University of Tasmania, Australia

MITS Brochure
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The Master of Information Technology and Systems (MITS) provides a wide breadth of knowledge of varying aspects of information technology (IT) and information systems (IS). The MITS provides students with a previous tertiary qualification in any discipline area with the knowledge, understanding and skills to enable them to deal effectively with advanced issues involving IT and IS.

The MITS provides non-ICT students with broad knowledge and understanding of fundamental information and communication technology concepts and principles. It also enables all students to select significant areas for in-depth study, from a range of advanced IT and IS areas, to provide students with knowledge, understanding and experiences that transcend technologies and are robust over time so that students are well-placed to deal with ongoing, rapid changes in the IT and IS fields. Studies in the various advanced areas of ICT allow students to develop a professional, responsible, self-reflective and critical attitude to the practice of ICT.

Course code:K7I, CRICOS code: 079193M

MITS graduates should be ICT professionals with the abilities and skills to:

• adapt and apply techniques for acquiring, converting, transmitting, storing, managing and analysing data, information and knowledge;
• select and effectively apply processes, methodologies, tools, research skills and techniques to analyze, model, develop, and manage ICT products and services;
• explain and adapt appropriate ICT to support business processes and decision making to help an organisation achieve its objectives;
• evaluate and communicate the likely utility of emerging or advanced ICT to an individual or organization;
• apply abstraction and critical thinking to a problem, identify and define the ICT requirements, apply knowledge of advanced ICT principles and technical skills to develop and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of potential solutions.

MITS graduates should acquire attitudes needed by an ICT professional to:

• be an effective team member;
• take initiative and work independently;
• communicate effectively at a professional level;
• continue lifelong learning; and
• adhere to codes of professional conduct and practice.

The MITS provides an optional opportunity for high achieving students to qualify for higher research degree entry (eg. PhD). Students that perform well in academic units can optionally undertake research methods training and a research project leading to a minor thesis in ICT.
MITS graduates who undertake the research project should be ICT professionals with the additional abilities and skills to:

• select, adapt and effectively apply research processes, methodologies, tools, and techniques to plan, conduct and manage an independent ICT-related research project;
• critically analyse research literature to conduct a literature review;
• be aware of the social consequences of ICT-related research and respond appropriately to ethical considerations and act in accordance with best practice and industry standards;
• analyse, synthesise and evaluate factors to answer a research question, and to defend a research approach;
• document and communicate effectively the research techniques used and the results of the research both orally and in a written thesis

Fred Zheng

Graduated:
Employer:
Location:

2005
Thomson-Reuters
China

Senior Software Developer

I am working as senior software engineer for Thomson-Reuters in Beijing, China. My main responsibility is to work in the full life-cycle of financial value-adding software development and provide technical support as needed. The job is challenging as the financial market requires the most accurate and fastest data processing in the industry and also we have to pay special care to time-to-market requests. All in all, working in the IT sector is very fulfilling.
The UTAS course provided solid knowledge and skills for me to become a suitable candidate to work in an international software company. The problem solving and time management abilities developed during cracking those hard assignments is particularly beneficial to my current daily work.

The MITS is an effective means of opening up new career possibilities for you in a broad range of ICT related and non-ICT related industries. The MITS will provide you with the knowledge and skills to solve complex social, economic and technical problems within the context of ICT.

For students without prior ICT studies, the MITS provides you with fundamental skills in systems analysis and design; programming; cyber-security; web technology; database technology; data communications and networking technology.

By selecting the specialist subjects, you will develop deep theoretical and practical knowledge in specific areas in several advanced ICT areas such as Intelligent Web Services; Information Management; Enterprise Systems; eLogistics; Systems Strategy and Management; Business Process Innovation; Network Security and Data Management Technology. You will then have the intellectual and conceptual foundation to play a leading role in the development of the ICT industry both locally and overseas.

You will then enjoy the opportunity to pursue varied and rewarding careers around the world. For example: systems analyst; web developer; database modeler/administrator; programmer; business process modeler; ICT strategist; project manager; information management specialist; security architect/specialist; business analyst; enterprise architect. Definitions for each of these careers can be found at: https://www.qgcio.qld.gov.au/products/ict-workforce-capability/careers-and-programs/ict-career-streams

The MITS has been developed in consultation with the Australian Computer Society (ACS), and professional level accreditation will be sought after there have been some graduates. It is anticipated that graduates of the MITS will be eligible for full membership of the ACS.

In the MITS you will do the equivalent of at least twelve 12.5% units or sixteen 12.5% units. There are some units that are weighted at 25%, so these are the equivalent of two 12.5% units.

If you do not have a Bachelor or Graduate Certificate/ Diploma in an ICT-related area you will be required to complete a sixteen unit masters which includes the additional 4 level 500 units (KIT501, KIT502, KIT503, KIT506).

You will need to satisfactorily complete the equivalent of at least eight ICT 12.5% units at level 700.  The remaining units must be taken from level 400, 500, 600 or 700. You are allowed to complete up to four postgraduate units from any other discipline (eg Business or Science).

On completion of four ICT postgraduate (level 400 or 700 only) units the candidates can choose a research or coursework stream. To be admitted to the research stream students need a DN average over four ICT level 400 or 700 units.

• In the coursework stream you do additional coursework units. You must do ICT Research Principles 12.5% unit (KIT714) and Multi-perspective ICT Project 12.5% unit (KIT713).
• In the research stream you do a few more additional coursework 12.5% units. You must do ICT Research Methods 25% (KIT701), and a research dissertation over two 25% units (KIT702, KIT703).

See here for the schedule

The MITS will take a minimum of one and half years full-time study, if the student has an ICT related bachelor degree. The degree can be studied part-time over a maximum time period of four years.

In the MITS students will do the equivalent of at least 12 units or 16 units. To qualify for a 12 unit masters students must currently hold a Bachelor degree in an ICT-related area or a Bachelor degree in any discipline and a Graduate Certificate/ Diploma in an ICT-related area.

If they do not have a Bachelor or Graduate Certificate/ Diploma in an ICT-related area they will be required to complete a 16 unit masters which includes an additional 4 level 500 units.

The MITS is available on both the Sandy Bay campus in Hobart. Some units will use flexible delivery strategies including packaged online learning modules or recorded lectures allowing students to complete some learning off campus.

The Faculty may accept as a candidate for the Master of Information Technology and Systems a person who has a bachelor degree (3 or 4 year degree) from an accredited tertiary institution.

Successful candidates of the research stream will be eligible to enter a MSc or PhD program.

Candidates who successfully complete eight level 400/500/600/700 units may be eligible to exit to a Graduate Diploma of ICT (if approved by University of Tasmania).

Candidates who successfully complete four level 500/600 units may be eligible to exit to a Graduate Certificate of ICT (if approved by University of Tasmania).