Faculty of Sciences > Programs > Bachelor Programs > BIT

• Program Summary
• Program Aims
• Program Objectives
• Program Structure
• IT Requirements
• Residential Schools
• Program Fees
• Enquiries
• Recommended Enrolment Patterns

Key
HECS = Higher Education Loans Scheme
PELS = Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme
RTS = Research Training Scheme
ANZ = Australia and New Zealand Students
INT = International Students

The Bachelor of Information Technology is a vocationally oriented program emphasising the resolution of technological problems leading to the effective management and analysis of information in both the private and public sectors. Graduates should be familiar with relevant major academic disciplines and possess knowledge and skills in problem resolution and communication, as well as specific attributes enabling them to work effectively in their chosen area(s) or specialisation(s).

Achievement of the objectives of the student's area of specialisation will result in a graduate of high academic standard who is capable of competing for employment in a chosen professional area and pursuing career development in that or other related areas.

This program will enable graduates to:

• demonstrate sound presentation and communication skills which are required in the computing industry;
• acquire specific knowledge and skills relevant to their disciplines and careers;
• develop appropriate intellectual, professional and personal attributes;
• become good problem-solvers and innovative thinkers, who are able to learn new skills independently and efficiently and consequently to succeed in a competitive professional environment;
• demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of information technology;
• identify information needs appropriate to their area of specialisation and apply the techniques required to gather and interpret such information;
• demonstrate skills in the analysis and determination of technological issues at management level;
• identify, analyse and solve problems in one or more areas of information technology by selecting and using either quantitative or qualitative techniques appropriate to the resolution of technical problems;
• satisfy academic admission requirements for membership of relevant professional bodies;
• understand the ethics of their profession and the need for a commitment to that profession;
• proceed to higher studies; and
• be capable of working with people from other disciplines towards the solution of common problems.

Within the Faculty of Sciences, Bachelor of Information Technology students may undertake a major study in Applied Computer Science, Mathematics and Computing, Software Engineering or Networking. The focus of the Applied Computer Science major is on software development, programming languages, and design and implementation of computer systems and information systems. The focus of the Mathematics and Computing major is on a combination of mathematics and computing in the solution of industrial problems using numerical computing, simulation and data management. The focus of the Software Engineering major is on the principles of software engineering and their practical application to produce software of significant size and complexity. The focus of the Networking major is on the design, installation, configurement and maintenance of computer networks and their operating systems.

All majors require students to complete 24 units. These are divided into compulsory courses and elective courses. The compulsory courses are essential to each major and must all be completed. Some elective courses must be chosen from a specified set of courses. However, the remainder may be selected from disciplines from any Faculty to broaden the student's background. It is recommended that students consult the Option Studies section of this Handbook to choose these electives.

The number of units in each category in each major is shown in the following table:

Major	Compulsory Units	Elective Units
Applied Computer Science	14	10
Mathematics and Computing	18	6
Software Engineering	17	7
Networking	16	8

Students who passed 64612 Algebra and Calculus I prior to 2002, will not be required or permitted to complete MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics as part of the BIT program. Such students will replace MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics as a core course in the program by MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I.

Unsuitable Electives

For various reasons, the following courses will not be approved as electives for students majoring in Applied Computer Science, Mathematics and Computing, Software Engineering or Networking in the Bachelor of Information Technology program:

CIS1000, CIS1001, CSC1402, CIS2002, CIS2003, CIS3006, MGT1100, MGT2100, MGT2102

In addition, only one of the courses STA3300 Experimental Design and STA3302 Statistics for Researchers may be credited towards a Bachelor of Information Technology program unless approved by the Program Coordinator.

Courses at Level 4, 5, 7,8 and 9 cannot be credited towards this program.

On completion of the Applied Computer Science major graduates should be able to:

• demonstrate abilities in the fundamentals of structured programming techniques;
• demonstrate ability in the fundamentals of discrete mathematics, numerical computing and basic statistics, calculus and algebra;
• display detailed knowledge of and be competent in the application of basic algorithms and data structures;
• demonstrate sound knowledge of operating systems principles and display familiarity with the most frequently used operating systems;
• understand the principles which underlie the design of programming languages and demonstrate highly developed programming skills in procedural, logic, and object-oriented languages;
• demonstrate a sound knowledge of user interface design and be competent in developing graphical user interfaces in windowing environments;
• understand and apply methods for planning and managing large software projects, including design, development and maintenance aspects;
• display a detailed knowledge of the fundamental principles of data base systems and be able to apply these using data base software;
• research, design and develop people-oriented information systems using appropriate strategies for data management, statistical analysis and graphical reporting; and
• systematically analyse problems, formulate and evaluate potential solutions with reference to current literature and design, develop and report feasible solutions.

