Current Trends in IT

1
Current Trends in IT Dr. James
Harland Associate Professor in Computational
Logic School of Computer Science and Information
Technology RMIT University, Melbourne,
Australia TnR_at_cs.rmit.edu.au
2
Future of IT?

• The best way to predict the future is to create
  it
• --- Peter Drucker, Post-Capitalist Society
• The best way to predict the future is to create
  IT!
• --- Prof. Heiko Schröder, Head, School of
  CSIT, RMIT University

3
What is IT?
4
IT Future?

• Speedometer shows speed limit
• Red lights are an exception
• Identification via smart jewellery
• Guided parking
• No cash

5
Career Expectations
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Job Predictions (US) to 2014

• Business and Management up 13
• IT related jobs up 60 to 100
• Expected highest earning careers are health
  workers and IT professionals
• Increasing demand for hardware and software
• Emphasis on mix of IT skills and other areas of
  expertise

7
Skills Required

• Distributed and mobile computing
• Software design and engineering
• Databases, retrieval and search engines
• Artificial Intelligence, learning and reasoning
  systems
• Games and virtual reality
• Internet and web-based engineering
• .

8
Balance Needed!

• Industry
• Advisory board,
• interview, public speaking,
• EXPO, Industrial year
• IT Symposium

Research New ideas, future concepts,
fundamentals, principles
The right balance!
Ready for the future!
9
IT in Australian Universities

• Engineering IT hardware
• Business IT how to configure and use existing
  software in businesses
• Computer Science IT how to build, use and deploy
  software across a range of different industries

10
IT opportunities for India

• Indias traditional strength in IT is software
• English language skills
• Low labour costs
• Well-educated workforce
• China has traditional strength in hardware and
  low labour costs, but much lower English
  proficiency

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RMIT University

• Founded in 1887
• Has adapted to changing educational contexts ever
  since
• Several campuses in Melbourne
• Campuses in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam
• Over 100 partner institutions in Singapore, Hong
  Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Africa,

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Where is RMIT?
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Melbourne

• Often voted most liveable city by London
  Economist Intelligence Unit
• Population 3.7 million
• Known for parks and gardens
• Host of the 2006 Commonwealth Games
• Home of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

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Melbourne
15
RMIT Campuses in Melbourne
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Where is RMIT?
MCG 37 49 12 S 14458 59 E RMIT 37
48 32 S 14457 55 E
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RMIT City Campus
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RMIT City Campus
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RMIT Information

• More than 57,000 students
• Over 200 programs of study
• Graduates from over 100 countries
• International reputation for delivering
  highly-employable graduates
• Excellent facilities and a friendly and
  multicultural environment

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RMIT Information

• RMIT has a global focus we offer many of our
  qualifications in collaboration with over 100
  partner institutions around the world
• RMIT has two campuses in Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh
  City and Hanoi
• RMIT is a member of the Australian Technology
  Network (ATN), a powerful coalition of five
  leading Australian technology universities

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Programs

• Certificates
• Diplomas
• Bachelor degrees
• Masters degrees (coursework)
• Masters degrees (research)
• PhDs

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Portfolios

• Science, Engineering and Technology
• Business
• Design and Social Context

23
Teaching and Learning Strategy

• Quality teaching using new technologies
• Linking teaching and research
• Work-based projects
• Research on real-world problems
• Continual program renewal

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Articulation

• RMIT University courses can qualify students for
  entry into higher qualifications.

