Have you always been interested in the great expanse of information that exists in the virtual world? If the answer is yes, then a Bachelor of ICT at WSU might be the degree for you!
This article will cover all the essentials of this degree from the core units, its teaching formats to the faculty and culture.
Let’s dive in!
What is a Bachelor of ICT at WSU?
Core Units and Majors
How to Get into a Bachelor of ICT at WSU
What’s the Teaching Format?
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
What is a Bachelor of ICT at WSU?
In aBachelor of Information and Communications Technology(ICT) at WSU, studentsdevelop their computing skills in industry domains such as networking, databases, systems and programming. At WSU, students have access to industry-leading facilities (virtual reality, computer laboratories), which help them understand a range of software and hardware.
Graduates areequipped with mathematical and statistical knowledge to apply ICT solutions to real-world problems由澳大利亚计算机的社会认可ety (ACS).
Can this degree be studied in conjunction with another?
This degree does not need to be studied with another degree, nor is there an Honours program.For applicants wishing to diversify their knowledge, a Bachelor of ICT can be studied as a double degree with:
While there is no Honours program for this course,you may opt to study aBachelor of Information and Communications Technology (Advanced)which is offered to students who have attained an ATAR of 95 or above.
Career Paths
As an Information and Communications Technology graduate,your skill set becomes aligned with the maintenance of websites, its security and integrity. Therefore, these are some career options that you might look into:
-
- Web analyst
- Network administrator or engineer
- Systems architect
- Games developer
- Software quality analyst
- Information systems manager
- Software engineer analyst
Core Units and Majors
In a Bachelor of Information and CommunicationsTechnology at WSU, there are 13 core units:
-
- Programming Fundamentals
- Principles of Professional Communication 1
- Systems Analysis and Design
- Statistical Decision Making
- Computer Networking
- Programming Techniques
- Database Design and Development
- Technologies for Web Applications
- Computer Networks and Internets
- Object Oriented Analysis
- 网络系统开发
- Social Web Analytics
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Professional Development
- Operating Systems Programming
- Professional Experience
What are the core units like through the different years of study?
First-year core units, such asProgramming FundamentalsandPrinciples of Professional Communication 1, are mostly introductory subjects covering the foundation of being an ICT practitioner.Programming Fundamentalscommences the student’s skill of developing software, learning basic data structures, and designing functional programs.
In the second year, students begin towork with web and data systems that have more complexity. The core units have a strong focus on analysis and problem solving as inComputer Networks and Internets, where students troubleshoot issues in common routing protocols and switches.
The third-year core units in a Bachelor of ICT at WSU focus oncatering the student’s skill set to the professional workplace. InHuman-Computer Interaction, they evaluate and analyse how current software can be more user-centred in its usability, functionality and accessibility.
What majors can you study?
Elective units can be used to obtain an additional approved major. While the availability of these majors depends on the campus, they are:
-
- Cybersecurity
- Entertainment Computing
- Health Informatics
- Mathematics
- Mobile Computing
- Networking
- Technology Entrepreneurship
Cybersecuritymajors learnhow to protect information systems by implementing security application programs and using ethical hacking techniques. On the other hand,Technology Entrepreneurshipmajors approach ICT with a business-minded edge, wherestudents plan how to turn their innovations into a potential start-up company.
Are there work experience opportunities?
Though there are no built-in work experiences in the course, the unitProfessional Experiencebrings industry mentors to work with students on real-world projects.
How to Get into a Bachelor of ICT at WSU
To be offered entry into a Bachelor of ICT at WSU,the ATAR cut-off is 65 for all campuses with the exception of the WSU Penrith campus, which has an ATAR cut-off of 70.
HSC True Reward Program
WSU’sHSC True Reward Programoffers an option for early offers. Students can beawarded guaranteed entry to the degree based on their Year 11 or Year 12 subject results and not your ATAR.
Find these requisiteshere!
Assumed Knowledge
When beginning a Bachelor of ICT at WSU, it is important to know thatthere is assumed knowledge for HSC Mathematics and any two HSC English units.Patch up on these two areas if you have any doubts about them! However, there are no additional assessments when applying for this course.
