given for guidance only, and each student follows an individual course of study.

Information technology stream (COT4230, COT4300, COT4310, COT4330, COT4430) This stream studies the storage and retrieval of information with particular emphasis on databases. The major topic areas are: the structuring of data, data models and database architecture, with emphasis on relational DBMS; end-user facilities including database query languages; database administration including the role of data dictionary/directory systems and distributed databases; future directions of data models and database architectures and facilities; deductive and object-oriented database systems.

Programming stream (SFT4020, SFT4040, SFT4070) The aim of this stream is to present the state-of-the-art in the programming area. The major topic areas include a review of the latest programming techniques with emphasis on using advanced abstraction concepts; current trends, such as logic programming, object-oriented programming, syntax-directed programming, and rule-based programming; techniques used to control large software development.

Distributed systems stream (COT4200, COT4230, COT4350) The major aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of the impact of data communication and distributed systems on systems design. The major topic areas include packetswitching, digital data and local area networks; communication protocols; distributed systems.

Systems programming stream (COT4200, SFT4100, SFT4110, SFT4151) The major aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of the programming function at the operating systems services level and an appreciation of the conflicting demands for finite resources that must be resolved in a systems programming environment. The major topic areas include software architecture, interlanguage communication, communicating sequential processes and the management of risk and system security.

Object-oriented software engineering stream (SFT4030, SFT4090, SFT4490) The major aim of this stream is to develop an understanding of object-oriented methods and techniques for building large-scale software systems.

Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies

Clayton campus

Course code: 0983

Course leader: Ms Radha Rasmussen

Introduction

The Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies is offered by the Department of Librarianship, Archives and Records. This course provides graduates with a general education in library and information studies and an overview of the context in which contemporary libraries and information services operate. The course leads to a first professional qualification accredited by the professional body, the Australian Library and Information Association.

Admission requirements

Applicants for admission must have qualified for a bachelors degree at a satisfactory level at Monash University or at another university or tertiary institution approved by the faculty. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate a basic competence in the use of personal computers, including word processing, spreadsheets and basic file management. (Note: The university's Computer Centre offers short courses which will provide appropriate levels of competence.)

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the course fee is $4400 or $366 per subject for part-time.

Duration

The period of candidature will normally be one year of full-time study or part-time study over two or three years.

Course structure

The program normally consists of twelve compulsory four-point subjects taken over two semesters:

+ LAR4010 Libraries and librarianship

+ LAR4020 History of libraries and information agencies

+ LAR4030 Issues in librarianship

+ LAR4040 History of the book

+ LAR4050 Reference services

+ LAR4060 Collection management

+ LAR4070 Bibliographic organisation

+ LAR4080 Bibliographic organisation in automated environments

+ LAR4090 Computers in information transfer

+ LAR4100 Reference materials

+ LAR4110 Professional practice

+ LAR4310 Management of library and information services

Regular attendance at departmental seminars is also required; the subject Professional practice will require at least three weeks of fieldwork in an approved environment and a few days of visits to information centres.

Note that this is the same course structure set out in part one of the Master of Arts (Librarianship). For further details, refer to the Master of Arts (Librarianship) entry in this section of the handbook.

Timetable

Seminars, practical sessions, fieldwork and workplace visits will normally be scheduled during the day. Part-time students will need to ensure that they have adequate work release to devote to their studies.

Graduate Diploma in Robotics

Clayton campus

Course code: 0363

Course leader: Mr Gordon Lowe

Introduction

The course provides specialised training in robotics for those intending to work as engineers, programmers, technical specialists or managers interested in the application of robotics to industrial processes in manufacturing industries. The course is available only on a part-time basis, takes a minimum of two years and normally involves eight formal Class hours per week.

Subject offerings enable students with specific experience in computer science, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering to acquire the multidisciplinary expertise that provides a clear appreciation of industrial robot operation and application.

Graduates from the course will have an in-depth understanding, through theoretical material and practical exercises, of the issues that need to be addressed in engineering a functional industrial robot work-cell.

Admission requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a three-year degree or diploma in a course which provides a relevant foundation for studies in robotics, or an equivalent qualification approved by the faculty admissions committee. For example, a degree in engineering, science or data processing would be acceptable. Applicants may be required to undertake bridging units to attain a uniform standard.

Applicants who do not have an appropriate degree or diploma will be considered only if their training and experience are judged to be of high quality and provide a suitable alternative to the normal entry requirement. These applicants will be required to undertake bridging units to attain the necessary standards. In all cases of special entry, employer support and endorsement will be highly valued.

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the course fee is $6000 or $461 per subject.

Course structure

In order to complete the graduate diploma successfully, a student has to pass thirteen subjects including eight core subjects, bridging subjects (where applicable), and elective subjects. All subjects carry a weight of one unit with the exception of RDT6430 (Robotics project), which has a weight of four units.

Core units

+ RDT6280 Assembly automation

+ RDT6290 Advanced robot programming

+ RDT6300 Robotics I

+ RDT6310 Robotics II

+ RDT6320 Robotics III

+ RDT6330 Robotics practical I

+ RDT6340 Robotics practical II

+ RDT6430 Robotics project

All core units are compulsory.

Bridging subjects

+ MAT6400 Mathematics for robotics

+ RDT6360 Computing systems

+ RDT6380 Digital electronics principles

Where necessary, a maximum of two subjects may be prescribed to be taken during the first or second semester.

Elective subjects

+ RDT6100 C++ programming for embedded systems

+ RDT6370 Control systems

+ RDT6440 Computer-aided design with graphics

+ RDT6450 Robot communication and control

+ RDT6460 Microelectronic technology and design

+ RDT6470 Artificial intelligence

+ RDT6480 Sensory instrumentation

+ RDT6490 Introduction to computer-integrated manufacture

+ RDT6700 System programming

A limited number of electives are available each semester according to demand.

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