Advanced Certificate Diploma Diploma
Bachelor Degree Bachelor Degree Graduate
Diploma Graduate Certificate Graduate
Diploma Graduate Diploma Masters
Degree Masters Degree PhD
25
International Students Onshore

• 1 overall international students in Australia
• Careful planning and approvals
• English Language Preparation Support
• Network of advisers
• Legal and Health services
• International Students Centre Association

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International Students Offshore

• RMIT Vietnam has campuses in Ho Chi Minh City and
  Hanoi
• RMIT has multiple partners in several countries,
  including Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia,
  
• We recently completed partnering the World Bank
  on the African Virtual University project

27
RMIT International

• Processing applications
• Confirmation of enrolment visa papers
• Arrival assistance
• Student counselling/advice
• Overseas students health cover
• Financial queries
• Course information
• www.international.rmit.edu.au
• isu_at_rmit.edu.au

28
Costs

• International student fees approx. AU19,000 per
  annum
• Expect to spend approx. AU10,000 for living
  expenses
• Students are allowed to work alongside their
  studies (20 hours per week)
• Limited scholarships are available for
  outstanding students

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School of CS IT

• First computer at RMIT - 1962

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Student Labs in 2006
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CS IT Degrees at RMIT

• First computing courses taught in 1963
• Computer Science degree started in 1969
• Information Technology degree started in 1998
• Degrees Bachelor, Masters by coursework and
  research, PhD

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RMIT CS IT

• Part of the Science, Engineering and Technology
  (SET) Portfolio
• One of the largest CS IT Schools in Australia
• Around 60 academic, technical and administrative
  staff
• Approximately 1800 students, including more than
  850 internationals
• Over 50 students enrolled in research degrees

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Professional Recognition

• Programs are accredited by the Australian
  Computer Society as meeting the highest knowledge
  standards for membership.
• RMIT Information Technology graduates have
  traditionally enjoyed full employment as
  computing professionals in such diverse fields as
  commerce, business, scientific research,
  engineering and government because the program is
  responsive to industry needs.

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Career Prospects

• RMIT IT graduates work in areas such as
• application software development and maintenance
  
• information system development and
  administration
• website creation and maintenance
• network and data communications and digital
  media applications.

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About 2000 students State of the art labs wide
range of programs
Excellent teaching Singapore, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Africa
Excellent Research Many research grants!
Fantastic projects! Research scholarships!
36
Industry Relevance

• Very strong ties with industry
• All programs approved by around 20 industry
  representatives, including Microsoft, IBM and HP
• Industry-led Professional Development Program for
  all students for one week each semester
• Annual IT Symposium
• Over 30 industry-sponsored student prizes
• We have over 30 industry-sponsored prizes and
  scholarships for students each year.

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Undergraduate Programs

• Computer Science
• Computing and Internet Technology
• Information Technology
• Software Engineering
• Technology Studies
• Games Graphics Programming
• Multimedia Systems

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Double Degrees

• Computer Science and
• Computer Systems Engineering
• Communication Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Geomatics

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Computer Science

• 3 year program
• Aligned to ACM curriculum
• Designed for technical depth
• Core 16 courses
• Specialisation 4 courses
• 2 CS electives, 2 general electives
• Standard pathway for PhDs

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Computer Science Core

• Programming and software design (Java, C, UML) 7
  courses
• Data organisation (databases, files, IT tools, )
  2 courses
• Computer Systems (networks, operating systems,
  architecture) 3 courses
• Fundamentals (theory, mathematics, artificial
  intelligence, ) 3 courses
• Professional issues 1 course

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Specialisations

• Applications Programming
• Computational Mathematics
• Embedded Systems
• Games, Graphics and Digital Media
• Network Programming
• Security
• System Administration
• Web Systems

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Computing Internet Tech.

• 3 year program
• More focused on technologies and internet
  applications
• Core 18 courses
• Minor study 4 courses
• 2 general electives
• Core is similar to CS, but with more specialist
  web technology courses

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Information Technology

• 3 year program
• Designed for flexibility and combination with
  other studies
• Benefits most from specialisations
• 12 Core courses
• 4 Specialisation courses
• 4 Minor study courses
• 2 IT electives, 2 general electives

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Specialisations

• Application Programming
• Information Systems and IT Management
• Multimedia Design
• Network Programming
• System Administration
• Web Systems

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Software Engineering

• 4 year program
• 1 year internship working in industry (after 2
  years)
• 18 Core courses
• 2 SE electives
• 2 CS electives
• 2 general electives

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Technology Studies

• 3 year program
• Means to combine IT with other areas
• 8 Core courses
• 4 IT electives
• 4 Minor study courses
• 8 Student electives

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Games Graphics Prog.

