The Programme

The Bachelor of Information Technology programme is offered by Deakin University in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS), Caritas Francis Hsu College.

The programme, as offered in Australia, is a three-year full-time programme comprising 24 units. However, the programme offered in Hong Kong is targeted for holders of recognised computing diplomas to enable them to obtain the degree by completing only 8 units within one year via full-time mode or two years via part-time mode.

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The University

Deakin University aims to be Australia's most progressive University, recognised as relevant, innovative, and responsive in all its activities. Soholastic excellence, top quality research, industry partnerships and tailored courses are among the factors that attract students from all around the world.

From our five campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool, Deakin successfully combines traditional values of excellence in teaching and research with an attitude that challenges conventional practices and produces new ways of developing and delivering courses.

Courses are offered from bachelor to doctoral level, in professional fields such as Information Technology, Architecture, Law, Engineering, Nursing, Teaching, Psychology and Business, in traditional disciplines such as Arts and Science and in newer fields such as Sport, Environment and Nutrition.

Deakin encourages a vibrant culture of research, working in partnership with government, industry and some of the world’s leading research institutions to produce research of distinction with relevance both in Australia and internationally. The focus on current world issues and trends places Deakin at the forefront of innovative research in areas including Intelligent and Distributed Systems, Grid and Mobile Computing, Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Performance, Biotechnology, Ageing and Chronic Illness, Citizenship and Globalisation, Physical Activity and Nutrition, Quality Learning, Social and Mental Health and Sustainable Natural Resource Management.

Deakin’s research success is reflected in the rapid increase in research performance – research funding has tripled since 1998, making Deakin one of Australia’s fastest growing universities in terms of research performance.

The professional orientation of its programmes, its numerous and varied partnerships, its rapidly increasing research profile and its successful use of technology for teaching, make the University a leader in the provision of contemporary education.

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Hong Kong Support

While Deakin University is responsible for teaching, student assessment and academic accreditation of the Bachelor of Information Technology programme, the Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS) of Caritas Francis Hsu College is responsible for providing local administration, tutorials, as well as learning support.

Caritas Francis Hsu College is an Approved Post Secondary College registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (CAP 320) in Hong Kong for the delivery of higher education programmes. The Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS), which is an integral part of the College, specializes in the local administration of tertiary programmes offered in Hong Kong by overseas institutions.

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Recognition

The programme is accredited at Level 1 (the highest level) by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), an incorporated body which looks after the interests of IT professionals in Australia. Graduates from a level 1 accredited programme are immediately eligible for the associate member grade of the ACS. Full membership is available after 4 years of experience while in the associate member grade.

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Programme Objectives

The main objective of the Bachelor of Information Technology programme is to provide a leading edge study environment that would allow students to become employable, highly qualified IT professionals. This means that

• Graduates will have knowledge and understanding of IT, in particular in the areas of software development, and web development.
• Graduates will develop solid analysis, design, programming and development skills that will allow them to start their professional life or undertake Master’s study.
• Graduates will be able to be involved in continuous learning to keep pace with fast technology-driven IT changes.
• Graduates will possess generic skills enabling them to be effective and efficient employees and citizens.

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Programme Structure

The programme consists of eight units outlined as follows:

SIT202 Computer Networks
SIT222 Operating Systems
SIT231 Advanced Database
SIT301 Information Technology Practice
SIT321 Software Engineering
SIT323 Practical Software Development
SIT342 Advanced eSystems Development
SIT372 Data Mining

Unit Descriptions

The unit covers networks and their goals; services provided to end-to-end users; network architectures; the Internet protocol stack and the ISO/OSI reference model; the role of client–server model; communication at the application layer; end-to-end communication; the transport layer; selecting a route; the network layer; dealing with errors; the data link layer; transmitting bits on a medium; local area networks and communication security and authentication. Students will learn the basic concepts and roles of communication and user-oriented protocols, be able to select a local area network and design simple protocols for a given environment, and be capable of tracking current and future trends in computer networks. Laboratory exercises will allow the student to acquire hands-on experience with networks based on Windows.

This unit will familiarise students with the role and organisation of operating systems, which support programmers, program execution and efficient utilisation of computational resources. The management of logical and physical resources is discussed in detail. Students study process management, in particular their description, threads, concurrency and scheduling; memory management, in particular virtual memory; input/output management, including disk scheduling; file management, synchronisation and deadlock issues in multiprogramming environments; and security, in particular resource protection. The study covers Microsoft Windows and Linux as examples of the most commonly used operating systems.

his unit provides an in-depth view of advanced database technologies such as client/server databases and distributed databases with particular emphasis on matters relating to data distribution and replication, distributed query processing, distributed database reliability and recovery, and distributed transaction management. Basic concepts and techniques of data mining and data warehouse with industrial applications are also included in this unit.

