Master of Information Systems

The MIS is the Department of Information Systems showcase postgraduate coursework suite of programs, designed for IS/IT graduates and professionals looking to take a step up in the IS profession. It is ideal for those planning to work in roles spanning IT and business organisations.

The key objective of the Master of Information Systems is to equip students with capabilities to intergrate key information technologoes and systems into contemporary organisations. Thus the degree covers knowledge about how IT infrastructure, applications, emerging technologies and systems can be used by organisations.

Additionally, it covers the managment capabilities in handling IT strategy, providing IT governance, understanding project lead change, acheiving compliance, protecting against threats, and in IT service provision.

Those without working knowledge of IT management also require grounding in concrete real-world business processes and the roles assumed by technicians in developing information systems.

Additional to the core knowledge areas above, students should also gain a broad business and real world perspective together with experience in applying business communication, interpersonal, and team skills to real situations. Further, critical thinking and analytical skills are honed through a mixture of advanced teaching models including case-based, experiential, and team-based approaches.

Finally, specific career directing electives in areas demanded by industry are available for students to round out their information systems education.

Students will normally complete four subjects; two in IT Foundations and two in Business Process Foundations as indicated below.

• 615-502 Fundamentals of Information Systems
• 433-520 Programming and Software Development
• 306-662 Information Processes & Control
• 615-5XY Advanced Organisational Processes. Not offered in 2008. Offered in semester 2 2009.

The specific subjects selected would be determined after consultation with the program director taking into account the academic background of the candidate as indicated below;

• Those entering with Computer Science or other technical degree would be rounded-out by replacing 433-520 with a business oriented subject.
• Those entering with a Commerce degree and some Information Systems subjects or another degree with breadth in Information Systems would be advised to complete more technical subjects instead of some or all of 303-662, 615-501/2, and 615-5XY.
• Those entering with a Commerce degree but without any Information Systems subjects may replace 303-662 or 615-5XY with different business subjects according to coverage in their Commerce degree.

The remaining 150 points will be comprised of the following subjects:

IS skills

• 615-680 Information Technology Infrastructure
• 615-681 Business Analysis Modelling and Design
• 615-671 Business Applications and Architectures
• 615-652 Emerging Technologies and Issues

IS management

• 615-682 IS Project and Change Management
• 615-660 IS Strategy and Governance. Not offered in 2008. Offered in semester 1 2009.
• 615-683 Impact of Digitisation
• 615-695 IS Commercial and Professional Practice

plus

FOUR (4) elective subjects as approved by the Department of Information Systems.

The following information systems elective subjects are available in 2008:

• 615-644 Data Warehousing
• 615-657 Enterprise Systems
• 615-659 Advanced IS Project Management
• 615-661 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in IT
• 615-662 Advanced IS Change Management
• 615-684 Models of IS Project Management
• 615-685 Managing In-house IT Service Provision
• 615-686 ICT Outsourcing Fundamentals
• 615-687 ICT Contract Law Basics
• 615-688 ICT Outsourcing Contract Management
• 615-610 Research Methods in Information Systems
• 615-690 Minor Research Project in IS (25 points)

Further information in regards to elective subjects is available at: http://www.dis.unimelb.edu.au/current/postgrad/subjects/index.html

An undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year of study or equivalent.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

An entry pathway to PhD is possible if students complete the following elective subjects:

• 615-610 Research Methods in Information Systems; and
• 615-690 Minor Research Project in IS (25 points).

Graduates should have the ability to demonstrate advanced independent critical inquiry, analysis and reflection. The degree has significant engagement and involvement from local and international practicing information systems professionals.

Graduating students qualify for membership of the appropriate professional body, the Australian Computer Society, and are informed by the most up-to-date evidence based research in information systems throughout the degree.