Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2005: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2005 - Information Technology

Bachelor of Business Systems

Course code: 0102 + Course abbreviation: BBusSys + Total credit points required: 144 + 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton; South Africa)

Course description

This course, a cooperative education program between the School of Business Systems and industry, 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 program offers a broad-based degree, with core units spanning computer programming to business analysis.
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 (Clayton and South Africa) and the industry-based learning (IBL) stream (Clayton only).

Industry-based learning stream (Clayton campus only)

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 two 24-week industry placements for any of the participating companies as directed by the university. 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.
The scholarships are awarded to Australian residents based on an interview conducted by the industry partners of the School of Business Systems. The IBL program is not available to international students.
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.
There are two intakes into the IBL stream each year. In 2005, there will be approximately 40 IBL scholarships awarded to students admitted to the first year of the degree. About half of these will be offered in the first release of IBL scholarships in December 2004 prior to VTAC change of preference. The rest of the scholarships will be released towards the end of the first year of study. 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.
Industry partners of the program include the following:

Entry requirements

Victorian Certificate of Education

The course prerequisites are units 1 and 2 of General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods and a study score of at least 25 in units 3 and 4 VCE English (any).

South Africa campus

SAFCERT with matriculation endorsement or exemption provided by the Matriculation Board (students using either of the previous methods must meet the entry criteria of 40 points for guaranteed entry), or a minimum GCE A-level score of 18 or a minimum IB score of 28, and have successfully completed the prerequisite units of English and Mathematics at Grade 12 level or equivalent, or other qualifications deemed to be equivalent to the above (subject to approval by Monash University).

Course structure

The course 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.

Course requirements

The Bachelor of Business Systems pass degree consists of units to a total value of 144 points. 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.
Students must complete the course requirements for the relevant stream as specified below (refer also to course maps 1.0 and 1.1 at the back of IT faculty section in this handbook).

Core units - coursework stream
First year
Second year
Third year
Core units - industry-based learning stream

As above, plus:

Second year
Third year
Elective units

In general, students are encouraged to broaden their education by choosing their electives from outside the Faculty of Information Technology. Students are required to complete two electives from the Faculty of Business and Economics in their first year of study and at least one business systems electronic commerce elective and one business systems business analysis elective. 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 must also complete at least one economics elective.

Business systems undergraduate elective units*
Second year
Third year

* Note that not all units listed are offered at multiple campuses.

Professional recognition

The course meets the professional-level membership requirements of the Australian Computer Society.

Contact details

Inquiries (Clayton): email bsinfo@infotech.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.bsys.monash.edu.au.
Inquiries (South Africa): email inquiries@monash.ac.za or visit http://www.monash.ac.za/.

Course directors

Dr John Betts (Clayton), Neil Manson (South Africa)

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