Bachelor of Multimedia


General information

Course code: 2163 · Berwick campus · Course coodinator: Dr Kathy Blashki
The Bachelor of Multimedia is offered by the School of Information Management and Systems in collaboration with the Faculty of Art and Design. The aim of the Bachelor of Multimedia is to provide undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential to the analysis, design and implementation of computer-based multimedia products, services and systems. The principal focus of the degree is on the development process, and all subject material is oriented towards the problems of identifying appropriate areas of application of multimedia, and developing products and systems to meet different user requirements.
The course content is not specific to any particular application area for multimedia, but provides students with exposure to as wide as possible a variety of applications in business and government, while enabling them to develop specialised expertise in areas of greatest interest to them. The course has a very strong practical focus which emphasises learning by doing. Students are required to carry out a lot of practical development of real systems for real-life clients to reinforce the theory covered in formal lectures and tutorials.

Entry requirements

Entry into the Bachelor of Multimedia will require completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (or equivalent) with a minimum study score of 25 in English units 3 and 4. Mature-age applicants are considered on the basis of their employment history, educational background and career objectives. A lack of formal qualifications should not discourage inquiry.

Employment

The Bachelor of Multimedia aims to produce graduates who will work in both the public and private sectors developing computer-based multimedia systems, products and services. Students will gain experience in a wide variety of industry-standard tools and technologies used in web-based and CD-ROM-based systems. The course has a strong practical orientation, and will be ideally suited to meet the needs of industry, government and business.

Honours year

Outstanding students who wish to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of aspects of multimedia may choose to take a fourth year of study, called an honours year. Completion of an honours year is essential for students who wish to pursue a research career. Entry into the Bachelor of Multimedia honours year will require completion of the Bachelor of Multimedia pass degree, or equivalent qualification, with an overall grade average of credit. The honours program will not be offered until 2001.

Course structure

For course map details, refer to map 10 in the 'Undergraduate course maps' section. The pass degree involves 144 credit points of study made up of the following components:

Compulsory core subjects (72 points)

Twelve six-point subjects spread throughout the three years of the degree. They will cover the fundamental elements of the development of multimedia products, services and systems. Areas covered by the core subjects include multimedia tools and technology, the systems development process, graphic design, visual communication, interface design, the creation of narrative in multimedia, and multimedia in society.

Multimedia studio subjects (36 points)

One full-year 12-point subject in each year of the course. Each of these subjects will contain a mixture of project-based system development work, laboratory sessions, tutorials, seminars and formal lectures. They will enable the students to learn about multimedia and the process of multimedia system development by developing systems and system components in conditions similar to those which they will encounter in the workplace.

Electives (36 points)

These will comprise units of study chosen by the student to broaden their interests or to develop in depth their understanding and skills in particular areas of multimedia which suit their interests and aptitude. Examples of relevant fields include computer programming, the technology of multimedia, information systems, graphic design, communication and electronic commerce. At least 18 credit points of study must be thematically related in some way to form a coherent sequence.
No more than 60 points of first-year subjects may be counted towards the degree and at least 36 points must be at third-year level.
The core subjects and studio subjects are offered only during the day at the Berwick campus. Specialisation and elective subjects may be taken in any mode at any Monash campus.

First year

The first-year core subjects will introduce students to key basic concepts in information technology, information and media, the design process and the process of multimedia system development. The primary focus will be on gaining an understanding of basic multimedia development concepts and familiarity with the technical environment for developing multimedia products and systems. Practical work will be based around development of systems for the World Wide Web.

Core
Studio
Electives
Second year

The second-year subjects will build on the material covered in the first-year core, and cover more advanced topics in the tools and techniques of multimedia systems development. The main focus will be on advanced graphics, video and sound production and multimedia authoring.

Core
Studio
Electives
Third year

The third-year subjects will explore the social and organisational context of multimedia systems, and provide a basic introduction to the business environment in which most students will be seeking employment. The focus will be on the usage of multimedia products and systems and their implications for business and for society.

Core
Studio
Electives