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 5

CONTENTS

  1. Master of Arts (Archives and Records)
  2. Master of Arts in Bibliographical and Textual Studies
  3. Master of Arts (Librarianship)
  4. Master of Business Systems by coursework
  5. Master of Business Systems by research

Master of Arts (Archives and Records)

Clayton campus

Course code: 0652

Course leader: Ms Sue McKemmish

Introduction

The Master of Arts (Archives and Records) is offered by the Department of Librarianship, Archives and Records either by coursework (75 per cent) and minor thesis (25 per cent), or by coursework alone (100 per cent). This degree consists of two parts: part one provides a general education in archives and records management; part two provides for specialisations and advanced study and/or research.

The course provides a first professional qualification accredited by the Australian Society of Archivists. Part two of the program can also be taken as a research masters (100 per cent thesis) by candidates who qualify for advanced standing, ie direct entry into part two.

Admission requirements

Part one

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, normally with at least a credit in the third part of a major sequence. 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.)

Part two

Applicants for admission to part two of the course must normally have completed part one or hold a graduate diploma in either archives or records management, with passes of at least credit standard. In special circumstances the faculty may admit to part two an applicant who lacks an appropriate diploma but who has a bachelors degree and professional experience in the field. A candidate admitted in special circumstances may be required to undertake up to an additional semester of coursework.

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the course fee is $4400 for each part of the course, or pro rata per subject for part-time. Candidates undertaking part two of the program by research (100 per cent thesis) pay HECS fees.

Duration

The course may be completed in a minimum of two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. Each part requires a minimum of one year full-time study or its part-time equivalent.

Course structure

Part one

Part one of the program normally comprises six required subjects. Full-time students take three subjects per semester. The required subjects are:

+ LAR4500 Computers in information transfer

+ LAR4510 Information services (archives and records)

+ LAR4520 Information sciences and technology (archives and records)

+ LAR4530 Managing information and cultural heritage resources

+ LAR4540 Handling recorded information

+ LAR4550 Literature of archives and records management

Part two

The program normally consists of either:

+ three elective subjects plus a thesis weighted at 25 per cent of the total requirement of the degree (50 per cent of part two); or

+ six elective subjects.

Permission may be given for variations involving a more heavily weighted thesis up to 100 per cent of part two. Electives are chosen from those offered by the department or from appropriate subjects in other departments or faculties at Monash. Appropriate electives offered in the department include:

+ LAR5200 Special topic

+ LAR5310 Management of library and information services

+ LAR5410 Preservation of library and archival materials

+ LAR5440 Source materials for Australian studies

+ LAR5490 Evaluation and implementation of information systems

+ LAR5510 Issues in archives and records management

+ LAR5520 The impact of technology on archives and records management

+ LAR5630 Community information (archives, records and librarianship)

+ LAR5640 Business records management

Fieldwork and research seminars

Students also undertake six weeks of fieldwork during the course and attend departmental research seminars.

Timetable

Seminars and practical sessions will normally be timetabled during the day, although some early-evening seminars may be arranged. Part-time students in full employment will need a minimum of one half-day work release per week.


Master of Arts in Bibliographical and Textual Studies

Clayton campus

Introduction

The Master of Arts (Bibliographical and Textual Studies) by major thesis or by coursework and minor thesis is an interdepartmental MA program coordinated by the Centre for Bibliographical and Textual Studies of the Faculty of Arts.

No professional qualifications are required for admission, but applicants who are eligible for admission to MLib candidature may elect to follow the MA program in bibliographical and textual studies through being a candidate for the MLib degree.

This degree is most often taken by coursework and minor thesis. However, in exceptional circumstances, it may be taken by research leading to completion of a major thesis that shows independence of thought and demonstrates the ability of the candidate to carry out research in the selected field.

Please refer to the current Faculty of Arts graduate handbook for further information and application procedures.


Master of Arts (Librarianship)

Clayton campus

Course code: 0650

Course leader: Dr Brian McMullin

Introduction

The Master of Arts (Librarianship) is offered by the Department of Librarianship, Archives and Records, either by coursework (75 per cent) and minor thesis (25 per cent), or by coursework alone (100 per cent). This is a professional degree in librarianship, accredited by the Australian Library and Information Association, open to graduates with a good pass degree (normally a credit average in the third stage), or with an honours or higher degree. Entry is not restricted to graduates in arts. Graduates in science, economics, law or any other discipline which is deemed to be relevant to the study of librarianship are welcome to apply.

The course gives equal emphasis to academic and practical aspects, and provides both a general education in librarianship and an opportunity for specialisation in the area of the student's undergraduate major.

The first year of the course is the same as the Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies. For further information, please refer to the Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies entry in this section of the handbook.

Admission requirements

Part one

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, normally with at least a credit in the third part of a major sequence.

Part two

Applicants for admission to part two of the course must normally have completed part one or hold a graduate diploma in librarianship, with passes of at least credit standard. Applications will also be considered from students who have an approved undergraduate degree in librarianship; those who have a three-year undergraduate degree will be required to undertake an additional semester of coursework.

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the course fee is $4400 for each part of the course, or pro rata per subject part-time.

Duration

The period of candidature will normally be two years for full-time candidates and four years for part-time candidates.

