Bachelor of Information Technology

Overview

• Tailor your degree by following a professional, research, or entrepreneurship pathway.
• Study in a specialty area such as business process management, data warehousing, digital environments, enterprise systems, network systems, software engineering, or web technologies.
• Gain valuable experience in an industry work placement during your third year.
• Develop a major project in your final year to showcase your learning and build your portfolio.
• Graduate accredited by the Australian Computer Society, internationally recognised by the Seoul Accord.
• Prepares you for a career as a web developer, database manager, network administrator, programmer, computer scientist, software engineer, systems analyst, or a range of other technology-based careers.

QTAC course code	418801
QUT course code	IT23
Attendance	Part-time or Full-time
Course duration	3 years full-time 6 years part-time
Start month	2013 February, July
Deferment	You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
Delivery	On campus Gardens Point
Faculty	Science and Engineering Faculty
Course contact	Student Business Services (SBS) Admissions: Email: askqut@qut.edu.au Telephone: +61 7 3138 2000
CRICOS code	012656E
Careers	Business Analyst Computer Scientist Data Communications Specialist Database Manager Electronic Commerce Developer Information Officer Network Administrator Programmer Software Engineer Systems Analyst Systems Programmer Web Designer

Details

Information technology enables almost every aspect of modern society, from phones to MP3 players to dashboard navigation systems, from ATMs to robotic assembly lines to satellite communication, from online booking systems to banking to instant messaging. Information technology is everywhere you look.

The information technology landscape is ever changing, making a job in information technology an interesting and rewarding career path. At present we are entering a new, connected era where the virtual and real worlds are becoming one through applications like Facebook, Twitter and Second Life.

If you want to work with cutting-edge technology and be a part of creating technologies that have not been invented yet, this is the degree for you.

Why choose this course?

This degree is innovative in its approach to teaching. You will experience a hands-on approach to learning through projects where you develop information technology systems and work in a collaborative team setting. The degree structure is flexible, giving you the opportunity to customise your degree to suit the area/s you wish to focus on.

Modern information technology professionals need to know more than technology; they have to understand how to shape the industries of the future, through an effective blend of information technology and business knowledge. The Faculty’s close collaboration with industry ensures that the degree is structured to stay up to date with industry needs—now and into the future. This in turn enables you to acquire the right skills and knowledge needed to secure a job and progress your career.

Through our flexible degree program, with opportunities for engagement with real-world professionals and industry leaders, and work experience program options, you will have the opportunity to prepare yourself for the future and realise your full potential.

Professional Practice in IT

Bachelor of Information Technology students can undertake an industrybased learning experience, providing a number of pathway opportunities to learn in a professional environment, including:

• industry internships
• participation in an academic research team
• a structured mentoring relationship with a local IT industry leader or entrepreneur.

You will work with professionals in both information technology and other disciplines, seeing first-hand the challenges and constraints that arise during professional practice in a real-world industry environment. You will develop a richer appreciation of the graduate capabilities required of all information technology professionals, particularly skills such as communication and negotiation, and problem-solving strategies.

A minimum of 100 hours of approved industry experience in an information technology environment is required to meet course requirements. Students who undertake a CEED or Cooperative Education placement can have up to 100 hours of their program credited to the Professional Practice in IT unit.

Students enrolled in other IT degrees may undertake this program as an optional unit.

Career outcomes

Information technology is an integral part of all commercial, industrial, government, social and personal activities.

In the long term, your career opportunities are unbounded. Some information technology graduates retain a technical focus in roles such as web developer, database manager, network administrator, electronic commerce developer, data communications specialist, software engineer, systems programmer, multimedia specialist, computer scientist, systems analyst or programmer. Others evolve into domain experts as chief technology officers, chief information officers, managers, executives, business analysts, entrepreneurs or researchers. Graduates have the opportunity to achieve the highest levels of their profession.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). ACS accreditation is internationally recognised by the Seoul Accord.

Mid-year entry

The Bachelor of Information Technology is available for mid-year entry.

Other study options

• Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Creative Industries/Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (Interactive and Visual Design)/Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Information Technology/Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Information Technology/Bachelor of Mathematics

Units

Design your own degree

The Bachelor of Information Technology provides you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to become an effective professional. The 24-unit degree comprises:

• eight core units - four introductory units in first semester to introduce you to the breadth of information technology and its relationship to modern society. Then there are four advanced units spread over the rest of your degree program to develop your professional skills in preparation for your career
• four breadth units (intermediate level units) - these units give you broad technical experience across a range of fields in information technology. They also give you an introduction to choose the specialisation you wish to focus on
• four specialisation units (advanced level units) - these units allow you to focus on your chosen area of study, or you may choose to continue to broaden your information technology skills. This option allows you to study across a selection of study areas rather than focusing on one specialisation
• eight optional units - these units allow you to customise your degree by studying in another professional discipline (for example, business, health, or science). Or you may choose to gain further depth in other areas of information technology.

Specialisation areas

Business Process Management

Learn how to increase business efficiency. All businesses require IT to effectively and efficiently support their operations. This specialisation provides you with the skills required to improve business performance.

Data Warehousing

Database technology, the software that enables us to buy concert tickets online, download music or book a flight, is sophisticated and complex. You will gain knowledge and skills in the accurate recording, rapid retrieval and management of data that is essential to modern society. You will learn how to search existing sets of data to extract hidden knowledge.

Digital Environments

Study how developments in IT shape society through applications like Facebook, Twitter, Second Life, smart phones, iPods and gaming devices.

Enterprise Systems

Enterprise systems from vendors like SAP, Mincom and Oracle form the fundamental structure of organisational processes in most large organisations. You will gain hands-on experience with successful enterprise systems to enable you to put into practice the theory that supports business activities.

Network Systems

Learn to tackle emerging network issues such as security, network monitoring and high availability design, and gain up-to-date technical skills for the administration and management of computer networks.

Software Engineering

Software is the invisible infrastructure of modern society. Almost all aspects of business and social endeavour are facilitated by software applications or devices controlled by software. You will learn leading-edge techniques and technologies to enable you to design and implement complex software systems for use in a wide range of domains.

Web Technologies

Web technologies are the principal mechanism for integrating the various applications that exist within an organisation. They also provide the main user interface for most applications used by internal and external clients, including modern web-based interfaces. You will develop practical skills to help organisations use web technologies effectively in deploying a range of applications and services.

Your course

Year 1

In your first semester you will explore how information technology has changed the world and what the possibilities are for the future. You will look at the details of information, computing and communication technologies to understand how they work. You will take part in hands-on projects developing small information technology systems.

Core units for Semester 1:

• Impact of IT
• Emerging Technology
• Industry Insights
• Building IT Systems.

In Semester 2 you will undertake three breadth units and one optional unit.

Year 2

In your second year you will take part in a collaborative team setting, working on small projects that integrate the skills you learnt during Year 1. You will also start studying more advanced units in your chosen field of specialisation.

Core unit for Year 2:

• Scalable Systems Development.

Throughout Year 2 you will undertake a mix of breadth, specialisation and optional units.

Year 3

In third year you will be able to undertake workplace experience opportunities offered by the Faculty. In your final semester you will develop a major project, which will showcase what you have learnt during your degree and provide you with a key part of your portfolio when seeking a job.

Core units for Year 3:

• Professional Practice in IT
• The Business of IT
• IT Capstone Project.

Entry requirements

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

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Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

These scholarships are available for this course:

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You may also be eligible for Centrelink payments