Master of Information Technology (Professional) (Faculty of Sciences) (MPIT) - MIT(Prof)

CRICOS code (International applicants): 030315K

Notes

This program may be fast-tracked in three semesters by undertaking four courses per semester.

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Program focus

The Master of Information Technology (Professional) is a vocationally and academically-oriented program. The Faculty of Sciences offers a program with strands in Networking and System Security, Software Engineering and Web Technology, which provides for graduates (in any field whether computing related or not) to gain skills and knowledge in key areas of computing which relate to their needs and the needs of their profession or industry. It aims to produce graduates who can work as web information professionals, system or network administrators, or software engineers.

Professional accreditation

This program is accredited by the Australian Computer Society.

Program aims

The Master of Information Technology (Professional) is a vocationally and academically-oriented program. The Faculty of Sciences offers a program with strands in Networking and System Security, Software Engineering and Web Technology, which provides for graduates (in any field whether computing related or not) to gain skills and knowledge in key areas of computing which relate to their needs and the needs of their profession or industry. It aims to produce graduates who can work as web information professionals, system or network administrators, or software engineers.

Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to:

• work as a professional in the Information Technology industry

• acquire specific knowledge and skills in information technology in one or several of the following areas: web information systems, software engineering, networking, or network commerce

• acquire specific knowledge and skills in information technology in one or several of the following areas: software engineering, networking, or network commerce

• understand a broad range of topics in information technology

• design, manage and develop software systems and networks in an effective manner

• lead discussions relating to the computing aspects of their workplace

• become better problem-solvers and innovative thinkers, who are able to learn new skills independently and efficiently and consequently to succeed in a competitive professional environment

• identify information needs appropriate to their area of specialisation, and apply the techniques required to gather and interpret such information

• demonstrate skills in the analysis and determination of technological issues at management level

• identify, analyse and solve problems in one or more areas of technology by selecting and using either quantitative or qualitative techniques appropriate to the resolution of technological problems

• satisfy academic admission requirements for membership of relevant professional bodies

• identify, interpret and evaluate major issues in a range of contemporary business information technology areas

• apply acquired knowledge associated with their studies to work environments

• articulate the principal theories, concepts and applications associated with their selected business information technology area(s)

• understand and act in accordance with the ethics of their profession.

Admission requirements

Applicants with the following qualifications may be accepted into the program:

• a Bachelor's degree from a recognised University;

• an approved qualification at least equivalent to the above; or

• A Diploma in IT from a recognised institution of higher learning or polytechnic with at least 2 years industry IT experience.

In addition, before being admitted to the program, applicants must have acquired the knowledge and skills equivalent to that contained in the following USQ courses:

• MAT1101 Discrete Mathematics for Computing

• CSC1401 Foundation Programming with C.

This knowledge and skills can be acquired by:

• completing these courses as a USQ student in an award or non-award program;

• studying equivalent courses at other universities; or

• work experience, in which case applicants will need to provide suitable evidence of the acquisition of the skills and knowledge.

International Applicants

International applicants must also have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP programs .

How to apply

Domestic students 2008

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students 2008

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Student contribution amount

For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Government pays some money directly to the University, but students are also required to make a contribution. This contribution is called the ‘student contribution’. For more information about student contribution amounts, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ fees.

Tuition fee

Domestic fee-paying places are funded entirely through the tuition/direct fees paid by the student. Tuition/direct fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. For more information about Tuition Fees, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ Fees.

International fees

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the International Fee Schedule provided by USQ International.

Program structure

The Master of Information Technology (Professional) consists of 12 units of courses, subject to the following restrictions:

• at least six units of Level 8 courses of which at most two may come from outside the following Group 3 CSC courses

• no Level 1 courses will be credited towards the program

• no more than three units of courses may be at Level 2

• no more than two units of courses at Level 2 and 3 may come from outside the following Group 1 and Group 2 CSC courses.

Students want to select courses from outside the following table have to be approved by the Program Coordinator.

Students may undertake a strand in one of the fields shown in the following table by completing the associated courses. Note that it is not compulsory to undertake a strand in this program. A strand represents a grouping of related courses.

This list of postgraduate courses may vary from time to time as the range of courses offered within the University changes. Individual postgraduate courses which are relevant to the goals of a student and consistent with the purposes of this program may be allowed at the discretion of the Program Coordinator.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

All students are required to have access to the Internet and to a personal computer running Microsoft Windows and Linux. The Department provides assistance with installing Linux for students who may not have done so before. Note that at http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm, USQ makes recommendations about the type of hardware and software best suited to match our systems. Compliance with these recommendations will ensure students receive the computing help needed if experiencing problems.

Macintosh computers are not recommended due to the software used in the courses.

Software is specified on a course-by-course basis and, in some instances, it is provided with the textbook required for the course.

The University has installed a wireless network for students' computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity. A notebook/laptop may be required for some courses.

Exit points

Students enrolled in this Master's program who wish to exit without completing the program may be awarded the Graduate Diploma of Professional Computing (GDPC) if they have completed at least eight units or the Graduate Certificate in Professional Computing (GCPC) if they have completed at least four units.

Recommended enrolment pattern

There is no recommended enrolment pattern for this program. Students should select their own, using the list provided at http://www.sci.usq.edu.au/courses/ keeping in mind the requirements to graduate outlined above in the Program Structure. If unsure about a suitable enrolment pattern, students should contact the Program Coordinator.