The Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Media) (Honours) requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).

The course is offered by the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Knowledge of either SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Mathematical Studies or Mathematical Methods is assumed.

Course aims

The course has been designed to provide graduates with:

  • a strong foundation in both the theoretical and the practical aspects of computer science and digital media production, including the use of advanced tools in the area
  • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them
  • an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • well developed written and oral communication skills
  • an awareness of social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of both digital media development and computer science
  • the ability to work professionally as an individual and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams
  • an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
  • preparation for future management roles as a professional developer or computer scientist.

The course provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study or for a career in a computing related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

The final Honours year in Digital Media has been designed to provide graduates with:

  • reinforcement of the theoretical and the practical aspects of information technology
  • a strong ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • the ability to work professionally as an individual, particularly in terms of a large research project
  • insight into advanced areas of information technology
  • an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
  • preparation for future professional roles as a information technologist.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the award, students will be able to:

  • competently use professional skills and knowledge in the systematic development of complex computer-based systems, specifically in the digital media arena
  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the information technology and digital media disciplines
  • apply their skills and knowledge in a professionally responsible manner
  • communicate effectively with other information technology professionals and the wider global community using a wide range of technologies
  • work professionally as an individual and in a team
  • develop computer-based solutions and digital media artefacts appropriate to the social, political, cultural, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
  • engage in the process of continuing learning needed to retain the necessary level of professional skills and knowledge in the area of information technology and digital media
  • contribute successfully to project management.

On completion of the honours year, students will also be able to:

  • plan and execute a research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
  • demonstrate a deeper understanding of some areas of discipline-specific knowledge
  • apply research skills appropriate to postgraduate research or advanced industrial investigation.

On completion of the Bachelor of Information Technolgy (Digital Media) (Honours), students will be eligible for professional membership of the Australian Computer Society.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor Information Technology (Digital Media) (Honours), a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

No more than 45 units of First Year topics may be counted towards the degree.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Students achieving a credit level average or better at the end of the third year will be eligible to continue to the fourth year honours degree program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with the Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Media) on completion of 108 units.

Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the program may choose to exit with the Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Media).

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

 COMP1001  Fundamentals of Computing  (4.5 units)
 COMP1101  Fundamentals of Information and Communication Technology  (4.5 units)
 COMP1102  Computer Programming 1  (4.5 units)
 COMP1111  Fundamentals of Enterprise Systems  (4.5 units)
 ENGR1401 Professional Skills**  (4.5 units)
 SCME1002  Convergence Cultures  (4.5 units)
 SCME1003  Essential Multimedia  (4.5 units)

Plus one of:***

STAT1412  Data Analysis Laboratory  (4.5 units)
MATH1121  Mathematics 1A  (4.5 units)
MATH1701  Mathematics Fundamentals 1A  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

 COMP2731  Software Engineering 1  (4.5 units)
 COMP2761  Database and Conceptual Modelling  (4.5 units)
 COMP2772  Web-Based Systems Development  (4.5 units)
 ENGR2782  Computer Networks and Operating Systems  (4.5 units)
 SCME2201  Interaction Design  (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

 COMP2711  Computer Programming 2  (4.5 units)
 COMP2741  Application Development  (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units taken from:

 LEGL3112  Regulating Technology  (4.5 units)
 SCME2004  Introduction to Digital Graphic Design  (4.5 units)
 SCME2108  Multimedia Production Part 1  (4.5 units)
 SCME3006  From Virtual Reality to Web 2.0  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

 COMP3732  Enterprise Cloud Systems  (4.5 units)
 COMP3751  Interactive Computer Systems  (4.5 units)
 COMP3752  Computer Game Development  (4.5 units)
 ENGR3704  Project Management for Engineering and Science  (4.5 units)
 SCME2202  3D Animation  (4.5 units)
 SCME2203  3D Effects  (4.5 units)

Plus either:

 COMP3762  Digital Media Technical Project  (4.5 units) AND

4.5 units of topics taken from Table C:

OR

COMP3792  Information Technology Practicum*#  (9 units) AND
ENGR3750  Workplace Preparation (0 units)

Core - Honours year topics^

36 units comprising ^^:

 COMP7730A  Digital Media Honours Thesis  (4.5/18 units) 
 COMP7730B  Digital Media Honours Thesis  (4.5/18 units) 
 COMP7730C  Digital Media Honours Thesis  (4.5/18 units) 
 COMP7730D  Digital Media Honours Thesis  (4.5/18 units)  

Plus 18 units of CSEM option topics#

#Students choosing this option will be required to overload for 2 weeks at the start of semester 2. Students will enrol in 4.5 units in NS2 and 18 units in Semester 2.

* With the permission of the Director of Studies and with the agreement of the industry partner, the practicum topics may be extended by six months by enrolling in the topic COMP3741 Extended Industry Experience. COMP3741 Extended Industry Experience does not attract fees or HECS payments. Note that under the Fair Work Act, students enrolled in 0-unit Industry Experience topics must be in receipt of appropriate remuneration from the industry partner. Evidence of appropriate remuneration must be demonstrated before enrolment is permitted in the topic. International students, please be aware that your student visa conditions restrict you from undertaking the topic within Australia. Please see the topic coordinator for further details.

**With the permission of the course coordinator students from non-English speaking backgrounds may be permitted to enrol in ESOL1101 English as a Second Language 1.

***Students planning to transfer to the Bachelor of Computer Science should select either MATH1122 Mathematics 1B or STAT1412 Data Analysis Laboratory as their first year elective.

^^ Students must undertake the Honours Thesis topics over a minimum of two semesters.

#CSEM option topics must be selected from Table A, at least half of which will be chosen from those labelled as Computer Science / Information Technology (Group C) or Digital Media (Group D).

^The honours grade awarded is determined in accordance with the University's Assessment Policy and Procedures Policy and is calculated from the Weighted Average Mark of all topics at level 4000 and above taken as part of the degree as follows:

85 ≤ WAM - Honours First Class (H1)
75 ≤ WAM < 85 - Honours Second Class Division A (H2A)
65 ≤ WAM < 75 - Honours Second Class Division B (H2B)
WAM < 65 - Honours Third Class (H3)

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Media) (Honours) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.