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 College 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.
Students must achieve a credit level average or better at the end of third year in order to be eligible to continue to the fourth year Honours degree program in Information Technology (Digital Media).
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)
COMP1102 Computer Programming 1 (4.5 units)
COMP1701 Simulation and Serious Game Design (4.5 units)
COMP1711 Database Modelling and Knowledge Engineering (4.5 units)
COMP1712 Software Engineering Principles and Practice (4.5 units)
ENGR1401 Professional Skills (4.5 units)
ENGR1762 Networks and Cybersecurity (4.5 units)
Plus one of:
SCME1002 Convergence Cultures (4.5 units)
SCME1003 Essential Multimedia (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
COMP2772 Web-Based Systems Development (4.5 units)
COMP2812 Operating Systems (4.5 units)
ENGR2881 Computer Networks (4.5 units)
Plus one of:
COMP2711 Computer Programming 2 (4.5 units)
COMP2741 Application Development (4.5 units)
Plus one of:***
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals 1A (4.5 units)
STAT1121 Data Science (4.5 units)
STAT1122 Biostatistics (4.5 units)
Plus two of:
SCME2004 Introduction to Digital Graphic Design (4.5 units)
SCME2108 Multimedia Production Part 1 (4.5 units)
SCME2201 Interaction Design (4.5 units)
SCME3005 Digital Games (4.5 units)
SCME3006 Digital Media Cultures (4.5 units)
Plus one of:
INNO1001 Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognizing Opportunities (4.5 units)
or
4.5 units of topics taken from Table C
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 Media Studio B (4.5 units)
SCME2203 3D Media Studio C (4.5 units)
Plus either:
COMP3782 Information Technology 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 ^^:
COMP7700A Honours Thesis (4.5 units)
COMP7700B Honours Thesis (4.5 units)
COMP7700C Honours Thesis (4.5 units)
COMP7700D Honours Thesis (4.5 units)
COMP7700E Honours Thesis (4.5 units)
STEM7001 Honours Research Methods (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of 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 COMP3741Extended Industry Experience. COMP3741 Extended Industry Experience does not attract fees or HECS payments. 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.
***Students planning to transfer to the Bachelor of Computer Science should select MATH1121 Mathematics 1A.
^^ Students must undertake the Honours Thesis topics over a minimum of two semesters.
#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 and is calculated from the Weighted Average Mark of all topics at level 7000 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)
50 ≤ WAM < 65 - Honours Third Class (H3)
Where a student has satisfied all requirements for the course but has achieved a WAM of less than 50, the WAM will be deemed 50 for the purposes of calculating the honours classification.
Combined degrees
The Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Media) (Honours) may also be studied in a combined degree program with another Bachelor degree in the College of Science and Engineering where the combination meets the requirements of the credit transfer policy.
