Bachelor of Business Systems

• General information
• Entrance requirements
• Accreditation
• Industry-based learning program
  • Quota
  • Scholarship selection
• Course structure
• Industry-based learning stream
  • First year
    • First semester
    • Second semester
  • Second year
    • Summer school
    • First semester
    • Second semester
  • Third year
    • First semester
    • Second semester
• Normal stream
  • First year
    • First semester
    • Second semester
  • Second year
  • Third year
• Elective streams
• Honours program in business systems
• Business systems scholarships
  • Industry-based learning stream
    • Current sponsors of the industry-based learning stream (as at May 2000):

General information

Course code: 0102 Clayton campus Director of studies: Dr Dineli Mather Web address: http://www.bsys.monash.edu.au Email address: bsinfo@infotech.monash.edu.au
The Bachelor of Business Systems is an integrated study of computer-based management systems. The curriculum has been developed in consultation with the industry partners of the school and potential employers of graduates of the program. The Bachelor of Business Systems degree can be completed in three years of full-time study.
The course has two aims: to provide students with an understanding of information technology applications in business within the context of a general grounding in management education, and to prepare them for leadership roles. Students develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes in the broad areas of information technology, business and communication. In addition, graduates should be able to relate their university studies to the world of business and to offer employers a competitive advantage in business operations. Graduates are expected to obtain initial employment in a business or information systems area, before moving into more general management positions.
Two streams are offered -- a normal stream and an industry-based learning (IBL) stream.

Entrance requirements

The course prerequisites are units 1 and 2 of a VCE mathematics and a study score of at least 20 in VCE English units 3 and 4.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Business Systems degree meets the professional-level membership requirements of the Australian Computer Society. Students taking the accounting specialisation may apply for membership of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Students interested in this specialisation should consult with the faculty concerning subject choices.

Industry-based learning program

The Bachelor of Business Systems course at Clayton offers the option of an industry-based learning program. The applicants who qualify for it are awarded a scholarship (currently valued at approximately $27,000 over the three years) and are required to undertake an industrial placement for any of the participating companies as directed by the university. It is assumed that all applicants for the course will be prepared to sign a contract to undertake industrial placement where directed and to abide by the conditions of the scholarship which is awarded to Australian residents based on an interview. The IBL program is not available to international students.
A total of 10 months will be spent in industry-based learning, for which there will be no stipend in addition to the scholarship. The student's work during the placement will be structured and assessed as part of the degree.

Quota

The number of scholarships awarded for those in the IBL stream is dependent on the number of sponsors available. In 2001, approximately 15 scholarships will be awarded to first-year students. About 15 additional scholarships will be awarded in 2002 to non-IBL students completing first year, based on academic record and interview.

Scholarship selection

Selection in the IBL stream is based on a student's VCE results and an interview. Scholarships will be restricted to Australian resident school leavers. Applicants should note that the granting of a scholarship does not create an employment obligation on the part of students or contributing sponsors. In order to remain in the IBL stream, students must perform at a high academic level.

Course structure

For course map details, refer to map 1 (industry-based learning stream) and map 2 (non-IBL stream) in the ´Undergraduate course maps' section.
The pass degree course consists of subjects to a total value of 144 points and, if taken on a full-time basis, is of three years duration. The pass degree includes both compulsory and optional subjects selected from the range of business systems subjects, plus subjects chosen from those offered by other schools and departments. Business systems subjects make up three-quarters (36 points) of first year, and approximately half of second and third year (24 points in each year), except in the IBL stream where business systems subjects make up 42 points of second and third years.
In general, a maximum of 60 points of first-year subjects may be counted towards the degree. Students must complete at least 36 points of second-year subjects and at least 36 points of third-year subjects.
All business systems subjects are worth six points, other than industry-based learning subjects BUS2000 and BUS3000, which are currently worth 18 points each.

Industry-based learning stream

The pass degree on the IBL stream must be taken full-time. The industry-based learning component of the degree is in two periods -- the first from July to December of the second year and the second from January to June of the third year.
In addition to the core program, students may select electives from any faculty, provided they have the necessary prerequisites. One elective must be an economics subject. The total number of points that may be completed as electives in the IBL stream is 24 points or one-sixth of the degree.