Scholarships
While there are no scholarships specific to a Bachelor of ICT at WSU,there are general scholarships available at WSU.
For example,theAcademic Excellence scholarshipis open for current school leavers who have a minimum of ATAR 90. The recipient will beawarded $5000 per year for the duration of their degree.
What’s the Teaching Format?
Students studying a Bachelor of ICT at WSU attendtwo semesters a yearand are mainly taught in acombination of lectures and practicals.
Class Structure
Lectures
Lectures are around1 to 2 hours long, and as the course progresses,class sizes often go from 100 to 200 students to 40 students.
Lecturesprovide the general foundation of the unit’s content at a theoretical level.For example, lecturers may explore the need for user-centred design and examine the programming behind websites with optimal user experience.
Practicals
Practicals have smaller classes of20 to 30 studentsand are normally around2 hours long. While lectures are intended to consolidate students’ knowledge of the unit,practicals offer the time and space for the application of their theoretical content with the guidance of a tutor.
Students will have the opportunity touse computer software, explore ICT solutions, and replicate website models.
Contact Hours
A Bachelor of ICT at WSUfocuses on the students’ practical ICT abilities. ICT students have contact hours ofaround 12-14 hours per week, where hours can increase when they enter more advanced subjects or if they choose more hands-on electives.
Assessments
Assessments vary depending on whether the unit is based on practical or theoretical knowledge. However, expect to find practical assessments and written exams in most units!
Practical assessments
In practical assessments, studentsdemonstrate their design, development and implementation skills to ensure that they work towards their competency as an ICT practitioner.
Students oftenuse design rules and notations to develop a solution or model,e.g. you might have the chance to make a small version of Pacman or another web game! These assessments areoften worth 50% of the unit grade or are split into multiple tasks throughout the semester that add up to 100%of the unit grade.
Exams
Exams arewritten assessments and cover the student’s theoretical knowledge of the unit topics.ICT students may find that memorisation of the unit theory will make up most of their exam preparation.
虽然看上去ICT的实际方面is prioritised,expect these exams to be also worth 50% of their unit grades!
Skills That You Develop
Without a doubt, graduates in a Bachelor of ICT will provide the technical skills in becoming an IT professional by undertaking their core units.
These include theessential knowledge in networking and IT applications development and the mathematical and statistical skills that build this foundation. With the option of choosing a major, students can also have a more specific understanding of ICT.
As ICT is all about designing virtual worlds that streamline our lives,problem-solving will be a critical skill that graduates will develop. By analysing case studies and putting various design rules into practice, they will gain the ability to come up with ICT solutions to real-world situations.
Communication is an important requisite of any workplace and classroom.Through specific units such asPrinciples of Professional Communication 1andProfessional Development, students will learn how to communicate and collaborate in a professional setting, where challenging situations and differences in perspective will arise.
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
Faculty
The Information Technology Faculty at WSU values itself on being forward-thinking and innovative.They are the only university in Sydney to offer ICT majors in Health Information Management and Information Technology degrees solely focusing on entrepreneurship.
The staff are also very supportive of students’ wellbeing and academic progress. Yet, like any university faculty,there is a minority of staff who may put in the bare minimum.
Information and Communication Technology students aregenerally social people. As most classes are practicals,students are sure to form friendships if they put themselves out there!
Culture
威诺娜州立大学没有一个强大的society culture, mainly since its campuses are divided throughout Sydney.
However, since ICT has strong ties with today’s business environment, Information and Communication Technology students can join theWestern Business Society.The society provides career development throughworkshops, networking events and motivational talks, which can diversify your career options in the future!
Support Programs
WSU offers many support services for its students’ academic progress.Bridging programsare provided for new and continuing students to work on their academic literacy.
Throughout the semesters, thePeer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are also held, where students work collaboratively to understand unit content and build their general study strategies.
Discover the pros and cons of a Bachelor of ICT at WSU here!
Lynn Chenis a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is a Communication student at UTS with a major in Creative Writing. Lynn’s articles have been published in Vertigo, The Comma, and Shut Up and Go. In her spare time, she also writes poetry.
