Accredited Tertiary Courses

 

Introduction

Information Technology Occupations and Training

(i) Information Technology

Working with computers and information technology (IT) can be both exciting and challenging. Computers are concerned primarily with the processing of information, which is found in many forms including information required for business transactions, booking seats for travel or entertainment, information on materials and products made during the manufacturing process, or information required to monitor and control the operation of complex processes or satellite systems. Computers also may be used to control devices which help the physically handicapped, or to map networks or pipelines or electricity wires, or to provide detailed maps of land use from information collected by satellite observation. An important new application is the development of 'expert' systems which utilise the knowledge (information) obtained from an expert to advise other persons what should be done. The effective use of information has become crucial in the management of most businesses and industries. Consequently information is now regarded as a major resource, just as people are an important resource, in most enterprises.

IT professionals have a crucial and challenging part to play in the effective application of computers and computing technology to achieve effective processing of information. The ever-growing list of activities to which computing is applied and the importance of information processing generally have created excellent employment opportunities for persons who obtain appropriate qualifications in IT. In Australia, employment opportunities in IT are now better than they are for graduates in any other discipline. Excellent opportunities for IT graduates also are to be found in most other parts of the world.

(ii) The Work of an IT Professional

Most professional IT work can be classified into three broad areas:

    * Information Systems
    * Computer System Engineering
    * Computer Science
The majority of employment opportunities occur in the application of computers to create business information systems. In some countries up to eighty or ninety percent of professional computing positions will be in this area. Because graduates will be concerned with business systems, it is highly desirable they also have a background in accountancy or management to supplement their training in computer technology. The graduate will be concerned with designing and implementing systems which collect information from customers or other business transactions, validate the data for accuracy, store the data in a safe place on a computer system, ensure the data is protected from unauthorised access or lost due to accident, and provide reports to management at any time when it is requested An important new activity is the development of expert, or knowledge-based systems.

A second important area is the application of computers in a wide range of industrial control problems. Examples include the control of complex machinery in a manufacturing operation (Computer Integrated Manufacturing), or the control of operations in a steel mill, an oil refinery, or an electricity distribution system. Computer systems of this type require the design of special computer hardware from supplied components and the writing of specialised software to interact with the industrial control system. Graduates working in this area should have a degree in computer systems engineering. The demand for graduates in this area is growing rapidly.

The third main area of interest is in the field of computer science where the graduate may undertake research into the design of specialised hardware or software. The objective is to develop techniques which will enable the information systems specialist or the computer systems engineer to apply computer technology more effectively.

Because of the importance of information and the crucial role it plays in many organisations, many computing professionals become well informed on the operations of a company. That, together with their training, makes them good candidates for management positions at later stages in their careers.

(iii) Supporting Occupations Accredited

Although the major tasks involved in Information Technology require graduates, there are many supporting positions at a paraprofessional level which may require specific technical training in some aspect of Information Technology and related subjects. Appropriate certificate and associate diploma courses are available through TAFE (Technical And Further Education) colleges in Australia. Such positions may include computer operations management, data control clerks, programming of small applications, or undertaking computing activities for a small organisation under guidance from Information Technology professionals.

Most persons undertaking degree courses at Australian higher education institutions will undertake studies on the application of Information Technology in their major field of study. This is to ensure that they can make effective use of Information Technology in their chosen profession on graduation. An increasing number of personnel in many organizations are making use of specialized programming languages and report writers to process information without the help of an Information Technology professional.

(iv) Types of Courses Available

A person who is interested in business applications of Information Technology should take a degree in information systems. Such courses are available at universities. While most of these courses are of three years duration, a few of them include one or more periods of industrial experience which may extend the course to more than three years duration for an ordinary degree.

A computer systems engineer, who must understand both the hardware and software aspects of computer technology, requires a four year degree in computer or computer systems engineering which is available at some universities.

Computer science degrees, either three years for an ordinary degree or four years for an honours degree, prepare students for a career in computer science. These courses are available in the computer science departments of most universities.

Four year honours courses are available in IT in many universities. Masters and doctorate level courses are also available for those wishing to study IT at a higher level.