First year

First semester

• BUS1010 Introductory computing for business applications (6 points)
• BUS1060 Computer programming for business A (6 points)
• BUS1100 Quantitative methods for business systems (6 points)
• One elective (6 points)

Second semester

• BUS1021 Business information systems (6 points)
• BUS1042 Computer programming for business B (6 points)
• BUS1110 Computer models for business decisions (6 points)
• One elective (6 points)

Second year

Summer school

• BUS2176 Project management (6 points)

First semester

• BUS3112 Database systems and data management (6 points)
• BUS2120 Computer concepts and software systems (6 points)
• IMS2071 Systems analysis and design (6 points)
• One elective (6 points)
• BUS2030 Business communications (6 points)

Second semester

• BUS2000 Industry-based learning (18 points)

Third year

First semester

• BUS3000 Industry-based learning (18 points) (enrolment only on approval of director of studies)

Second semester

• BUS2062 Data communications (6 points)
• BUS3150 Computer facilities and network management (6 points)
• BUS3530 Operations management systems (6 points)
• One business systems elective:

Students completing the accounting stream may substitute some subjects at the discretion of the course director.

Normal stream

The pass degree is normally taken full-time. Applicants should note that this stream does not include an industry-based component.
In addition to the core subjects, students may complete electives to a total value of 48 points or one-third of the degree. Electives will normally be selected from accounting, computing, economics and management, but students may choose any elective from subjects offered within the faculty or by other faculties, provided they have the appropriate prerequisites.

First year

First semester

• BUS1010 Introductory computing for business applications (6 points)
• BUS1060 Computer programming for business A (6 points)
• BUS1100 Quantitative methods for business systems (6 points)
• One elective subject (6 points)

Second semester

• BUS1021 Business information systems (6 points)
• BUS1042 Computer programming for business B (6 points)
• BUS1110 Computer models for business decisions (6 points)
• One elective subject (6 points)

Second year

• BUS2011 Programming for business applications (6 points)
• BUS2062 Data communications (6 points)
• BUS2120 Computer concepts and software systems (6 points)
• BUS2176 Project management (6 points)
• IMS2071 Systems analysis and design (6 points)
• Elective subjects (totalling 18 points)

Third year

• BUS3112 Database systems and data management (6 points)
• BUS3020 Trading systems and electronic commerce (6 points)
• BUS3030 Financial modelling (6 points)
• BUS3530 Operations management systems (6 points)
• BUS3600 Business case development (6 points)
• Elective subjects (totalling 18 points)

Elective streams

Individual students may choose an elective program that reflects their interests or career goals. Students should note that enrolment in first-year subjects may be limited to those who meet a particular faculty's entry requirements, eg have a sufficiently high entry score.
The following programs show examples of elective streams in accounting, management and languages.

Honours program in business systems

Course code: 0673 Clayton campus Coordinator: Dr R Li Web address: http://www.bsys.monash.edu.au Email address: bsinfo@infotech.monash.edu.au
The aim of this course is to assist students to further their learning, research, analytical and written as well as verbal communication skills; to enhance their ability to design and develop practical solutions to commercial and business problems and opportunities; and to develop their abilities to take responsibility and manage projects.
The honours course is available to students who have completed all the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Business Systems and have achieved an average of credit or above in all subjects undertaken in the third year. Students with equivalent qualifications from the Bachelor of Computing or a similar degree from a recognised institution may also be considered subject to the approval of the head of the School of Business Systems.
The course consists of an eight-unit subject BUS4000. Normally students undertake BUS4530 (Software systems design and development) which is compulsory, two fourth-year subjects and a project comprising five of the eight units.
The project represents 62.5 per cent of the year's work. Students must attend graduate student seminars and make presentations on the content of their projects.
With the approval of the director of the honours program, students may substitute the two fourth-year subjects with two subjects not previously studied which would normally be available to students in the Bachelor of Business Systems third year.

Business systems scholarships

Industry-based learning stream

A number of students entering the course are selected for the industry-based learning (IBL) stream. Students in the IBL stream spend two semesters of the three years working in industry and receive scholarship. The university currently makes fortnightly scholarship payments to more than 80 IBL students, as particular employers do not sponsor individual students. The granting of scholarship does not create an employment obligation -- on the part of the students or on behalf of the contributing employers -- upon completion of the course. However, a special recruitment day is held for contributing employers and IBL stream students in the third year of the course. The IBL stream is not available to international students.
For further information bout the industry-based learning stream, contact the School of Business Systems.

Current sponsors of the industry-based learning stream (as at May 2000):

• Anderson Consulting
• AXA Australia
• Brightstar Information Technology Group Pty. Ltd.
• Coles Myer Ltd.
• Email Metals
• Esso Australia
• IBM Australia
• IBM Global Services Australia
• Joint venture with Lend Lease and Telstra
• McCormick Foods Australia
• Mobil Oil Australia
• National Australia Bank
• PayConnect solutions
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers
• QENOS
• Shell Australia Ltd.
• Southcorp Packaging
• Pacific Dunlop Distribution Group

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