Bachelor of Business Information Systems

The business environment has changed dramatically over the last decade through globalisation, an explosion in information and smart systems and global connectivity. The nature of information management has changed from that of creating systems from first principles to cloud based globalised systems that can handle and process vast amount of data ubiquitously. IS2010 states:

"IS professionals must design and implement information technology solutions that enhance organizational performance. Students must therefore:

• Possess skills in understanding and modelling organizational processes and data, defining and implementing technical and process solutions, managing projects, and integrating systems within and across organizations.
• Be fluent in techniques for acquiring, converting, transmitting, and storing data and information, including those related to data quality.
• Focus on the application of information technology in helping individuals, groups, and organizations achieve their goals within a competitive global environment."

The Bachelor of Business Information Systems was developed after an extensive research and consultation period to better understand the needs of business and industry and ensure that graduates will be well equipped to meet those needs. As part of the process the College held dialogue with a wide variety of individuals and business leaders, leading academics and professional bodies. The aim was to understand what skills, knowledge and capabilities are needed in the current business context, and those which will be essential in the emerging global economy in an era of transnational mobility.

As a graduate of this program you will gain:

• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Specific knowledge and expertise in business information systems
• Expertise in business, and project management
• Skills to participate in the planning, creation and delivery of business endeavours and initiatives
• Enhanced leadership, communication and presentation skills
• A sound understanding of dynamics of industry, government and global business

Career Outcomes

APIC's Bachelor of Business Information Systems is designed to give graduates expertise to perform in a key role in defining the information needs of the future, and shaping information systems that underpin organisational and individual performance and facilitate performance in the global economy.

Globally today, there is an acute shortage of qualified business information systems professionals. Go back 10 years ago and the demand was for information technology professionals. As more and more software production is outsourced to countries with lower labour costs, the employment prospects are for those who can define, design, acquire and implement information systems at enterprise and global levels, utilising solutions that span both business and information technologies. Successful graduates must possess a broader skill sets and have a more strategic view of information systems as a key enabler of business efficiency and success. APIC's Bachelor of Business Information Systems has been designed specifically to nurture this class of professionals who are very much in demand and are currently well remunerated.

KnowledgeGraduates of the Bachelor of Business Information Systems will have:

• A broad and coherent knowledge of business and management, and an understanding of how to design, create and deploy information systems as an enabler of business innovation and competitiveness (particularly technology-enabled businesses);
• Sufficient understanding of project management theory and practice to manage capability acquisition, deliver enterprise solutions and improve organisational performance;
• In depth knowledge of the role of information requirements and technology innovation in today’s business and government;
• Knowledge and awareness of the information environment in enterprise architecture, and how it relates to individual business functions and processes; and
• Knowledge of enterprise-level business management including risks and statutory requirements.

Skills

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business Information Systems will have:

• Cognitive skills to undertake basic research and to analyse and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of business, industry, and academic sources;
• Cognitive skills to analyse and evaluate organisational processes, information requirements, reasoned solutions and source alternatives;
• Cognitive and technical skills to facilitate design and management of enterprise architecture, security of data and infrastructure, and management and control of IT risks;
• Cognitive and creative skills in identifying and exploiting opportunities facilitated by technology innovations; and
• Communication skills to facilitate working effectively with people and in teams and to present clear and coherent information in recognised and expected business, professional and academic formats.

Application of knowledge and skills

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business Information Systems will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:

• Through initiative and judgment in planning, process improvement and problem-solving, to be able to practice technical functions, for instance, in information system design, project management, enterprise information architecture;
• Through effective planning and decision making within a business environment;
• By identifying and developing innovative technical solutions;
• Through the avoidance and management of IS and technology risks; and
• To work with responsibility and accountability for their own learning, professional practice and ethical standards, and in collaboration with others within a business or industry environment.

*To be eligible to graduate from the Bachelor of Business Information Systems, students must successfully complete 24 units in total comprising 16 core units: SBM3101; SBM4101; SBM4102; SBM4103; SBM4104; SBM4201; SBM4202; SBM3204; SBM4203; SBM4301; SBM3302; SBM4302; SBM4303; SBM4304; SBM3307; SBM4305; plus eight elective units from the list above or other electives offered by the College at equivalent AQF level with permission from the Course Coordinator

Possible Exit Point: Diploma of Business Information Systems

Please note: Not all units are offered in every semester.

Domestic and Offshore International students
The course may be studied in full-time and/or part time modes, allowing students complete flexibly. The normal full-time duration is 3 years (6 semesters).

The number of units undertaken in each semester can be varied to suit individuals, subject to the total duration of candidature not exceeding 9 years (18 semesters), and subject to any conditions as advised at the time of enrolment.

Onshore International students
The CRICOS-registered duration is 3 years of full-time study (6 semesters). Please note the part time mode is not available to holders of a student visa, who are not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, or who are not an Australian permanent resident, or who are a temporary resident of Australia.

Delivery Method
All units of study are hosted on the College’s Online Learning System (OLS), and lectures are generally delivered face-to-face for campus-based students. All tutorials are also conducted under close academic supervision. Students have uninterrupted access to course information, library and other learning resources, and learn from a highly qualified faculty, many of whom have considerable industry experience. The OLS manages the whole process; it has a formalised structure, framework and processes, and regulates the entire delivery process in each semester, providing 24-hour access to course information and learning resources.

Other learning resources include:

• Lecture notes and suggested readings.
• Sample assignments and case studies.
• E-Library.
• EBSCO Library.

APIC's e-Library hosts a collection of specialised papers and presentation slides often not found in the online databases, and includes a mix of academic and industry-focused studies in project, business and general management. The collection is always expanding as more resources are obtained.

APIC Admission policy

Academic Admission Requirements

English language entry requirements

All applicants from a non-English speaking background applying to any AQF Level 7 qualification at APIC must satisfy the following additional English language requirements:

Applicants who do not meet APIC’s English proficiency requirements can be made a conditional offer with a requirement to complete an approved intensive English language course and meet the required standard prior to their commencing their APIC award course.