• 3 year program
• Run in conjunction with the School of Creative
  Media
• 18 Core courses
• 4 Games programming electives
• 2 general electives

48
Multimedia Systems

• 4 year program
• Combines courses from IT, Multimedia, Business
  and Engineering
• First 2 years is 25 for each area
• 14 Core courses
• 2 Multimedia electives, 3 general electives
• 6 Specialisation courses
• 3 Non-specialist
• 1 Semester of work placement

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Postgraduate Programs

• Important to never stop learning
• to develop and expand on you knowledge and
  existing skills
• to develop, formalise or update your
  qualifications
• to make yourself more valuable to employers

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Specialisation Areas

• Advanced databases
• Bioinformatics
• Computer Security
• Intelligent Systems
• Networked and Distributed Systems
• Search Engines
• Software Engineering
• Web-based Computing

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Coursework Programs

• Graduate Diplomas in
• Software Development
• Internet and Web Computing
• Master of Technology in
• Information Technology
• Internet and Web Computing
• Master of Applied Science in
• Information Technology
• Information Systems
• Master of Enterprise Architecture

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Research Programs

• Graduate Certificate (Computer Science Research)
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Computer Science
  with Honours)
• Master of Applied Science (Computer Science)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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IT Masters

• M.App.Sci(IT) (MC061) 1.5 years for CS
  Engineering graduates
• M.Tech(IT) (MC062) 1.5 years for partial or
  patchy or zero IT background
• M.Tech(IWeb) (MC063) 1.5 years for partial or
  patchy or zero IT background focusing on the
  internet and web
• M.App.Sci(IS) (MC060) 2 year version of any of
  these

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Features of CSIT _at_RMIT

• Insist on combining theory and practice
• In Melbourne ?
• International student expertise (around 850 in
  2006)
• One of the largest arrays of software-oriented
  subject in the world!

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Facilities
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M.App.Sci(IT) (MC061)

• Students must be very strong programmers (C and
  Java at a minimum) and be comfortable with
  consideration of the theoretical underpinnings of
  topics
• We assume a basic ACM curriculum for the prior
  undergraduate degree.
• Software tools are a means not an end!

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Summary of Background

• UML and Software Engineering
• Data structures, algorithms, analysis and
  complexity
• Discrete mathematics
• Data communications and networks
• Databases
• Artificial Intelligence
• C Java
• Operating Systems

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School of CSIT

• Approx. 40 academics with PhDs from all over the
  world
• Areas of expertise include
• Networked and Distributed Systems
• Computer Security
• Data Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Intelligent Systems
• Web Based Systems

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Specialisations

• Groups of academics host a set of subjects
• Students choose at least one area of
  specialisation (minimum four subjects)
• No lazy collection of advanced topics in XYZ
• Focussed and deep study, over the horizon
• Each subject is 12 weeks of four hour sessions
  (includes tutorials and labs)

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Networked and Distributed Systems

• Foundations of Distributed Systems
• Network Security
• Mobile and Wireless Computing
• Advanced Client-Server Architectures
• Network Programming

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Computer Security

• Computer and Internet Forensics
• Network Security
• Mobile and Wireless Computing
• Secure Programming Environments
• Cryptography and Security

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Advanced Databases

• Advanced Algorithms for Data Engineering
• Object, Relational and Deductive Databases
• Information Retrieval
• Data Warehousing and Data Mining
• Internet and Intranet Document Engineering

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Intelligent Systems

• Intelligent Web Systems
• Intelligent Agents and Agent Oriented Systems
• Evolutionary Computing
• Agent Oriented Programming and Design
• Mathematical Logic and Logic Programming

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Software Engineering

• Obect Oriented Analysis and Design
• Software Requirements Engineering
• Software Testing
• System Architecture
• Enterprise Architecture

