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Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The combined Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts allows you to study IT while pursuing your interests and adding skills in the humanities, social sciences or languages. You will enrol in one stream in information technology, either computer science or information systems, and complete one arts major and other elective units of study from areas as diverse as linguistics, anthropology, cultural studies, film studies, digital cultures or a range of languages.

As a graduate of this combined course of study you will have the technical expertise to shape and manage current and emerging technology complemented with the lifelong communication, research and critical thinking skills that are acquired from an arts degree. Graduates from the Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts combined degree will be well positioned to take on a career in a wide variety of fields.

Majors

Units of study

Units of study information for this degree (Computer Science stream component)

Full units of study list

Further course information

Study plan

The combined Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts is undertaken full-time over five years. Students enrol in junior units of study with a maximum 48 credit points during first year. A typical unit of study has a value of 6 credit points.

For the Bachelor of Information Technology degree, students will complete core units of study as required by their stream with some electives available within that stream. In their final year students enrolled in the BIT degree, can either pursue the coursework option or the honours option. Successful completion of the honours option will result in an award of a Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) degree.

For the Bachelor of Arts degree, the structure provides for the required completion of one major of 36 senior credit points.

Progression rules

In the Bachelor of Information Technology, candidates must maintain a credit average in year one and year two level core units. If this level of result is not achieved, candidates will be transferred to the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology degree program with full credit for units of study already completed.

A candidate may also apply to the dean for permission to transfer candidature to the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology. There is no WAM requirement for candidates wishing to transfer to the standard Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology degree.

The Faculty of Arts will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of the Bachelor of Arts. In addition to the common triggers used to identify students not meeting academic progression requirements (as set out in the provisions relating to progression in the coursework rule), students must not fail more than 50% of the credit points in any semester of enrolment.

What is a major?

Completion of a major is a requirement of the Bachelor of Arts. Students can choose to major in any subject areas as listed in table A [include link to table or table below]. A major requires the completion of either:
(a) a minimum of 36 senior credit points in a single subject area; or
(b) 18 Senior credit points in a single subject area combined with no more than 18 Senior credit points cross-listed to the major, except in the case of Film Studies and Medieval Studies, or in other subject areas as may be approved by the Dean, where the entire major may be cross-listed from the Schedule of Cross-listed Units of Study; or
(c) a double major in Sociology and Social Policy, requiring a minimum of 48 credit points.

All students in the Bachelor of Information Technology will enrol in one of two streams: information systems or computer science. Each stream will contain core units specific to that stream and recommend electives within that stream.

What is an elective?

An elective is a unit of study within a degree, usually an option within a course. Electives allow more detailed study of a particular subject.
Information technology electives are often recommended within the stream as they are directly related to, or build a more comprehensive understanding of content taught in, core units of study within that stream.

There are no compulsory units of study in the Bachelor of Arts. Students may select from the electives available within the Bachelor of Arts.

Course opportunities

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences both offer one-year exchange programs with universities around the world.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies enjoys strong professional and research links with Australian and global industry, affording unparalleled opportunities for Sydney engineering graduates. The Bachelor of Information Technology will produce graduates who are IT specialists and possess an excellent combination of knowledge and practical, hands-on expertise to influence and reinforce an organisation’s technology infrastructure and to support the people who use it. They will often be responsible for selecting and deploying software products appropriate for an organisation. They may also be involved in creating and managing business applications, web sites, systems and the IT environment in all types of industries.

Sydney Arts graduates work in government departments at all levels, and major private sector consultancies and corporations, locally and overseas. The Bachelor of Arts offers a range of subject areas that prepare graduates for careers in administration, education, business research, marketing, media, management consultancy, public relations, gallery and museum curatorship, hospitality and tourism, community and welfare. Sydney Arts graduates are proficient in research and inquiry, and demonstrate personal and intellectual autonomy, and ethical, social and professional understanding - qualities sought after by leading employers all over the world.

Course accreditation

The BIT has been awarded professional level accreditation by the Australian Computer Society http://www.acs.org.au.

Arts students are encouraged to become members of professional associations concerned with their areas of study. Association membership for students is often heavily discounted and may provide: opportunities for networking; conferences on topical issues providing local and international perspectives; research on areas of practice, quality and innovation; interest groups in specific areas of industry; regular journals and other publications; access to current salary information based on surveys conducted by the association; advice on workplace agreements; events offering professional development and ongoing learning; scholarships, awards and prizes; further study (including short courses, professional accreditation programs, or postgraduate qualifications).

Further study

The Graduate School of Engineering and IT http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/gse provides a link between postgraduate students in the different engineering disciplines, and offers a welcoming and supportive environment in which to undertake challenging coursework programs and research. The faculty's postgraduate coursework and research are focused on industrial applications supported by strong fundamental research programs run by internationally recognised academics.

Following the completion of the Bachelor of Arts eligible candidates may proceed to an honours year in the Bachelor of Arts, or apply for admission to a rich postgraduate program in the humanities and social sciences, comprising advanced learning and professional courses. Masters' degrees include capstone projects ranging from internships with government and non-government organisations in Australia and overseas, the gallery and museum sector, and leading media organisations, to opportunities for independent research projects which prepare students for higher degrees by research.

About honours

Both the Bachelor of Information Technology and the Bachelor of Arts can be awarded with honours.

The Bachelor of Information Technology with Honours is available to meritorious candidates who complete an alternative set of units of study in the final year of the degree devoted to studying specialised areas of information technology. During the honours year students will complete several advanced courses, and a semester long research project culminating in an honours thesis and oral presentation. Students may choose projects offered by staff or propose their own research projects. Successful completion of honours within the degree will result in the award of the Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) degree.

The Bachelor of Arts Honours year is both a preparation for postgraduate study and a capstone to an undergraduate degree. The arts honours year comprises seminar classes and work toward a short thesis on an independent research project under the supervision of an academic staff member who is an expert in the field of your research. For detailed advice see the Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Admission

Admission requirements

Admission requirements not available for Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts.

Assumed knowledge

HSC Mathematics Extension 1

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the University's undergraduate courses are made though the Universities Admission Centre (UAC). On-time applications for the March Semester close on the last working day of September. On-time applications for the July Semester close in May. Please note: not all courses are offered in the July semester intake.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University's International Office, (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent), or (iii) through the Universities Admissions Centre, for students applying on the basis of a current Australian Year 12 secondary school examination, or studying either an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

Indicative Undergraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

International students

Indicative international tuition fees for undergraduate students

This international tuition fee is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact tuition fees that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total tuition fees, please refer to the University's webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate/costs_scholarships/index.shtml

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_undergraduate

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.