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Admission Requirements
Masters by research candidature:
- Completion of a Bachelors degree, with at least second class honours (or equivalent qualifications and/or experience).
PhD candidature:
- Completion of a Bachelors degree with first class honours, or
- Completion of a Masters degree by research (or equivalent).
It is also possible to arrange a transfer from Masters to PhD candidature, with credit for the period spent as a Masters candidate.
Course Description
The School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Ballarat offers higher degree by research training through the following degrees:
| Master of Computing: | CRICOS Course Code: 023231F |
| Master of Mathematical Sciences: | CRICOS Course Code: Current under application |
| Doctor of Information Technology: | CRICOS Course Code: 026142E |
| Doctor of Philosophy: | CRICOS Course Code: 023229M |
Within the Information Technology area, the School has developed successful innovative programs emphasising Object Oriented Technology, Communications and Networks (the first NOVELL accredited Novell Education Academic Partner in Australia), information systems and groupware, Internet computing and Multimedia, Data mining as well as Image processing. The School has state of the art computing facilities including Sun, Silicon Graphics, IBM workstations and a fast Novell network incorporating DEC Raid 5 fast file servers.
The School has developed strong partnerships with international computing companies including Novell, Lotus, IBM Global Services and Microsoft. Research opportunities are expected to grow as the University's Technology Park develops.
Research students have 24 hour access to independent workstations and excellent facilities along with assistance for travel to conferences and seminars. Limited opportunities exist for postgraduate students to undertake paid tutorial work within the School's undergraduate program.
The School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences (ITMS) hosts one of only four University of Ballarat Research Centres. The Centre for Informatics & Applied Optimization (CIAO) covers the broad research areas of Informatics and Applied Optimization. Specifically, the research focus is in:
- applied optimization
- data mining
- mathematical and statistical analysis
- virtual reality and simulation
- internet commerce security
- knowledge modeling
- decision support systems
- health informatics
- computational intelligence
- operations research and logistics
Supervision
More detailed information about the research activities and interests of academic staff, which is useful for prospective research students in identifying a potential supervisor, can be found using the following links:
Mathematical Analysis & Optimization Research Group: Dr Adil Bagirov
Data Mining & Informatics Research Group: Dr Peter Vamplew
Virtual Reality & Simulation Laboratory: Dr David Stratton
Internet Commerce Security Laboratory: Associate Professor Paul Watters
Health Informatics Laboratory: Dr Andrew Stranieri & Mr Chris Lynton Moll
Course Structure
Enrolment can be on a full or part-time basis.
A Masters degree by research is expected to be completed within 18 months full-time, or 3-4 years part-time.
A PhD degree is expected to be completed within 3-4 years full-time, or 4.5-6 years part-time).
Students work during their candidature under the guidance of a Principal Supervisor and an Associate Supervisor, who are appointed by the University's Research and Higher Degrees Committee on the recommendation of the School.
Doctor of Information Technology:
- Although a research higher degree, involves a substantial course-work component and an emphasis on the transformation of professional practice to knowledge that adds to the body of knowledge in the area.
- The structure of the program incorporates research projects, advanced study units, workshops, seminars and a final dissertation.
- Assessment is based on a combination of the dissertation and performance in the research projects and advanced study units.
- The different elements of the program should be thematically linked and would usually relate to the candidates professional and specialist research interests.
- Supervision is carried out by a panel of between two and six supervisors.
Further Information
Dr Phill Smith
Research Degrees Coordinator
School of Information Technology & Mathematical Sciences
Email: p.smith@ballarat.edu.au
International Students
Please note that some of the above information may not apply to international students.
For further information contact UB's International Education Department:
Telephone: +61 3 5327 9018
Facsimile: +61 3 5327 9017
Email: international@ballarat.edu.au
More information is also available at:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/fdp/international
Equity Statement
The University of Ballarat offers equality of opportunity for all sectors or groups to participate in higher education through the implementation of a coordinated equity program.
Please note: All information contained in this web page is correct at the date of publication. However the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Students should check for any amendment prior to enrolment.
Masters:
Information about applying to study a Masters by Research can be found at:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/hdrs/programs/masters.shtml
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):
Information about applying to study a Doctor of Philosophy can be found at:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/hdrs/programs/phd.shtml
Information about scholarship opportunities can be found at:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/hdrs/scholarships
Applications for scholarships close on 31 October each year, unless otherwise stated.
There are many accommodation options for research students in Ballarat.
Information for prospective Australian-based students can be found at:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/fdp/commercial/accommodation/prospectivestudents.shtml
Information for prospective international students can be found at:
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/fdp/commercial/accommodation/international.shtml
I left my native country of Russia in 2001 to come to Ballarat, to research my PhD under the supervision of the late Professor Alex Rubinov. I was familiar with his research interests, and after discussion we agreed on the PhD topic of "Data classification through nonsmooth optimization".
On my arrival here, UB's International Student Centre made a lot of effort to help me adapt to my new environment. They provided information booklets about Australia and Australian culture, and information about the studying process in Australian Universities.
The International Student Centre organised regular bus and train day trips to various tourist attractions around Victoria, which helped me get to know other research students. They also arranged to pick me up at Melbourne airport the first time I arrived, and provided language support for me once I was here.
At ITMS, I was provided with my own workstation and desk top computer, which was accessible at any time during the day and also on weekends.
As a student of Professor Rubinov, I was grateful to have the opportunity to travel to various locations around Australia to attend conferences, workshops, and summer/winter schools. I also found that UB's Annual Research Conference provided a good opportunity for students to present their research to an audience.
Ballarat's location is very convenient, with easy access to Melbourne, making it possible to travel there on weekends and for overnight visits. I know that Ballarat's accommodation is also much more affordable than Melbourne.
Dr Nadezda Sukhorukova
I will always feel proud to have completed my PhD at the University of Ballarat.
The first thing that attracted me to teaching and studying at UB was the positive comments and feedback I received from staff of ITMS, in regard to the School and the University. The late Professor Alex Rubinov was my Principal Supervisor, and his personality, knowledge and care from our initial contact provided me with real confidence that I could successfully undertake a PhD.
My supervisors, the Head of School and the ITMS research co-ordinator assisted me in identifying a suitable research topic in telecommunications and optimization.
I found the academic support, such as the weekly seminars provided by the Library and UB's Graduate Office, were invaluable to my progress. These seminars provided knowledge on how to conduct research, prepare for confirmation of candidature, and write a thesis. Annual conferences organised by the Graduate Office, and supported by all Schools within UB, guided me in writing research papers and presenting them at the other conferences.
As time passed, I counted myself as one of the lucky ones who was able to pursue a PhD at a smaller Australian university. The regional location of the University gave me the opportunity for daily walks in the fresh air and UB's quiet surroundings, and provided me with renewed energy to continue my research and formulate new ideas.
I found UB a friendly and nurturing environment, and enjoyed the experience.
Dr Shahnaz Kouhbor
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