What does this course involve?
This course will give you advanced computer skills and knowledge of business operations to help you advance or start your career in the information and communications technology industry.
You will gain essential skills in networking and routing, computer systems hardware and software and switching principles.
You will learn about computer architecture, internet technologies and operating systems.
This course will also teach you about business and strategic project management and industry practices.
Box Hill institute is a Super Cisco Networking Academy (one of only four in the world) and as such the degree offers subjects leading to Cisco certifications (CCNA, CCNP) in addition to Microsoft certifications ( MCP, MCSA, MCSE) and Oracle certification (OCA, OCP).
This course is also available to international students.
What employment opportunities will I have?
This course may provide you with employment opportunities as a:
- help desk support officer
- computer networking associate
- internet or intranet network administrator
- primary and secondary school or TAFE teacher (IT stream)
- network professional or analyst
- junior network design engineer
As a student, the Institute’s Employment Service is your first port of call for advice on gaining employment in this field, and can be contacted on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).
Accreditation
Nationally Recognised
What further study options will I have?
You may wish to progress into the Bachelor of Computer Systems (Networking) or similar courses at other higher education organisations.
Can I apply?
- You must have successfully completed Year 12, with a study score of at least 20 in Maths (any) and 20 in English (any). Additional consideration will be given for achievement in Physics, Chemistry, Systems and Technology, Technological Design and Development and/or Mathematics Methods
- Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems Engineering graduates are eligible for direct entry with 18 months credit
- If you do not meet the above criteria you must present evidence of current employment or experience in the ICT industry and evidence of your ability to meet the demands of the program. You must also be 21 years or more by 1 January in the year you commence study
How do I apply?
- To apply for a full time position in this course you must use the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) process. Details of the VTAC application process are at www.vtac.edu.au and in the VTAC Guide, which is available from leading newsagents and libraries from August. If the Institute still has vacancies after the VTAC places have been offered, you will be able to apply directly to the Institute.
- To apply for a part time place (or off campus place if applicable) in this course, you will need to contact the Institute directly.
If you have any queries, please contact the Institute on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).
How will I be selected for this course?
- Individual Interview
- Assessment of Application
Length of course
Full time - 2 years
Part time is available
Where will I study?
Nelson Campus
What costs and other fees should I expect?
Self Funded $AUD 10,800.00 per year. Fee information for Associate Degree in Computer Systems (Networking)
Click here to learn about scholarships that may be relevant to this course.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you may pay up to $10,800 in 2009 for full time study. If you are an Australian citizen, you may be eligible for FEE-HELP, which is an Australian Government loan scheme set up to enable you to defer part or all of your tuition fees until you are working and can afford to pay them back. For further information either visit www.goingtouni.com.au or call Box Hill Institute’s Higher Education Officer. (Fees subject to change in 2010)
How will I be assessed?
- Oral presentation
- Written assessment
- Practical assessment
- Project work
- Examination or testing
- Online assessment
Will my previous experience or study count?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) takes into account the knowledge and skills you’ve already gained through your previous education and work. This may be through formal or informal training, paid or unpaid work experience, and can earn you credit if relevant to your chosen course.
Subject Details
1st year
ICT111 – Analogue and digital fundamentals - (78 hours)
This subject is intended to serve as a basic introduction to analogue and digital components and the concepts applicable to computer hardware. Various physical laws and phenomena, which either enhance or degrade the operation of a computer, will be discussed along with basic digital fundamentals. This will follow on to a study of analogue and digital components and subsystems that support computer hardware leading on to the application of more complex analogue and digital systems. Finally, the importance and the implementations of circuit protection and electrical safety will be introduced.
ICT112 – Networking and routing basics - (91 hours)
This subject provides students with a solid basis in networking and routing. This involves an examination of networking from the OSI 7 layer model and TCP/IP perspectives. Students will learn the function and operation of appropriate equipment from each layer. Finally, given a small to medium network specification, students will perform the task of commissioning a network themselves.
ICT113 – Computer systems hardware and software - (78 hours)
This subject is an introduction to computer systems hardware and software, emphasising the PC as an example of a modern computer system. It embodies all aspects of hardware construction, fault-finding and commissioning of a system to a basic specification. In addition to hardware issues, an appropriate operating system will be selected for installation and commissioning. Appropriate hardware devices and associated software will also be selected, installed and commissioned to meet a given set of specifications.
ICT114 – Mathematics for computing - (65 hours)
The aim of this subject is to equip students with a set of fundamental mathematical skills, which will allow them to better comprehend the technical concepts encountered throughout the course. Students will firstly be introduced to analytical techniques applicable to hardware applications, such as statistics and queuing theory. This will follow on to numerical methods applicable to software applications, error analysis and topology.
ICT122 – Switching principles and WAN technologies - (91 hours)
This subject examines the principles of switching and common routing and wide area network technologies. The students will examine the fundamentals of switched network design, especially the use of trunking and VLANs. The subject culminates in a network design involving configuration and commissioning of the network. Students will then examine principles of scaling IP address and current WAN technologies.
ICT123 – Computer architecture - (65 hours)
This subject is intended to be an introduction to the principles of computer architecture. Features of computer architecture will be discussed with particular emphasis on performance enhancement techniques. The architectural features and performance of different computer systems will be compared. Finally, parallel architectures will be introduced, which will define the direction of all modern computer architecture designs.
ICT124 – Internet technologies - (78 hours)
This subject is designed to introduce students to many of the issues arising from the use of the internet as a learning tool. In particular, the issues of privacy, current standards and social implications will be discussed. After a detailed investigation of web based resources, students will then create their own interactive web page using a modern web design package and advanced layout features.
ICT125 – Industry practices - (52 hours)
This subject is designed to enhance the students’ awareness of the non-technical skills required for success in the workplace and consideration of the role of a computer systems graduate in society. Issues related to interpersonal and communication skills and a clear knowledge of the industry will be discussed, as well as self-management and efficiency. The subject aims to help students understand that technical skills alone cannot guarantee a successful career.
2nd year
ICT212 – Advanced routing - (78 hours)
This subject builds on the basic routing principles considered in first year. It is designed to take students to the level of system evaluation and configuration. Students will be expected to exhibit a higher level of autonomy in designing, configuring and commissioning a medium sized network.
ICT213 – Multi-user operating systems administration - (78 hours)
This subject introduces students to the technical and administrative challenges of centrally controlling a multi-user network. The Unix environment will be introduced, along with such concepts as multitasking, security, and print management and data backup. The technical aspects of installation and maintenance will also be discussed.
ICT214 – Object orientated design and programming - (78 hours)
This subject serves as an introduction to Object Oriented computer programming. The major paradigms of program design will firstly be discussed, along with coding and program design tools. Students will then be exposed to hands-on experience designed to consolidate the concepts learnt in lectures.
ICT215 – Business management - (52 hours)
In this subject two aspects of Business Management will be examined: organisational leadership and financial planning. Styles of organisational structure, strong leadership and effective management of people will also be explored. Some theoretical concepts will be introduced related to the various categories of management style and positional hierarchies of people in organisations. However, a strong emphasis will also be placed on observing and reporting on real examples in order to demonstrate the value of these concepts. The subject will also investigate principles of sound business accounting practice and financial planning and introduce various tools of financial planning and analysis, along with the reasons for their value in decision making.
ICT222 – Remote access - (78 hours)
This subject introduces students to the technical challenges of wide area network administration. Students will be introduced to relevant concepts such as queuing and bandwidth optimisation and control. Finally, this subject will require students to construct a simple WAN to reinforce the concept introduced.
ICT223 – Operating systems 1 - (78 hours)
This subject examines the structure and function of an Operating System. A modern operating system will then be examined in order to see how these fundamental principles are typically deployed. Students will consolidate these concepts with hands on laboratory work.
ICT225 – Strategic project management - (52 hours)
This subject is designed to provide detailed knowledge and understanding as a foundation for initiating and managing ICT projects. Traditional project scheduling methods are presented including PERT and other techniques that lead to the effective control of, and resource allocation to, competing activities. Project leadership, project risk, financial management and the development and management of high-performance teams will also be explored.
ICT220 – Business data communication - (52 hours)
The ability to transmit data from one location to another is fundamental to our daily lives. This subject will provide the student with an overview of key aspects of Computer Networks and Data Communications.