Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Information Technology and Systems

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 can apply to participate in the Industry Based Learning (IBL) program, in which they undertake a 22-week industry placement and receive a generous scholarship. For more information, refer to 'Industry Based Learning Program' information below.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

(1.) apply the methods, tools, research skills and techniques used to plan, develop, implement and manage correct, well-structured and documented information products and systems

(2.) think creatively, critically and flexibly in applying theoretical knowledge to the solution of problems

(3.) make effective use of computer hardware and software technologies

(4.) understand the role of information technology in organisations and society

(5.) recognise the variety of theories and techniques used in specialised aspects of the use of information technology

(6.) take initiative, work independently and be willing to self-assess performance

(7.) respond appropriately to the legal, ethical and philosophical issues relating to information technology

(8.) appreciate and take account of the social consequences of their work and act in accord with codes of professional conduct and practice

(9.) recognise the need to continue life-long education and take responsibility for self-learning

(10.) communicate effectively and work as an effective team member.

Industry Based Learning program

Applicants who qualify for the Industry Based Learning (IBL) programIndustry Based Learning (IBL) program (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/ibl) undertake a 22-week industry placement with a participating company as directed by the University and receive a $17,000 scholarship. The student's work during the placement will be structured and assessed as part of the degree.

IBL students are required to be available during the normal vacation period in summer and winter for special units and IBL placements.

There are two intakes into the IBL program each year. Students can be admitted prior to the commencement of first year or at the end of their first year of study. Students admitted prior to the commencement of first year will receive a scholarship of $5,000.

Selection is based on academic performance and an interview process conducted by industry partners of the program.

There are a limited number of places available in the program.

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

This course consists of:

• compulsory common core units
• an industry experience or studio-based project
• further study in information technology
• elective units.

Students can either complete a major from those listed under 'Areas of study', or complete the general form of the degree without a major. Students who do not complete a major, must complete at least one minor from those listed under 'Areas of study'.

All units are 6 points, unless otherwise specified.

Refer to course mapscourse maps (http://infotech.monash.edu.au/current/course-information/) for guidance on how to plan your unit enrolment for each semester of study and approved elective information.

Students must complete:

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

• FIT1004 Data management
• FIT1031 Computers and networks
• FIT1040 Programming fundamentals
• FIT2001 Systems development
• FIT2002 Project management
• FIT2003 IT professional practice

(b.) eight units of IT-related study by completing one of the following options (48 points):

• a minor of four units in one of the specialisations listed under 'Areas of study' and any four units from the undergraduate units (level 1-3)undergraduate units (level 1-3) (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/index-byfaculty-it.html) offered by the Faculty of Information Technology
• a major in one of the specialisations listed under 'Areas of study'

Notes:

• Within the eight units of further IT-related study, at least two units (12 points) must be completed at each of second and third year levels.
• IBL placement units (FIT2032 and FIT3045) do not contribute to this group of eight units.

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

(i.) for all students other than those completing the multimedia development or games development majors:

• FIT3047 Industry experience studio project 1 and FIT3048 Industry experience studio project 2

(ii.) for students completing the multimedia development or games development majors:

• FIT3039 Studio 1 and FIT3040 Studio 2

(d.) eight free electives (48 points) which may be chosen:

• from the majors and minors listed under 'Areas of study'*
• from any Faculty of Information Technology undergraduate course
• from disciplines offered by another faculty
• to form minors or a major*
• as individual units.

Students must be able to meet any prerequisites for elective units.

Elective units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

Majors and minors can be identified from the areas of study indexesareas of study indexes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/index.html) in the Handbook.

Students may select free elective units from any campus, but should be aware of the teaching location as this may require travel to another campus and have timetabling implications. Students may also select units offered in off-campus mode (Note: The number of off-campus units permitted for international students is limited).

* Students wishing to complete the multimedia development major or games development major must include VCM1001 Visual communication as one of their eight elective units. Students completing these majors will complete nine units of further IT-related study and seven elective units.

Industry Based Learning 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)

Note: All credit points from these units over and above the 12 points to satisfy the industrial experience or studio component of the program (part (c.) of the requirements above) count towards the elective component of the program (part (d.) of the requirements above).

IBL students must complete FIT2002 (Project management) over summer semester or overload in one semester by one unit in order to complete the degree within three years.

General requirements

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

• a maximum of 60 points of first-year level study
• a minimum of 36 points of third-year level study, of which at least 24 points must be from the third-year level units offered by the faculty, or 30 points for students taking IBL, as indicated above.

Students cannot take additional units that exceed the 144 credit points required for the course. Students wishing to take additional units can only do so on a single unit basis (full-fee paying) with the approval of the faculty.

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

Depending on the results achieved, students who complete this course may be eligible to apply for entry into honours in:

• 3336 Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems (Honours)

Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems