Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences - 2018

This course is about the application of computer-based technologies and systems to meet individual and organisational information needs. The course will enable you to gain the knowledge and skills needed to use IT effectively and to use, develop and manage IT-based systems. The flexibility of the course and the range of majors and minors will allow you to explore new areas, develop your strengths in IT and pursue your interests. It is a highly practical course that will prepare you for a career 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 core studies in fundamental IT concepts, the course provides you with a choice of majors in your preferred fields of study, as well as the option to take a second major within IT or in another discipline. Knowledge and skills in IT coupled with the emphasis on generic skills - problem solving, information literacy, communication and presentation skills, project management skills, and the capacity for team work - will ensure that you have a firm foundation for a career in IT.

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

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

1. communicate at a professional level with clients, system users and peers
2. work effectively in a team environment
3. work independently and self-assess performance
4. apply methods, theory and research to plan, develop and implement correct, well-structured and documented information products and systems
5. act in accordance with professional codes of conduct, recognising the social, legal and ethical consequences of their work
6. recognise the role and value of information technology in organisations and society
7. effectively use computer hardware and software technologies
8. learn and apply emerging technologies.

This is a comprehensive course, structured in three equal parts:

A. Information technology specified study

This will provide you with foundation skills and knowledge for your IT education and ensure a breadth of understanding of IT and its applications in organisations and society.

B. Information technology listed major

This will provide you with a focused program of study that will develop your expertise in one area of information technology. You will develop the practical and theoretical skills and knowledge in your chosen major needed to successfully plan, develop, implement and evaluate information products and systems.

C. Free elective study

Electives will enable you to further develop your knowledge of your major area of study, or IT more broadly, through a second major or a minor. Alternatively you can select units from across the University in which you are eligible to enrol.

Students must complete units as specified in Parts A, B and C (144 points): a minimum of 96 points of computer and information sciences study over Part A and Part B, and 48 points of free electives in part C.

In choosing your units you must ensure that you complete no more than 10 level one units (60 points), and that you complete at least eights units (48 points) at level 3 of which at least four (24 points) being Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences listed units (units with an FIT code).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise specified.

A. Information technology specified study (48 points)

Students complete:

a. One introductory programming unit (6 points):

• FIT1051 Programming fundamentals in Java

b. The following five units (30 points):

• FIT1047 Introduction to computer systems, networks and security
• FIT1049 IT professional practice
• FIT2002 IT project management
• FIT2094 Databases
• FIT2001 Systems development

c. Capstone project units (12 points):

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

B. Information technology listed major (48 points)

Complete at least one information technology listed major from the following:

• Business information systems - South Africa
• Computer networks and security - South Africa
• Mobile systems - South Africa
• Software development - South Africa

A major requires eight units with no more than two units at level one (12 points) and at least three units (18 points) at level three.

If you intend to undertake an honours year you should ensure you complete the specific units required as a pre-requisite for honours in your chosen major area of study.

C. Free elective study (48 points)

Your elective units may be chosen from any of the units offered at Monash to suit your interests or career aspirations. For example, you may choose to take other units available in the School of Information Technology to complete another IT major or minor, or elective units may also be used to sample from across the University or to complete a major or minor(s) from another course so long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment in the units.

Students successfully completing the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences may proceed to a one year honours program leading to 4308 Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences (Honours). To be eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences (Honours), students must obtain a credit grade average (60 percent) or above in all units together with a distinction grade average (70 percent) or above in level 3 FIT-coded units.