OVERVIEW

Information technology professionals are responsible for designing the software that permeates every area of modern living, from the smallest personal device to automating entire industries, as well as creating systems that handle and analyse incredible amounts of data.

If you are new to the IT field, our Diploma in Information Technology will give you a solid grounding in the essential principles of computer science, as well as the flexibility to add to your mathematical or data science skills, depending on your background and career aspirations. If you are more experienced in the field, it will give you the opportunity to extend your skills in areas that are relevant to your current and future career plans.

Information technology and computing increasingly defines how we operate in a rapidly changing world, and demand for IT professionals is at an all-time high and predicted to increase. Our Diploma in IT will help you secure your future and broaden your career options.

Why study the Diploma in Information Technology with UNE?

Our Diploma in Information Technology is a flexible course designed to meet the needs of people seeking to get a solid foundation in computing, as well as those already working in IT roles, who are looking to grow their computer science, data science or mathematical skills. If you have at least four years full-time relevant work experience in IT or related areas you may qualify for advanced standing, meaning you will receive recognition for your on-the-job skills and experience, allowing you to complete your diploma more quickly.

If you are looking to start with the fundamentals, areas of study include:

• Computational Thinking
• From Logic to Data Processing
• Introduction to Programming and the UNIX Environment
• Object Oriented Programming.

If you are a more experienced practitioner, you can choose from a range of units depending on your areas of interest and career aspirations, including:

• Discrete Mathematics
• Database Management Systems
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Operating Systems
• Web Programming
• Communication for Business
• Introduction to Quantitative Skills
• Calculus and Linear Algebra.

What makes our course different?

Our graduates are perfectly placed to succeed in a broad range of careers through their increased understanding of information technology, computer science, data science, programming and software design. You will have the opportunity to:

• Build a solid foundation in computational thinking, communication, problem solving, resilience, flexibility and perseverance — skills in high demand by a wide range of employers.
• Choose to study when it suits you. The course is available online, allowing you to fit study around your busy lifestyle, not the other way around, no matter where you are in the world. Or join us on campus and take advantage of our small staff-student ratio and supportive environment.
• Complete the course in one year full time or up to four years part time.
• Expand your theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to future proof your career in today’s fast-paced ICT environment.

When you choose to study with UNE, you are in very good hands. Year after year, students award us 5-star ratings in The Good Universities Guide for Overall Experience and Student Support.

Study online

Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.

Study on campus

Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.

* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.

When you complete the Diploma in Information Technology you will have the skillset you need to step into a variety of career pathways across a range of industries. They include:

• software design and development
• data engineering
• web and mobile development
• scientific technology
• banking and corporate sectors.

This course is designed for students seeking an introduction to study in information technology or looking to grow their computer science, data science, or mathematical skills. It aims to give students new to the field a solid grounding in fundamental principles of computer science as well as the flexibility to fill in their mathematical or data science skills depending on their background and intended destination. It also aims to give more experienced students a compact means to access introductory and intermediate units in information technology, computer science, and data science, in order to extend their skills in areas that are relevant to their career.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• apply knowledge and problem-solving skills to design and develop computer programs

• analyse and debug computer programs to describe their purpose and identify logic and syntactical errors

• understand principles of abstraction in the design of programs and computer systems

• communicate and collaborate effectively with others

• understand how ethical considerations apply to software development, with consideration for impacts on others and society; and

• demonstrate a capacity for independent learning and a developing level of technical knowledge in information technology and its applications.