Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

This course is designed for students who wish to study the application of computer-based technologies and systems to meet individual and organisational information needs. The course enables students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to use IT effectively and to use, develop and manage IT-based systems. It is a highly practical course which prepares graduates for careers working with information and IT in business, government and industry.

The course covers a wide range of aspects of IT, from technical computing which focuses on the technology itself, to information and business-related themes which focus on information needs and the way in which IT can be used to support them. In addition to compulsory core studies in fundamental IT concepts, the course provides the students with the option to specialise by taking major or minor streams of study in fields of their choice, within IT and/or in another discipline. Eligible* students at the Caulfield campus may participate in the Industry based learning (IBL) placement program, in which they undertake a 22-week industry placement and receive a generous scholarship.

* Refer to 'Industry-based Learning Program' information below.

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
• methods, tools and techniques used in the planning, development, implementation and management of information products and systems
• computer hardware and software technologies
• theories and techniques in the selected degree specialisation
• 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
• effectively use computer hardware and software technologies
• flexibly and independently apply theoretical knowledge
• think creatively and critically
• take responsibility for self-learning
• communicate effectively
• respond appropriately to ethical considerations.

Graduates should acquire attitudes needed by an information technology professional to:

• be an effective team member
• take initiative and work independently
• be willing to self-assess performance
• be aware of social consequences
• be flexible and enthusiastic
• be willing to continue life long education
• accept the code of professional conduct and practice
• act in accordance with best practice, industry standards and professional ethics.

Industry Based Learning (IBL) placement program

Applicants who qualify for the industry based learning program are awarded a scholarship (currently valued at A$15,000) and undertake a 22-week industry placement with a participating company as directed by the University. The student's work during the placement will be structured and assessed as part of the degree.

The IBL placement program is available to Australian citizens and Australian permanent resident visa holders. There are a limited number of places available.

Selection takes place after the completion of first year and is based on academic performance and an interview conducted by industry partners of the program. IBL students are required to be available during the normal vacation period in summer and winter for special units and IBL placements. For further information on IBL including application deadlines, how to apply and selection criteria visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/ibl.

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

NOTE: The requirements for this degree changed in 2011; students who commenced the BITS prior to 2011 should refer to the handbook entry for the year in which they commenced their studies.

The course consists of 24 units of study, comprising six compulsory common core units, a two-unit industrial experience or studio-based project, eight units of further study in information technology, and eight free elective units. Students may either complete a major or minor in one of the areas of study listed below or complete the general form of the degree without a major.

Please refer to http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bits for course maps details.

All units are 6 points, unless otherwise specified.

Students complete:

(a.) six information technology core units (36 points):

• FIT1002 Computer programming
• FIT1004 Data management
• FIT1031 Computers and networks
• FIT2001 Systems development
• FIT2002 Project management
• FIT2003 IT professional practice

(b.) eight units of further IT-related study (48 points). Students may complete major or minor streams by taking a prescribed set of units in a specialised area, or complete the general form of the degree by selecting a variety of units from undergraduate units offered by the Faculty. Within the eight units of further IT-related study, at least two units (12 points) of study must be completed at each of second and third year levels.

For students completing a major, the prescribed units for majors are specified in the 'Areas of Study' section of this Handbook at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/index-ug-byfaculty-it.html. The prescribed units for minors for Sunway students are listed below.

(c.) one pair of industrial experience or studio project units (12 points) as follows (depending on choice of major):

• FIT3047 Industrial experience project (part 1) and FIT3048 Industrial experience project (part 2) (for all BITS students other than those completing the multimedia development or games development majors)
• FIT3039 Studio 1 and FIT3040 Studio 2 (for students completing the multimedia development or games development majors)

(d.) eight elective units (36 points). These can be further IT units or units from any faculty in the university. Students wishing to complete the multimedia development major or games development major must include VCM1001 (Visual communication) as one of their eight elective units.

IBL placement program

Students selected to participate in the IBL placement program will replace their industrial experience or studio units and an elective unit at second or third year level with one of the following units at the appropriate level:

• FIT2032 Industry-based learning (18 points)
• FIT3045 Industry-based learning (18 points)

IBL students must complete FIT2002 Project management over summer semester or overload in one semester by one unit.

Sunway campus

Students must complete the general form of the degree. No majors will be offered, but students may complete the following minors:

Advanced applications development

• FIT2024 Software engineering practice
• FIT2034 Computer programming 2
• FIT3011 Enterprise programming
• FIT3063 Human-computer interaction

Enterprise systems

• FIT1030 Introduction to business information systems
• FIT2006 Business process modelling and workflow
• FIT3138 Real-time enterprise systems
• FIT3136 IT governance and strategy for business

Internet technologies

• FIT2018 Network and systems administration
• FIT2029 Web programming
• FIT3043 Web systems 3
• FIT3031 Information and network security

Multimedia website development

• FIT1012 Website authoring
• FIT2012 Digital media authoring
• FIT2055 Web content management

plus either

• MKW1601 Introduction to e-business or ATS1278 Introduction to communication studies

In addition to the above unit requirements, all students must meet the following general requirements:

• a maximum of ten first-year level units (60 points);
• a minimum of five units (30 points) must be from second-year level units offered by the Faculty;
• a minimum of six third-year level units (36 points), of which at least four units (24 points) must be from third-year level offered by the Faculty.

Areas of Study

• Applications development
• Applications development and networks
• Business systems
• Enterprise information management
• Games development
• Information and communication technologies
• Multimedia development

Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems