Overview

The Bachelor of Information Systems (BIS) is a highly valued and accredited business qualification offering students a career-focused education in Information Systems (IS). Organisations are always looking for 'business savvy' IS graduates who understand both the business and technical issues related to their systems. This three-year degree is designed for … For more content click the Read More button below. Information Systems relates to the interaction between technology, people and processes to achieve business goals. This can include internal applications of technology such as networks and Information Technology (IT) services that help those who work for organisations operate more efficiently, as well as external applications such as technological products and user experiences. IS professionals are in the business of transformation, working in teams to understand data, solve problems, optimise systems, create innovations, and enrich organisational workflows. Through the BIS degree, you will learn from leading academics and business experts in Information Systems to become an adaptive thinker, solve problems through a variety of digital technologies and tools, and drive purposeful change required to thrive in a fast-changing and increasingly digital world. The BIS degree now includes an Integrated First Year (IFY) experience, allowing you to begin your study with other students in the business school. You will learn about business management and the broader environment in which an organisation operates, with a focus on developing professional skills and capabilities. The BIS now also offers a work integrated learning (WIL) course. WIL enables you to engage in authentic, purposeful, partnered, supervised and assessed work learning experiences that integrate academic learning with its application in the workplace. The core BIS courses cover discipline specific competency areas that prepare you for a career as an IS graduate. This includes the study of Design and Development and Organisational IS such as Business Analysis, Agile Product Management, User Experience (UX) and IT Service Design, IS Project Management, as well as Business Process Management. In addition, you will undertake studies in Data & Information Management, including courses that will develop your knowledge and skills in Databases (SQL), Database Management, Big Data, and programming for analytics (R and Python). The core IS curriculum also prepares you for a career in Technology/Security related areas of business, and the study of Networking and Security, Cyber Security Management and Governance as well as Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Solutions. Finally, you will conclude your core study of IS through an Integration and capstone project course. This course will synthesise your learnings across the program, requiring you to complete an authentic, sandbox project that closely relates to professional and collaborative work in the field. The BIS degree also offers a number of technical elective courses for students looking to further their data analytic or programming skills (Java and Android app development). Once you have successfully completed the BIS degree, you will be able to pursue a career in the following areas: digital transformation, IT consulting, business systems analysis, User Experience (UX) design, information system design, communications network analysis, IS security development, cybersecurity consulting, digital innovation, data science, IS and IT architecture, database administration, and infrastructure development and maintenance. High performing students can study an additional Honours year for more advanced studies in Information Systems, including the completion of an honours research thesis project.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Business knowledge: Students make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.
  • Global citizens
  • Leaders
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
2.
Problem solving: Students define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens
  • Leaders
  • Professionals
3.
Business communication: Students harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.
  • Professionals
  • Global citizens
  • Scholars
  • Leaders
4.
Teamwork: Students interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens
  • Leaders
5.
Responsible business practice: Students develop and commit to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.
  • Global citizens
  • Professionals
6.
Global and cultural competence: Students have awareness of business systems in the wider world and actively commit to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.
  • Global citizens
  • Leaders
7.
Leadership development: Students develop the capacity to take initiative, engage in forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.
  • Leaders
  • Scholars

Program Structure

Students must complete 144 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

These UOC are made up of:

  1. IFY Business Core Courses (30 UOC)
  2. Information Systems Core Courses (72 UOC)
  3. Level 2 and 3 Prescribed Information Systems Electives (12 UOC)
  4. Work Integrated Learning Course (6 UOC)
  5. Free Electives (12 UOC)
  6. General Education (12 UOC)

Please see Progression Plan

Disciplinary Component120 Units of Credit:
Free Electives12 Units of Credit:
General Education12 Units of Credit:

Program Constraints

Limit Rule

Maturity Rule

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Progression rules are in accordance with university policy.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Similar Program

Bachelor of Information Systems (Co-op) (Honours) - BIS(Co-op)(Hons)3964 - Information Systems (Co-op) (Honours)

Related Double Degree

Bachelor of Commerce - BCom
Bachelor of Information Systems - BIS
3584 - Commerce / Information Systems

Honours Pathway

Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - BCom (Hons)4501 - Commerce (Honours)

Professional Outcomes

Accreditations

Australian Computer Society

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of various professional organisations according to the area of specialisation completed. For further information regarding the Australian Computer Society, please see https://www.acs.org.au

Career Opportunities

Business analyst, e-commerce specialist, IS development specialist, IS/IT consultant, IT infrastructure developer, network analyst, network developer, project management specialist, systems analyst, User Experience Analyst, User Experience Designer.

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Award of Pass with Distinction

Additional Information

SAS Certification and Academic Digital Badge

 

SAS Certification credentials are globally recognised as the premier means to validate SAS knowledge. With an SAS Certification credential, students will set themselves apart from others and prove that they have the SAS knowledge to make a difference within an organisation.

SAS Academic Digital Badge is to provide you with a digital version of your SAS credentials. Your Academic digital badge can be used in email signatures or digital résumés, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. This digital image contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn them.

When you earn your SAS Joint Certificate, you will also receive an email from your university inviting you to claim your badge. Click the link in the email, create an account on the Acclaim site and claim your badge and start sharing.

 

Further Information

Please note that these requirements may be subject to change. Students should always follow the program requirements according to the year they started their degree. For more information please visit previous UNSW online handbooks.


Contact The Nucleus: Student Hub for advice.
Tel: + 61 2 9385 8500
Location: The Nucleus: Student Hub, Level 2, in the Main Library (UNSW map location F21)

Click here to view the Progression Plan for your program.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)