UTS course code: C04156
Testamur title: Master of Science in Computing
Abbreviation: MSc
Program Leader: Dr S Simoff
Course fee: $275 per cp (local); $9,600 per semester (international)
Total credit points: 72

Overview
Course aims
Admission requirements
Advanced standing
Attendance
Course duration
Course structure
Course program
Rules and regulations
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

The Master of Science in Computing is offered with a fixed quota of student places and the course fees have been set in accordance with University policy. For students commencing in 2004, tuition fees will be set at $275 per credit point for local students; part-time students normally take 12 credit points per semester and full-time students normally take 24 credit points per semester. Course fees are revised from year to year in accordance with University and government policy. Details of the current fee structure may be obtained at the Student Administration Unit website:

www.sau.uts.edu.au/fees/index.html

This course is currently under review for 2004.

Course aims

The Master of Science in Computing is a professional course. Graduates select a program of study that suits their individual career goals. For example, a program may be chosen which develops specialised expertise in computer systems, which provides a general update of information systems or which equips the student for a position in management.

Admission requirements

Applicants for the Master of Science in Computing should have:

1. a minimum qualification equivalent to a Bachelor's degree with a major in computing/information technology (or related discipline), or a Bachelor's degree plus a Graduate Diploma in computing/information technology (or related discipline), from a recognised Australian university, and
2. at least three years' full-time (or equivalent) professional computing experience.

As a guide, the level of the applicant's industry knowledge should be at least equivalent to that of a Professional level membership of the Australian Computer Society.

Criteria for admission to the Master of Science in Computing support the University's Equal Opportunity policy.

Applicants with insufficient formal qualifications may be admitted as 'qualifying' students. Progression to registration as a Master's student would then depend on whether the results achieved in the Qualifying Program are of the standard specified in the offer of a place as a Master's Qualifying Student. Applicants with insufficient formal qualifications should submit evidence to the effect that the level of their knowledge of computing is equivalent to that described above.

Prerequisite knowledge

All subjects in the Master of Science in Computing course are presented at the postgraduate level. Students are expected to be familiar with the undergraduate material that lies behind the postgraduate work.

For the subjects offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, before the start of each semester, a set of references to the presumed undergraduate material is given by each lecturer. It is important to note that these references are not 'pre-reading', but are a summary of the undergraduate knowledge required for each subject. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are completely familiar with the undergraduate knowledge implied by those references. If they are not, they should defer their enrolment in that subject and should attend suitable remedial undergraduate lectures as advised by the Program Leader for the Master of Science in Computing.

For a subject offered by faculties or schools other than the Faculty of Information Technology, students are advised to contact that subject's coordinator before the start of semester to determine whether they possess the prerequisite knowledge for that subject. If students do not possess the prerequisite knowledge, they should seek advice from those schools or faculties on the feasibility of a remedial program. The Program Leader, Master of Science in Computing, will assist in obtaining this advice.

Advanced standing

Exemption from subjects in the Master of Science in Computing program is not given on the basis of previous study. Some exemptions are granted to students who are undertaking joint qualifications at UTS.

Challenge rules

Under University Rule 2.28.5, students may apply for an exemption for a subject based onknowledge gained by professional experience,previous informal studies or studies at a private institution. This process is called 'application to challenge a subject' and includes a formal assessment, most likely in the form of an examination set by the Subject Coordinator, and incorporates the assessment requirements of the subject. If successful, the student receives an exemption for the subject. Note that a non-refundable fee of $200 per subject is applicable.

Advanced standing for UTS MBA graduates

Under an agreement between the Faculty of Information Technology and the Faculty of Business at UTS, students who wish to complete both the Master of Science in Computing (by coursework) and the MBA degrees are granted exemption from some of the subjects in these two degrees.

Graduates from the University's MBA program are, if admitted to the Master of Science in Computing, granted exemption from the Faculty of Business electives that could form part of the program of study for the Master of Science in Computing. In this case, the regulations outlined in the section Course structure are modified as follows:

• the student must gain 36 credit points by passing Master of Science in Computing subjects offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, and
• the student must complete 6 credit points of research methods and 6 credit points of project research work which should be closely related to the student's program of study.

Students entering the Master of Science in Computing program who intend to apply subsequently for admission to the University's MBA program should first discuss the matter both with the Program Leader, Master of Science in Computing and the Director of the MBA program in the Faculty of Business, preferably before they commence their studies for the Master of Science in Computing.

