Bachelor of Information Technology
The purpose of this web page is to provide information to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) program.
Convenor
The role of BIT Convenor aims to act as both an advocate and advisor for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Technology program. This is particular in relation to working out what courses to take. But they are also happy to advise/help on other issues that relate to your degree program or your university studies.
If you wish to contact the BIT convenor then email them directly. You can also book a time to see the BIT Convenor through Bindi Mamouney, our student administrator (T: +61 2 6125 4043, E: bindi.mamouney@anu.edu.au.)
News!
The BIT rules for 2011 have been simplified, with the `small' majors being dropped and the remaining ones strengthened. If you are graduating in 2011, you may apply the 2011 rules to your course selection (unless you want the Computer Systems or NMA majors). It is simpler, but note that the IS major needs INFS1001 as well and the SD major requires COMP3600 instead of COMP2110. Note that if you have done COMP3110 already, this will be counted as COMP2130. Finally, note that a major is no longer required.
Third year students note: COMP3120 Project Management
is now moved to Semester 1!
Having trouble finding a suitable 6th COMP3000-series course?
Consider COMP4610 and COMP4650 (these do not require much programming experience
beyond COMP1110). You could also ask the BIT Convenor permission
to count INFS3002 as a COMP course (if you are really stuck).
Selecting Courses
Spend time planning the courses you are going to take to complete your BIT degree. It is worth while working out all the course you will take over the 3 years. This should be done with the degree program rules at hand.
By default you will use the handbook of the year you started the degree program (for students transferring into the BIT this is the year you transferred into the BIT). Previous years handbooks are available online. You may elect to move to a newer handbook, however, you should talk to the BIT Convenor first. Also they will have a formal note added to your transcript stating this change.
Which Electives can I chose?
A non-IT elective can be chosen from potentially any course offered by the University. However, we recommend the following courses for first year, on the basis of some synergy with IT or complementing the IT parts of the program: The BIT Convenor is unlikely to have detailed knowledge on details (e.g. assessment) these courses, or how hard they are likely to be. Students are recommended to contact the School or College offering a course of potential interest for this kind of information.Forming a plan
First work out which major(s) you are planing on completing. Generally you are encouraged to take on 2 majors, although you only need one to complete the BIT (majors are optional for student under the 2011+ handbook). Note combined degrees only have space for one IT major.
Work out a schedule over the 3 years, adding in courses that form part of the major(s) (the hand book has a template for each of the majors). You need to be careful about: which semester courses go in, prerequisites, and courses that run every second year. Once you have the core(s) and the major(s) in place then add other IT courses(and other courses) to make up the courses you wish todo. Go back to the handbook for the degree program and check that your pattern fulfills ALL the requirements. If you run into problems then book a time to see the BIT program convenor.
Situations to avoid
Over the years the convenors have seen a few problems that are best AVOIDED. These include:- FAILING COURSES.
- Doing too many first year courses (these are the 1000 series courses).
- Doing too many first year non-IT courses.
- Not doing enough IT 3000/4000 series courses.
- Giving priority to elective courses over IT core/major courses.
- Not doing enough IT courses.
- Students who do combined programs and do courses that do not contribute to either side of their combined degree.
Finding courses to complete your major
At times it can be difficult (or impossible) to complete the required set of courses that make up the major. This is particular the case for the IT in New Media Arts major and Computer Systems major. Generally the difficulty is caused by a number of our 3000/4000 level courses only being offered every second year. If you run into this problem please talk to the BIT Convenor and we may be able to find a replacement course that you can take to complete the major. e.g. In the Computer Systems Major we will let people use COMP2410 to be part of the 7 courses of the major. Note these exceptions need to be added as a note on your transcript. So you would need to talk to the BIT Convenor.Essential University English
The Essential University English course ESEN 1101 is run by ANU College and includes technical writing, speaking and discussion skills, critical thinking, western academic culture etc. The kind of students who are may benefit are: international, `lingusitically diverse' domestic students.
The studyat link is:
- Studyat ESEN1101 includes a statement about eligibility.
In particular, the newly-arrived international BIT students might benefit if they are not confident of their English skills. If you think this may be helpful for you please feel free to talk to the BIT Convenor.
