Industry Based IT Experience Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Students undertaking this subject must enrol into ISYS90082 in two consecutive semesters in order to successfully complete the subject. Students completing this subject will receive 25 points credit in total.

Students commence the subject in Semester one or Semester two only. In some cases, students may be able complete the second half of the subject in Summer semester.

200 hours per semester

Students undertaking this subject must enrol into ISYS90082 in two consecutive semesters in order to successfully complete the subject. Students completing this subject will receive 25 points credit in total.

Enrolment in the Master of Information Technology or Master of Information Systems, with completion of 100 points at graduate level.

Enrolment in this subject requires approval of the Subject Coordinator. Interested students can obtain an application form from the Engineering and IT Student Centre.

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University 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 University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Aims

This elective subject will be delivered in collaboration with industry partners. This subject will provide students with the opportunity to engage in practical workplace based learning. Specifically, students will be placed within an ‘internship’ which provides the opportunity to engage in industry focused course work and apply academic learning theory in a practical workplace setting.

ISYS90082 Industry Based IT Experience Project is of year-long duration, students may commence in either Semester 1 or Semester 2 and continue their enrolment in the consecutive semester. Students completing this subject will receive 25 points credit in total.

Indicative Content

The subject will also allow students to work under the guidance and mentorship of experienced ICT professionals. Students will be introduced to the Australian workplace culture and be offered the opportunity to strengthen their graduate employability skills.

This subject is designed to establish a platform for lifelong graduate ICT employability skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

1. Understand how to operate within the Australian workplace culture (through the preparatory lectures, webinars and internship experience)
2. Understand how to apply their knowledge from their academic courses (though the project work and internship experience)
3. Have enhanced their own employability skills (through the internship experience)
4. understand how to work effectively as an individual and within a team in the Australian workplace (work based project report)
5. Have developed an E-portfolio demonstrating and outlining their own specific graduate capabilities. The E-portfolio is part of a personal digital learning environment that challenges each student to think about the IT skills for the workplace and their own competencies. (Individual Eportfolio)
6. Be able to demonstrate short to medium term ICT career planning (Individual Eportfolio)

This assessment statement is written for the entirety of the project duration. Students enrol in the subject in two consecutive semesters. The total assessment described is spread over both semesters. At the end of the first semester of enrolment, students who make satisfactory progress will receive a mark of CNT (Continuing) that will be replaced with a grade upon completion of the second semester of study. Students who do not achieve satisfactory progress in the first semester, because they have not met the hurdle requirements, will have a failing grade awarded at the conclusion of the first semester of study, and consequently will have to recommence their enrolment.

• Individual E-Portfolio (1500 words), due in week 24 (15%), requiring approximately 15-20 hours of work. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 3, 5 and 6 are addressed in the individual e-portfolio.
• Work Based Project Proposal (1500 words), due in week 12 (15%), requiring approximately 15-20 hours of work. ILO 2 is addressed in the project proposal.
• Work Based Project Proposal Presentation (equivalent 1000 words), due in week 12 (10%), requiring approximately 13-15 hours of work. ILO 2 is addressed in the project proposal presentation.
• Work Based Project Report (4000 words), due in week 24 (30%), requiring approximately 40-45 hours of work. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in the project report.
• Work Based Project Report Presentation (equivalent 2000 words), due in week 24 (20%), requiring approximately 25-30 hours of work. ILOs 1 to 4 are addressed in the project report presentation.
• Participation in Weekly Online Discussion and Lectures (10%), requiring approximately 13-15 hours of work. ILO 2 is addressed in online discussion and lectures.

Collis, J., & Hussey, R., 2009, Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, (3rd edition), Palgrave Macmillan, London

Davey, B & Tatnall, A, 2009, Aspects of Professionalism, Ethics and Lifelong Learning for Australian ICT Professionals, Journal of Business Systems, Governance and Ethics, 4(3) 27 - 42

Northcutt, S., 2004, IT Ethics Handbook: Rights and Wrongs for IT Professionals, Syngress Publishing, Rockland, MA

Note: Further readings will be selected dependent on the subject matter and focus of the internship project.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Upon completion of this subject you should have developed the following generic skills:

• Apply academic skills within a IT/IS Industry workplace context
• Apply theory to practice within the IT/IS internship environment
• Prepare a written report based on their IT/IS internship experience
• Achieve strong learning outcomes within a collaborative team environment
• Formulate and articulate short to medium term career plans

Learning and Teaching Methods

The subject will be taught in three parts:

1. Internship Preparation – completed during the first six weeks of a semester. This content will be taught through a combination of traditional face to face lectures and online tutorials/seminars
2. Planning Work Based Internship & Provision. This will be completed in weeks 7–12 of a semester. This will involve student selection of area of interest and matching with an industry mentor and host organization. During this time students will prepare an internship Project Proposal and update their eportfolio under the guidance of the mentor.
3. Work Based Project Delivery and Reporting – completed over a 12–16 week timeframe scheduled with a host organization. It will involve weekly meetings with the Mentor, project investigation, e-portfolio updates and drafting the project delivery report.

The subject is supported by the University’s Learning Management System, which provides the repository for lecture and reading resources and facilitation of group assignment collaboration.

Indicative Key Learning Resources

Key learning resources include academic articles, human resource development articles, papers from the IT industry and internet resources (including professional body websites).

Careers/Industry Links

Much of this subject will involve industry placement with an IT unit within an organisation, or an IT company. There will be extensive discussion and engagement with IT Professional bodies and students will be expected to attend IT Professional Development seminars.