The Master of Information Systems will extend your information technology (IT) knowledge and skills and prepare you to contribute to future organisational growth and change. You will enhance your career opportunities by empowering yourself with organisational knowledge and information management skills. You will focus on enterprise system solutions to enhance management and organisational performance. As part of this course, you will choose one of six minors, giving you in-depth knowledge in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, software development, Internet of Things, mobile applications and project management. You have the opportunity to complete the Graduate Certificate of Project Management during this course.
All units have been aligned to the Australian Computer Society (ACS) core body of knowledge required by an IT professional.
Career opportunities are
endless for Information Systems graduates. Employment can be found as: Systems
Analyst, Business Analyst, Business Process Modeller, Data Analyst, ICT Project
Manager, ICT Support Technician, ICT Customer Support Officer, Database
Administrator, ICT Support Engineer, Web Developer, ICT Architect, ICT
Consultant, Systems Administrator.
Duration | 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 96 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | MIS |
AQF Level | Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework) |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must have:
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Domestics and international students please see the CQUniversity Handbook.
None.
None.
Interim Awards | CC33 - Graduate Certificate in Project Management CC46 - Graduate Diploma of Information Technology CC28 - Graduate Certificate in Information Technology |
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Exit Awards | CC46 - Graduate Diploma of Information Technology CC28 - Graduate Certificate in Information Technology |
Accreditation |
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No Residential School for this course.
COIT20254 - Students are able to undertake discipline capstone units while working with industry partners. |
COIT20276 - Students have the option of undertaking an internship instead of the capstone unit COIT20254. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 204 |
2023 | 204 |
2022 | 135 |
2021 | 137 |
2020 | 312 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice | ||||||||
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning | ||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice | ||||||||
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level | ||||||||
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences | ||||||||
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning | ||||||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability | ||||||||
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship. | ||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 11 | Total credit points: 72 |
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You are required to complete one of the following two streams: Internship or Capstone.
Some units are offered in Term 3 to help you complete the course earlier, particularly for those intending to take the internship stream. You are strongly advised to consult Course Advisers at the beginning of each term regarding the units you intend to take to ensure you can complete the course within the shortest possible time. You should note that you may be required to enrol in some units online, depending on your campus offerings.
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT20245 | Introduction to Programming | |
COIT20246 | Networking and Cyber Security | |
COIT20248 | Information Systems Analysis and Design | |
COIT20249 | Professional Skills and Ethics in Information and Communications Technology |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT20247 | Database Design and Development | |
PPMP20007 | Project Management Concepts | |
COIT20250 | Technologies in Information Systems Practice |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT20251 | Knowledge Audits for Business Analysis | |
COIT20252 | Business Process Management | |
COIT20253 | Business Intelligence using Big Data |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
COIT20276 | Postgraduate ICT Internship | |
COIT20254 | Information Systems Project |
Internship Stream
Internship stream students must complete the following compulsory unit:
COIT20276 Postgraduate ICT Internship
To be eligible for this unit, you must pass all of your units at the first attempt, apply for the internship, and undergo a series of interviews with prospective host organisations. Generally, as an internship student, you will spend 32 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks with the internship host organisation applying the knowledge you have gained over the course of your study before returning to campus for the presentation of your learning journey. Assessment will need to be completed throughout the term. Internships cannot be taken at your current employer, or in any other host organisation where a conflict of interest may arise.
The internship is taken in the last term of study and to assist internship students in completing all units before the last study term, some units are offered in all three teaching terms. You are strongly advised to consult Course Advisers at the beginning of each term regarding the units you intend to take to ensure you can complete the course within the shortest possible time.
If you choose this option, you will be enrolled in the unit COIT20276 Postgraduate ICT Internship once you have secured a host organisation. Due to accreditation conditions, you cannot be awarded credit for this unit based on your previous study or work experience.
Capstone Stream
Capstone stream students must complete the following compulsory unit:
COIT20254 Information Systems Project
If you choose this option, you will apply your knowledge gained over your course of study in an industry-relevant project. Capstone projects may be taken with your employer if other students can also participate in that project.
To complete this stream you can enrol yourself into your discipline capstone unit - COIT20254 Information Systems Project. This unit is taken in the last term of study and you can also complete two other units in this same term. Due to accreditation conditions, you cannot be awarded credit for this unit based on your previous study or work experience.
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this minor you will develop practical and theoretical skills to apply artificial intelligence techniques to develop intelligent systems with advanced capabilities.
You must complete the four units listed. Consult a Study Plan and/or Course Adviser for the recommended sequencing of units. You may need to take some units in Term 3, especially if you are planning to apply for an internship. You may be required to enrol in some units online, depending on which campus you are on.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT20256 | Object Oriented Development | |
COIT20277 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | |
COIT29225 | Neural Networks and Deep Learning | |
COIT29224 | Evolutionary Computation |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this minor you learn cloud computing, blockchains and Internet of Things (IoT) to design smart applications and services for the future.
You must complete the three compulsory units, and select one from the optional units. Consult a Study Plan and/or Course Adviser for the recommended sequencing of units. You may need to take some units in Term 3, especially if you are planning to apply for an internship. You may be required to enrol in some units online, depending on which campus you are on.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT29226 | Introduction to the Internet of Things | |
COIT20260 | Cloud Computing and Internet of Things for Smarter Applications | |
COIT29223 | Blockchain Technologies for Sustainable Business Applications |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
COIT29227 | Smart Technologies for Automating Business and Social Practices | |
COIT20277 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this minor you build responsive and engaging mobile apps, including games, and web services.