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Web Based Computing

• Computer and Internet Forensics
• Information Retrieval
• Web Services
• Internet and Intranet Document Engineering
• Mobile and Wireless Computing
• Minor Thesis/Project

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Minor Thesis/Project

• Can choose this in final semester if CGPA of 3.0
  or more
• Prepared using the subject Research Methods
• Pathway for direct entry to PhD
• Students can also take a combination of
  Vocational and Specialist subjects

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Vocational Subjects

• Scripting Languages
• Document Markup Languages
• Broadcast Network Applications
• 3D Graphics and Animation
• Real-time Rendering
• eCommerce and Enterprise Systems
• Web Development Technologies
• Secure Electronic Commerce
• Mobile Application Development
• Web Database Applications
• Web Servers and Web Technology
• Unix System Administration
• Secure Electronic Commerce and more

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Business Vocational Electives

• Accounting for Management Decisions
• Corporate Governance
• Managerial Finance
• E-business Supply Chains
• Leading and Managing Change
• Economic Analysis for Business
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Risk Management and more

69
M.Tech (IT) (MC062)

• Most popular stream with Indian students
• Students do up to 8 preparatory courses depending
  on background
• Courses are tailored to an eventual
  specialisation
• Details of study plans can be found at
• www.rmit.edu.au/csit/mc062

70
Preparatory Courses

• Programming Techniques, Data Structures and
  Algorithms (C)
• OO Programming (Java)
• Databases (Oracle)
• Software Engineering (UML under Rational Rose)
• Other courses depend on the choice of
  specialisation

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Other Electives

• Scripting Languages
• Web Media Technologies
• Document Markup Languages
• Broadcast Network Applications
• 3D Graphics and Animation
• Real-time Rendering
• eCommerce and Enterprise Systems
• Web Development Technologies
• Secure Electronic Commerce
• Mobile Application Development
• Web Database Applications
• Unix System Administration
• Web Servers and Web Technologies, and more

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Specialisations

• Exactly the same as for M.App.Sci.(IT)
• Students sit in the same classes
• Difference is whether you start with the
  specialisation (M.App.Sci(IT)) or end with it
  (M.Tech(IT)).

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M.Tech (IWeb) (MC063)

• Many preparatory subjects have web flavour
• Students learn PHP (not C) and then Java
• Students often study some aspects of .NET
• Work with Apache, MySQL, etc.
• Study XML

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Web Based Specialisation

• Computer and Internet Forensics
• Information Retrieval
• Web Services
• Internet and Intranet Document Engineering
• Mobile and Wireless Computing

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M.App.Sci (IS) (MC060)

• 2 Year version
• Chicken vs. egg Students often need work
  experience, but cant get it
• Software Incubator No viruses ?
• Real Industrial team-based projects
• www.yoursoftware.com.au

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2 Year Version

• M.App.Sci(IT) student with CGPA of 3.0 or more
  wanting to go on to a PhD can undertake a minor
  thesis in their area of specialisation instead of
  the industrial project in the final semester

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More Details

• http//www.rmit.edu.au/csit/mc061/
• http//www.rmit.edu.au/csit/mc062/
• http//www.rmit.edu.au/csit/mc063/
• http//www.rmit.edu.au/csit/mc060/
• or follow links from www.cs.rmit.edu.au
• email TnR_at_cs.rmit.edu.au

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English Requirements

• To obtain a visa, the Australian Government
  requires students to undergo an IELTS English
  test. Students must obtain a score of 6.5 with no
  band less than 6. Students MUST prepare properly
  for this and not take it lightly, even if they
  are taught in English!

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Want to know more?

• Send questions to
• TnR_at_cs.rmit.edu.au
• for further academic information about our
  programs and your application
• All other items, including English, Visas, Agents
  etc are described in the FAQ

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Questions?
81
Question

• In the 2006-7 Ashes series, what will Australias
  winning margin be?
• A 5-0
• B 4-0
• C 3-0
• D 2-0