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Monash University

Undergraduate courses - Faculty of Information Technology

The Faculty of Information Technology offers a wide range of undergraduate degree courses covering different aspects of computing. The courses are designed to equip students to enter the computing profession in a variety of areas including the application of computer technology to information systems in commerce and industry, and the design, construction and programming of computer equipment.

Students who satisfy the academic requirements and who wish to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of their area of major study may choose to take a fourth or honours year. Supervision for honours degrees is available in each of the schools of the faculty, but various units will be delivered at specific campuses. Students thinking of undertaking honours study should contact the relevant school coordinator to discuss their potential honours study. Students should be aware that the minimum academic requirement for admission to the faculty's honours program is a credit average in a relevant IT degree and to have achieved a distinction or above in all FIT units at the third year level of the relevant degree.

Information for new students

Credit for prior studies/internal credit transfer

Credit (sometimes called `advanced standing') can be granted to students who have completed study at another institution that is assessed as being equivalent to units studied in Monash University courses. For further information on credit/recognition of prior study, visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/apply/process/credit.html or email admissions@infotech.monash.edu.au.

Home campus

Students enrolling in courses within the faculty are allocated a home campus. This is usually the campus on which the course's major/specialisation units are principally taught. It is expected that students will undertake these studies on their home campus, however there is flexibility for students wishing to take studies from a campus other than their home campus. Students should refer to the timetable for more information.

Inter-campus study

Students may be able to undertake part of their studies at an overseas campus. Students may choose to study a semester or more at the Monash University Sunway or the Monash South Africa campuses. Similarly, students whose home campus is at Monash University Sunway may choose to undertake some of their studies at the Clayton campus. Students wishing to take studies from a campus other than their home campus must obtain the approval of the faculty.

Faculty policy on `near pass' (NP) grades

1. NP grades may be awarded to a unit whose mark falls within the 45-49 range.

2. No results are to be published until ratification by the Board of Examiners.

3.* NPs cannot be awarded for core units, unless that core unit is a final unit. 'Final' is interpreted to mean that it was the most recent opportunity to complete the unit. If the unit has been offered subsequently to the student's attempt, and the student did not enrol for or attempt that subsequent offering, then no NP can be awarded under this clause.

4. For undergraduate awards, no more than 12 points in any one year level, or 24 points across an entire degree, may be counted.

5. For graduate awards, no more than 12 points across an entire degree may be counted.

6. If more than 24 points of NP grades have been awarded, students will have the option of choosing which NPs they wish to keep and which units to repeat.

7. The Faculty of Information Technology NP policy will apply to FIT units undertaken by students enrolled in double degrees jointly owned by the Faculty of IT.

8. An NP grade is not a pass grade. Students granted an NP grade for a unit may not use that unit as a prerequisite requirement.

9. In degrees where core units may vary according to student choice, NPs can be awarded to variable components, so that a student may avoid the above constraints by completing other elements of the core requirements at pass level or better.

Master of Network Computing students are ineligible to receive any NP grade for any level 9 unit.

    * Note that in the case of rule 3, rule 4 or 5 must still be observed.

Buying a computer

Intending students are advised that personal computers are used in a wide range of courses within the Faculty of Information Technology. Students are strongly advised to purchase, or have high-quality access to an IBM-compatible computer. While it is not necessary to own a personal computer to study successfully, it can be a significant advantage. Students intending to purchase a computer should consult the faculty before purchase.

Internet access

In many cases, lecture notes are available on the internet to all enrolled students. Every student is given an email account upon enrolment. All Monash students may have full internet access at any Australian and the South African on-campus student laboratories. Off-campus access (via modems) is restricted to Monash websites and services only. Off-campus learning students and students with a disability may apply for an external modem account with full internet access. For further information regarding computer accounts, printing, email, internet and modem access, see http://www.its.monash.edu.au/students/ or contact the Information Technology Services help desk on +61 3 9905 1777 or in South Africa, http://its.monash.ac.za/ and +27 11 950 4077.

Internet access can be provided by the university or its off-shore partner institution at cost to the student. Students can purchase access from the appropriate computer centre for their campus on an hourly basis.

Professional recognition

The Faculty of Information Technology has designed its coursework programs to prepare graduates for entry to the information industry as professionals. Our courses are submitted to appropriate professional bodies to meet the requirements for professional level entry to the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the society for information and communications technology professionals in Australia.

CISCO Certification Credits

Cisco is an industry-sponsored program that helps prepare students for industry. The course consists of 4 Cisco Certified Network Associate modules (CCNA1, CCNA2, CCNA3, and CCNA4), each of 40 hours in duration. Credit is available for Monash University students who complete at least two of their Cisco modules at the Monash University Cisco Academy. This can be in the form of direct credit that has been arranged in a number of degree programs at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Details of credit arrangements can be obtained from the Monash Professional website at http://www.professional.monash.edu.au. Alternatively, many courses will accept completion of Cisco units to be credited as electives. Please discuss this with your course leader prior to undertaking the Monash Cisco study.

Part-time, off-campus learning and off-shore studies

Part-time

Part-time students are expected to proceed through their course at half the rate of full-time students. Some units are available in the evening, commencing at 4pm or 6pm, on the Caulfield campus. Part-time undergraduate students should note that they are required to attend examinations at the same time as full-time students. If in doubt, students should check with the faculty office.

Off-campus learning

All courses offered by the Gippsland School of Information Technology are available to students for study by off-campus learning. These courses are designed so that it is possible to complete all requirements without any on-campus attendance.

All off-campus students* in IT courses must have an IBM-compatible personal computer with a printer, a modem, and internet access in order to complete and electronically submit assignment work and to communicate with lecturers and other students.

Off-shore students

The faculty has students based in Hong Kong and Singapore completing their degrees by off-campus learning courses offered in collaboration with a partner organisation. Off-shore students are subject to the same university, faculty and course regulations as students based in Australia. Email gsit@infotech.monash.edu.au for details.