Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Science - 2018

In an age of increasing technological advancements the synergy between science and information technology will only become stronger. IT underpins virtually all areas of science and the world needs graduates who can straddle both.

In this double degree course you will acquire creative and analytical skills to use IT to advance science. This could be anything from designing a stunning visualisation of scientific data, to building an app for fieldwork data collection to setting up the business IT processes to deliver a scientific product via the internet.

Depending on IT major you choose, you could:

• use your technical skills from software development to create simulations and visualisations for anything from weather forecasting to threatened species population modelling
• apply your creative skills and design flair from interactive media or games development to create an app or game that gets kids excited about science
• use your practical understanding of business information systems to launch a science-enabled online business
• put your networks and security skills to work setting up the scientific instrumentation for tsunami warning or monitoring ice melts in Antarctica.

The requirements below detail what you must study in order to complete this double-degree course and receive the awards.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise specified. You must complete 192 points:

1. 96 points must be completed in Parts A and B as described below in C2000 Bachelor of Information Technology component.

2. 96 points must be completed in Parts A and B as described below in S2000 Bachelor of Science component, of which:

• at least 30 points and no more than 36 points of level 1 units must be completed
• at least 60 points must be completed at levels 2 and 3
• at least 24 points must be completed at level 3
• you must complete the level one sequences at stage one before enrolling in level two science units

Information technology component

Bachelor of Information Technology is about the application of computer-based technologies and systems to meet individual and organisation 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.

Part A. Information technology specified study (48 points)

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.

You must complete:*

a. One introductory programming unit (6 points) from:**

• FIT1051 Programming fundamentals in java
• FIT1045 Algorithms and programming fundamentals in python
• FIT1048 Fundamentals of C++

b. The following four units (24 points):

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

c. One of (6 points):

• FIT2001 Systems development
• FIT2099 Object-oriented design and implementation

d. Capstone project units (12 points) or an industry-based learning unit (18 points) from one of the following combinations (depending on your choice of major):

Business information systems, computer networks and security, and software development majors

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

Games development and Interactive media majors

• FIT3039 Studio project 1 and FIT3040 Studio project 2
• FIT3045 Industry-based learning (only for students in the industry-based learning placement stream) (18 points)***

* If a unit is used for both IT specified study above and a major, you will complete additional units offered by the faculty of IT to ensure a total of at least 96 points of information technology study (any unit starting with code FIT).

** Before making your choice, refer to your anticipated major as a particular one of these may be required for your major.

*** This option is available only if you are selected to participate in the Industry-based learning (IBL) program. If you intend to apply for the IBL program, please discuss your course progression with faculty staff. If you are selected for the IBL program, 6 points of the 18-points IBL project will replace an elective in the major in Part B. below.

Part B. Information technology listed major (48 points)

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.

You must complete one of the following information technology listed majors. 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.

• Business information systems
• Computer networks and security
• Games development
• Interactive media
• Software development

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

Science component

Bachelor of Science is a comprehensive course and it will provide you with a broad, general science education, as well as specialist training in one or more science disciplines.

Part A. Science specified study (48 points)

Although the requirements in Part A appear to exceed 48 points, a level 1 sequence is typically counted towards your major (Part B) and not towards Part A.

You must complete:

Level 1 sequences

a. At least two level 1 approved science sequences (24 points)

Normally, the units in a level 1 sequence are required for the completion of a related minor or major. The choice of level 1 sequences will influence your choice of level 2 and level 3 units and will lay the foundation for your major.

Mathematics and statistics unit

b. At least one of the following level 1 mathematics or statistics units (6 points) if not already taken as part of a level 1 approved sequence:

• MTH1020 Analysis of change
• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling
• MTH1035 Techniques for modelling (advanced)
• SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning
• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Note 1: The unit required in b. will depend on your mathematics background and interests.

SCI1020 Introduction to statistical reasoning and STA1010 Statistical methods for science

• Recommended for students planning to study areas where experimental design and data analysis skills are particularly important, such as the life sciences. SCI1020 is for students without a strong mathematics background, while STA1010 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 (or equivalent).

MTH1020 Analysis of change and MTH1030 Techniques for modelling

• Recommended for students with an interest in mathematics and/or physics. MTH1020 requires students to have studied VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent). MTH1030 requires students to have studied VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) or MTH1020.

Students with a strong mathematics background and a keen interest in the subject

• could replace the unit MTH1030 with the advanced version MTH1035, and should seek permission to enrol in this unit at the Science Student Services office.

Additional level 1 units

c. Any additional level 1 units required to take the total level 1 science listed units to either 30 or 36 points. Level 1 science listed units are chosen from units listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in the Bachelor of Science or from the following:

• MTH1010 Functions and their applications
• SCI1200 Humans, evolution and modern society
• SCI1300 Climate change: From science to society
• SCI1400 From Galileo to GPS: How astronomy shapes our lives
• SCI1800 The sustainable planet

Level 2/3 units

d. One unit (6 points) from:

• SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication
• SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced).

e. Any additional units required to make the total level 2 and 3 Bachelor of Science listed units to at least 60 points (inclusive of the unit in d. and the units in your major in Part B), with at least 24 points at level 3, chosen from:

• SCI3910 Schools science project
• SCI3920 Science industry placement
• SCI3930 Career skills for scientists
• units listed under any major, extended major or minor offered in S2000 Bachelor of Science

Part B. Science listed major (48 points)

You must complete one science listed major from those listed below. A major requires eight units with no more than two units at level 1 (12 points) and at least three units (18 points) at level 3. You may replace the major with an extended major by using the elective units available in Part A.

It is recommended that you consider completing level 2 units in more than one area of science to maximise your choice of major at level 3.

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.

Minors, majors and extended majors

• Applied mathematics
• Astrophysics
• Atmospheric science
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Computational science
• Developmental biology
• Earth science
• Ecology and conservation biology
• Environmental science
• Financial and insurance mathematics
• Genetics
• Geographical science
• Human pathology
• Immunology
• Materials science
• Mathematical statistics
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Molecular biology
• Pharmacology
• Physics
• Physiology
• Plant sciences
• Psychology
• Pure mathematics
• Zoology

Note: Psychology is taught by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Refer also to the table of minors and majors by campus which details if an area of study is available as a minor, major or extended major.

You may be eligible to exit this double degree course early and graduate with one of the single awards once you have successfully completed all the requirements described above for the single degree component and have completed a total of:

• 144 points to exit with a Bachelor of Information Technology
• 144 points to exit with the Bachelor of Science

Honours

You may be eligible to apply for a one-year honours course once you have successfully completed this double degree, or have completed all of the requirements for one of the single degrees including a total of 144 points. The following honours courses apply:

• C3701 Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours)
• S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours)

You are usually eligible to apply for honours if you achieve a distinction grade average (70 percent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level 3. This sometimes also means you need to have completed specific units. Science students should refer to the honours prerequisites table.

Graduate coursework

Students successfully completing the Bachelor of Science may proceed to:

• S5003 Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Malaysia only)
• S6000 Master of Science (from 2019)
• S6001 Master of Financial Mathematics*
• S6002 Master of Environment and Sustainability**
• S6003 Master of Mathematics (from 2019)

* Students completing a major in applied mathematics, financial and insurance mathematics, mathematical statistics, mathematics or pure mathematics are eligible to receive 24 points of credit towards this course.

** Students completing a major in a cognate discipline including business, environmental science, humanities, science or social sciences are eligible to receive 24 points of credit towards this course.