Monash University Gippsland News:
New Age Psychology: Pyschology Of The Virtual

New course available for Monash students in Gippsland

By Helen Kennedy - 5th November 2002 - Back to News

•Tell us your opinion •See what others have said

The combination of Psychology, Information Technology, Engineering and Philosophy will now be made available uniquely to Monash University Gippsland Campus, situated in Churchill, under the Bachelor of Cognitive Science.

Dr. Dianne Wuillemin and Dr. Barry Richardson developed a course for "the study of thinking in both humans and machines," says Richardson. After the final approval in July 2002, it is set for graduates to be presented with career opportunities in such fields as artificial intelligence, cybernetics and robotics and information technology.

After organising and financial support from the Head of School, Harry Ballis, this degree will fall under his school the Facility of Arts, who is "delighted to have it." The first student intake will be in 2003, the total number of students being 20 – 25, "it is one of the elite programs," says Ballis. He expects the students will experience a lot of hands on work and as the research laboratories grow so will the intake of students.

"It is certainly unusual for students at a regional campus to have available to them something that’s academically innovative and exciting when it’s not available on the metropolitan campuses," says Wuillemin. With the expectations for this course to expand it will never go beyond the Gippsland campus. "I am as greedy as hell," says Ballis whose future expectations lie with a larger government grant in partnership with the industry that would allow the university to build a larger research centre, "almost like Dr. Who labs."

With the Facility of Arts providing financial backing for the initial development and advertising it was due to the Federal Government for the large amount of money. Richardson and Wuillemin applied for funding under a Government grant and earlier this year received $360,000 to build a Centre for Cognitive Science and Human Bionics. "This research centre and the degree will compliment each other," says Richardson who believes student will gain most out of this course by being able to complete their PHD at Gippsland with a complete research centre at hand.

With a wide range of benefits for Monash’s Gippsland campus covering both finance and student intake it is with the local region that the real benefits will be seen. Ballis says, "the government has vowed to make it (Gippsland) a high tech region of Australia. Gippsland needs activities that encourage researchers and students to come here, as well as to stay." Richardson agrees "that it is quite important to the region. It has been supported by all the facilities of all the schools at this campus and will work better here than elsewhere because of the cooperation among the Gippsland schools that are harder to find at other universities."

With Monash Gippsland set to enter into an independent area of study, 2003 looks to be an exciting year for both students and lecturers at Gippsland.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here

Note: To start the discussion you will have to login with your member account.

