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 their career. 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 normally complete the following FOUR (4) core subjects;

• 615-671 Business Applications and Architectures
• 615-652 Emerging Technologies and Issues
• 615-660 Information Systems Strategy and Governance. Not available in 2008. Available in semester 1 2009.
• 615-683 Impact of Digitisation

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

100 point MIS students will meet the Director to customize the course where prior experience or study covers knowledge in the core subjects and to select electives.

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

Applicants must have:

• a four-year Honours degree in Information Systems with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year of study or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in Information Systems with at least H3 (65%) average in the final year of study or equivalent and two years documented relevant work experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline, one year documented relevant work experience and the Postgraduate Certificate in Information Systems with at least H3 (65%) average or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and the Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems with at least H3 (65%) average 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 will 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.