Master of Science (Information Systems)

The Master of Science (Information Systems) is a coursework masters degree incorporating a substantial research project.
The Master of Science gives students the opportunity to undertake a substantive research project in a field of choice as well as a broad range of coursework subjects including a professional skills component, as a pathway to PhD study or to the workforce.

On completion of this course students should have:

• a comprehensive understanding of the process and practice of research in Information Systems;
• a sophisticated understanding of the Information Systems discipline;
• completed a substantial piece of original research; and
• the necessary skills for further advanced research in Information Systems (e.g. in doctoral studies)

Students must complete 200 pts including:

• Discipline Core subjects (12.5 points);
• Discipline Elective subjects (between 37.5 and 112.5 points);
• Professional Skills subjects (between 25 and 50 points);
• Research Project (50 points or 100 points).

Discipline Core

Students must take:

Discipline Elective

Students must select three to nine approved coursework subjects from the following list:

IS Skills

IS Management

IS Project and Change Management

IT Service Provision

Business Analytics

Interaction Design

Professional Skills

Students must complete two to four subjects:

Research Project

Students will gain research experience in Information Systems (or cognate discipline) by completing a thesis (worth 100% of the overall score) and two oral presentations (hurdle). Students may complete a 50 point Minor Research Project or, with approval from the Course Coordinator, a 100 point Major Research Project. For the Minor Research project, students complete a thesis of no more than 12,000 words - This is the recommended path for most students. Students undertaking the major research project will complete a thesis of no more than 25,000 words - this option can only be undertaken with approval from the Course Coordinator.

Minor Research Project

The minor research project will be taken over three consecutive semesters commencing in the second semester of study and will begin on the Monday of that semester (semesters 1 or 2) (indicative for 2013: March 4 and July 29) and continue for up to 66 weeks until the end of the final semester of enrolment, minus recreation leave of between 4 and 8 weeks (22 weeks per semester over the three semesters).

Any period of leave within the research project enrolment is to be negotiated with the student’s supervisor.

The Research Project will be due for submission at the end of the formal examination period if an earlier date is not specified of the final semester of course enrolment (fourth semester).

Students may enrol in a combination of research project subjects and coursework subjects as long as once the Research Project is commenced, the consecutive enrolment requirement is met and to ensure they have completed a total of 50 points for the minor research project by the end of their course.

Students may need to enrol in a subject of the same credit point value more than once which is why there are multiple Information Systems Research Proj Minor subjects of the same points value.

Major Research Project

The major research project will be taken over three consecutive semesters commencing in the second semester of study and will begin on the Monday of that semester (semesters 1 or 2) (indicative for 2013: March 4 and July 29) and continue for up to 66 weeks until the end of the final semester of enrolment, minus recreation leave of between 4 and 8 weeks (22 weeks per semester over the three semesters). This allows students to do Research Methods either before or simultaneous with the start of the project.

Any period of leave within the research project enrolment is to be negotiated with the student’s supervisor.

The Research Project will be due for submission at the end of the formal examination period if an earlier date is not specified of the final semester of course enrolment (fourth semester).

Students may enrol in a combination of research project subjects and coursework subjects as long as once the Research Project is commenced, the consecutive enrolment requirement is met and to ensure they have completed a total of 100 points for the major research project by the end of their course.

Students may need to enrol in a subject of the same credit point value more than once which is why there are multiple Information Systems Research Proj Major subjects of the same points value.

*This course is being discontinued and will not be admitting students from 2013*

The Master of Science (Information Systems) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree 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 degree.

The Master of Science (Information Systems) requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require:

• the ability to comprehend complex science and technology related information;
• the ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, and technology principles and practices during assessment tasks;
• the ability to actively and safely contribute in clinical, laboratory, and fieldwork/excursion activities.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. 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.

There may be additional inherent academic requirements for some subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these subjects.

Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The Master of Science offers a pathway to a PhD.

Graduates will:

• have the ability to demonstrate advanced independent critical enquiry, analysis and reflection;
• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s);
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, research or project activities, problem-solving and communication;
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning;
• be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines;
• have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment; and
• be able to initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces.