Advice on unit of Study Choice in 2008 for Second Year Students

This advice applies to students who have completed their first-year IT subjects in 2007 or earlier, and plan to enrol in 2000-level units from the School of IT in 2008. Because there have been substantial changes to the curriculum, students who have not finished their intended first-year study and/or those who have already completed some 2000-level units, should seek individual advice from an appropriate Associate Dean, Year Advisor, or from the Undergraduate Director, Dr Josiah Poon.

Students who are enrolled in the BCST, BCST(Adv) or BIT degrees should note that the Faculty Handbook now contains extensively-revised degree rules; however, if you enrolled in these degrees in 2007 or earlier, you can continue under the original rules, with suitable adjustments for the altered lists of available units.

Overview
At the start of the year, students enrol in subjects for both semesters. The normal load is 24 credit points per semester; a student must enrol in at least 18 credit points in a semester to be regarded as “full-time” for youth allowance, scholarships and visa requirements. You choose units of study for the whole year when you enrol, but these choices can be changed later. First semester choices can change until shortly after the start of lectures; second semester choices can then change at the end of Semester 1 or even into the first week or so of lectures during Semester 2! Note that most degrees allow students to choose some 1000-level units, as well as 2000-level ones, among their enrolment in their second year of study.

Here is the list of 2000-level units offered by the School of IT in 2008.

Unit of Study	CP	Sem	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites N: Mutually exclusive with
INFO2120 Database Systems 1	6	1	A: Computer literacy N: INFO2820, INFO2005, INFO2905
INFO2820 Database Systems 1 (Advanced)	6	1	P: Distinction-level result in INFO1003 or INFO1903 or INFO1103 or INFO1105 or INFO1905 or SOFT1001 or SOFT1901 or SOFT1002 or SOFT1902 N: INFO2120, INFO2005, INFO2905
COMP2129 Operating Systems and Machine Principles	6	1	A: Programming, as from INFO1103 N: SOFT2130, SOFT2830, SOFT2004, SOFT2904, COMP2004, COMP2904
ISYS2140 Information Systems	6	1	A: INFO1003 or INFS1000 N: ISYS2006, ISYS2007
INFO2110 Systems Analysis and Modelling	6	2	A: Experience with a data model as in INFO1003 or INFO1103 or INFS1000 N: INFO2810, INFO2000, INFO2900
COMP2007 Algorithms and Complexity	6	2	A: INFO1105, MATH1004 or MATH1904 N: COMP2907, COMP3309, COMP3609, COMP3111, COMP3811
COMP2907 Algorithms and Complexity (Advanced)	6	2	P: Distinction-level result in INFO1105 or INFO1905 or SOFT1002 or SOFT1902 N: COMP2007, COMP3309, COMP3609, COMP3111, COMP3811
INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security	6	2	A: Computer literacy N: NETS3305, NETS3605, NETS3016, NETS3916, ELEC5610, ELEC5616

Below we show several common combinations of unit of study choice, which are especially suited for students with particular interests or those in particular situations.

Students interested in a broad coverage of Computing

Below is a very common enrolment pattern for second year students in the BCST, BCST(Adv) or BIT degrees. This includes all possible 2000-level topics, and so it allows one to continue to any 3000-level topics. As well it includes two mathematical topics, both of which are extremely relevant for IT.

Year/Sem	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Total Cp
Year 2 Sem 1	INFO2120 Database Systems 1	COMP2129 Operating Systems & Machine Principles	ISYS2140 Introduction to Information Systems	MATH2069 Discrete Mathematics & Graph Theory
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
Year 2 Sem 2	INFO2110 Systems Analysis & Modelling	COMP2007 Algorithms & Complexity	INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security	STAT2012 Statistical Tests
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
				TOTAL	48cp

BCST, BCST(Adv) or BIT students intending to major in Information Systems
A student who intends to major in Information Systems under the degree rules from 2007 or earlier, should enrol in the following (note that students need to include at least 6 credit points of 2000-level MATH or STAT units among the choices):

Year/Sem	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Total Cp
Year 2 Sem 1	INFO2120 Database Systems 1	ISYS2140 Introduction to Information Systems	MATH2069 Discrete Mathematics & Graph Theory or COMP2129 Operating Systems & Machine Principles or one IT-related unit from Table III(iii) in 2007 Science Handbook	Free Elective
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
Year 2 Sem 2	INFO2110 Systems Analysis & Modelling	INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security	STAT2012 Statistical Tests or COMP2007 Algorithms & Complexity or one IT-related unit from Table III(iii) in 2007 Science Handbook	Free Elective
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
				TOTAL	48cp

 

BCST, BCST(Adv) or BIT students intending to major in Principles of Computer Science, Multimedia Technologies, Networks & Systems, or Software Development
A student who wants to complete one of the majors listed above under the degree rules from 2007 or earlier, should enrol in the following (note that students need to include at least 6 credit points of 2000-level MATH or STAT units among the choices):

Year/Sem	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp		Total Cp
Year 2 Sem 1	INFO2120 Database Systems 1	COMP2129 Operating Systems & Machine Principles	MATH2069 Discrete Mathematics & Graph Theory or ISYS2140 Introduction to Information Systems or one IT-related unit from Table III(iii) in 2007 Science Handbook	Free Elective
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
Year 2 Sem 2	COMP2007 Algorithms & Complexity	INFO2110 Systems Analysis & Modelling	STAT2012 Statistical Tests or INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security or one IT-related unit from Table III(iii) in 2007 Science Handbook	Free Elective
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp		24cp
				TOTAL		48cp

Students interested in IT for Business

An important career path is to help businesses use computers effectively; this may involve writing software for business needs, or advising companies on how to integrate computers into their activities. If you plan to work as a computer professional for large corporate clients or as a consultant to them, it is important to know a lot about their concerns. This is also crucial if you plan to run your own computer-centred company. Here is a useful set of unit of study choices for second year, for students in the BCST, BCST(Adv) or BIT degrees as well as the BSc degree. This allows you to progress to the Information Systems units in third year, and also to the less technical, software-oriented subjects (but it does not allow you to continue with topics like operating systems, networking, graphics or artificial intelligence).

Year/Sem	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Total Cp
Year 2 Sem 1	INFO2120 Database Systems 1	ISYS2140 Introduction to Information Systems	MATH2069 Discrete Mathematics & Graph Theory	Economics and Business Elective
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
Year 2 Sem 2	INFO2110 Systems Analysis & Modelling	INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security	STAT2012 Statistical Tests	Economics and Business Elective
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
				TOTAL	48cp

The Economics and Business electives are often chosen from the following list, and others from this list may be taken as electives in your third year (note that some of the 2000-level units have prerequisites from the 1000-level units in this list):
ACCT1003 Financial Accounting Concepts (Sem 1), CLAW1001 Commercial Transactions A (Sem 1), CLAW1002 Commercial Transactions B (Sem 2), ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics (Sem 1), ECON1002 Introductory Macroeconomics (Sem 2), WORK1003 Foundations of Work and Employment (Sem 1 or Sem 2), CLAW2206 Legal Issues for E-Commerce (Sem 1 or Sem 2), IBUS2101 International Business Strategy (Sem 1 or Sem 2), INFS2010 Managing Information & Knowledge Assets (Sem 1), INFS2020 Business Process Integration & Modelling (Sem 2), INFS2030 e-Commerce Business Models (Sem 2),WORK2201 Foundations of Management (Sem 1), WORK2209 Organisational Analysis and Behaviour (Sem 2).

Students interested in IT and Computing Hardware

A common career path for IT graduates involves dealing with software and also with the hardware on which it runs. This may involve programming embedded systems, or keeping an organisation's network running smoothly, or making recommendations on the equipment. Below is a suitable choice of units, which can lead to third year study of technical topics like operating systems, graphics, and networking. It includes some of the same subjects as in the Software Engineering and Computer Engineering

Year/Sem	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Unit/Cp	Total Cp
Year 2 Sem 1	INFO2120 Database Systems 1	COMP2129 Operating Systems & Machine Principles	MATH2061 Linear Mathematics & Vector Calculus	MATH2069 Discrete Mathematics & Graph Theory
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
Year 2 Sem 2	INFO2110 Systems Analysis & Modelling	COMP2007 Algorithms & Complexity	INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security	ELEC2602 Digital System Design
	6cp	6cp	6cp	6cp	24cp
				TOTAL	48cp

 

BSc students intending to major in Computer Science

A student who is enrolled in the BSc, BSc(Adv), or a combined degree including the BSc, must complete a Science major in their third year. If you want to have the possibility of completing a major in Computer Science, you need to complete either of the following combinations of two units.

• You can choose to complete COMP2129 Operating Systems and Machine Principles (6cp) in Semester 1, then COMP2007 Algorithms and Complexity (6cp) in Semester 2. This prepares you for the more technical or theoretical units in third year, such as operating systems, networking, graphics, artificial intelligence, or programming languages.
• Alternatively, you can choose to complete INFO2120 Database Systems 1 (6cp) in Semester 1, then INFO2110 Systems Analysis and Modelling (6cp) in Semester 2. This provides a preparation for third year subjects that are of special value to a consultant, but are less technical, including e-business analysis and design, HCI, databases, or project management.

Of course, completing more than 12 credit points from the School of IT in your second year will increase the flexibility available in third year, as well as providing a broader skill-base for your career.

BSc students intending to major in Information Systems

A student who is enrolled in the BSc, BSc(Adv), or a combined degree including the BSc, must complete a Science major in their third year. If you’d like the option of completing a major in Information Systems, you need to complete all three of the following units in your second year:

• INFO2120 Database Systems 1 (6cp, Semester 1)
• ISYS2140 Introduction to Information Systems (6cp, Semester 1)
• INFO2110 Systems Analysis and Modelling (6cp, Semester 2)

As well, INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security (Semester 2) would be very beneficial.

Students seeking to combine IT study with a side-interest (such as a language, or an arts, social science, or science field)
Because IT is so vital in every field of human activity, there is a large need for multi-skilled professionals who combine expertise in IT with deep knowledge of another field. For example, those who combine IT with a language may be vital for a company whose customers speak that language, while people who understand IT and also geosciences can help transform the use of IT by mining companies. The University of Sydney, with its flexible degree structures and its huge range of experts, is ideal for students who have a strong interest in another field and seek to pursue this field along with IT. Whether in the BCST, BCST(Adv), BIT or BSc degree, you have one free elective each semester which can be used to study another field. Just make sure that you also plan your study of IT sensibly, as described in one of the patterns above.

Students seeking a minor in IT

Any student who completes at least 18 credit points of units of study at 2000-level or above taught by the School of IT, can be given a certificate from the School indicating that they have completed a “Minor in IT”. There are many interesting combinations of units, taken one per semester over several years, which satisfy this condition. Of particular value to many students whose main interest is not IT, are:

• INFO2120 Database Systems 1 (6cp, Semester 1)
• INFO2315 Introduction to IT Security (6cp, Semester 2)

• These units focus respectively on managing data for individual or organisational use, and on skills in preventing threats to security that can be important for computer users, administrators or managers.

List of potential free electives

See the Faculty Handbooks for Arts, Science, and Economics and Business