Clayton campus
Course code: 0175
Director of program: Dr Chris White
The Master of Business Systems by research is offered by the School 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 school. 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.
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. The option of two years part-time is available to Australian residents.
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.
The Master of Business Systems by research attracts the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees.
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). Students undertaking programming projects would normally be expected to have passed in at least one of BUS4410 (Advanced programming for database applications) or BUS4530 (Software systems design and development).
The masters year involves the completion of two coursework subjects and a 75 per cent research component. One of the coursework subjects will normally be BUS5000 which will include seminars and lectures by school staff on research methods and related literature. In exceptional cases a candidate may be permitted to undertake a 100 per cent research component, 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 School 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 school.
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.