Master of Systems Development
What is this course about?
The Master of Systems Development provides professionals in the IT industry with an advanced course of study in software development. Preparation for a range of IT industry certifications is included as an integral part of the course.
Why study this degree?
The Master of Systems Development features a unique blend of academic and industry-based content. As with all CSU's courses, the Master of Systems Development is designed and delivered with study flexibility in mind. Our students choose between full-time and part-time study options to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments.
You could choose to study one subject per session or, following consultation and approval from your Course Director, complete up to four subjects per session, allowing you to fast track your degree completion.
More reasons to study this degree
Find out where this course can take you
Industry streams
Students can tailor their qualification by choosing to study one of three industry elective streams.
More information about the available Industry Streams
Course Structure
The Master of Systems Development consists three core subjects, one elective from an elective set, two restricted electives and an industry-based elective stream.
The Graduate Certificate in Systems Development consists four subjects including two subjects from the restricted list of CSU subjects offered in the Master of Systems Development as well as two subjects selected from one of the industry-based streams.
More information about the course structure
Graduation requirements
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 96 points, which includes the completion of the relevant industry stream certificate (for which credit of 48 points is given) for the Master degree and 32 points, which includes the completion 16 points of relevant industry stream subjects for the Graduate Certificate.
Academic expectations
For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.
Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.
Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).
Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.
Why study this degree?
Flexible offering
This course is available by distance education and is offered across a three session academic year with sessions commencing in February, July and November each year.
The Master of Systems Development has a minimum full-time duration of six sessions. However, actual duration is dependent on subject availability and the session of commencement.
The Master and Graduate Certificate make up an articulated set of courses, and credit is awarded in the Master for subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate.
Students may elect to exit from the Master after completion of four specified subjects and graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Systems Development.
Workplace learning
The Master of Systems Development incorporates content from industry certifications offered by Microsoft, the Project Management Institute, and the Office of Government Services (ITIL).
Industry streams
Students will choose one of the following industry streams:
Microsoft Developer
Students who study this stream will focus on Windows application development including Windows applications for the Web, SharePoint Application development and developing applications for Windows phones and mobile devices.
Project Management
Students in this stream will undertake a comprehensive set of subjects based on certifications from the Project Management Institute. In addition, students have the opportunity to master the Agile Software Development method and to study a number of ITIL certifications.
Developing Applications for Mobile Devices
This stream will prepare students to design great applications for phones and other mobile devices. There is an emphasis on programming for Microsoft devices although students may also choose to develop applications for the Android or iOS platforms.
Career opportunities
As a graduate you will be qualified to find employment in a number of different areas within the industry. Career options are broad and include the following:
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business analyst
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software developer
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software development project manager
Credit / pathways
Master of Systems Development
Applicants who have already achieved the relevant industry certifications will be awarded up to 48 points (6 subjects) credit for the industry certificate subjects. Complete the IT Masters Eligibility Form to receive feedback on the level of credit you may be eligible for.
Graduate Certificate in Systems Development
Applicants who have already achieved the relevant industry certifications will be awarded up to 16 points (2 subjects) credit for the industry certification subjects. Complete the IT Masters Eligibility Form to receive feedback on the level of credit you may be eligible for.
To apply for credit, candidates are required to submit with their application for admission a certified transcript of industry certification results. Please note that no credit is available for university subjects (i.e. ITC coded subjects) in these courses, however it may be possible to substitute a different university subject where similar material has been previously studied. Please contact the Course Director for more information.
Master of Systems Development
Students in the Master of Systems Development are required to complete two core subjects (16 points), one elective from an elective set (8 points), and three restricted electives (24 points) and an industry-based elective stream (48 points).
Core subjects
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
ITC508 Object Modelling
Elective Set - Choose at least one
ITC518 Principles of Programming
ITC543 Enterprise Design Patterns
Electives (Choose up to 3)
ITC505 Systems Development Project Management
ITC515 Professional Programming Practice
ITC516 Principles of Database Development
ITC528 Artificial Intelligence
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC565 Business Applications Development
ITC595 Information Security
Students will choose one of the following industry streams:
Stream A: Microsoft Developer
Stream B: Project Management
Stream C: Developing Applications for Mobile Devices
Stream A: Microsoft Developer
Core:
ITE508 Developing Windows Applications for the Web
ITE510 SharePoint Application Development
Electives (Choose 4)
ITE501 Windows Forms Application Development
ITE502 ASP.NET Application Development
ITE503 ADO.NET Application Development
ITE504 Windows Communication Foundation Application Development
ITE505 Enterprise Applications Development
ITE506 Advanced Windows Development
ITE507 Advanced Web Development
ITE517 Developing Applications for Windows Phones and Mobile Devices
ITI597 IT Infrastructure Library Foundation
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Life Cycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream B: Project Management
Core:
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Lifecycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
Electives (Choose 3)
ITE518 Agile Software Development
ITI597 IT Infrastructure Library Foundation
ITI577 IT Service Release, Control and Validation
ITI578 IT Service Operational Support and Analysis
MGI514 Professional Project Management
MGI518 Program Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream C: Developing Applications for Mobile Devices
Core:
ITC491 Mobile Application Development
ITE517 Developing Applications for Windows Phones and Mobile Devices
Electives (Choose 4)
ITC467 Games 1
ITC468 Data Structures PG
ITC469 Software Development Project
ITE508 Developing Windows Applications for the Web
ITE510 SharePoint Application Development
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Lifecycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Exit with a Graduate Certificate
Students who have completed 32 points of the subjects in the Master degree will be eligible to graduate with the award Graduate Certificate in Systems Development if terminating their study prior to completion of the Master degree. The requirements of this Graduate Certificate are that students have successfully completed two subjects from the pool of CSU of subjects offered in the Master of Systems Development and two subjects selected from the same industry-based elective stream.
