Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

This course aims to provide highly achieving students progressing from the BBIS (or equivalent course) to acquire research skills appropriate to their discipline and to understand the fundamentals of conceptual, methodological and implementation issues of IT-related research. Students conduct research in a selected area and complete an honours thesis.

Graduates will develop an understanding of:

• the role and need of research in IT applications in industry
• the research theories and techniques applicable to business systems
• research issues related to business processes and decision making in organisations
• a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods and values of research ethics and peer review.

Graduates will have the abilities and skills to:

• develop the fundamentals of conceptual methodological and implementation issues of IT-related research in business
• analyse and interpret business data
• think creatively and develop, analyse and communicate alternative solutions to problems
• apply the methods and tools used in the development of systems to business problems
• use research skills to locate and retrieve information pertinent to the research problems using a range of sources.

Graduates will have developed attitudes which enable them to:

• take initiative and work independently
• work well in a team environment
• interact effectively with users, clients and peers
• show a concern for accuracy and a willingness to objectively assess their own performance
• be aware of the social consequences of the role of information technology in our society
• develop awareness of the changing needs of information technology by continuing to develop knowledge and skills in their chosen discipline.

A person may be admitted to candidature for BBIS(Hons) if they meet one or both of the following criteria:

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

(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 (a) above.

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

• FIT4005 IT research methods* (6 points)
• FIT4007 Advanced topics in information systems (6 points)
• honours thesis (24 points)
• two level 4 or 5 units** chosen from a list published by the Faculty of Information Technology (6 points each)

* This includes compulsory attendance at workshops and stipulated faculty seminars.

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

Honours degree of Bachelor of Business Information Systems