Honours degree of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems

Course code: 3336 ~ Course abbreviation: BITS(Hons) ~ Total credit points required: 48 ~ 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Information Technology

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Berwick; Caulfield; Gippsland; South Africa)

Course description

Students are expected to develop higher-level skills related to a specific discipline area; to acquire research skills appropriate to their discipline; to understand the fundamentals of conceptual, methodological and implementation issues of IT-related research; and to conduct research in a selected area using the concepts and principles learned, which will culminate in the completion of an honours thesis.

Course objectives

Graduates will have an understanding of: the role of research in information technology to provide support to organisations and society; the research theories and techniques used in information technology; a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods; and the roles of research ethics, peer review and collaborative research. Graduates will have the abilities and skills to: develop the fundamentals of conceptual methodological and implementation issues of IT related research; think creatively in developing solutions to problems; critically analyse research literature and conduct a literature review; conduct independent research, applying methods, tools and techniques appropriate to the research question; document and communicate research results and the methods used both orally and in a written report; and consider and respond appropriately to the ethical dimensions of professional relationships and responsibilities. Graduates will have attitudes that enable them to: take initiative and work independently; objectively assess their own performance; be aware of the social consequences of the role of information technology; feel enthusiasm for the field of study and a preparedness to continue life long education in their discipline; accept the code of professional conduct and practice appropriate to practising information technology professionals; and act in accordance with best practice, industry standards and professional ethics.

Entry requirements

A person may be admitted to candidature for BITS(Hons) if they:

(a) satisfy the requirements of a relevant pass degree and obtained credit average or above in all units with a distinction in third-year IT units; or

(b) gained qualifications and experience in studies undertaken in any faculty or educational institution if such qualifications and experience are deemed by the faculty's admissions and credit transfer sub-committee to be preparation equivalent to attainment of the pass degree of the standard specified in paragraph (a) above.

Course structure

Course requirements

The honours degree consists of a total of 48 points, comprising:

FIT4005 IT research methods (6 points) with compulsory attendance at workshops and stipulated faculty seminars
honours thesis (24 points)
three level 4 or 5 units* chosen from a list published by the Faculty of Information Technology (6 points each)

*A maximum of one unit may be selected from units offered by other faculties with the approval of the honours coordinator.

Contact details

Visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/honours

Course coordinators

Dr Judithe Sheard (Caulfield), Dr Madhu Chetty (Gippsland), Ms Kirsten Ellis (Berwick), Dr Jacques Steyn (South Africa)