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Please read these Important Notes on eScience Courses in 2004

Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates

Master of Information Technology (eScience)
MInfTech(eSci)

CRICOS Code: 039763B

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Graduate Program: Computer Science and Technology
Contact: Student.Services@FEIT.anu.edu.au
Program Code: 7701
Usual Duration: 3 semesters full time; 6 semesters part time

By the term "eScience" we mean the skills involved in the analysis, presentation, and management of data in commerce, industry and research; the use of computer analysis, modelling and data presentation tools; and the use of the World Wide Web and virtual environments for presentation and cooperation in the use of data. Indications from IT employers are that science and engineering graduates turn out to be excellent IT professionals after a phase of appropriate training, and there are positions in the industry which require the strong analytical skills of these graduates.

 
The object is to train students who possess a Science or Engineering background to become practitioners in contemporary Information Technology by building on their skills and knowledge. The program therefore provides some courses having the nature of IT conversion. Other courses are concerned with advanced visualisation, human computer interaction and applications of networked information technology and may be useful in educating regular IT students in these areas.

Admission Criteria

One of the following:

1. Bachelor degree in science, engineering or information technology. Undergraduate study must have included at least half a year total of computing courses, half of this at second year level, and at least one Mathematics courses at second year level. If undergraduate computing has not been taken to the required level, then at least 2 years of relevant work experience is required. The marks obtained in the final year of the undergraduate degree must have been of Distinction level (70%) or above.

2. Grad Diploma in IT (eScience). Students who have completed their study of the Graduate Diploma in IT (eScience) (48 units) with a Distinction (70%) level or above may articulate to the Masters program. Students electing to articulate to the Masters program would be required to complete a further 48 units (2 semesters equivalent full time study). One Mathematics course at second year level or above must also be completed if the student does not satisfy this prerequisite.

Students without the prerequisites listed above, but with an equivalent combination of study and relevant work experience, may be admitted by the Dean on the advice of the program coordinator.

Program Structure

Group A - compulsory courses shared with the Grad Dip IT (eSci) (18 units)

Group B1 - compulsory courses (24 units)

Group B2 - compulsory courses (24 units)

Group C - constrained elective courses. Students must complete 18 units from the following

Group D - free elective courses.

Students can complete 12 additional units from Group C, or from other Computer Science, Mathematics,  Statistics or Engineering courses with the permission of the eScience program convenor.

 
In the event that a student fails to complete a core or elective course, they might be allowed to enroll in an eScience Summer Topics course. This course will comprise a mixture of coursework, reading and project work and, with the agreement of the program convenor, its successful completion can be accepted for credit for the eScience program requirements in the stead of the course that the student failed to complete. In this way, students could complete their program of study without having to wait to the following academic year. A maximum of 12 units of eScience Summer Topics may be counted towards meeting program requirements for any one student.

Number of Units necessary for Program completion: 72

Compulsory Courses

Elective Courses

Details of Coursework Courses

COMP6311
Software Analysis & Design
6 units
Semester 1
Prerequisite Courses
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6700

Provides a practical introduction to requirements analysis methods and design specification techniques that are either structured or object-oriented. The essential rationale for the requisite components of a number of such methods will be taught together with some techniques for their application. As always, the emphasis of applying any such method is to create, from a set of original requirements, a semi-formal representation or model of a system software specification that is unambiguous, consistent and understandable. An object -oriented methodology will be considered in detail.

COMP6312
Software Quality Management
3 units
Semester 1

This unit introduces student to advanced topics on managing the quality of products to be delivered as part of progression within a software development project. Several causal aspects of (bad) software quality will be introduced and discussed so that students can understand the context for undertaking risk and bad quality avoidance. The focus will be on practical techniques for identifying and removing defects as well as implementing procedures to track the success or failure of risk and defect resolutions.

COMP6313
Software Process
3 units
Semester 2
Prerequisite Courses
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6700

This unit covers advanced topics concerning software process improvement (SPI) frameworks and standards. There are several SPI frameworks/standards available, each one processing its own merits and difficulties. Most are regarded as being more appropriate to large software development organisations where the assumed expenses of incorporated SPI initiatives typically provide significant return on investment. The course will introduce the various well known frameworks and standards in the context of importance to organisations but then also discuss tailored versions of some SPI frameworks that are more suitable to small organisations or teams of software developers.

COMP6331
Computer Networks
6 units
Semester 1

This subject studies the standard models for the layered approach to communication between autonomous machines in a network and the main characteristics of data communication (transmission protocols) for the lower layers. It introduces several application layer protocols from a distributed systems viewpoint, and considers alternative lower layer methods such as ATM, and problem areas in the Internet protocol suite.

The following topics are included: introduction to communication network architectures; the physical layer (transmission media, signal representation, limits to data capacity); the data link layer (error detection and recover, point-to-point protocols); the medium access layer (protocols for Local Area Networks and satellite communication); the network layer (routing algorithms, congestion control); internetworking (addressing, internetwork routing and protocols, quality of service); the transport layer (connection-oriented transport layer services and protocols); application protocols for distributed systems.