Compulsory Courses

The 14 compulsory courses of the Applied Computer Science Major are listed below:

AST1000 Australia, Asia and the Pacific

CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship

CSC1401 Foundation Programming with C

CSC2401 Algorithms and Data Structures

CSC2402 Object-Oriented Programming in C++

CSC2404 Operating Systems

CSC2407 Introduction to Software Engineering

CSC2408 Software Development Tools

CSC3400 Data Base Systems

CSC3403 Comparative Programming Languages

ELE1301 Computer Engineering

MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics*

MAT1101 Discrete Mathematics for Computing

STA2300 Data Analysis

* Students who have passed 64612 Algebra and Calculus I prior to 2002, will replace MAT1100 with MAT1102 as a compulsory course.

Elective Courses

Candidates must also complete or gain exemption from a further ten units of approved electives, at least five of which must be selected from courses in the Applied Computer Science Elective as described below.

Elective courses must be at level 1 to 3 and not higher.

CIS3001 Java Programming

CSC2403 Numerical Computing ** (to be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004)

CSC2405 System Administration

CSC2406 Web Publishing

CSC3401 Advanced Information Systems

CSC3402 Graphical User Interface Programming

CSC3404 Data Management

CSC3405 Intelligent Agent Technology

CSC3406 Computer Graphics

CSC3407 Computer Communication and Internetworking

CSC3408 Compiler Design and Construction

CSC3409 Simulation

CSC3410 Multimedia Systems and Communications

CSC3411 Information Technology Project **

CSC3413 Network Design and Analysis

CSC3417 Data Mining (from 2004)

MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I

Up to a maximum of five units of electives may then be chosen from the Option Studies section of this Handbook. Enrolment in any elective course is subject to satisfaction of enrolment requirements and approval by the Program Coordinator.

The recommended enrolment pattern for this major follows at the end of this entry. Students who complete the courses in this enrolment pattern will satisfy the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Information Technology.

On completion of the Networking major graduates should:

• be able to design, install, configure, and maintain networks and their operating systems;
• have acquired skills in development of new systems to operate networks;
• be able to interface networks with wide area networks such as the Internet and newer network architectures; and
• have a sound understanding of the operating systems that are used to provide services on networks, including at least Unix and Windows NT.

Compulsory Courses

The 16 compulsory courses in the Networking Major are listed below:

AST1000 Australia, Asia and the Pacific

CIS2005 Systems Security and Control

CIS3003 Networks and Distributed Systems

CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship

CSC1401 Foundation Programming with C

CSC2401 Algorithms and Data Structures

CSC2404 Operating Systems

CSC2405 System Administration

CSC2406 Web Publishing

CSC2408 Software Development Tools

CSC3407 Computer Communication and Internetworking

CSC3413 Network Design and Analysis

ELE1301 Computer Engineering

MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics*

MAT1101 Discrete Mathematics for Computing

STA2300 Data Analysis

Elective Courses

Candidates must also complete, or gain exemptions from, a further eight units of approved electives, at least five of which must be selected from courses in the Networking Elective as listed below.

Elective courses must be at level 1 to 3 and not higher.

CIS3001 Java Programming

CSC2403 Numerical Computing ** (to be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004)

CSC2402 Object-Oriented Programming in C++

CSC2407 Introduction to Software Engineering

CSC3400 Data Base Systems

CSC3401 Advanced Information Systems

CSC3402 Graphical User Interface Programming

CSC3403 Comparative Programming Languages

CSC3404 Data Management

CSC3405 Intelligent Agent Technology

CSC3406 Computer Graphics

CSC3408 Compiler Design and Construction

CSC3409 Simulation

CSC3410 Multimedia Systems and Communications

CSC3411 Information Technology Project **

CSC3417 Data Mining (from 2004)

MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I

** refer to Enrolment section

Up to a maximum of three units of elective courses may then be chosen from the Option Studies section of this Handbook.

Enrolment in any elective is subject to satisfaction of enrolment requirements and approval by the Program Coordinator.

The recommended enrolment pattern for this major follows at the end of this entry. Students who complete the courses in these enrolment patterns will satisfy the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Information Technology.

