Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS)

Course Structure and Content

The course structure consists of 18 core subjects - 14 core professional subjects in the areas of information systems and ICT, 4 core business subjects and 6 elective subjects.

The structure of the proposed Bachelor of Information Systems course is as follows:

• 4 core subjects at introductory level (2 IS subjects and 2 business subjects)
• 9 core IS subjects
• 3 capstone IS subjects
• 2 additional business core subjects
• 6 elective subjects

Offering 4 core subjects at the introductory level provides students with exposure to basic offerings in both IS and business related subjects and provides a flexible pathway should they wish to change major after completion of these 4 core subjects.

The core IS subjects provide essential core units relating to IS while the 3 capstone subjects are taken in the final year. These are considered strategic in nature, providing a synthesis of material already studied in other units, integrating technology/people/management issues.

Each subject has three hours of contact per week over a 12-week teaching semester (36 contact hours). A normal full-time load consists of four subjects in a semester. The table below indicates the sequence of study where a student completes core and a combination of electives over the three-year period.

Components Dedicated to Introductory Studies

The four core introductory subjects are as follows:

HS1011 Data Communications and Networks provide a basic introduction to data communications and computer networking. Topics covered include Open Systems Interconnection (OSI), network media, Local Area and Wide Area Networks, network devices, applications and operating systems. This subject is delivered face-to-face, and includes a practical application component.

HS1021 Web Design provides a practical introduction to Web design and development. Students will be introduced to elements of logic and basic programming techniques, and will apply principles of visual design, usability, and accessibility and information architecture to web design. This subject is delivered face-to-face, and includes a practical application component. 

HC1031 Managing People and Organisations introduce students to the concepts and principles underlying the management of business organisations. Business managers continually respond to the challenges of global competition, rapidly changing technology, cultural and social diversity of an increasingly educated work force and an increasing emphasis on environmental awareness and sound corporate governance. In such an environment, only those organisations whose managers learn from their experiences and adapt to their dynamic environment will be successful. The course critically explores management principles, concepts, models and challenges from both a national and international perspective and requires students to apply their knowledge through case studies and scenarios. 

HC1062 Decision Making and Problem Solving provides students with an introduction to the research process, including a selection of appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques to support decision-making in all areas of business. Students will explore how these techniques are applied to real world situations in a range of business contexts.

Both HC1031 Managing People and Organisations and HC1062 Decision Making and Problem Solving are existing subjects in the business degree, prescribed by professional requirements, will bring the two cohorts of business and IS students together in these classes. This foundation core provides opportunities for enhanced teamwork in assignments and projects and the development of deeper interpersonal skills and will contribute directly to the goal of producing graduates with a client-centred focus and approach. It will create graduates benefiting from interdisciplinary study with an applied problem solving focus.

Components Dedicated to Technical Specialisation

There are nine core subjects at Year 1 and Year 2 level dedicated to IS, which build on the introductory units and with the exception of HS3011 Information Security, must be completed before the Year 3 capstone core units can be taken. The technical material in these subjects provides students with a broad base of knowledge and skills relating to Information Systems in particular with IS as a general backdrop. These eight core subjects are as follows:

Subject Description

These core subjects provide a firm foundation for proceeding to the capstone units offered in the final year.

HC1041 Information Technology for Business focuses on information technology and applications in business contexts. Students will be exposed to a range of basic IT concepts and principles, particularly as they apply to a business context. A variety of software applications for business will also be explored. 

HS2011 Systems Analysis and Design provides an introduction to systems analysis and design and the systems development lifecycle (SDLC). It also incorporates practical knowledge and skills relating to system requirements, design, implementation, testing and maintenance phases of the systems development life cycle, as well as the development of a prototype to test understanding of SDLC processes.

HS2021 Database Design and Use provides an introduction to relational databases, database modelling, relational database theory and normalisation. Students are introduced to the database language SQL in sufficient depth to understand its potential and limitations. Multi-user database processing and Internet database applications are also explored. The subject is delivered face-to-face, and students are encouraged to explore database design and implementation issues through a hands-on practical application component.

HS2031 Human-Computer Interaction focuses on underlying theories of human-computer interaction. Students will be introduced to various design principles, guidelines for computer design from an end-user standpoint, evaluation techniques and issues relating to the social and individual impact of human-computer interaction. This subject also contains a practical work component.

HS2041 Enterprise Systems provides an introduction to Enterprise Systems (ES) and the incorporation of ES into core business processes. The content focuses on factors relating to ES adoption, selection and implementation decisions, particularly from a systems perspective. Students also gain an understanding of the necessity for effective communication processes relating to ES implementation across the organisation. Risks associated with ES implementation, maintenance and ongoing use will be covered in this subject.

HC2051 Web Applications Development builds on knowledge and skills acquired in previous subjects (Web Design and Human-Computer Interaction) and require an intermediate level of computer literacy and competence. This subject gives students the opportunity to further develop their technical knowledge and apply this to the development of a web based computer application.

HS2061 Information Systems Project Management provides an introduction to project management concepts and principles, and the way in which information systems project management differ from other types of projects in organisational environments. Aspects of project planning, resourcing, monitoring and evaluation are presented and analysed from a strategic business perspective. This subject includes case studies from business systems development projects, and contains a practical application component.

HC3152 E-Business Applications seeks to provide managers with a broad understanding of e-business, its technical base, its applications and the effects of e-business on individuals, organisations, society and government. The effect of e-business on the internal processes, structures and strategies of an organisation are identified and discussed. The subject incorporates case studies from Australia and overseas, with a focus on SMEs.

HS3011 Information Security provides a comprehensive overview of models, methods and new technologies utilised in information security. As students undertaking this program are studying information systems and business related subjects, the focus of the subject content relates particularly to security issues in information systems management. This subject is delivered face-to-face and includes analyses of current business case studies relating to information systems security.

Components Designated as Capstone Subjects

The following three capstone subjects are designed to enable students to apply academic learning to a contemporary workplace situation and to closely engage with the relevant business processes. Students will gain valuable practical experience which is directly related to BIS course learning outcomes through Work Integrated Learning WIL. WIL is modelled on three approaches that integrate theory with the practice of work: Project Based Learning, Real Case Study Analysis and Simulations or Virtual Situated.

Project Based Learning: Students will gain valuable practical experience which is directly related to BIS course learning outcomes through Work Integrated Learning WIL.

Real Case Study Analysis: In real case study analysis, students will learn how to solve complex problems while engaging in team discussions, presentations and collaboration.

Simulations or Virtual Situated Learning Environments: Students can use platforms such as BlackBoard to learn how to engage with industry and professional practice in a simulated setting. Main characteristic of this capstone approach is role-playing, scenario planning, online reflections and observations. Simulations will be on (Oracle Cloud platform, SAP Lumira, DPL 8, Monte Carlo) platforms.

Capstone subjects can only be undertaken once students have completed the four introductory core units and eight core technical units outlined above. The three capstone subjects are taken in the final year, and are considered more strategic in nature, providing a synthesis of material already studied in other units, integrating technology/people/management issues.

HS3021 Strategic Information Systems Management
Strategic Information Systems Management capstone project is one of the final subjects in the BIS course. As such it is designed to help integrate all the knowledge students have gained in previous courses and to apply it to business situation and relating rapid changes in technology (telecommunications, Internet, Information Systems, Networks and IT governance). Students will be with an opportunity to do real industry projects within industry (Project Based Learning, Real Case Study Analysis and Simulations or Virtual Situated.) to critically analyse and reflect on the implications of the integration of technology and people management within a business context.

HS3031 Sustainability and IT Practice
Sustainability and IT Practice capstone project is one of the final subjects in student’s BIS course. As such it is designed to help integrate all the knowledge have been gained in previous BIS courses and to apply it to business situation and relating rapid sustainability changes. Students will be with an opportunity to do real industry projects within industry (Project Based Learning, Real Case Study Analysis and Simulations or Virtual Situated) to review existing sustainability strategies and explore the ways in which the development of 'green' ICT strategies can reduce the global carbon footprint and contribute to sustainability imperatives.

HS3041 Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management
Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management capstone project is one of the final subjects in BIS course. As such it is designed to help integrate all the knowledge have been gained in previous BIS courses and to apply it to business situation and relating business intelligence, analytics and decision support. Students will be with an opportunity to do real industry projects within industry (Project Based Learning, Real Case Study Analysis and Simulations or Virtual Situated) and do simulations relating to big data and analytics, data mining, visual analytics and data warehousing to review and to determine the effectiveness of business intelligence and knowledge management within certain organisations.

Additional Core Business Subjects

Additional core business subjects include:

HC1052 Organisational Behaviour critically explores the management of individuals and groups in detail. For this subject students are required to apply knowledge and insights through case studies and scenarios.

HC2121 Comparative Ethics and Social Responsibility immerses students in organisational ethical decision-making processes, issues, organisational control mechanisms and benefits of developing comprehensive and due diligence ethics programs. This subject also explores organisational successes and failures to understand how to manage ethical issues.