Attendance

Lectures are normally given only in the evenings and attendance is required at least two evenings per week, normally from 6.00p.m. – 9.00p.m.

Course duration

The course may be taken on a part-time basis over six semesters or three years, or on a full-time basis over three semesters or approximately 18 months.

Course structure

To complete the course, students must obtain 72 credit points. Most coursework subjects are 6 credit points each. Students normally complete 60 credit points of coursework subjects, 6 credit points of research methods and 6 credit points of project. There is a wide choice of subjects offered by the Faculty of Information Technology and by other faculties including Business, Law and Engineering. Students may obtain up to 24 credit points by passing approved subjects from outside the Faculty of Information Technology.

Students select their program of study with the assistance of an adviser from the Faculty of Information Technology. The subjects chosen by a student should form a coherent plan of study and be consistent with the student's professional career goals. The program of study may be a broad collection of subjects or a series of streams for those who wish to study certain areas in more depth. The underlying theme is information technology in a distributed environment. The subjects offered in this program are revised regularly to preserve the currency of the course.

Course program

Master of Science in Computing subjects

Each Master of Science in Computing subject is of one semester's duration. Specific subjects may be available during Summer session – these will be notified on an annual basis. Some subjects may be offered in 'block mode', meaning that the subject is presented in a semi-intensive format (for example, attendance may involve a whole weekend) – such offerings will be advertised as 'block mode'. Not all subjects are offered each year. They are dependent on the availability of specialist lecturing staff and sufficient interest in a subject from students. Some of the Master of Science in Computing subjects have prerequisites.

At present the intention is to offer the Master of Science in Computing subjects on a two-year cycle, however the Master of Science in Computing program is constantly under review. The list of Master of Science in Computing subjects offered is expected to expand. The contents and sequence of existing Master of Science in Computing subjects may be revised to reflect changes in the area.

A = Autumn semester
S = Spring semester

Core subjects (12cp)

32931 Information Technology Research Methods 6cp
32932 Project A1 6cp

Other elective subjects (60cp)

32xxx Electives 60cp

Other subjects

The following subjects present specialised material; whether they are offered will thus depend on the availability of specialist staff and on a student meeting the prerequisites. These subjects may share lectures with senior undergraduate students and may not be available every semester. The Faculty timetable will show the availability of these subjects. A maximum of two subjects from this list may be included in a student's program.

32543 Advanced 3D Computer Animation 6cp
32542 Advanced Cognitive Modelling 6cp
32544 Advanced Image Synthesis Techniques 6cp
32513 Advanced Machine Learning 6cp
32530 Building Intelligent Agents 6cp
32501 Computer Graphics 6cp
32509 Interaction Design 6cp

The subjects listed below are offered in the Master of Science in Internetworking Program and are also available to Master of Science in Computing students if space is available (students enrolled in the Master of Science in Internetworking Program will be given priority). Students must satisfy subject prerequisites if applicable.

32516 Internet Programming 6cp
32523 Operating Systems for Internetworking 6cp
32525 Distributed Software Programming 6cp
32527 Internetwork Design 6cp
32547 UNIX Systems Programming 6cp
32549 Advanced Internet Programming 6cp

A very limited number of places may be available in the following subjects (students enrolled in the Master of Science in Internetworking program are given priority) if the student satisfies the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Internetworking program and any subject prerequisites. Master of Science in Computing students wishing to enrol in these subjects should consult the Program Leader, Internetworking Program for approval.

32521 WANs and VLANs 6cp
32524 LANs and Routing 6cp

No other subjects from the Master of Science in Internetworking program are available to Master of Science in Computing students.

Information Technology Management subjects

The subjects listed below are offered in the Master of Business in Information Technology Management Program (ITMP). A small number of places may be available to Master of Science in Computing students if space is available (students enrolled in ITMP are given priority) and if the student satisfies the admission requirements for ITMP and any subject prerequisites. Master of Science in Computing students wishing to enrol in these subjects should consult the Program Leader, ITMP and gain signed approval.

32604 Systems Integration 6cp
32702 Contemporary Telecommunications 6cp
32704 Strategic IT Contract Management 6cp

e-Business Technology subjects

The subjects listed below are offered in the Master of Science in e-Business Technology Program. A small number of places may be available to Master of Science in Computing students if space is available (students enrolled in the Master of Science in e-Business Technology Program are given priority) and if the student satisfies the admission requirements for the Master of Science in eBusiness Technology Program and any subject prerequisites. Master of Science in Computing students wishing to enrol in these subjects should consult the Program Leader, eBusiness Technology Program for approval.

