Skip to content
Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2015

This handbook contains information on courses and components (majors, minors, streams and units) at Curtin in 2015.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2014.

MC-INFMGT1 v.1 Master of Information Management

MInfoMan(Curtin)

Registered full-time Duration: 2 Years


Course Overview

Master Degrees (Coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This course is designed to enhance technical skill and to provide an understanding of the ways in which the field of information management is developing. This course is designed to provide graduates with a professional qualification in information management or an avenue to upgrade previous qualifications. Areas of study include Librarianship, Records Management, Corporate Information Management, Archives and Knowledge Management.


Professional Recognition

Recognition of this course by the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia, the Australian Society of Archivists and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is being sought.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students may incur a cost for personal Internet access.


Course Overview Note

Regular and reliable Internet access is required as is access to a Microsoft Windows operating system.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants for a Master Degree (Coursework) are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.


Specifically, applicants require a three year bachelor degree in another discipline or a four year honours degree in another discipline. As the course is heavily dependent on computer skills, applicants should develop competency in word processing and use of Internet browser software before commencement of the course.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to Doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Master Degrees (Coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


The course consists of twelve prescribed units of 25 credit points, plus two ‘Advanced Discipline Project’ units of 50 credit points. The Advanced Discipline Project units consist of a substantial piece of research, conducted independently under supervision. Two fieldwork placements of three weeks each will be undertaken during inter-semester breaks. This allows students to put into practice, in a supervised work environment, the theoretical learning they have undertaken in the various units. Fieldwork placements are arranged for both internal and external students. Exemptions may be possible for students with required levels of work experience in libraries or other information services. Students entering this course are strongly advised that if there is a possibility that they may decide to take out an interim award of a Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies or a Graduate Diploma in Records Management and Archives, they should commence the course by studying the eight units required for these qualifications. Please consult the Course Coordinator for further information.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. understand the disciplines of librarianship, records management and archives, their theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional approaches; understand and apply in practice established and developing knowledge and professional practice; extend the boundaries of knowledge through academic research and have developed a commitment to continuing research, both work-based and academic

2. apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions to information management issues

3. understand the nature of information and how information is created, organised, distributed and used in the information management sectors; apply best practice in servicing the needs of users of libraries, records and archives; locate and evaluate information resources and manage collections effectively

4. communicate appropriately with information users and colleagues; assess the information needs of information user groups, in both the public and private sectors

5. assess the impact of emerging technologies on the work of the librarian, records manager or archivist; learn the technologies relevant to information creation, organisation, dissemination and use; decide on appropriate applications and systems for specific information service needs

6. apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity; develop a commitment to professional research and publication within the librarianship, records management and archives sectors

7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply relevant international standards, tools and practices to the professional practice of librarianship, records management, and archiving

8. recognise individual human rights, including rights of free access to information; appreciate the importance of cultural diversity and the sensitivities which may be created when disseminating information to diverse user groups; value diversity of language and how this may be fostered in services offered by information professionals

9. apply as appropriate the professional skills of librarians, records managers and archivists; work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership; understand and demonstrate professional behaviour; understand issues in the ethical use of information and demonstrate how ethical practices may be followed in the workplace. Understand and apply major tools for information organisation, metadata creation and indexing and recordkeeping throughout the continuum to ensure efficiency and compliance


Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
INFO5000 v.1   Information Design 3.0 25.0
INFO5007 v.1   Technologies for Information Services 3.0 25.0
INFO5002 v.1   Recordkeeping Concepts and Practice 3.0 25.0
INFO5013 v.1   Information Literacy 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
INFO5022 v.1 *   Management of Information Services 3.0 25.0
INFO5003 v.1   Conservation and Preservation 25.0
INFO5005 v.1   Enterprise Content Management 3.0 25.0
INFO5001 v.1   Archives Concepts and Practice 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
INFO5009 v.1 *   Information Theory and Research 2.0 25.0
MEDA6005 v.1   Advanced Discipline Project 1 50.0
INFO5020 v.1   Reference Services 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
INFO5021 v.1   Collection Management 3.0 25.0
INFO5008 v.1   Resource Description and Access 3.0 25.0
MEDA6006 v.1   Advanced Discipline Project 2 50.0
  100.0

*    Includes professional work experience for a total of three weeks full time.




Further Information

If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details: For Domestic Future Students: Future Students Centre, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 1000 For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 7331


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook

The Courses Handbook is the repository of Curtin University ("Curtin") course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavours to keep this handbook up to date, information on this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the: course structure and contents, student assessment, tuition fees and to: withdraw any course or its components which it offers, impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or vary arrangements for any course without notification via the website.

For course and enrolment information please visit our Future Students website.