On completion of the Mathematics and Computing major graduates should be able to:

• demonstrate abilities in the fundamentals of structured programming techniques;
• demonstrate ability in the fundamentals and applications of discrete mathematics, numerical computing, statistics, calculus and algebra, and computational mathematics;
• demonstrate highly developed programming skills in procedural, logic and object-oriented languages;
• use operations research strategies and techniques in providing decision support at all levels of management;
• demonstrate a knowledge of user interface design and be competent in developing graphical user interfaces in windowing environments;
• display a detailed knowledge of the fundamental principles of data base systems and be able to apply these using data base software;
• use structured techniques in the analysis of complex systems and build systems simulation models to assist decision making at all levels of management;
• research, design and develop people-oriented information systems using appropriate strategies for data management, statistical analysis and graphical reporting; and
• systematically analyse problems, formulate and evaluate potential solutions with reference to current literature and design, develop and report feasible solutions.

Compulsory Courses

The 18 compulsory courses of the Mathematics and Computing major are listed below:

AST1000 Australia, Asia and the Pacific

CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship

CSC1401 Foundation Programming with C

CSC2403 Numerical Computing (to be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004)

CSC2401 Algorithms and Data Structures

CSC2407 Introduction to Software Engineering

CSC2408 Software Development Tools

CSC3400 Data Base Systems

CSC3401 Advanced Information Systems

CSC3409 Simulation

ELE1301 Computer Engineering

MAT1101 Discrete Mathematics for Computing

MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I

MAT1200 Operations Research 1

STA2300 Data Analysis

STA3300 Experimental Design

MAT3201 Operations Research 2

CSC3417 Data Mining (from 2004)

Elective Courses

Candidates must also complete or gain exemptions from a further six units of approved electives, at least four of which must be selected from courses in the Mathematics and Computing Elective as listed below.

Students must complete at least two courses from MAT2100, STA2301, STA2302 and STA3302.

Elective courses must be at level 1 to 3 and not higher.

CIS3001 Java Programming

CSC2402 Object-Oriented Programming in C++

CSC2404 Operating Systems

CSC2406 Web Publishing

CSC3402 Graphical User Interface Programming

CSC3403 Comparative Programming Languages

CSC3404 Data Management

CSC3405 Intelligent Agent Technology

CSC3406 Computer Graphics

CSC3407 Computer Communication and Internetworking

CSC3408 Compiler Design and Construction

CSC3410 Multimedia Systems and Communications

CSC3411 Information Technology Project **

CSC3413 Network Design and Analysis

MAT2100 Algebra and Calculus II

STA2301 Distribution Theory

STA2302 Statistical Inference

STA3302 Statistics for Researchers

** See Enrolment section.

A maximum of two units of electives may then be chosen from the Option Studies section of this Handbook.

Enrolment in an elective course is subject to satisfaction of enrolment requirements and approval by the Program Coordinator.

The recommended enrolment pattern for this major follows at the end of this entry. Students who complete the courses in this enrolment pattern will satisfy the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Information Technology.

On completion of the Software Engineering major graduates should:

• have a sound knowledge and understanding of the key areas of computer science;
• have a sound knowledge and understanding of the principles of modern software engineering; and
• be able to apply the techniques of software engineering to develop, understand, and modify software
  • of large size and complexity;
  • using modern software engineering tools;
  • using appropriate formal notation;
  • in a variety of implementation languages and on a variety of operating environments; and
  • in a variety of application domains (eg networking, graphical user interface, data base systems).

Compulsory Courses

The 17 compulsory courses in the Software Engineering Major are listed below:

AST1000 Australia, Asia and the Pacific

CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship

CSC1401 Foundation Programming with C

CIS3001 Java Programming

CSC2401 Algorithms and Data Structures

CSC2402 Object-Oriented Programming in C++

CSC2407 Introduction to Software Engineering

CSC2408 Software Development Tools

CSC3400 Data Base Systems

CSC3402 Graphical User Interface Programming

CSC3407 Computer Communication and Internetworking

CSC3414 Software Engineering Project A

CSC3415 Software Engineering Project B

ELE1301 Computer Engineering

MAT1100 Foundation Mathematics *

MAT1101 Discrete Mathematics for Computing

STA2300 Data Analysis

* Students who passed 64612 Algebra and Calculus I prior to 2002, will replace MAT1100 with MAT1102 as a compulsory course.

Elective Courses

Candidates must also complete, or gain exemptions from, a further seven units of approved electives, at least four of which must be selected from courses in the Software Engineering Elective as listed below.

Elective courses must be at level 1 to 3 and not higher.

