Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2002: Units indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Information Management and Systems


General information

Course code: 2193 + Caulfield campus + Course coordinator: Ms Helen Edwards
The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Information Management and Systems is a four-year full-time or eight-year part-time course comprising 192 credit points (90 arts credit points and 102 information technology points as specified here below). This course satisfies the core requirements of both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Information Management and Systems.

Entry requirements

A study score of at least 25 in each of English (any)and mathematics (any) units 3 and 4, and a study score of at least 20 in any two other VCE studies.

Bachelor of Arts component

This component of the course comprises 90 credit points of units made up of the following:

A year-by-year student progression through this component of the course is as follows.

First year -- 24 points

First-year sequence in arts discipline A (12 points)
First-year sequence in arts discipline C (12 points)

Second year -- 24 points

Second-year units in arts discipline A (12 points)
First-year sequence in arts discipline B (12 points)

Third year -- 24 points

Third-year unit in arts discipline A (6 points)
Second-year unit in arts discipline A (6 points)
Second-year units in arts discipline B (12 points)

Fourth year -- 18 points

Third-year units in arts discipline A (12 points)
Second-year unit in arts discipline B (6 points)

Bachelor of Information Management and Systems component

This component of the course comprises 102 credit points of units. The first and second-year core units in Information Management and Systems introduce students to the nature of information flows in organisations and society, the nature of common computer-based information systems and products and systems analysis and design methodologies. In addition, core units in computer programming and project management provide students with the technological concepts and skills needed to manage an information systems project.
In the studio units, students gain practical experience in the processes required for the development of information products, services and systems.
A year-by-year student progression through this component of the course is as follows.

First year -- 24 points
Second year -- 24 points
Third year -- 24 points
Fourth year -- 30 points
Fourth year -- 48 points
Second semester
First semester
Third year -- 48 points
Second semester
First semester
Second year -- 48 points
Second semester
First semester
First-year -- 48 points
Second semester
First semester

Course objectives

This double-degree course is composed of two existing degrees. The detailed objectives remain those of each degree.

Bachelor of Arts

Graduates in arts are expected to have:

Bachelor of Information Management and Systems

The following characteristics have been identified as appropriate to the BIMS:
(a) Development focus -- The principal focus of the course will be on the development process, and all subject material will be oriented towards the problems of identifying appropriate areas of application for information management and systems, and developing products, services and systems to meet the different information requirements of users.
(b) Vocational focus -- The course will be vocationally oriented in that it will aim to produce graduate that will work in both the public and private sectors developing and managing information services, products and systems.
(c) Application focus -- The course will not be application-specific, in that no single application area will be specified as a compulsory area of in-depth study. The course will provide students with exposure to as broad as possible a variety of applications of information services, products and systems in business and government, while enabling them to develop specialised expertise in areas of greatest interest to them.
(d) Practical focus -- The course will have a very strong practical focus which emphasises learning-by-doing. Students will be required to carry out the practical development of real systems, products and services to reinforce the theory covered in formal lecturers and tutorials. The ideas behind the introduction of the learning-by-doing, or studio, component of the BIMS have been developed over many years and have been subject to peer review.
The course will educate information professionals to meet the social and business needs of the community for information systems, services and products in all media. It aims to produce independent, self-sufficient professionals able to work in a range of roles, for example as an employee, team member, contractor or self-employed practitioner.
On completion of the BIMS, graduates will be able to:

Specifically, graduates will have knowledge of:

Students will have an understanding of:

Students will have the skills to:

Students will have developed attitudes which allow them to:

Length of course

Four years full-time, eight years part-time.

Entry requirements

This course will be offered through the VTAC system. Entry requirements will follow those required for both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Information Management and Systems degrees, ie an average grade of at least 25 in units 3 and 4 English (any) and an average grade of at least 25 in three other VCE studies.

Advanced standing (credit provision)

Provision will be made for appropriate credit transfer and advanced standing arrangements for students in other courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Information Technology. Students in the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Information Management degree will be specifically encouraged to apply for transfer to this course with advanced standing and full credit transfer. Admission with advanced standing to the BIMS component will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There are no articulation arrangements relating to the course.

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