Atomic.edu: Monash University

In the latest of our ongoing series exploring what educational institutions have to offer, Chris Taylor looks at Monash University.

This month, we’re taking a close look at what Monash University has to offer to prospective information technology student. Monash University has campuses located throughout the state of Victoria and abroad. There’s a campus in Johannesburg and another just outside Kuala Lumpur.

In recent years, Monash University has put considerable effort into revamping its information technology offerings. Whereas once there was a Bachelor of Multimedia, Bachelor of Network Computing, Bachelor of Computing, Bachelor of Information Systems and Bachelor of Information Technology, each with a selection of majors, there is now the all-encompassing Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems. This, plus the Bachelor of Business Information Systems, Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Software Engineering rounds out Monash University’s current range of undergraduate degrees.

Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems
In the name of efficiency, Monash University recently rolled up several undergraduate programmes into one. The result is the three-year-long Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems (BITS), which offers students the opportunity to choose one or two majors, depending on how well you juggle electives, from ten different options. Depending on your chosen area of study and whether or not you opt to study overseas, you’ll find yourself in Berwick, Clayton, Gippsland, Kuala Lumpur or Johannesburg. The entry requirements vary slightly depending on which major you plan on undertaking. The 2008 clearly-in ENTERs for Commonwealth Supported Places range from 70.00 (Multimedia Applications) to 74.85 (Security). Applicants must have passed both an English unit and a Maths unit. Note that it is possible to minor in all but two of the below fields – Applications Development and Networks and Business Systems.

Applications Development and Networks: Similar, in a way, to the old Bachelor of Network Computing, the BITS (Applications Development and Networks) involves a bit of programming and a lot of networking. You’ll find object-oriented Java programming, operating systems, information systems, software engineering, data communications, security and commercial programming. This major is offered both off-campus and at Gippsland. Career prospects for graduates include systems designer, systems analyst, project leader, web developer, programmer and database administrator.

Business Systems: Essentially a business course with a strong technical undercurrent. Areas of study include information systems, statistical analysis, computer modelling of business decisions, e-commerce systems and data mining. Possible careers include systems analyst, information systems manager, project manager, business analyst, e-commerce consultant, IT consultant, analyst programmer and database administrator.