IIC University of Technology

Curtin University of Technology

International Trade Center

The Master of Science (MSc) at IIC is based upon the need for Cambodia to move rapidly into the information technology age. In particular, the degree is designed give students a thorough working knowledge of computer science and information technology, including high-level management of data systems, expertise in the engineering of computer networks and advanced programming skills.

All aspects of modern business practice involve the use of information systems and computer technology. This is a field of rapid change and constant development. The master degree at IIC is structured to enable graduates to have the knowledge, skills and expertise to understand and adapt to advanced technological change.

To service Cambodian commerce and industry, the nation needs experts in applied science, and certainly the science attaching to information technology (IT) is vital to the nation’s development.

As an individual career prospect, professionals with advanced training and applied knowledge in IT, will be well-placed in Cambodia’s expanding growth pattern to contribute to building information networks which are reliable, modern, innovative and sufficiently sophisticated to cope with the demands of development.

Course Outline:
Students will undertake 12 subjects over one-year of full-time study or two-years part-time equivalent.
Entry into the MSc in Information Systems will require good standing at graduation in a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field, such as mathematics, physics, electronics, engineering or architecture.

	Methods for Developing Information Systems Systems planning, development and implementation methods as currently used in Cambodia. New possibilities in systems evolution and management for economic growth, including systems development frameworks, methodologies, tools and techniques. Re-use in systems development for compatibility. Project management and quality assurance. Object-oriented analysis, design, and specification methods relevant to Cambodian business communication.

	Statistical Data Analysis This subject gives students the necessary background to successfully study IT. It includes statistical data analysis, sample design and variability, overview of survey methods and measurements, ANOVA, cross-tabulation, multiple regression, discriminant analysis, principal component analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis, multi-dimensional scaling, MANOVA and conjoint analysis. These are all common statistical methods which underline the interpretative possibilities of computer-assisted analysis for research, data collection and data retrieval.

	Development Technology To understand the science of technology used in development of information systems, models of integrated system development environments need to be studied, for example, the use of CASE tools to support the development of information systems, data, process and interface modeling techniques and the exploration of development technologies for contemporary information systems types.

	Group Support Systems This subject takes a practical view of technologies management and technical issues relevant to groupware supported work, including email and calendaring, discussion databases, document databases, knowledge management, workflow, web integration, group dynamics, facilitation, face-to-face meeting systems, and videoconferencing. Internet and e-commerce applications. These are now common uses of business communication systems in Cambodian commerce, and this subject gives students the opportunity to enhance their skills in these areas.

	Information Management Managing information is a vital aspect of modern business for development in Cambodia. Therefore this subject deals with contemporary issues facing information managers including, such as: planning, change management, re-engineering, learning, evaluating investments in IS/IT, organizational impacts and information management practice. The role of the information manager is examined closely in the subject.

	Information Systems and Technology Strategy Formulation This subject deals with information systems and information technology planning, including integration of information systems planning and business planning. This integration is seen as an important for Khmer industry and commerce in order to add-value to existing levels of productivity. Determining organizational information needs and evaluating IS/IT investments, is also covered in this subject.

	Distributed Systems The ISO/OSI Model is covered in the subject, as is data communications theory, data communications implementation, client server architecture, distributed information systems, networked windowing systems, X.400/X.500 systems, inter-organizational computing. It is a technical subject aimed at improving skill in network systems.

	Database Systems This is an important subject covering logical and physical models. Transaction analysis, access paths, database navigation, logical access mappings, data access diagrams, database design and processing and DBMS physical structures are all covered. Included also is relational data structure, relational algebra and integrity. Logging and recovery from failures. Data dictionaries - aid to program development. Help capability and run-time access and data object binding, are also covered.

	Applied Decision Support Systems This is a fundamental subject in decision support systems (DSS). It includes model base, database and interface, with development, implementation and evaluation of executive information systems, groupware and expert systems. Special emphasis on use of contemporary DSS software.

	Business Analysis Methodologies This is a subject which is interesting in that it looks at the alternative possibilities of computer application in information systems and data analysis. The nature of problem structuring and problem situation improvement, positivist and interpretivist views of organizational problem solving, uncertainty, multiple and conflicting objectives in problem solving, detailed examination of some of the following methodologies are covered - Soft Systems Methodologies (SSM), Strategic Options Development Analysis (SODA), Interactive Planning (IP), Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing (SAST), and Strategic Choice Methodology.

	Project Management Systems This subject is designed to be an introduction to project selection, management and evaluation, with basic forms of project organization structure, organizing large projects, team development, approaches to project planning and control, performance analysis, quality assurance. In the Cambodian context, it is an important subject dealing with Project Management Information Systems (PMIS), the control cycle, human behavior in a project setting, contractual issues, conflict in project settings.

	Hypertext Hypertext is an advanced word processing technique - macros, tables of contents and indexes and inclusion of objects. Evaluation of document format, structure and composition. Hypertexts - methodologies for creation, format, structure and usability within organizations.