The Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (BICT) aims to give students the opportunity to explore a broad range of aspects of ICT, and to graduate them with knowledge and skills in a variety of key areas of ICT for a lifelong career. The degree offers units across the complete spectrum of ICT, ranging from non-technical areas such as the nature of information and organisational needs for ICT, through the hardware, software, network and creative technologies which are used to satisfy these needs, to the communication, design, development and management skills needed to create, implement and integrate ICT components.
The BICT is a specialist degree with both a theoretical and practical focus, which aims to develop technological understanding and skills that are in high demand throughout the ICT industry in Australia and internationally. Graduates will be capable of understanding and improving organisational processes through the use of ICT. Graduates will be up-to-date with current issues in ICT, understand the changing technical and commercial nature of the ICT industry, and have the skills to implement industry-standard technology.
The degree produces ICT professionals who are confident and articulate team players, and who are attuned to the needs, methods and attitudes of business and society. The BICT aims to provide ICT graduates with the skills and knowledge to take on appropriate professional positions in industry upon graduation and grow into leadership positions, achieve entrepreneurial ambition, or pursue research and graduate studies in ICT.
Course code: 73T, CRICOS code: 079196G
You will be an ICT professional with the abilities and skills to:
You will acquire attitudes needed by an ICT professional to:
You’ll be amazed where ICT skills can take you! ICT is a truly global career – working in ICT can take you around the world, and no matter what area you want to work in, studying ICT will help you achieve it.
Studying ICT is the start to a rewarding, interesting, and social career anywhere in the world. ICT skills play an increasingly vital role in almost all occupations, and contribute to productivity gains, innovation, and job growth across all Australian industries. In order to meet expected continued industry growth over the next few years, industry is seeking professionals with skills in all areas of ICT.
I am responsible for Tasmanian tourism product database systems and distribution of data through digital channels. My tasks include coordination of application development projects with developers as required and management of some CMS (Content Management System) as well. I am also a regular member of technology meetings where technology partners and representatives of Tourism Australia and tourism organisations of all states and territories discuss issues and exchange ideas to maximise market reach through digital media. I enjoy working in this field because the IT "language" makes me feel equal to others with my English as a second language. Having said that I am often required to explain technically complicated matters in simple English for the non-technical and/or management levels. It is sometimes challenging but rewarding.
Looking back now it was quite stressful at times for me being a mature age student with two small children when I enrolled. However, I made good friends and we helped out each other get through the course. The biggest thing I learned then was that I was such a lucky person to have great support from family and friends. I am very thankful to the teachers and tutors in university for their friendly and approachable manner. From an academic point of view, I learned the foundation of knowledge and a logical way of thinking that helps me to keep adopting new technology that is continuously arising. Also I learned organisation and communication skills that help me in a diverse environment.
On graduating with a BICT degree, you will be qualified for a broad range of graduate positions such as:
After a year or two of experience you can progress to leadership roles such as:
Definitions for each of these careers can be found at: https://www.qgcio.qld.gov.au/products/ict-workforce-capability/careers-and-programs/ict-career-streams
See here [PDF, 1.1MB] for further information about the BICT and career outcomes and skill sets.
The BICT has been developed in consultation with the Australian Computer Society (ACS), and professional level accreditation will be sought after there have been some graduates. It is anticipated that graduates of the BICT will be eligible for full membership of the ACS.
I work in Hobart, Tasmania for Transend Networks, an electricity transmission utility company as a Software Developer in the IT Applications team. I spend 25% of my time as application support and 75% doing application development project work with C#, LINQ, SQL Server, HTML, CSS, jQuery, SSIS, PowerShell and SharePoint but mostly working on in-house .NET projects. I love working at Transend because of the flexibility to learn new frameworks and apply them to new projects and that our whole team prioritizes keeping up with the newest technology and upgrading older code-bases into using the current best practices. The best thing about IT is that it usually has a good mix of creativity and logical thinking and that IT will likely be a growth industry for decades due to the dependence on IT systems.
The BICT uses a 3-year specialist degree model. A specialist degree has students complete 24 units organized into two majors (2x8 units) and a minor (4 units) and 4 student elective units. The BICT encompasses a minor in information technology and a major with the essential knowledge and skills required to be an ICT Professional. You have a choice of two accompanying majors:
All graduates will have a depth of knowledge in the areas of software design and development. Depending on your choice of major, you will also have a depth of understanding either in systems integration and administration or in games and creative technology design and development.
See here for the schedule
The BICT will take a minimum of three years full-time study. The degree can be studied part-time over a maximum time period of seven years.
The BICT is available on both the Sandy Bay campus in Hobart and the Newnham campus in Launceston. Some units will use flexible delivery strategies including packaged online learning modules or recorded lectures allowing students to complete some learning off campus. Some units will use videoconference facilities to deliver content to both campuses at the same time.
Admission to the BICT at UTAS requires qualifications equivalent to the 12th year of schooling in Australia. In particular, Tasmanian students require a Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE). It is recommended that students have an ATAR of 65 or above; students with scores above 50 may be eligible. Students who do not meet these requirements may enrol in a UTAS Foundation Studies Program, such as the Bachelor of General Studies (ICT Pathway) or the Associate Degree in ICT.
The University’s basic academic entry requirements are shown on: http://www.utas.edu.au/admissions/undergraduate/admission-requirements
While no prerequisites apply for the degree, students who have not successfully completed TCE MAP5C Mathematics Applied, or, an approved equivalent unit, or, a higher level Mathematics subject, are recommended to complete KMA003 Mathematics Foundation Unit.
Similarly, students who have not successfully completed TCE Computer Science (ITC315108 or ITC315113), or an approved equivalent unit, or a higher level Computer Programming subject, must complete either KIT001 Programming Preparation or KIT101 Programming Fundamentals before commencing KIT107 Programming.
The English Language requirements will be those that are established for most University of Tasmania undergraduate programs, as shown on:
http://www.utas.edu.au/admissions/undergraduate/admission-requirements
If you have already completed some tertiary level study you may eligible for a credit transfer. Students who are given more than eight units of credit transfer enrol in a bridging unit (KIT209) that covers a range of topics that relate to ICT professional practice in Australia. The unit will also provide an introduction to School and University processes, teamwork and communication skills that local students typically learn in first year.
If you have completed a Diploma of Information Technology Networking (ICA50411) offered by TasTAFE then you will be eligible for up to 5 units of credit towards the BICT. If you have also completed an Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems Technology (ICA60511) you will be eligible for up to a further 6 units of credit towards the BICT.
If you are interested in concurrently completing a Diploma of Information Technology Networking, and an Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems Technology and a BICT then there is a 4-year program available.