For persons who have already completed a degree in another discipline, the most appropriate course is a graduate diploma which may be taken at some universities. These courses are equivalent to one year full time study, although most of them are only available on a two or three year part time schedule. They include graduate diplomas in computer science, computing, systems analysis, information systems, knowledge-based systems, and a wide variety of specialised sub-areas of IT.

AQF diploma and advanced diploma courses of two years or three years respectively involving full time study in IT are available in many TAFE colleges.

Professional Recognition

(i) The Australian Computer Society Incorporated

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) which has over 15,000 members, is the major organisation for IT professionals in Australia. One of the prime concerns of the Society is to ensure that both employers and employees recognise the importance of professional competence and ethics in all work associated with information technology. This requires appropriate qualifications and training for persons entering the IT profession, relevant experience and varied job opportunities, and considerable continuing education supported by the employer to maintain professional competence in a discipline which is still undergoing rapid change.

Admission to the ACS professional grades of membership (Associate or Member) requires a person to have appropriate qualifications and experience, as well as a commitment to abide by the Society's Code of Ethics The qualification may be either a qualification in IT which is accredited or recognised by the ACS, or a degree in another discipline (such as business or accountancy) which is appropriate to the application of Information technology being undertaken. Persons without an Information Technology qualification are encouraged to undertake studies in IT, such as a suitable graduate diploma course.

Because knowledge about information technology is still expanding rapidly, it is important that IT professionals continue to learn throughout their careers. It should be both an employer and employee expectation to undertake continuing education courses in various forms, either at academic institutions, through publicly available seminars and conferences or the ACS Certification Scheme. IT professionals also should undertake studies in management or in the fields of application of IT that are relevant to their daily work, such as accountancy, business, or any other appropriate discipline.

(ii) ACS Course Accreditation

The procedures for ACS accreditation are published in the booklet Guidelines for Course Accreditation, obtainable from the ACS. The Society does not formally accredit honours and masters degrees in computing disciplines, which are normally recognised as Professional Level qualifications.

The date of accreditation or re-accreditation is included in the Accreditation advice. Symbols placed by the qualification level for a course have the following meanings:

    $ amendment advice included as an additional page;
    * provisional accreditation, subject to further investigation or complete implementation of the course.
Previously accredited courses have been listed in:
  • Northcote, Robert S. (Ed.) Computing Courses in Australia (6th edition, 1986), Australian Computer Society.
  • Northcote, Robert S. "Tertiary Courses Accredited by the ACS", Australian Computer Bulletin, 7, No.8 (September, 1983), pp.30-34, Australian Computer Society.
  • Northcote, Robert S, "ACS - Knowledge Standards", Australian Computer Bulletin, 2, No.9 (October, 1978), pp.9-13, Australian Computer Society. Courses listed therein as satisfying the knowledge requirements for the grades of Member and Associate are deemed to satisfy qualification Levels 2 and 3, respectively, under the current course assessment criteria.

(iii) ACS Examination in Information Technology (Previously Computing)

A person who has not completed an accredited IT qualification, or obtained a degree in a relevant application discipline, may wish to sit the ACS Examination in Information Technology. The Examination is offered in June and November each year at examination centres throughout Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka and other centres by arrangement. Further details, including a copy of the Syllabus, may be obtained from the ACS. Preparation for the Examination may be undertaken by a combination of private study, courses taken at TAFE colleges, or courses given by some private providers. The equivalent of at least 12 months full-time study is required for most persons attempting the Examination, which currently comprises the six papers as listed below:

Mandatory

Paper 1: Fundamentals of Information Technology - Part 1
Paper 2: Fundamentals of Information Technology - Part 2

Plus any two of the following:

Paper 3: Programming and Software Technology
Paper 4: Systems Analysis and Design
Paper 5: Data Management
Paper 6: Data Communications and Systems Architecture

For further information about any of the above covered items the reader should contact:

The ACS National Office
PO Box Q634
Queen Victoria Building
SYDNEY NSW 1230

Tel: (02) 9299 3666
Fax: (02) 9299 3997
Email: info@acs.org.au