Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty

Bachelor of Information Systems/Bachelor of Business (SZISB) – Melbourne (Bundoora)

Graduates gain skill in management information systems (including the design and use of software and applications in business organisations) together with the relevant expertise required for a career in business management as an ICT professional. An Honours degree in either information systems or business (with a specialisation in management) requires an additional year of study. The course aims to train graduates to become ICT professionals. Graduates of the course are eligible for membership of the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Upon completion of this course in addition to the business related skills, students should possess:

  • a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the core body of computer science required for the construction of information processing systems;
  • a comprehensive understanding of the different types of information technology tools, and their role in managing knowledge and information
  • familiarity with the latest developments in information technology;
  • an exposure to Information Technology in an industry context and an appreciation of Information Technology in enhancing business function;
  • skills in system analysis, software design, implementation and deployment;
  • an ability to critically evaluate currently existing information systems and new developments;
  • skills and abilities necessary to function effectively in project teams;
  • written and oral communication skills enabling effective communication with professional colleagues and the wider community;
  • ability to engage in lifelong learning, and
  • an appreciation of pertinent social, legal and ethical issues faced by today’s computing professional.

Scholarships

First year scholarships are available for high achieving students. Prospective candidates should contact the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering early in their year-12 studies for details.

Course structure

This double degree is of four and a half years’ full-time or equivalent part-time duration and requires the completion of 540 credit points overall. Students may complete this double degree in four years as part of an accelerated study program.

The syllabus is mostly fixed, although business and computer science electives constitute approximately 45% of the final two years. The workload in each of the first three years is equivalent to 12.5% more than that in either single degree. Students who have trouble with the overloaded nature of the course may apply to transfer to either a Bachelor of Information Systems or Bachelor of Business.

The order in which students take the subjects may be varied to suit individual needs. Further, some prescribed subjects may be replaced by others in special circumstances.

Set out below is a suggested program of study. This is intended as a model only and may be varied to meet an individual student’s needs and is subject to prerequisite and timetabling constraints. Students are advised to consult with an adviser of studies prior to finalising their programs.

Mid-year commencement

Students entering the course mid-year with equivalent year 12 studies will commence second semester on 5th July 2010, three weeks earlier than the normal commencement date for that teaching period. Some students with prior tertiary studies may also be required to commence their course on 5th July. These students will be advised by the faculty office at the time of offer.

The structure of the Bachelor of Information Systems/Bachelor of Business was revised for 2009, the new course structure will be phased in over 3 years. Students commencing first year from 2009 onwards will complete the new course structure, existing students will complete the existing course structure, both structures are listed below.

New course structure

For students commencing first year from 2009 onwards.

First year (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Foundations of Management MGT1FOM 15
TE-SEM-1 Information Technology Fundamentals CSE1ITF 15
TE-SEM-1 Macroeconomics ECO1IMA 15
TE-SEM-1 Object-Oriented Programming Fundamentals CSE1OOF 15
TE-SEM-2 Accounting for Management Decisions ACC1AMD 15
TE-SEM-2 Information Systems CSE1IS 15
TE-SEM-2 Intermediate Object-Oriented Programming CSE1IOO 15
TE-SEM-2 Introductory Statistics for Business ECO1ISB 15
TE-SEM-2 Microeconomics ECO1IMI 15
Second year (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Database Fundamentals CSE2DBF 15
TE-SEM-1 Discrete Mathematics MAT1DM 15
TE-SEM-1 Information Systems Development CSE2ISD 15
TE-SEM-1 Modern Applied Statistics STA2AS 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Business Law LST2BSL 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Finance FIN2FIN 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Foundations of Marketing MKT1FMK 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 One free elective2
Choose one of:
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Sustainability in Global Business Climate, Sustainability and Society ECO1SGB ENV1CSS 15 15
Third year (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Database Management Systems CSE3DMS 15
TE-SEM-1 Internet Client Engineering CSE2ICE 15
TE-SEM-2 E-Business Systems BUS3EBS 15
TE-SEM-2 Information Systems Practice CSE3ISP 15
TE-SEM-2 Professional Environment CSE3PE 15
Subject name Credit Points
Two second or third year business subjects, in keeping with the chosen major1 30
Two free electives 30
Fourth year (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Information Systems Project A3 CSE3ISA 15
TE-SEM-2 Information Systems Project B3 CSE3ISB 15
TE-SEM-2 Web Applications Engineering CSE3WAE 15
Subject name Credit Points
Five second or third year business subjects, in keeping with the chosen major1 75
One second or third year level general business elective2 15

Key: 1 Business electives must be chosen to ensure that at least one major or 2 minors are completed.

Key: 2 The subjects BUS2BAD and MGT2BCO are not permitted.

Key: 3 Must be taken in the one academic year.

Majors offered by the School of Business

Students are required to complete either 1 seven subject major or 2 four subject minors. Please see the Bachelor of Business entry for details on majors and minors.

Existing course structure

For students who commenced prior to 2009.

First year (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Discrete Mathematics MAT1DM 15
TE-SEM-1 Information Technology Fundamentals CSE1ITF 15
TE-SEM-1 Macroeconomics ECO1IMA 15
TE-SEM-1 Object-Oriented Programming Fundamentals CSE1OOF 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Accounting for Management Decisions ACC1AMD 15
TE-SEM-2 Foundations of Management MGT1FOM 15
TE-SEM-2 Intermediate Object-Oriented Programming CSE1IOO 15
TE-SEM-2 Introductory Statistics for Business ECO1ISB 15
TE-SEM-2 Microeconomics ECO1IMI 15
Second year (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Database Fundamentals CSE2DBF 15
TE-SEM-1 Internet Client Engineering CSE2ICE 15
TE-SEM-1 Modern Applied Statistics STA2AS 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Algorithms and Data Structures CSE2ALG 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Business Law LST2BSL 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Foundations of Marketing MKT1FMK 15
TE-SEM-2 Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals CSE2AIF 15
TE-SEM-2 System Design Engineering Fundamentals CSE2DES 15
TE-SEM-1 Sustainability in Global Business ECO1SGB 15
TE-SEM-2 Climate, Sustainability and Society ENV1CSS 15
Third year (135 credit points)
Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 Finance FIN2FIN 15
TE-SEM-2 E-Business Systems BUS3EBS 15
TE-SEM-2 Web Applications Engineering CSE3WAE 15
TE-SEM-2 Professional Environment CSE3PE 15
Third year level computer science elective 15
Four second or third year level business electives in keeping with the chosen major1 60
Fourth year (135 credit points)

Core subjects (75 credit points)

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 Database Management Systems CSE3DMS 15
TE-SEM-1 System Design and Methodologies CSE3SDM 15

The remaining 45 credit points of core subjects must be taken from any third year level computer science subjects and must include either the Software Engineering Project (CSE3PRA and CSE3PRB) (30 credit points) or the Programming Project (CSE3PRG) (30 credit points).

Electives (60 credit points)

Subject name Credit Points
Three second or third year level business electives in keeping with the chosen major1 45
One second or third year level general business elective 15

Key: 1 Business electives must be chosen to ensure that at least one of the following majors is completed: business economics, human resource management, management, marketing or financial management (see below).

(The subjects BUS4CTB and MGT2BCO are not permitted.)

Majors offered by the School of Business

Students are required to complete either 1 seven subject major or 2 four subject minors. Please see the Bachelor of Business entry for details on majors and minors.