• New Lights Brighten the Way at Traralgon Reserves
  New lighting will make people feel safe.
• New VicHealth Funding Available
  $2.5 million in new funding to support local organisations to address the immediate health and wellbeing concerns of Victorians hardest hit by the impact coronavirus pandemic.
• New Paths lead to Improved Community Access
  Construction has started on a new path along Storey Street in Wonthaggi, between Wentworth Road and Korumburra Road.
• New Paths lead to Improved Community Access
  Construction has started on a new path along Storey Street in Wonthaggi, between Wentworth Road and Korumburra Road.
• New Campaign Celebrates the Elderly
  Positive attitudes towards ageing and senior citizens in Latrobe City.
• A New Home for the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre
  PICAL’s current site is set to be the site for the new Phillip Island Community Hospital.
• New Agriculture Minister Will Have a Full Plate Over Summer
  Lack of leadership on key challenges affecting farmers and regional communities.
• New Federal funds could open the floodgates to Big Buffalo
  Victoria must seize the opportunity to build Big Buffalo and boost water security for irrigators in the northeast after the Federal Budget delivered an unprecedented $2 billion for water infrastructure
• New Energy and Growth Program for the Latrobe Valley
  Latrobe Valley Energy and Growth Program (LVEGP) is now open for applications.
• New Infrastructure for Latrobe Regional Hospital
  Hospitals across the state will receive the latest life-saving medical equipment and upgrading vital infrastructure.
• New Business Penalties and Rules raise concern
  Strong penalties and rules that now apply for booking arrangements in Regional Victoria.
• New Initiative Opens Cultural Doors for Locals
  Distance and transport will no longer be a barrier for Latrobe Valley residents wanting to attend cultural events in the regional city.
• New look Morwell Rose Festival to Go Ahead
  Annual celebration of the stunning blooms of Morwell’s Centenary Rose Garden will push thru.
• New Addition to Cowes Footpath Network
  $90,000 project will take around four weeks to complete under the Aspirational Pathways Program.
• New Regional COVID Rules a Mixed Bag
  Mixed views on COVID-19 restrictions for Regional Victorians.
• New CFA Station for Winnindoo
  Winnindoo Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer fire station in the Wellington Shire will be under the $126 million CFA capability funding.
• Northe Renews Calls for Lifeline Gippsland Funding Amid Budget Shun
  Calls for increased funding for Lifeline Gippsland renewed.
• Launch of New look 2020 International Rose Garden Festival Morwell
  Launch of International Rose Garden Festival Morwell
• Lighting Gives New Life to Traralgon Parks
  New lighting funded.
• Announcement of New Latrobe City Councillors
  New-look Latrobe City Council.
• Liberal Nationals Release New Plan to get Victorians Back to Work and Back in Business
  Victoria needs a bold plan.
• Council Elects New Mayor and Deputy Mayor
  Councillor Sharon Gibson is the new Mayor of Latrobe City
• Have your say on Victoria‘s New Container Deposit Scheme
  Victorians can continue to dispose of their bottles with a 10 cent refund for aluminum, glass and plastic drink containers returned for recycling.
• Dalyston Readies for New Netball Precinct
  Dalyston Football Netball Club to benefit from complete overhaul of its existing facilities.
• On the Lookout for a New Kind of Art
  Artists need to register their interest by submitting a portfolio of previous works by Sunday, 22 November.
• 2021 Latrobe Regional Galley new exhibitions
  A fun and wonderful way to spend time with the family while expanding our creativity through art.
• Boosting Red Meat Industry, Smart Farms Small Grants, and Have your Say on New Fisheries Framework
  Free weekly update on research to benefit farmers.
• Regions Still in Lockdown Despite No New Cases
  Why do communities and businesses in country Victoria can’t move to the Last Step?
• Policies Adopted in Time for New Act
  The Public Transparency Policy 2020 provides clarity on the information Council must make available, access to that information and categories of information that Council may not be able to make available to the public.
• COVID-19 Restrictions to Impact Bass Coast over New Year
  No fireworks displays in 2020.
• Kinders in the Latrobe Valley Get Tech Savvy with New Gear
  $1.1 million in technology grants for kindergartens.
• Swimming Pool and Spa Registrations
  New state government laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety.
• Bush Crew beautifies Latrobe City
  Workers found new employment after losing their jobs during the pandemic through beautification of Latrobe City.
• Labor’s Bushfire Recovery ‘Plan’ Long Overdue
  Rolling old money up in a new press release delivers nothing for families, businesses and communities in East Gippsland and north east Victoria hit by January’s catastrophic bushfires.
• Inverloch Projects Ready to Go
  Projects include road and kerb renewal works along Golf Street, between Freda Street and Sandymount Avenue and the design and installation of a new shelter at the Wallace Avenue Park.
• $14 Million in Grants to Support Emergency Volunteers
  Grant to fund new equipment and vehicles in support for emergency volunteers.
• Low Cases Grounds for Early Mark for Regional Vic
  Implement New South Wales restrictions in country areas.
• Caring for our Diverse Community
  Council appointed new members to the City Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee.
• Cowes Starts the Year on the Right Path
  Council prepares to commence construction of two new paths and the renewal of an existing path as part of its 2020/21 Capital Works Program.
• Customer Service Up and Running in Cowes
  Council has opened a new Customer Service Centre in Cowes
• Bringing More Clean Energy to Gippsland
  The Victorian Government is helping more Gippsland businesses use renewable energy technologies to reduce electricity costs, create local jobs and support clean power
• Ambulance Stations still on Hold
  No progress on the promised new Morwell and Moe Ambulance Stations.
• Call Out for Creative Ideas to Boost Tourism
  Ideas needed for creative projects that have strong potential to become new tourist attractions, contributing to the economic recovery of the region in 2021 and beyond.
• $2.5 Million for Cowes Cultural Centre
  Demolition of the old site is underway, while construction of the new facility will start in early 2021 and is expected to take 12 to 14 months.