This unit presents a variety of contemporary practices used in the development and management of information technology systems. The unit covers business communication and documentation; tools and techniques used throughout the IT industry; and aspects of IT project management. The unit also focuses on the impact of information technology on society, investigates ethical and professional issues and prepares students for work as IT professionals.

Software engineering and software development; the influence of customer, project, requirements and resources on selection of a suitable software development process model; quality software, including trade-offs between project scope, quality, cost, time. Methods of software development, in particular procedural and object-oriented. Managing software development: planning and estimating large and small projects; using standards and templates, developing internal standards. Requirements elicitation and analysis; developing specifications and tests of specifications. Managing software resources, including configuration management and source code control; change managment; software reuse. Object oriented design, including developing class models, interaction models, state models; mapping to code; using specifications and tests; applying design patterns.

sing specifications to develop both quality software and tests for that software; object oriented methods and component based methods of software development; change management; using operating system services; interprocess communications and .NET and CORBA for building software; reliable and reusable software.

This unit addresses the technologies that are required to support, implement and maintain electronic business systems used in industry, business, and government organisations. The technological issues that are covered in this unit include: the role of the Internet in the development of electronic business systems and the design and development of such systems. Students will be introduced to a number of programming languages such as ASP, PHP, XML, etc to allow them to develop Electronic Business Systems. On the completion of this unit students will have an understanding of the factors involved in the design and development of Electronic Business Systems, and will be able to use this knowledge to design and implement such systems that taking into account performance, reliability, security and user demands.

In the modern corporate world, data is viewed not only as a necessity for day-to-day operation, it is seen as a critical asset for decision making. However, raw data is of low value. Succinct generalisations are required before data gains high value. Data mining produces knowledge from data, making feasible sophisticated data-driven decision making. This unit provides students with an understanding of the major components of the data mining process, the various methods and operation for data mining, knowledge of applications and technical aspects of data mining, hands-on experience using data mining tools to solve data mining problems and an understanding of the major research issues in this area.

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Mode of Study

The programme is offered in a mixed mode comprising:

1. Face-to-face Instruction

Teaching staff from Deakin University will visit Hong Kong to conduct intense face-to-face classes in a block of 8 hours for each unit (except SIT301 - online unit).

2. Tutorial and/or Laboratory Session

Tutorial and/or laboratory sessions are held by Hong Kong teaching staff to assist students in their studies, assignments, and preparation for examinations. Full-time students will have 22 hours of tutorial for each unit while part-time students will have 10 hours for each unit.

3. Self-active Learning Session

Full-time students will be provided with 22 hours of self-active learning sessions for each unit. The sessions will be directed by local tutors and supported by the study packages of the University.

4. Self-Study

Comprehensive and quality study packages are available online for each unit to guide students in their self-study. The package covers the unit materials, a unit outline, a general study guide and a list of relevant readings.

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Duration of Study

Students are allowed to proceed at their own pace, subject to a maximum study period of 3 years unless there are extenuating circumstances. The minimum period of time for the successful completion of the programme is normally 1 year of full-time study or 2 years of part-time study.

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Assessment Methods

For all units except SIT323 Practical Software Development and SIT301 Information Technology Practice, students’ performance is assessed on the basis of prescribed coursework and a final examination. Examinations will normally be held at the end of each semester. SIT323 is assessed by three coursework assignments and SIT301 by five coursework assignments.

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Graduation Requirements

Students must satisfactorily complete all the 8 units of the programme to be eligible for graduation.

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Schedule

There are normally 2 semesters in each year, the July-November Semester and the February-June Semester. The sequence of units are shown as follows:

Deakin University reserves the right to make appropriate adjustment to the units and the sequence of units offered in Hong Kong.

Face-to-face instruction sessions:

Conducted by teaching staff from Deakin University, the sessions are usually held within the following periods:

• The July - November Semester: end July to early September
• The February - June Semester: end February to early April

The eight hours for each unit will normally be conducted from 7:00 - 9:30pm on Thursday and Friday and 2:00 - 5:00pm on Saturday consecutively.

