Stream

Database Systems - COMPDS8543

Stream Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Engineering

School: School of Computer Science and Engineering

Contact: School

Program: 8543 - Information Technology

Award(s):

Master of Information Technology (Specialisation)

View stream information for previous years

Stream Outline

Database management systems (DBMSs) provide essential infrastructure for handling the large volumes of data required by modern enterprises: corporate, government, scientific and educational. How database systems are applied can critically affect the success of an organisation. In the future, the management of very large volumes of organisational data will be an essential component of the livelihood and growth of every organisation.

Since databases are so widely used, potential employers include any organisation that relies on the effective management of data. Obvious examples of large organisations with significant data management needs are financial institutions, telecommunications companies, manufacturing enterprises, and government departments. However, employment is not limited to such organisations, since data management is also critical in medium and small enterprises, such as scientific research labs and small businesses.

The Database Systems stream in the Graduate Diploma and Master of Information Technology programs exposes students both to the foundations of DBMS architecture (essential knowledge for database administrators) as well as to the principles behind leading edge applications of databases, such as e-Commerce, data warehousing, and data mining.

Stream Structure

Students must compete 96 UOC in total, including:
  • 18 UOC from the Prescribed Electives (see below)
  • 42 UOC of level-4 or higher COMP elective courses

Prescribed Electives:

Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge (ADK) requirement:
  • at least 6 of the courses must come from the CSE ADK course list (see below)
Up to 2 of the non-ADK, non-prescribed elective courses can be replaced by level-4 or higher non-CSE courses.

COMP9900 is not required if a major research project course (COMP9596 or COMP9945) is taken.

Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge Courses:
Project Option

Students are permitted to substitute 12-18uoc of Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge courses in their final semester with a research project of equal value provided they meet the following criteria:
  1. completed (or have advanced standing in) 72uoc; and
  2. obtained agreement from a CSE academic supervisor; and
  3. maintained a distinction level performance in the program.

Project courses:
Students who take a research project course will be exempted from COMP9900 - Information Technology Project.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing is possible in up to 50% of the stream. For details on Advanced Standing and Exemptions, see the 8543 Master of Information Technology program description.
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Study Levels

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