Course structure

Fieldwork

Students will be required to spend about four weeks working in libraries or on other appropriate fieldwork. Fieldwork is normally undertaken in the summer between the first and second years of the program. There is an opportunity to be selected to undertake fieldwork at Blackwell's in Oxford, England.

Departmental seminars

Research seminars, conducted by visitors, staff members and students who are engaged in research, are held weekly. Students in the MA program are expected to attend these seminars regularly during their candidature. Those who are writing theses will be expected to report at a seminar.

Part one

The first year consists of twelve required subjects in librarianship. Students will relate this study, where appropriate, to the major subject interest of their first degree.

Required subjects

+ 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

Part two

The program normally consists of either three elective subjects plus a thesis weighted at 25 per cent of the total requirement of the degree (50 per cent of part two) or six elective subjects. Electives are chosen from those offered in the Master of Librarianship program or from appropriate subjects in other departments or faculties at Monash.


Master of Business Systems by coursework

Clayton campus

Course code: 1005

Director of program: Mr Robert Johnston

Introduction

The Master of Business Systems by coursework is offered by the Department of Business Systems. The course provides an extended education and training in methods used in the design, development and application of computer systems for the management of business operations. This involves the study of business-related computer techniques and business procedures leading to an understanding of the design, operation and control of computer systems. Applications include those in management, business data processing, planning, scheduling, forecasting, production management, inventory control, marketing, financial management, business modelling and other functional areas of business, industry and government.

The courses are organised into semesters which begin in February and July each year. The majority of students are expected to start the course in the February intake, but July intake may be available.

Admission requirements

Candidates with a relevant honours degree, or a recognised bachelors degree and a relevant graduate diploma, will normally be admitted to the masters year. Applicants with a pass degree will normally be required to enter the masters preliminary year or the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems.

Fees for Australian residents

In 1996 the fee will be $8000 or $1000 per subject.

Course structure

Preliminary coursework

Students with a bachelors degree are normally required to enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems which requires the completion of eight coursework subjects selected from the list of preliminary subjects offered by the Department of Business Systems. The course can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time.

Students who complete the course are eligible to apply for entry into the masters year.

For further information, please refer to the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems entry in this section of the handbook.

Masters year

Candidates for the Master of Business Systems by coursework are required to complete eight subjects of coursework. The majority of the subjects should be selected from the fifth-year offerings of the department:

+ BUS5071 Database systems and data management

+ BUS5112 Computer facilities and network management

+ BUS5150 Project management

+ BUS5502 Business process design

+ BUS5540 Quality and reliability

+ BUS5550 Business statistics

+ SYS5140 Systems analysis and design

Candidates may select up to three subjects from the masters preliminary year (fourth-year subjects) which they have not previously completed. Up to two subjects may be selected from other graduate programs in the faculty or in other faculties of the university, as approved by the course director.

The normal period of candidature is one year full-time or two years part-time.


Master of Business Systems by research

Clayton campus

Course code: 0175

Director of program: Mr Robert Johnston

Introduction

The Master of Business Systems by research is offered by the Department of Business Systems. The program offers the opportunity for training and research in the application of computers to the management of business operations. This involves the study of business-related computer techniques and business procedures leading to an understanding of the design, operation and control of computer systems. Applications include those in management, business data processing, planning, scheduling, forecasting, production management, inventory control, marketing, financial management, business modelling and other functional areas of business, industry and government.

The research undertaken for the thesis reflects the current interests of the department. In addition to writing the thesis, the candidate will be required to present a research proposal and write and present a working paper of journal quality.

Admission requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a good four-year honours degree (normally at second-class honours level or above) in a relevant discipline, or a bachelors degree and relevant graduate diploma, eg the graduate Diploma in Business Systems.

The period of candidature is one year full-time or two years part-time.

Applicants with a pass degree will normally be required to enter the masters preliminary year or the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems. For further information, please refer to the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems entry in this section of the handbook.

Fees for Australian residents

The Master of Business Systems by research attracts the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees.

Course structure

Masters preliminary year

Students select eight coursework subjects from the list of preliminary subjects. Students normally enrol for the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems in the first instance. Students with an honours degree at level IIB or lower may be required to complete some subjects from the preliminary year.

Students are eligible to apply for entry into the masters year provided they obtain sufficient marks in the Graduate Diploma in Business Systems (the exact cut-off score will depend on the number of applicants and the places available), and obtain a pass in at least one of BUS4410 (Advanced programming for database applications) or BUS4530 (Software systems design and development).

Masters year

The masters year involves the completion of two coursework subjects and a 75 per cent research component. In exceptional cases a candidate may be permitted to undertake an 87.5 per cent research component and one coursework subject, where the candidate has a very strong coursework and project background in the field of study.

Candidates undertake research in a topic under the supervision of an academic staff member from the Department of Business Systems. This leads to the preparation of a paper in a journal format (the research report), and a thesis. Thesis topics are normally selected from the research interests of the department.

Research candidates are required to meet with their supervisor in person on a regular basis (normally once a fortnight), to discuss their research topic and coursework component. Candidates also participate in the graduate seminar program.


| Graduate studies Part 1 | Computing & Information Technology handbook | Monash handbooks | Monash University