Common Questions

Can I study externally or online?

The first year BSc in Internetworking and Security units with the exception of ICT120 van be taken externally. Many other units are also available externally but due to the applied nature of the units incorporating Cisco Networking Academy curriculum these units are only available on campus.

To find out if a particular unit is available externally check the handbook entry (ICTXXX link) for the relevant unit on the undergraduate or postgraduate course structure page.

Please note that we do not offer external enrolment to international students.

Certification

Does Murdoch actually issue industry certification?

No, the units we offer with "Cisco" or other certification oriented content are designed to prepare you to sit the industry exam. To actually obtain certification you need to book an exam time with one of the testing agencies.

I studied a Murdoch unit with "Cisco" content and want to sit the CCNA/CCNP/Security exams. What is the process?

For details on booking and exam in Perth click this link.

Advanced Standing

I studied CCNA at another institution can I receive advanced standing?

We will offer you credit and exemptions for the CCNA units if you can provide us with a valid "Netacad" login name so that we can import your details into our academy *AND* you have a current CCNA certification.

Basically we need to confirm you have the applied skills (evidenced by Netacad showing completion of CCNA semesters 1 -4) and theoretical skills (CCNA certification)

I already have CCNA certification, do I need to take the units with CCNA content?

If you studied at a Cisco Networking Academy then we will exempt you and you will not need to repeat the content. If you self studied for the CCNA then we will require some evidence of your applied skills. This is achieved by undertaking a router configuration test of approximately 2 hours. On successful completion of the test you will be granted an exemption.

I have a TAFE diploma in Network Engineering, how much advanced standing can I get.

You will need to see the University Accreditation Officer to determine your advanced standing. Please note that credit is not the same as an exemption. It is common for students to receive 24pts of credit (12 months) and believe that they will be starting with second year units. Effectively credit can only be applied in place of general elective units unless you have been given an exemption in a core unit.

Credit is a reflection of the level and duration of your studies while and exemption recognises that the content is substantially the same as a Murdoch unit and thus you will not be required to take that unit.

If you have received some advanced standing but feel you should have an exemption in a specific unit, talk to the unit coordinator about the equivalence of your prior studies with their unit. If after this you still believe you should be entitled to an exemption see your program chair .

The University does have articulation agreements with many other institutions. TAFE students may wish to check with their TAFE whether one of these exists and what credit and exemptions are given. Please note that many institutions change their programs subsequent to the agreement. Unfortunately this can mean that exemptions in the agreement may not be given if the content change means that the TAFE units no longer have sufficient overlap with the Murdoch unit. For example, if your TAFE requires a programming unit and the language is C++ and Murdoch has a similar unit also requiring C++ then an exemption maybe agreed to. If at a later date the TAFE changes the language to JAVA or the unit becomes optional then an exemption will no longer apply.

Some of your current offerings are similar to the old undergraduate and postgraduate "Telecommunications Management" (TM) degrees offered by the Business School whatever happened to that program?

Mike Dixon and Terry Koziniec were responsible for the Telecommunications Management (TM) offerings within the Business School (MBS). Several years ago they were transferred to the School of IT and the TM program in MBS was closed. The current Internetworking and Security courses offered by the School of IT are essentially a development of the TM programs. The shift to IT has allowed us to grow in a technical direction that would have in been difficult within the Business School. As a result we have been able to add Security, Wireless and VoIP content rounding out the degree.

If I have a TM qualification will this give me advanced standing in the new programs?

Absolutely! Many postgraduate students took the technical units in the Postgraduate Diploma in Telecommunications Management and never bothered to go on to complete a Masters degree because they had the technical skills they required and didn't want to take the management or policy units required. Many students told us they would have continued but wanted more technical units. For these students the new Master of Network Management and Security is the ideal choice. You will be given credit for any of the "Cisco" units you took in your Diploma, which for many students was 5 of the 6 required units. With VoIP, wireless, security and network management units still required to achieve your Masters degree you can be assured that the units will be technically relevant and stimulating.

There were some excellent postgraduate students in the old TM program and we'd love to see you back!

I completed a BSc in Internetworking and Security, can I receive advanced standing in the Master of Network Management and Security degree?

You can not apply points obtained at an undergraduate level to a postgraduate course. Essentially the Masters courses are designed to be at a higher level than than the undergraduate courses but they do not assume a prior data communications background.

In other words the postgraduate programs run in parallel rather than on top of the undergraduate programs. There is too much overlap for us to offer an upgrade. BSc Internetworking and Security students wishing to complete a degree at a higher level should consider the MSc IT or a research oriented track of Honours / MPhil / PhD.