Tutorial and/or laboratory sessions (For part-time students):

There are five tutorials and/or laboratory sessions of 2 hours each for every unit, held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on a specified weekday in alternate weeks.

Tutorial and Self-active learning sessions (For full-time students):

The tutorial are self-active learning sessions are held during the daytime. The teaching schedule of each semester will be:

Teaching Venue:

Classess will be taken place at CAPS (SUP Tower, North Point) or Caine Road Campus or Oxford Road Campus of Caritas Francis Hsu College.

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Admission Requirements

Applicants with any one of the following qualifications with a minimum grade average of 60% may, subject to confirmation by Deakin University, be admitted into the programme with up to 16 credit points advanced standing (credit transfer):

1. Higher Diploma in Computing Studies from Caritas Francis Hsu College.
2. Higher Diploma in Information Technology, Software Engineering, Computer Systems Administration, or a computing related disciplines from the a recognized institution such as Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE).
3. Two-year Computing Diploma holders with "A" Level entry from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University or the City University of Hong Kong.
4. Three-year Computing Diploma holders with "O" Level entry from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University or the City University of Hong Kong.
5. Holders of non-computing degrees or post-secondary diplomas of at least 2 years’ duration from approved institutions plus a computing qualification that exempts them from British Computer Society (BCS), Part 1.
6. A CFHC Advanced Diploma Conversion programme.

Applicants with other qualifications regarded as equivalent to the above will be considered by Deakin University on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Applicants are required to provide evidence of their proficiency in the English Language such as:

• IELTS: a minimum overall band score of 6 with no individual band score less than 6;
• Computer-based TOEFL: A score of 213 or better (essay rating 5);
• General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level: a grade of C or better in the General Paper (English);
• Hong Kong Advanced Level: a grade of C or better in the Use of English examination; or
• any other English test results accepted by the University to be proof of English language proficiency. Evidence of success in prior secondary and/or undergraduate studies conducted in English may be accepted as proof of English language proficiency.

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Application Procedure

The completed University application form must be submitted in person or by post, to be accompanied by:

• originals and copies of supporting academic credentials, as evidence of academic and professional qualifications obtained, for certification purpose;
• a non-refundable application fee of HK$200 (payable by cash);
• a recent passport-sized photograph.
  
  

The application form and these documents should be sent or delivered to:

Programme Administrator [BIT]
Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (CAPS)
Caritas Francis Hsu College
1/F, SUP Tower, 75-83 King’s Road
North Point, Hong Kong

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Intakes Per Annum

There are two intakes each year, in February and in July.

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Closing Dates for Application

All applications must be submitted to the CAPS of Caritas Francis Hsu College on or before the closing date, which is mid-January (for the February intake) and mid-June (for the July intake) of each year.

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Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for entry in Feb 2007 are

The tuition fees cover instruction, study materials, tutorials/workshops, examinations and access to facilities but do not cover textbooks.

Tuition fee are subject to an annual review. Students who have to complete their study beyond the minimum allowable time (i.e. 2 semesters for full-time students and 4 semesters for part-time students) are subject to any fee increase applied.

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Mode of Payment

Tuition fees paid are not transferable.

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Refund

The general refund policy of the programme is as follows:

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Learning Support & Facilities

Students enrolled in the programme will be provided with the following learning supports:

• A University-developed comprehensive online study package will be provided for each unit.
• Access to the electronic library resources of Deakin University.
• Access to the web-based learning environment, Deakin Studies Online (DSO), as well as student learning support services of Deakin University.
• A collection of the recommended textbooks and references of the programme is available at the resource centre at CAPS for use of students. This is regularly updated to include the most recent relevant publications.
• Access to library, language centre and computer facilities of Caritas Francis Hsu College.
  

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Contact Information

HONG KONG
	Programme Administrator Bachelor of Infomation Technology
	Centre for Advanced & Professional Studies Caritas Francis Hsu College 11 Caine Road Central Hong Kong
	2508 9122
	2524 0659
	caps@cfhc.caritas.edu.hk
AUSTRALIA
	Ms Rosemary Billings Manager International Partnerships and Research
	Faculty of Science and Technology Deakin University Geelong Victoria 3217 Australia
	+61 352 272080
	+61 352 271103
	rosemary.billings@deakin.edu.au

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Local Registration

The Bachelor of Information Technology programme has been registered with the Education and Manpower Bureau in accordance with the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (CAP. 493). The Course Registration Number is 211502.

According to the Ordinance, it is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualification to which the course may lead.

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