Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2003: Units indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Business Systems


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 a cooperative education program between the School of Business Systems and industry. The degree focuses on the applications of information technology in business and leads to a career in business information technology. 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 is a broad-based degree with core units spanning computer programming to business analysis and 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 and to prepare them for leadership roles. Graduates are expected to obtain employment in a role such as a business analyst or IT consultant.
Two streams are offered - the coursework stream and the industry- based learning (IBL) stream.

Entry requirements

The course prerequisites are units 1 and 2 of a VCE mathematics and a study score of at least 25 in units 3 and 4 VCE English (any). Admission to the degree is also possible through the Monash University Dean's Scholars Program.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Business Systems degree meets the professional-level membership requirements of the Australian Computer Society.

Scholarships

The School of Business Systems offers a large number of scholarships to students admitted to the Bachelor of Business Systems.

Admission scholarships
Business Systems Achievement Scholarships

This merit award aims to attract high-achieving students to the Bachelor of Business Systems degree by providing funding for the HECS fees. Awarded to the top three local students with the highest ENTERs, the achievement scholarship is worth $15,000 over the three years of the degree ($5000 per annum). The minimum ENTER to be eligible for this award is 98.00. This scholarship is not available to students who are admitted to the degree through the Dean's Scholar's Program. Students awarded the achievement scholarship are required to maintain a distinction average each semester in order to retain the scholarship.

Business Systems Industry-Based Learning (IBL) Scholarships

IBL scholarships are awarded based on an interview conducted after enrolment in the degree. More information on these scholarships is given under the `IBL Program' entry below. IBL scholarships are worth $32,000 over three years of study, and students in the program are given the opportunity to be based in industry for two semesters. There are approximately 35 to 40 IBL scholarships available each year.

Business Systems Head of School's Scholarships

This merit-based award aims to reward high-achieving students in the Bachelor of Business Systems degree. Awarded to the top two students at each year level, the scholarship is worth $10,000 (for one year). The award is based on the academic performance of the students during their first or second year of study and is awarded at the start of the second or third year of study.

Industry-based learning program

The Bachelor of Business Systems course at Clayton offers an industry- based learning program. Applicants who qualify for the industry-based learning program are awarded a scholarship (currently valued at $32,000 over three years) and are required to undertake an industry placement for any of the participating companies as directed by the university. The scholarships are awarded to Australian residents based on an interview conducted after admission to the Bachelor of Business Systems. The IBL program is not available to international students.

It is assumed that all applicants for the course will be prepared to sign a contract to undertake their industry placement where directed and to abide by the conditions of the scholarship. 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.
IBL stream students are required to be available during the normal vacation period in summer and winter for special units and industry-based learning placements.
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.

Scholarship selection

There are two intakes into the IBL stream each year. The first intake is in March, and selection is based on VCE results and an interview. The second intake is in December, and selection is based on students' academic record during the year and an interview. The assessment criteria used at the interviews includes communication skills, leadership, initiative, part-time work experience (does not have to be related to IT), and career interests.

IBL Scholarships are restricted to Australian resident school leavers.

Quota

The number of scholarships awarded for those in the IBL stream is dependent on the number of sponsors available. In 2003, approximately 15 scholarships will be awarded in the first intake in March. About 20 additional scholarships will be awarded in the second intake in December.

Industry partners of the program

Course structure

For course map details, refer to map 1 (coursework stream) and map 2 (IBL stream) in the `Undergraduate course maps' section.

The pass degree course consists of units 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 (core) and optional (elective) units selected from the range of business systems units, plus units chosen from those offered by other schools and departments.
In general, a maximum of 60 points of first-year units may be counted towards the degree. Students must complete at least 36 points of second- year units and at least 36 points of third-year units.
All business systems units are worth six points, other than industry- based learning units BUS2000 and BUS3000, which are worth 18 points each.

Core units
Elective units

In general, students are encouraged to broaden their education by choosing their electives from outside the Faculty of Information Technology. Note that students are required to read two electives from the Faculty of Business and Economics in their first year of study. Students are also required to take at least one electronic commerce elective and at least one business analysis elective from the School of Business Systems. In order to meet the credit point requirements, students must take at least two second-year-level electives and at least three third-year-level electives.

Students in the industry-based learning stream have two additional requirements: BUS2030 (Business communications) is added to the list of core units and students are required to read at least one economics elective.
Please refer to the course maps in the `Undergraduate course maps' section of this handbook for specific details relating to these units and the semesters in which they should be taken.

Honours program in business systems

Course code: 0673 + Clayton campus + Coordinator: Dr L Churilov + 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 units undertaken in the third year. Students with equivalent qualifications from 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-part unit BUS4000. Normally students undertake three fourth-year units 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.

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