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Monash University

FIT5109 Research topic - Semester 2, 2010

Chief Examiner:

Steve Wright

Lecturer(s) / Leader(s):

Caulfield

Steve Wright

Introduction

Welcome to FIT5109 Research topic. This 6 point unit is an elective in the current Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) and the Master of Business Systems (MBS). You must have received prior approval from the unit administrators before enrolling in this unit.

Unit synopsis

This unit enables students to pursue a particular topic of research in the fields of information technology, information systems or information management. The research is done under supervision, and provides a chance for a student to pursue a topic of interest that has not been covered in other coursework units, or to build more in-depth knowledge in an area with which they already have some familiarity but desire more knowledge and expertise. Students enrolling in this unit should have the approval of the Head of School or their nominee. Assessment comprises a research paper, project report, or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will:
  • gain detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of a topic of interest to the student; which is not formally taught, but would be regarded as relevant to and enhancing the students studies;
  • develop an ability to analyse and synthesise and construct arguments from a range of published sources;
  • develop skills at critiquing and evaluating others ideas, opinions and arguments;
  • demonstrate a willingness to present ideas for scrutiny to a supervisor;
  • demonstrate a willingness and an ability to accept criticism of ideas.;
  • appreciate the nature and demands of independent research.
  • learn self-reliance and time management skills in order to gain greater independence as a learner;
  • learn to work effectively in a close, cooperative relationship with a supervisor.

Contact hours

Students meet weekly with their supervisors for approximately 30 minutes to set goals and report on achievements and difficulties.

Workload

Weekly meetings with supervisor (or OCL equivalent) will set goals for self-guided investigation and learning.

Unit relationships

Prerequisites

Completion of 24 points of graduate units from FIT.
Entry to this unit is subject to approval of the Associate Dean Education (ADE), on the advice of the relevant Masters Program Leader. An application form is required.

Prohibitions

IMS5037

Teaching and learning method

Teaching approach

Research is done under supervision, and provides a chance for a student to pursue a topic of interest that has not been covered in other coursework units, or to build more in-depth knowledge in an area with which they already have some familiarity but desire more knowledge and expertise.

Timetable information

For information on timetabling for on-campus classes please refer to MUTTS, http://mutts.monash.edu.au/MUTTS/

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system: http://allocate.its.monash.edu.au/

Unit Schedule

Week Date* Topic Key dates
1 19/07/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
2 26/07/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
3 02/08/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
4 09/08/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
5 16/08/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
6 23/08/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
7 30/08/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
8 06/09/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
9 13/09/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
10 20/09/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
Mid semester break
11 04/10/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
12 11/10/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  
13 18/10/10 To be negotiated with supervisor  

*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

Unit Resources

Prescribed text(s) and readings

To be discussed with the supervisor.

Recommended text(s) and readings

To be discussed with the supervisor.

Required software and/or hardware

To be discussed with the supervisor.

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

To be discussed with the supervisor.

Assessment

Overview

Research paper, review, project report or equivalent: 100%

Faculty assessment policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

  • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
  • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
  • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit.

Research paper (6,000-10,000 words) and project or equivalent: 100%.

To pass this unit, a student must obtain an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

Assignment tasks

Assignment coversheets

Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

Assignment submission and return procedures, and assessment criteria will be specified with each assignment.

Assignment submission and preparation requirements will be detailed in each assignment specification. Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced. You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

  • Assignment task 1
    Title:
    To be set by the individual staff member supervising each research topic.
    Description:
    To be set by the individual staff member supervising each research topic.
    Weighting:
    100%
    Criteria for assessment:
    To be set by the individual staff member supervising each research topic.
    Due date:
    To be negotiated

Due dates and extensions

Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are not regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Students requesting an extension for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit a Special Consideration application form (in-semester exam/assessment task), along with original copies of supporting documentation, directly to their lecturer within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days. The lecturer reserves the right to refuse late applications.

A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Refer to the Faculty Special consideration webpage or further details and to access application forms: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html

Late assignment


Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Feedback

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

Graded assignments with comments

Appendix

Please visit the following URL: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/appendix.html for further information about:

  • Continuous improvement
  • Unit evaluations
  • Communication, participation and feedback
  • Library access
  • Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)
  • Plagiarism, cheating and collusion
  • Register of counselling about plagiarism
  • Non-discriminatory language
  • Students with disability
  • End of semester special consideration / deferred exams
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