COMP6340
Internet, Intranet & Document Systems
6 units
Semester 1
Prerequisite Courses
Incompatible with COMP6341
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6700

Studies the methods, software architecture and standards for computer communications over networks, at the upper level, and examples of major applications with the focus being on the Internet.
The following topics are included. Introduction to open systems and the Internet reference model. Foundations of Internet applications: electronic mail, file transfer application, MIME, hypertext transfer protocol, World Wide Web system architecture and operation. Standards, ISO and other standardisation, conformance and acceptance. Information structure; static, dynamic and active pages; HTML, CSS, XML, SGML; mobile code, CGI scripts; a simple introduction to symmetric and public key systems; study of applications such as PGP; SSL; eCommerce; design/study of an Internet based business system.

COMP6341
Information Technology in Electronic Commerce
6 units
Semester 2
Prerequisite Courses
Incompatible with COMP6340
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6700

This subject studies some of the current and potential application of information technology in electronic commerce. Topics will be chose from areas such as document representation (XML, XSL, DTD, CSS) knowledge discovery (search-engines, meta-data, web-based data mining) data management (digital library, electronic document management), trading (spontaneous, deliberative, auctions) and security. Case studies will be used wherever appropriate. Other topics will be presented to match developments and maturation of the area.

COMP6421
Usability & Design of the Human/Computer Interface
3 units
Semester 2
Prerequisite Courses
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6700

The course covers the principles behind the design of mechanisms for human-computer interaction (HCI) and develops competence in the specification and construction of user interfaces. Topics will be selected from: the human senses and their influence on user interface design; component of interaction (direct manipulation, forms, menus and command languages); characteristics of HCI; design methodologies; the impact of culture; user interface programming; interface and application management.

COMP6422
Usability Engineering
6 units
Semester 2

This course will introduce students to behavioral research methods and techniques used in evaluating user needs and usability testing. It will give students the essential theoretical background to approaches, methods and techniques followed by practical experience in conducting usability studies for interactive systems, with special focus on 3D, Animation, and Virtual Reality applications.

COMP6423
Special Topics in eScience - I
3 units
Semester 1

Within this course, topics may be offered from time to time to take advantage of the expertise of visitors to the University and academic staff in the IAS. The topic areas will be germane to the idea of eScience and will be drawn from human computer interaction, advanced visualisation, Java technologies and computational science.

COMP6424
Special topics in eScience - II
3 units
Semester 2

Within this course, topics may be offered from time to time to take advantage of the expertise of visitors to the University and academic staff in the IAS. The topic areas will be germane to the idea of eScience and will be drawn from human computer interaction, advanced visualisation, Java technologies and computational science.

COMP6442
Networked Scientific Data Analysis & Presentation
6 units
Semester 1
Prerequisite Courses
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6700

Modern "big" science and engineering projects often make use of computing systems which combine components of networking, real-time control, data management, data analysis and visualisation. The interface to all of the above is increasingly via a Web-based workbench. This course adopts a case study approach to describing some of these systems. Sample applications include remote experimentation, scientific co-laboratories, graphical information systems (GIS), monitoring of industrial processes, financial information management, systems for the dissemination and outreach of science. The case study theme chosen will illustrate some aspects of the Java programming language which are more advanced than the Introductory Programming in Java (COMP6700) course.

COMP6443
Internetworked Virtual Environments
6 units
Semester 2
(Co-)Prerequisite Course
COMP6461

Topics include some of the following: virtual reality modelling languages, hardware and software systems; scene description; multiuser virtual environments; multimedia representation; network architectures; transmission and synchronization; standards; collaboration and multiuser worlds; avatars; modelling consistency and causality; MOOs, MUDs; MPEG4.

COMP6461
Computer Graphics
6 units
Semester 2
Prerequisite Courses
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6700

Computer graphics are an intrinsic component of many modern software applications and are often essential to the success of these applications. The objective of this course is to familiarise the student with fundamental algorithms and data structures that are used in today's interactive graphics systems as well as programming and architecture of high-resolution graphics computers. The principles and practice of computer graphics are described from their mathematical foundations to the modern applications domains of scientific visualisation, virtual reality, computer games and film animation. The course will include some practical experience of graphical software environments such as OpenGL, VRML and Java3D.

COMP6464
High Performance Scientific Computation
6 units
Semester 1

This course provides an introduction to High Performance Computing with an orientation towards applications in science and engineering. It will address high performance computer architectures including vector and parallel processors and will describe how an algorithm interacts with these architectures. It will also address aspects of numerical computation in floating point arithmetic and fundamental numerical algorithms.

COMP6465
Teleoperation and Mobile Computing
3 units
Semester 1

Technologies used for mobile computing are discussed including XML, WAP and architectures suitable for teleoperation. Communications technology  including the internet and the mobile phone network are considered. The course addresses supervisory control versus autonomous control and the tradeoffs involved. The significance of bandwidth is considered with an emphasis on approaches suitable for low bandwidth environments. Existing examples are presented, commercial opportunities examined, human interaction considered and social implications of the human-automation system discussed.

