Master of Business and Information Technology

Business Savvy, enabled by IT. The Master of Business and Information Technology is designed to provide the essential business skills for leaders and professionals in the digital firm. The program provides a combination of core business knowledge together with essential skills in IT management. The program is ideal for graduates seeking managerial or commercial roles, not just in IT directly, but in any organisation seeking to develop strategic competencies and industry leadership through effective use of IT.

A course plan will be devised for every student on entry to the program. The course planning process will take into account prior study, nature and length of work experience, and expected vocational outcome. Some advanced standing may be given depending on the nature and level of the prior study and work experience.

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree should be able to analyse and evaluate financial and market information to enable evidenced based business and IT decision making.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students should be able to:

• Describe and explain the fundamental principles of markets;
• Describe and analyse the processes involved in generating accounting and financial information for decision making; and
• Evaluate competing IT investments.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree should be able to analyse an organisational situation from both a business and information technology perspective.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students should be able to:

• Analyse business requirements to enable the design of information technology solutions;
• Define and evaluate appropriate information technology solutions to a range of business problems; and
• Evaluate alternative information technology solutions in terms of business and technical criteria.

3. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree should be able to problem solve effectively as project leaders, analysts and managers in the IT and business context.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

On successful completion of this degree students should be able to:

• Explain the business application of IT for competitive advantage;
• Explain key business processes underpinning organisational activities and the role and operation of information systems in supporting these business processes;
• Prepare a business case and understand how to initiate and plan a proposed IT system; and
• Analyse key drivers of project success, training and leadership in project environments.

Students enrolling in the twelve-subject Master of Business and Information Technology program will be required to take twelve subjects in total, devising a course plan in consultation with the Coordinator and Director of the program prior to enrolment. The twelve subjects may be selected as follows:

Students must commence enrolment with one core subject:

At least two subjects each from the:

Business Foundation Group and the
Business Information Systems Group

At least one subject each from the:

People/Organisations Group
Management of Technology and Operations Group and
Management Issues Group

Additional elective subjects

Students enrolled in the 12 subject program may select four additional elective subjects from any group, subject to consultation and with the permission of the Program Director of the Master of Business and Information Technology.

Group 1 Business Foundation

Group 2 Business Information Systems

Group 3 People/Organisations

Group 4 Management of Technology and Operations

Group 5 Management Issues

Students may also take relevant subjects offered by other faculties within the University, subject to the approval of the Program Director.

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent; and
• The applicant’s submitted statement of intent in seeking entry; and
• Performance on the GMAT or GRE unless the applicant has met one of the approved conditions for GMAT or GRE exemption.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Note: Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Business and Information Technology may be eligible to progress to the Graduate Diploma in Business and Information Technology with 50 points credit or the Master of Business and Information Technology (200 point program) with 50 points credit. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Business and Information Technology may be eligible to progress to the Master of Business and Information Technology (200 point program) with 100 points credit. Students who wish to progress to the Master of Business and Information Technology (150 point program) with 50 points credit or 100 points credit will also need to demonstrate at least one year of documented relevant work experience.

The Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Faculty’s programs.

The BCom and Masters degrees of the Faculty of Business and Economics equip graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The degrees include the following academic requirements for study:

(1) The ability to explain and evaluate concepts, theories, institutional arrangements and operations of modern mixed economies;
(2) The ability to critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context;
(3) The ability to explain and apply concepts across a range of commerce and business disciplines in solving business and policy problems; and
(4) The ability to contribute positively to the development of organisations and society in relation to business, government and the commercial professions.

All students of the Faculty’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates for the BCom degree and for FBE Masters degrees must have abilities and skills in communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

I. Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and/or written form. A student must have the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of a discipline, principles or practices during assessment tasks, and in some discipline streams.

II. Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem‐solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish study plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students should also have the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross disciplinary information related to the BCom and Masters degrees.

III. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A student must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment and the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in FBE courses.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Masters courses are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, but students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

On successful completion of this degree graduates will be:

• Adept at analysis and evaluation of financial and market information to enable evidenced based business and IT decision making;
• Able to analyse an organisational situation from both a business and information technology perspective;
• Effective problem solvers as project leaders, analysts and managers in the IT and business context;
• Proficient in professional knowledge and skills in business information systems in preparation for entry into the profession;
• Competent at analysing and evaluating financial information to enable evidenced based business decision making;
• Strategic and critical thinkers in relation to business and IT issues in organisations and markets;
• Problem solvers in business information systems through the application of appropriate theories, principles and data;
• Effective communicators of business information systems ideas, concepts and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Able to conduct basic research and to retrieve business and information technology information from a variety of sources;
• Collaborative in work practices in the integration of business and IT; and
• Effective project leaders, analysts and managers in the Business and IT context.

On successful completion of the Master of Business and IT program graduates should be:

• Proficient in professional knowledge and skills in business information systems in preparation for entry into the profession;
• Competent at analysing and evaluating financial information to enable evidenced based business decision making;
• Strategic and critical thinkers in relation to business and IT issues in organisations and markets;
• Problem solvers in business information systems through the application of appropriate theories, principles and data;
• Effective communicators of business information systems ideas, concepts and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Able to conduct basic research and to retrieve business and information technology information from a variety of sources;
• Collaborative in work practices in the integration of business and IT; and
• Effective project leaders, analysts and managers in the Business and IT context.

This program is no longer available to new students for entry from 2012.

Graduate Certificate in Business and Information Technology

Students enrolled in the Master of Business and Information Technology who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Business and Information Technology. Students must have successfully completed a total of four subjects approved by the program director to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Business and Information Technology.

Graduate Diploma in Business and Information Technology

Students enrolled in the Master of Business and Information Technology who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Business and Information Technology. Students must have successfully completed the eight subjects specified in the Handbook entry to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Business and Information Technology.