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Monash University: University handbooks: Undergraduate handbook

Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems

NOTE: This version if the BITS degree has been superceded by the current version of this course available at www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/courses/3334.html and is provided for comparison purposes only with the current version.

Course code: 3334 ~ course abbreviation: BITS ~ Total credit points required: 144 ~ 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Information Technology

Study mode and course location

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

Off-campus (Gippsland)

Course description

This course aims to produce graduates who satisfy the information technology needs of industry, government and business, and who can expect employment as IT professionals in the fields of applications programming, systems programming, systems analysis, networks and network management, information and knowledge management, project management, data communications, database design and management, multimedia, security and a range of specialised positions, according to the major study selected. Students develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes in the broad areas of software development, computer technology, networks and data communications, and information systems.

There are ten major areas of study offered at different campuses in the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems:

  • applications development and networks (Gippsland, South Africa* and off-campus)
  • business systems (Gippsland, South Africa* and off-campus)
  • information management (Caulfield)
  • information systems (Caulfield, Sunway)
  • internet systems (Caulfield)
  • multimedia applications (Berwick)
  • multimedia games development (Caulfield)
  • net-centric computing (Caulfield, Sunway)
  • security (Caulfield)
  • systems development (Caulfield).

    * Degree name pending government approval

Students may complete the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a double major, by completing the requirements of two majors within the six semesters of the degree. Double majors are available as below.

Caulfield

Each of the following majors may be combined with a second BITS major from this list:

  • information management
  • information systems
  • internet systems
  • net-centric computing
  • security
  • systems development.

Gippsland (and off-campus)

  • business systems
  • applications development and networks

Sunway

  • information systems
  • net-centric computing.

For details of double majors that are available, please see the course maps published by the Faculty of Information Technology (available at http://www.infotech.monash.edu/bits/coursemaps).

Course objectives

The Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems aims to provide its graduates with an understanding of the role of information technology in organisations and society, of the methods, tools and techniques used in the planning, development, implementation and management of information products and systems, of computer hardware and software technologies, of theories and techniques in the selected degree specialisation, and of the legal, ethical and philosophical issues relating to information technology. Graduates should acquire the abilities and skills to apply the methods, tools, research skills and techniques used to develop correct, well structured and documented information products and systems, to effectively use computer hardware and software technologies, to flexibly and independently apply theoretical knowledge, to think creatively and critically, to take responsibility for self-learning, to communicate effectively, and to respond appropriately to the ethical considerations. Graduates should acquire attitudes needed by an information technology professional, to be an effective team member, to take initiative and work independently, to be willing to objectively self-assess performance, to be aware of social consequences, to be flexible and enthusiastic, to be willing to continue life long education, to accept the code of professional conduct and practice, and to act in accordance with best practice, industry standards and professional ethics.

Course structure

The course includes compulsory (core) and elective units, totalling 144 points. A minimum of 30 points are completed at level one, and a minimum of 36 points at level three. Note that a maximum of 60 points are permitted at level one.

The course consists of three components. The first is a core of seven units, common to all undergraduate Information Technology courses, covering the areas of: computer systems, networks and data communications technology, computer programming, database, information technology in organisations, systems analysis and design and IT project management. The second component is made up from further Information Technology units as required by a selected major. The third component consists of a number of electives from inside or outside the faculty, as determined by the particular major selected.

Areas of study

There are ten majors that can be undertaken: applications development and networks; business systems; information management; information systems; internet systems; multimedia applications; multimedia games development; security; systems development; and net-centric computing.

Course requirements

Students must complete the course requirements for the relevant major as specified below. All units are 6 points, unless otherwise specified.

Applications development and networks major (Gippsland, South Africa and off-campus)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in applications development and networks, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
  • FIT2001 Systems analysis and design
  • FIT2002 IT project management
  • FIT2005 Systems analysis and design 2
  • FIT2009 Data structures and algorithms
  • FIT2020 Networks and data communications 2
  • FIT2029 Web programming
Level three
  • FIT3037 Software engineering
  • FIT3046 Operating environments
  • FIT3047 Industrial experience project 1
  • FIT3048 Industrial experience project 2
Further Information Technology units

Students take 12 points of level three Information Technology units from the schedule of electives for this major, contained in the course map for this major published by the Faculty of Information Technology (available at http://www.infotech.monash.edu/bits/coursemaps).

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 24 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Business systems major (Gippsland, South Africa and off-campus)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in business systems, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
Level three
  • FIT3002 Applications of data mining
  • FIT3019 Information systems management
  • FIT3047 Industrial experience project 1
  • FIT3048 Industrial experience project 2
Further Information Technology units

Students take 12 points of level three Information Technology units from the schedule of electives for this major, contained in the course map for this major published by the Faculty of Information Technology (available at http://www.infotech.monash.edu/bits/coursemaps).

