The Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time) and the honours program an additional year (or equivalent part-time).
The course is offered by the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
There is an alternative 1 year program for the Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor of Information Technology.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
Course aims
The course has been designed to provide graduates with:
- a strong foundation in both the theoretical and the practical aspects of information technology and information systems management
- a strong, practical understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them
- well developed written and oral communication skills
- an ability to critically analyse and evaluate complex information and solve problems
- an awareness of social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of information technology
- 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 an information technologist.
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 Information Technology 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 information systems
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the information technology discipline
- 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 communication technologies
- work professionally as an individual and in a team
- develop computer-based solutions appropriate to the social, political, international, 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.
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 Technology (Honours), students will be eligible for professional membership of the Australian Computer Society.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Information Technology (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 third year will be eligible to continue to the fourth year honours degree program in Information Technology. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with the Bachelor of Information Technology 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.
Core - Year 1 topics
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)
Plus one of:***
STAT1412 Data Analysis Laboratory (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.#
# Students without appropriate mathematics background may wish to consider selecting NMCY1001 Academic and Professional Numeracy as one of their electives.
Core - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
COMP2731 Software Engineering 1 (4.5 units)
COMP2741 Application Development (4.5 units)
COMP2761 Database and Conceptual Modelling (4.5 units)
ENGR2782 Computer Networks and Operating Systems (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of topics taken from Table C:
Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.
Core - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
COMP3732 Enterprise Cloud Systems (4.5 units)
COMP3751 Interactive Computer Systems (4.5 units)
ENGR3704 Project Management for Engineering and Science (4.5 units)
Plus 13.5 units of topics taken from Table C:
Plus either:
COMP3792 Information Technology Practicum* (9 units) AND
ENGR3750 Workplace Preparation (0 units)
OR
COMP3782 Information Technology Project (4.5 units) AND
4.5 units of topics taken from Table C:
Core - Honours year topics#
36 units comprising^^:
COMP7700A Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
COMP7700B Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
COMP7700C Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
COMP7700D Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
Plus 18 units of CSEM option topics#
* 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 enrol in ESOL1101 English as a Second Language 1.
*** Students planning to transfer to The Bachelor of Computer Science should select MATH1121 Mathematics 1A as one of their electives.
^^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).
#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 (Honours) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