24726 Economics and Marketing in the New Economy 6cp
32120 Evolution of the Internet 6cp
32122 Business to Consumer: Fundamental Principles and Technologies 6cp
32123 Business to Business: Fundamental Principles and Technologies 6cp
32124 e-Business Project Management 6cp
32125 Enterprise Application Integration: Principles and Technologies 6cp

Interactive Multimedia subjects

The subjects below are offered in the Master of Interactive Multimedia Program. A small number of places may be available to Master of Science in Computing students if space is available (students enrolled in the Interactive Multimedia Program are given priority). Master of Science in Computing students wishing to enrol in these subjects should consult the Program Leader, Interactive Multimedia Program.

95563 Digital Media Development Process 6cp
95564 Digital Media Technologies 6cp
95565 Digital Graphics and the Still Image 6cp
95566 Digital Information and Interaction Design 6cp
95567 Digital Media in Social Context 6cp
95568 Digital Sound and the Moving Image 6cp

Subjects from other faculties

Postgraduate subjects from the Faculties of Law and Business are available to students in the Master of Science in Computing as electives. Students should contact the relevant faculty for prerequisites.

Choosing a program in 2004

Students are issued with a Master's handbook which details suggested subject patterns and themes, and when individual subjects are available.

Project

Students are required to undertake a research methods subject (which is offered either in Summer session or during Autumn semester) before or concurrently with a compulsory introductory project subject (32932 Project A1). Students may then choose to undertake an optional extensive project subject (32933 Project B1 or 32934 Project B2) or they may choose to undertake elective coursework subjects.

32931 Information Technology Research Methods 6cp
32932 Project A1 6cp
32933 Project B1 6cp
32934 Project B2 12cp

Possible study patterns are:

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Students who enrolled prior to 2001 can elect to complete the pre-2001 program.

32932 Project A1 requires students to choose a project topic; if students complete an optional extensive project (either 32933 Project B1 or 32934 Project B2), then the project topic will carry over into that subject (32932 Project A1 involves preparation for 32933 Project B1 or 32934 Project B2). The chosen topic should be directly relevant to the student's professional career goals and should be an area of current research interest in the student's area of study.

The project work should be a vehicle for importing the knowledge learnt from the coursework to the student's professional life. Students are advised to seek the assistance of the lecturing staff and/or the Program Leader, Master of Science in Computing in finalising the topic for their project work.

The Master's Project website is recommended for access to the latest information on personnel or contacts, dates and times for Project Information Sessions, Project A1 Literature Reviews, and Project B Research Seminars, and current lists of potential supervisors as well as general project information.

Rules and regulations

Subject failure

Students are permitted, at most, two failures during the Master of Science in Computing. Note the resolution of the Faculty Board, FBIT/02/28, that any Master's degree candidate enrolled in the Master of Science in Computing who records any three failures will have his or her registration in the course discontinued. In addition, students are bound by the Rules of the University and are advised to refer to them. The Rules are published online at:

www.uts.edu.au/div/publications/policies/rules/contents.html

Minimum and maximum time

There are two important University Rules concerning minimum and maximum time of which students should be aware.

• A Master's degree candidate shall not normally be eligible for the award of a Master's degree by coursework until he or she has completed at least six semesters of a part-time course. A student who is specially qualified in a relevant discipline may, with the approval of the Academic Board, be allowed to complete the course in less than the minimum time (Rule 3.3.5.2).
• A student who fails to complete all of the work prescribed for the higher degree within nine semesters from the time of his or her registration as a part-time Master's degree candidate will only be permitted to continue with the approval of the Faculty Board (Rule 3.3.7.1).

Professional recognition

Students completing the Master of Science in Computing are eligible for professional-level membership of the Australian Computer Society.

Other information

Each semester the Faculty publishes the Master of Science in Computing Course Guide. This Course Guide contains administrative information as well as a detailed statement of the Course regulations. Students and prospective applicants are advised to obtain a copy of the Course Guide and to study it carefully.

From August each year, an Admission package containing a copy of the Course Guide, the application forms and other relevant information is available from the UTS Student Info & Admin Centre.

Note: Completed application forms must be submitted to the University by the published deadline, which is usually the last week of October in the year prior to that in which admission is sought. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.