Associate Degree in Information Technology

The principal objective of Associate Degree in Information Technology program is to create highly employable graduates, capable of working in the Information and communications technology (ICT) field across the spectrum of the Information and communications technology (ICT) industry.

The program is designed to prepare you for a wide range of career possibilities by developing particular graduate attributes that will be of ongoing benefit to yourselves, industry and society.You will gain the practical and theoretical skills required to enter the computer industry through a blend of theory and hands-on subjects in hardware and software, UNIX, networking, database concepts, virtualisation and java programming.

You will learn to solve practical problems with laboratory work as a major component.

Many of the classes are taught in computer laboratories with a ‘workshop’ approach to studies.

This approach produces graduates who are well regarded in the workplace and/or ready to complete the bachelor degree program in the equivalent area.In the first year of this program you will be introduced to a wide range of Information Technology industry areas including computer technology, programming, web and networking.

In the second year of this program you will build on the knowledge gained from first year to industry level requirements with option courses to facilitate your preferences in the Information Technology sector.INTE2507 Virtualisation (simulated industry project) provides you with capstone experience, which will give you the opportunity to integrate, critically reflect on and consolidate what you have learnt in your program.This program also provides a pathway for graduates into the relevant bachelor degree programs.This program is available for on-campus study only and is delivered at RMIT City Campus.

Year One of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses:

AND

Year Two of Program

Select and complete Four (4) of the following core courses:

Select and Complete Three (3) of the following courses.

Select and Complete One (1) Course from any:

If you want to articulate into Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of Software Engineering, you must select and complete One (1) of the following courses:

Program entry requirements

Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent.

For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to Australian academic entry requirements, see the Country equivalents web page.

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) prerequisite units 3 and 4 — a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in any other English; and a study score of at least 20 in Mathematics (any).

English language requirements

A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.0, with no band below 5.5; or equivalent.

For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents web page.

This associate degree program fosters learning outcomes in the following areas:

• Programming
• Networking
• Databases
• Web Programming
• Human Computer Interaction
• Operating Systems Administration
• Computer Hardware
• Cyber Security

This program was developed though a formal consultation process with a number of stakeholders, including the School’s Industry Advisory Committee, academic staff of the school, and current students.

This program is designed to provide you with learning outcomes that will enhance your value to the Information Technology industry. These learning outcomes include a range of abilities, skills, knowledge and attitudes appropriate to the Information Technology industry. Capability development is an essential and integral part of the learning associated with each course within this program.

This process resulted in the identification of the following graduate capabilities that are required of an associate degree graduate in Information Technology.

On successful completion of the program you will achieve the program learning outcomes listed under the nominated topic headings:

1.Enabling Knowledge

This is the understanding of appropriate and relevant fundamental and applied scientific knowledge with the ability to use and apply that knowledge in a wide range of situations, including new situations within the professional discipline. The vocational emphasis of this program ensures that the knowledge acquired has practical applications that will be experienced in the simulated workplace setting of the laboratory.

2.Critical Analysis

• Examine and consider accurately and objectively any topic, evidence, or situation.
• Analyse and model requirements and constraints for the purpose of designing and implementing Information Technology systems;
• Evaluate and compare designs of such systems on the basis of requirements of the organisational needs.

3.Problem Solving

• Analyse problems and synthesise suitable solutions.
• Design and implement Information Technology systems that accommodate specified requirements and constraints, based on analysis or requirements specification

4.Communication

• Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through a range of modes and media.
• Present and explain complex Information Technology systems solutions, alternative solutions, and decision recommendations to both IT and non-IT personnel via technical reports of professional standard and technical presentations.

5.Team Work

• In general this capability allows one to work as an effective and productive team member in a range of professional and social situations.
• Work effectively in different roles, to form, manage, and successfully produce outcomes from teams, whose members may have diverse cultural backgrounds and life circumstances, and differing levels of technical expertise.

6.Responsibility

• Accepting responsibility for one's own learning and make informed decisions in judging and adopting appropriate behaviour in professional and social situations.
• Effectively apply relevant standards, ethical considerations, and an understanding of legal and privacy issues to designing IT systems.