| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Information Systems specialisation prepares IT personnel to work in the field of persistent data storage, typically through the use of database systems. Important to understanding the abilities of databases to store an organisation's data, is the ability of IT people to provide front-end interfaces to such systems where most people in companies today are expected to use the software to gain relevant information. As such front end interfaces need to be designed for the database back-end. Much of this work also requires good project management skills for the IT individual them self as well as for IT personnel with a number of staff under them. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of the program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. assess the need for long term data storage and the ability of suitable systems to provide this, typically via the use of databases, and consequently design code to create, query and program such systems to store persistent data (K, P)
2. identify requirements with regard to the management of information systems and manage the development and maintenance of software and hardware projects and systems (C, J, K, P)
3. Practice Systems Analysis and Design, including the ability to elicit requirements from the wider business, and translate such requirements in to written specifications that are able to be understood by technical analysts and programmers, as well as conduct information modelling as a means of graphically representing what the intended system should do (K, P, C, J)
4. predict the need for system update at the whole-of-system level, as well as at the version-control level and consequently schedule updates (K, P)
5. evaluate legacy systems and if need be reconstruct them or create new systems to enable them to continue their life in the web/internet/eBusiness/eCommerce domain via the use of relevant web tools and techniques (K, P)
6. competently perform presentations to present material to less knowledgeable personnel (C, J)
7. produce documents with appropriate writing skills necessary to convey thoughts, concepts and specifications, potentially to people outside of the it domain (C, P)
8. interpret, evaluate and apply appropriate research skills in order to remain current with the knowledge within the field of information systems, as a practitioner rather than as a researcher (K, P)
9. use appropriate judgement when dealing with team members on a project in a group-work situation - particularly with regard to issues of culture and gender (J). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
A variety of learning and teaching methods are used in this specialisation to meet the PLOs mentioned above:
• there are a seminars which are a blend of lectures and tutorials, that cover the material mentioned for PLOs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
• practical sessions in a laboratory will give students experiences with PLOs (1, 3, 5)
• presentations both individually and as a group, given by the students in the seminars cover PLOs (6, 8, 9)
• self-study covers PLOs (2, 3, 7, 8, 9).
Students can expect to work both individually and in groups drawing not only upon the codified knowledge encountered in the seminars and practicals, but they will also develop the soft communication skills and ethical knowledge expected by employers and our professional body - the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Each of the units will likely conclude with a summative exam. And at the conclusion of the specialisation in the Master of IT degree, the students will also undertake a capstone project, drawing upon material they have learned in the units making up this Information Systems specialisation. |
| Assessment |
Formative assessment in this specialisation varies from unit to unit, but typically incorporates project deliverables, some computer coding/programming, assignments relating to the unit content, presentations and for a number of the core units - weekly or fortnightly tutorial submissions.
Each of the core units making up this specialisation ends with a summative exam. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates from this specialisation can be employed in a range of occupations, including:
• applications programmer
• web programmer
• database administrator
• project manager
• IT Manager.
Employers:
• Apple
• AT&T Bell Labs
• Compaq
• Computer Associates
• EDS
• Google
• government departments
• IBM
• Macquarie Bank
• Microsoft
• Optus
• small business
• Sybase
• Westpac. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
The ACS has provisionally accredited the MIT for 2014 subject to professional accreditation for 2015. |
