Master of Management (Business Analysis and Systems)

The Master of Management (Business Analysis and Systems) provides the knowledge and skills required to analyse and solve complex business problems. The course provides foundation training in business and economics and specialist training in business processes and operations that are supported by business information systems, together with a suite of analytical methods from both a financial and non-financial perspective. Creative thinking is also encouraged to support the design of new business processes. Graduates are typically employed as business analysts, systems analysts or management consultants.

1. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree should be adept at analysing and evaluating evidence in management decision making in an area of commerce specialisation.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

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

• Describe and explain the fundamental principles influencing markets and managing organisations; and
• Evaluate the impact of a variety of cultural and environmental factors on the organisation and in the market.

2. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree should be strategic and critical thinkers in relation to business, commerce and public policy related issues and in developing solutions to problems in organisations and in society.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

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

• Explain and critically analyse factors that influence decision making in firms and the economy;
• Identify strategic issues and solutions in relation to economic problems and activity within firms; and
• Apply knowledge of theory to analyse real and hypothetical problems in different markets both domestically and internationally.

3. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree should be effective decision makers in business, commerce and public policy.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

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

• Apply basic mathematical techniques to analyse business data;
• Evaluate the applicability of various theories and techniques to business related problems;
• Employ a range of tools of analysis’ pertinent to the evaluation of evidence in business sector;
• Use evidenced based research techniques to support decisions; and
• Apply ethical principles and corporate governance strategies to address real world issues and problems.

4. Learning Goal

Graduates of this degree should be effective project leaders, developers and managers in the IT and business environment.

Learning objectives to achieve this goal

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

• Explain business applications of IT for competitive advantage;
• Use accounting information of all types to provide financial reports;
• Explain key financial business processes underpinning organisational activities and the role and operation of information systems in supporting these business possesses;
• Assist managers in planning and controlling organisational activities and explain the role of cost information in organisations;
• 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.

The Master of Management (Business Analysis and Systems) program consists of sixteen semester-length subjects comprising four foundation subjects to be taken in the first semester of study, six compulsory subjects, four subjects to be taken from a list of six constrained core subjects and two free electives to be taken from the Master of Management elective subject listing.

Four foundation subjects:

Six compulsory subjects:

Four subjects (to be selected from the list below):

Two electives:

Two free electives to be taken from the Master of management elective subject listing.

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;
• 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 call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Notes:

(a) Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Management may be eligible to progress to the Graduate Diploma in Management or the Master of Management with 50 points credit. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Management may be eligible to progress to the Master of Management with 100 points credit.

(b) Students who discontinue from the Graduate Diploma in Management but have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Management will be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Management as an exit award. Students who discontinue from the Master of Management (including any of its named streams) but have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Management or the Graduate Certificate in Management will be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma in Management or the Graduate Certificate in Management, respectively, as an exit award.

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 course, graduates should be:

• Competent in professional knowledge and skills in Business Analysis and Systems in preparation for entry into the profession;
• Adept at analysing and critically evaluating evidence in Business Analysis and Systems decision making;
• Strategic and critical thinkers in relation to business, commerce and public policy related issues and in developing solutions to Business Analysis and Systems problems in organisations and in society;
• Effective decision makers in Business Analysis and Systems, commerce and public policy;
• Knowledgeable in relation to research evidence supporting business practice and in developing solutions to business and commerce problems;
• Ethical practitioners through their knowledge of corporate governance processes and implementation;
• Problem solvers in Business Analysis and Systems through the application of appropriate theories, principles and data;
• Effective communicators of Business Analysis and Systems related ideas, theories and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Able to conduct basic research and to retrieve Business Analysis and Systems information from a variety of sources;
• Collaborative in work practices in Business Analysis and Systems; and
• Effective project leaders, developers and managers in the Business Analysis and Systems environment.

On successful completion of this degree students should have enhanced their skills in:

• Critical evaluation of evidence in support of an argument or proposition;
• Problem identification and solving in business analysis and IT through the application of appropriate business analysis and IT theories, principles and data;
• Communication of business analysis, IT and commerce related ideas, theories and solutions to peers and the wider community;
• Ability to synthesize ideas, theories and data in developing solutions to business analysis and IT problems;
• Ethical practice through a knowledge of corporate governance processes and implementation;
• Research skills including the retrieval of information from a variety of sources;
• Teamwork through collaborative exercises in tutorials and assessment;
• Leadership especially in relation to projects concerned with business analysis, IT and business; and
• Decision making in relation to business analysis and IT.

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

Duration

Full-time students will take four subjects per semester for four semesters (approximately two years). Part-time students will usually enrol for eight semesters taking two subjects per semester.

Assessment

Students must pass all sixteen subjects to qualify for the Master of Management (Business Analysis and Systems).

Graduate Certificate in Management

Students enrolled in any Master of Management programs who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Management. Students must have successfully completed four Master of Management foundation subjects to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Management.

Graduate Diploma in Management

Students enrolled in any Master of Management programs who are either unable, or who choose not to continue with their studies, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Management. Students must have successfully completed four foundation subjects and four Master of Management subjects to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Management.