Graduate Certificate in Systems Development
The Graduate Certificate in Systems Development consists of four subjects (32 points) that satisfy the following conditions:
Students must successfully complete two subjects from the pool of CSU subjects offered in the Master of Systems Development (see the Restricted List of CSU subjects below). Students must complete two subjects selected from the same industry-based elective stream from those available in the Master of Systems Development. The available streams are
Stream A: Microsoft Developer
Stream B: Project Management
Stream C: Developing Applications for Mobile Devices
ITC505 Systems Development Project Management
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
ITC508 Object Modelling
ITC514 Network and Security Administration
ITC515 Professional Programming Practice
ITC516 Principles of Database Development
ITC518 Principles of Programming using C#
ITC528 Artificial Intelligence
ITC543 Enterprise Design Patterns
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC565 Business Applications Development
ITC595 Information Security
Industry-based Elective Streams
Stream A: Microsoft Developer
ITE501 Windows Forms Application Development
ITE502 ASP.NET Application Development
ITE503 ADO.NET Application Development
ITE504 Windows Communication Foundation Application Development
ITE505 Enterprise Applications Development
ITE506 Advanced Windows Development
ITE507 Advanced Web Development
ITE508 Developing Windows Applications for the Web
ITE510 SharePoint Application Development
ITE517 Developing Applications for Windows Phones and Mobile Devices
ITI597 IT Infrastructure Library Foundation
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Life Cycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream B: Project Management
ITE518 Agile Software Development
ITI597 IT Infrastructure Library Foundation
ITI577 IT Service Release, Control and Validation
ITI578 IT Service Operational Support and Analysis
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Lifecycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
MGI514 Professional Project Management
MGI518 Program Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Stream C: Developing Applications for Mobile Devices
ITC467 Games 1
ITC468 Data Structures PG
ITC469 Software Development Project
ITC491 Mobile Application Development
ITE508 Developing Windows Applications for the Web
ITE510 SharePoint Application Development
ITE517 Developing Applications for Windows Phones and Mobile Devices
MGI511 Project Management Fundamentals
MGI512 The Project Lifecycle
MGI513 Enterprise Project Management
MGI522 Developing Solutions
Enrolment pattern
Master of Systems Development
Students may commence the course in Calendar sessions 1, 2 or 3. Note: The enrolment pattern below is divided by calendar sessions for the various intakes. The recommended session enrolments appear under each Calendar session enrolment and are distinguished by session number. Each session number represents Calendar session 1 or 2 depending on the course commencement session. As an example, for a student who follows the enrolment pattern and who commences the course in Calendar Session 2, 2011, session 1 refers to Calendar session 2 2011, session 2 refers to Calendar session 3 2011, etc.
All Streams
Calendar Session 1 intake
Session 1
ITC508 Object Modelling
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 2
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 3
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 4
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 5
ITC543 Enterprise Design Patterns OR ITC518 Principles of Programming using C#
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 6
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Calendar Session 2 intake
Session 1
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 2
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 3
ITC508 Object Modelling
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 4
ITC543 Enterprise Design Patterns OR ITC518 Principles of Programming using C#
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 5
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 6
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Calendar Session 3 intake
Session 1
ITC506 Topics in IT Ethics
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 2
ITC508 Object Modelling
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 3
ITC543 Enterprise Design Patterns OR ITC518 Principles of Programming using C#
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 4
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 5
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
Session 6
[ ] Restricted Elective*
[ ] Industry-stream subject
*Restricted electives are:
ITC505 Systems Development Project Management
ITC515 Professional Programming Practice
ITC516 Principles of Database Development
ITC528 Artificial Intelligence
ITC563 IT Management Issues
ITC565 Business Applications Development
ITC595 Information Security
Graduate Certificate in Systems Development
There is no prescribed enrolment pattern. Students may choose the order in which they undertake subjects depending on subject availability and the meeting of any prerequisites. Students must, however, enrol in at least two CSU subjects and choose two industry-based subjects from the same industry stream. Students are only permitted to enrol in subjects that are contained within the course structure of the Master of Systems Development.
Admission requirements
Graduate Certificate in Systems Development
For entry to this course, applicants will need one of the following:
- a bachelor level computing degree or equivalent; or
- at least three years experience in a professional IT role
For all students seeking entry to the course, previous software development experience is strongly recommended
Master of Systems Development
For entry to this course, you will need:
- A bachelor level computing degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or a qualification deemed to be equivalent)
For all students seeking entry to the course, previous software development experience is strongly recommended
Applicants seeking entry to the Masters degree on the basis of professional IT experience are encouraged to apply through the Graduate Certificate in Systems Development. On completion of the Graduate Certificate, entry to the Masters will be guaranteed, with full credit for subjects completed.
Internet access
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.
English language proficiency
The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.
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Australian and New Zealand students
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Admission code: Master - OBSD
Graduate Certificate - OBCV
International Students
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Admission code: Master - JBSD
Graduate Certificate - JBCV
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