You must complete the two compulsory units, and select two from the optional units. Consult a Study Plan and/or Course Adviser for the recommended sequencing of units. You may need to take some units in Term 3, especially if you are planning to apply for an internship. You may be required to enrol in some units online, depending on which campus you are on.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT20268 | Responsive Web Design | |
COIT20269 | Mobile Web App Development |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 2 from the following units: | ||
COIT20270 | App Development for Mobile Platforms | |
COIT20271 | Mobile Game Development | |
COIT20260 | Cloud Computing and Internet of Things for Smarter Applications |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this minor you develop your skills in computer network design and cyber security technologies to ensure secure and reliable business operations.
You must complete the two compulsory units, and select two from the optional units. Consult a Study Plan and/or Course Adviser for the recommended sequencing of units. You may need to take some units in Term 3, especially if you are planning to apply for an internship. You may be required to enrol in some units online, depending on which campus you are on.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT20261 | Network Routing and Switching | |
COIT20262 | Advanced Network Security |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 2 from the following units: | ||
COIT20263 | Information Security Management | |
COIT20264 | Enterprise and Cloud Networking | |
COIT20267 | Computer Forensics | |
COIT29226 | Introduction to the Internet of Things |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this minor, you will expand your skills in delivering successful IT projects.
You must complete the four units listed. Consult a Study Plan and/or Course Adviser for the recommended sequencing of units. You may need to take some units in Term 3, especially if you are planning to apply for an internship. You may be required to enrol in some units online, depending on which campus you are on.
If you complete this minor then you may be eligible to also be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Project Management. Consult a Study Plan and/or Course Adviser to see how to also obtain the Graduate Certificate in Project Management.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PPMP20008 | Initiating and Planning Projects | |
PPMP20009 | Leading Lean Projects | |
PPMP20010 | Executing and Closing Projects | |
PPMP20012 | Portfolio and Program Management |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this minor you specialise in designing and building software applications for enterprise systems.
You must complete the two compulsory units, and select two from the optional units. Consult a Study Plan and/or Course Adviser for the recommended sequencing of units. You may need to take some units in Term 3, especially if you are planning to apply for an internship. You may be required to enrol in some units online, depending on which campus you are on.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COIT20256 | Object Oriented Development | |
COIT20257 | Distributed Systems: Principles and Development |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 2 from the following units: | ||
COIT20258 | Software Engineering | |
COIT20259 | Enterprise Computing Architecture | |
COIT20277 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence |
Computing Requirements
You need access to a desktop or laptop computer for your studies.
Microsoft Windows (any recent version) is the recommended operating system. While you should be able to complete most tasks on other operating systems (e.g., macOS, Linux), you may not receive support from teaching staff if issues arise due to the use of a non-Windows operating system. Also, there are a small number of tasks that require Microsoft Windows (running natively on hardware, not in a virtualised environment). For those tasks, if you are using macOS or Linux then you must organise access to a Windows computer, e.g., in a CQU computer lab or another computer.
If you are buying a new computer or upgrading an existing computer, then you are recommended to purchase at least 16 GB of RAM and at least a mid-range CPU (i.e., Intel Core or AMD equivalent; a Celeron or Pentium is not suitable). The CPU should support hardware virtualisation (e.g., Intel VT-x or AMD-V). Other components (e.g., monitor, disk, graphics) should be the best quality and highest capacity you can afford. If you already own a computer with 8GB of RAM and any Intel or AMD CPU then it will be sufficient for most of your study (but you may need to use CQU computer labs for some specialised tasks).
If you do not have your own computer, or a computer that meets the above recommended requirements, then you may use a computer in a CQU computer lab. However, you must be prepared to spend significant time outside of scheduled classes in the lab (e.g., to complete assessments). Not having access to a suitable computer, or limited access to CQU computer labs, is not a valid reason for an adjustment of assessment (e.g., an extension).
CQU provides ICT students free and/or low-cost access to Microsoft and other software. You can find out more about the free software and computer requirements at the Course Orientation; otherwise ask your Unit Coordinator.
Interim Awards
As part of this course, students may be eligible to receive one or more of the following Interim Awards upon successful completion of relevant units (refer to the handbook for each course)
You must contact a Course Advisor to obtain an Interim Award. Please note Interim Awards are not conferred automatically, and you cannot apply for an Interim Award once you have received your Masters Award.
Advanced Standing
Advanced standing allowing direct entry into the 2nd term is available to students who can demonstrate they have attained the required knowledge. These students will undertake 11 units to complete the course. To be granted advanced standing, a student must:
Have a Bachelor degree; and
Be able to demonstrate they have the required knowledge, based on the content of units COIT20245, COIT20246, COIT20248 and COIT20249; and
Either:
Have two years relevant work experience; or
Have one year other postgraduate education; or
Have attained a final year GPA of 4.7 in their undergraduate degree at an Australian institution or equivalent.
Students that do not meet all requirements of Advanced Standing may still be considered for credit towards specific units. Note that credit cannot be granted towards capstone units or internship.
Part-Time Course of Study
In formulating their course of study, candidates who are studying part-time by distance education should give consideration to their work and other commitments and the prerequisites for advanced units, and if necessary seek advice from the Course Advisor via: Ask a Course Advisor.
For Course Planners please refer to the following website: Planning your Study - Course Planners