MIS Research Specialisation

The Master of Information Systems (MIS) research specialisation is a 200 credit point coursework degree for those interested in research or professional careers in IT management and digital business.

The research component of study will allow students to carry out independent and sustained research under appropriate supervision, to develop advanced research skills and techniques, and present their findings in a documented scholarly form. Elective streams are available in areas such as: IS Project and Change Management, IT Service Provision, Business Analytics, IT Innovation and Interaction Design, Spatial Information, and eHealth.

The research specialisation is only available to students who have received 37.5 points or less of advanced standing due to the compulsory subject requirements.

A graduate of the MIS should:

1. Have developed a sound knowledge and understanding of the discipline of Information Systems
2. Have acquired skills that will enable them to manage and change business processes through information and communications technology (ICT) and information systems.
3. Have a broad business and real world perspective together with experience in applying business communication, interpersonal, and team skills to real situations.
4. Have developed and demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills to apply information system theory to ICT management practice
5. Have gained professional practice knowledge within the real world of IT Management through the industry links of staff teaching in the program
6. Have developed skills and had experience in communication of ICT issues to justify, critically evaluate and explain real-world situations leading to IT management decisions
7. Be able to demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of conduct and ethical standards
8. Have advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in Information Systems

MIS Research Specialisation

All students must complete 200 credit points comprising:

• Foundation Core subjects (37.5 points). Students normally complete three foundation core subjects in the areas of information systems and research.
• Lower Core subjects (25 points). Four Lower Core subjects must be completed. They have no prerequisites and, in a student's first year of full-time study, are normally taken in parallel with the foundation subjects selected.
• Upper Core subjects (50 points). Four Upper Core subjects must be completed. Each has a prerequisite of 50 points of study (for students in the 200-point 2-year MIS) and the four are normally taken in parallel with elective subjects in a student's second year of full-time study in the course. Two of the Upper Core subjects (25 points, ISYS90032 Emerging Technologies and Issues, and ISYS90051 Impact of Digitisation) form the capstone of the MIS requiring students to engage in scholarly work within the discipline.
• Discipline Elective subjects (37.5 points). Three specific subjects will be selected taking into account the future career direction of the student. These electives have prerequisites of 50 points of study (for students in the 200 point 2 year MIS).
• Research Project (50 points). This is typically taken in the form of two subjects: 12.5 points in one semester followed by 37.5 points in the following semester. The specific sequence of subjects will be determined in consultation with the MIS Coordinator and the student’s supervisor.

MIS Research Specialisation

FOUNDATION CORE

37.5 points

PLUS ONE of:

An Elective in the area of your research as approved by the MIS Coordinator (Credit Points: 12.5)

Note: The specific subject will be selected by the MIS Coordinator in conjunction with the student’s supervisor.

LOWER CORE

25 points

UPPER CORE

50 points

RESEARCH PROJECT

50 points

This would typically be in the form of two subjects: 12.5 points in one semester followed by 37.5 points in the following semester. However, the specific sequence will be made by the Specialisation Coordinator and the student’s supervisor.

The following subjects are available as building blocks to make up 50 points of the Research Project in a configuration to suit each student's study plan.

DISCIPLINE ELECTIVE

37.5 points

Students would normally select three subjects from the list of electives presented below. Students may also study electives from elsewhere in the University and if interested they should discuss this with the MIS Coordinator.

IS Project and Change Management

IT Service Provision

Business Analytics

IT Innovation and Interaction Design

General Management

Accounting & Finance

People Management

Operations & Marketing

Spatial Information

eHealth

Information Technology

Other technical computing subjects can be selected from the MIT as elective subjects. See https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/current/MC-IT for a list of subjects.

To continue to remain eligible for the Research Specialisation, students will normally be required to achieve at least a 75% average with no subject receiving less than 65%. Students will also need to receive excellent marks in their research foundation subjects to be able to continue in this specialisation.

Entry is dependent on the availability of a suitable supervisor for the chosen area of research. Candidates are encouraged to contact the MIS Coordinator to discuss their application.

It is recommended that students who are thinking of undertaking the Research Specialisation should contact the MIS Coordinator prior to the commencement of the first semester of their study.