CSC2403 Numerical Computing ** (to be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004)

CSC2404 Operating Systems

CSC2405 System Administration

CSC2406 Web Publishing

CSC3401 Advanced Information Systems

CSC3403 Comparative Programming Languages

CSC3404 Data Management

CSC3405 Intelligent Agent Technology

CSC3406 Computer Graphics

CSC3408 Compiler Design and Construction

CSC3409 Simulation

CSC3410 Multimedia Systems and Communications

CSC3413 Network Design and Analysis

CSC3417 Data Mining (from 2004)

MAT1102 Algebra and Calculus I

** Refer to Enrolment section.

Up to a maximum of three units of electives may then be chosen from the Option Studies section of this Handbook.

Enrolment in an elective is subject to satisfaction of enrolment requirements and approval by the Program Coordinator.

The recommended enrolment pattern for this major follows at the end of this entry. Students who complete the courses in this enrolment pattern will satisfy the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Information Technology.

All students are required to have access to a personal computer with a minimum configuration of:

Pentium, 64Mb RAM, 8Gb Hard Disk, CDROM, Sound Card, SVGA with 2Mb memory, 3-button mouse, modem, printer, dual boot operating system: Linux and Microsoft Windows.

Macintosh computers are not recommended due to the software used in the courses in the Bachelor of Information Technology.

Software is specified on a course-by-course basis and, in some instances, it is provided with the textbook required for the course.

Students studying CSC2406 Web Publishing and/or CSC3407 Computer Communication and Internetworking will require Internet access.

The University is installing a wireless network for students' computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity. A notebook/laptop may be required for some courses.

Many Mathematics and Computing courses in the Bachelor of Information Technology program have optional residential schools. Students are strongly encouraged to attend these residential schools, particularly the residential school for the course CSC3409 Simulation. See the relevant section of this Handbook for dates of residential schools.

Higher Education Contribution Scheme

For those Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Australia who pay HECS fees, details about the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) are in the Fees and Charges section of this Handbook: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2003/feecharge.html.

International Students

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the Fees and Charges section of this Handbook: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2003/feecharge.html

Initial enquiries should be directed to the Faculty Marketing Officer, Mary McGilvray: telephone (07) 4631 2681; email studysci@usq.edu.au .

Currently enrolled Australian students should contact the Program Coordinator, Dr Richard Watson: telephone (07) 4631 5546; email rwatson@usq.edu.au .

Currently enrolled international students should contact the Program Coordinator, Mike McFarlane: telephone (07) 4631 5535; email mcfarlan@usq.edu.au .

CSC2403: Before commencing this course students must have:

• completed CSC1402 or CSC1400 or CSC1401 or ENG1000, and
• completed or be enrolled in MAT2100.

CSC3411: This course should be completed during students' final year in the program. Students enrolling in this course must, in the first instance, contact the examiner of the course to identify a suitable project. Students must then, by the end of the third week of the term of the class, choose a project, find a staff member willing to supervise their project work and gain the approval of the examiner to proceed with the project. There is no guarantee that a supervisor will be available for a student-initiated project.

Although the following enrolment pattern is recommended, several courses may also be offered in alternative semesters. Students should consult the Course Synopses section of this Handbook for this information, which will assist in making important enrolment decisions.

# Of the ten units of electives in the program, students must complete at least five units of Applied Computer Science electives.

* CSC2403 will be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004.

Although the following enrolment pattern is recommended, several courses may also be offered in alternative semesters. Students should consult the Course Synopses section of this Handbook for this information, which will assist in making important enrolment decisions.

# of the eight units of electives in the program, students must complete at least five units of Networking electives.

* CSC2403 will be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004.

Although the following enrolment pattern is recommended, several courses may also be offered in alternative semesters. Students should consult the Course Synopses section of this Handbook for this information, which will assist in making important enrolment decisions.

## offered in odd-numbered years only (eg 2003, 2005)

### offered in even-numbered years only (eg 2004, 2006)

* CSC2403 will be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004.

# of the six units of electives in the program, students must complete at least four units of Mathematics and Computing electives.

Although the following enrolment pattern is recommended, several courses may also be offered in alternative semesters. Students should consult the Course Synopses section of this Handbook for this information, which will assist in making important enrolment decisions.

# Of the seven elective units in the program, students must complete at least four units of Software Engineering electives.

# Of the seven elective units in the program, students must complete at least four units of Software Engineering electives.

* CSC2403 will be replaced by CSC2409 High Performance Numerical Computing in 2004.