COMP6466
Algorithms
6 units
Semester 2

This course deals with the study of algorithms for solving practical problems as well as the data structures used in their implementation. A large variety of algorithms are candidates for study including greedy algorithms, dynamic programming, divide and conquer, exhaustive search, graph algorithms, heaps, network flow algorithms, string matching and so on. Analysis of the resource requirements of algorithms will be an important issue of study.

COMP6468
Computer and Network Security
3 units
Semester 1

In this course we will examine the fundamental aspects of security mechanisms in a distributed computing environment. Possible topics include: symmetric and public-key cryptography, digital signatures and certificates;Secure e-mail (S/MIME); Kerberos authentication services; RMI (Remote Method Invocation) Security; Networking with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer); RMI (Remote Method Invocation) Security; Networking with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer); Authentication using cryptographic hardware tokens (smartcards, Javacards) .

COMP6702
eScience Project II
18 units
Semester 1/Semester 2

This is an individual research project. Under supervision, the student will investigate research questions of current importance in computer science itself or in the application of computer science to research questions in science, engineering or industry. A normal prerequisite is 40 units of courses from the MInfTech program. In order to encourage flexible learning this project course may be scheduled in either S1 or S2 or both.

COMP6703
eScience Project III
12 units
Semester 1/Semester 2

Prerequisite Courses
(Co-)Prerequisite course: COMP6704

This course will comprise a project with an industry or scientific objective. Students will be expected to demonstrate that they are  able to apply skills from their project management course, COMP6704, to their project. Assessment will be based on the design and implementation of a software system, written documentation, and a verbal presentation. It is expected that the project will be completed either individually or in small teams. A normal prerequisite is 40 units of courses from the MInfTech program as well as COMP6704. In order to encourage flexible learning this project course may be scheduled in either S1 or S2 or both.

COMP6704
Project Management
6 units
Semester 2

This course addresses some of the tasks needed to effectively plan and manage the software development process. Topics covered include choosing or tailoring a software development life-cycle; constructing a software development plan; applying techniques and tools for determining size, effort and costs of development; determining resource requirements; identifying, assessing and managing risks; using metrics for monitoring progress, controlling resources and estimating re-work.

 STAT8026
Graphical Data Analysis
6 units
Semester 2

Introduces the principles of data representation, summarisation and presentation with particular emphasis on the use of graphics. The course will use the S Plus Language in a modern computing environment. Topics to be discussed include: Data representation; examples of good and bad graphics; principles of graphic construction; some pitfalls to be avoided; presentation graphics. Graphics environments; interactive graphics; windows; linked windows; graphics objects. Statistical graphics; stem and leaf plots, box plots, histograms; quantile-quantile faces; dynamic graphics including data rotation and brushing. Relationships between variables; smoothing scatterplots; simple regression; modelling and diagnostic plots; exploring surfaces; contour plots and prespective plots; multiple regression; relationships in time and space; time series modelling and diagnositc plots.
Outcomes: A good knowledge of the princibles of aesthetics of presenting statistical data using graphics.

COMP6245

EScience Summer Topics I

6 units
Summer session

Prerequisite courses

Enrolment in the eScience Graduate Diploma or Masters program and the permission of the eScience program convenor.

In the event that a student fails to complete a core or elective course, they might be allowed to enroll in an eScience Summer Topics course. This course will comprise a mixture of coursework, reading and project work and, with the agreement of the program convenor, its successful completion can be accepted for credit for the eScience program requirements in the stead of the course that the student failed to complete. In this way, students could complete their program of study without having to wait to the following academic year. A maximum of 12 units of eScience Summer Topics may be counted towards meeting program requirements for any one student.

COMP6246

EScience Summer Topics II

6 units
Summer session

Prerequisite courses

Enrolment in the eScience Graduate Diploma or Masters program and the permission of the eScience program convenor.

In the event that a student fails to complete a core or elective course, they might be allowed to enroll in an eScience Summer Topics course. This course will comprise a mixture of coursework, reading and project work and, with the agreement of the program convenor, its successful completion can be accepted for credit for the eScience program requirements in the stead of the course that the student failed to complete. In this way, students could complete their program of study without having to wait to the following academic year. A maximum of 12 units of eScience Summer Topics may be counted towards meeting program requirements for any one student.

COMP6247

EScience Summer Topics III

3 units
Summer session

Prerequisite courses

Enrolment in the eScience Graduate Diploma or Masters program and the permission of the eScience program convenor.

In the event that a student fails to complete a core or elective course, they might be allowed to enroll in an eScience Summer Topics course. This course will comprise a mixture of coursework, reading and project work and, with the agreement of the program convenor, its successful completion can be accepted for credit for the eScience program requirements in the stead of the course that the student failed to complete. In this way, students could complete their program of study without having to wait to the following academic year. A maximum of 12 units of eScience Summer Topics may be counted towards meeting program requirements for any one student.

ANU CRICOS Provider No 00120C
Please direct enquiries regarding this page to Graduate.School@anu.edu.au
The information on this page was last modified on 23 Dec 2002. The page has been authorized by the Dean, the Graduate School as the relevant officer.
© 2003 The Australian National University

URL: http://www.anu.edu.au/graduate/pubs/gcg/present_course.php?cc=7701