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 18 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Information management major (Caulfield)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in information management, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
  • FIT2001 Systems analysis and design
  • FIT2002 IT project management
  • FIT2053 Web-based information systems
  • FIT2054 Information management in organisations
  • FIT2055 Web content management
Level three
Further Information Technology units

Students take 6 points of level two and 12 points of level three Information Technology units offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, on any campus.

Students who wish to obtain professional recognition from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Records Management Association of Australia (RMAA) or Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) should contact their course coordinator regarding selection of relevant level three units.

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 24 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Information systems major (Caulfield, Sunway)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in information systems, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
  • FIT2001 Systems analysis and design
  • FIT2002 IT project management
  • FIT2027 Systems design and implementation
  • FIT2051 Analysis and design methods
  • FIT2052 Electronic business
  • FIT2053 Web-based information systems
Level three
  • FIT3047 Industrial experience project 1
  • FIT3048 Industrial experience project 2
  • FIT3063 Human-computer interaction
  • FIT3066 Information technology strategy and management
  • FIT3068 Systems integration
Further Information Technology units

Students take 6 points of level three Information Technology units offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, on any campus.

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 24 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Internet systems major (Caulfield)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology Systems with a major in internet systems, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
Level three
Further Information Technology units

Students take 12 points of level three Information Technology units offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, on any campus.

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 24 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Multimedia applications major (Berwick)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in multimedia applications, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
Level three
Elective units

Students complete 24 points of electives, of which no more than twelve points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Multimedia games development major (Caulfield)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in multimedia games development, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
Level three
Further Information Technology units

Students take 6 points of level three Information Technology units offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, on any campus.

Elective units

Students complete 24 points of electives, of which no more than 12 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Net-centric computing major (Caulfield, Sunway)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology Systems with a major in net-centric computing, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
Level three
  • FIT3047 Industrial experience project 1
  • FIT3048 Industrial experience project 2
Further Information Technology units

Students take 12 points of level three Information Technology units from the schedule of electives for this major, contained in the course map for this major published by the Faculty of Information Technology (available at http://www.infotech.monash.edu/bits/coursemaps).

Students also take 12 points of level three Information Technology units offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, on any campus.

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 24 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Security major (Caulfield)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in security, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
Level three
  • FIT3047 Industrial experience project 1
  • FIT3048 Industrial experience project 2
  • FIT3056 Secure and trusted software systems
  • FIT3105 Identity management
Further Information Technology units

Students take 12 points of level three Information Technology units offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, on any campus.

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 24 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Systems development major (Caulfield)

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems with a major in systems development, students must complete the course requirements outlined below.

Compulsory units
Level one
Level two
  • FIT2001 Systems analysis and design
  • FIT2002 IT project management
  • FIT2024 Software engineering practice
  • FIT2027 Systems design and implementation
  • FIT2028 Web systems 2
  • FIT2065 Operating systems and the Unix environment
Level three
  • FIT3047 Industrial experience project 1
  • FIT3048 Industrial experience project 2
Further Information Technology units

Students take 12 points of level three Information Technology units from the schedule of electives for this major, contained in the course map for this major published by the Faculty of Information Technology (available at http://www.infotech.monash.edu/bits/coursemaps).

Students also take 12 points of level three Information Technology units offered by the Faculty of Information Technology, on any campus.

Elective units

Students complete 36 points of electives, of which no more than 24 points may be taken at level one; the remaining units must be at level two or three. These electives may be taken, from any campus, within the Faculty of Information Technology or from any other faculty of Monash University.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as meeting the standard for professional-level membership.

Information management major students who wish to obtain professional recognition from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Records Management Association of Australia (RMAA) or Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) will be directed towards selection of relevant level three units.

Contact details

Berwick: email multimedia@infotech.monash.edu.au; Caulfield: email frontdesk@infotech.monash.edu.au; Gippsland: email gsit@infotech.monash.edu.au; Sunway: email inquiries@infotech.monash.edu.my or visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.my; South Africa: email inquiries@monash.ac.za or visit http://www.monash.ac.za/.

Website: visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bits

Course director

Dr Des Casey

BITS major coordinators

Dr Michael Morgan (Berwick): multimedia applications, (Caulfield): multimedia games development; Mr Martin Atchison (Caulfield): information management, information systems; Dr Des Casey (Caulfield): internet systems, net-centric computing, security, systems development; Associate Professor Kai Ming Ting (Gippsland and off-campus): applications development and networks, business systems; Mr Neil Manson (South Africa): business systems; Ms Sheelagh Walton (South Africa): applications development; Mr Thomas O'Daniel (Sunway): information systems, net-centric computing.