Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Discontinued: This course has no new intake. This information is provided for continuing students
Course Description:
There will be no intake in this program from 2012. Prospective students should refer to Bachelor of Arts (Digital Media). This course structure is for students commencing in 2010. Students who commenced prior to 2010, please refer to Bachelor of Multimedia (Media Studies) course information. This course combines the study of media and communications policies, influences and practices with the applied and creative aspects of multimedia production including web, 3D animation and digital video/audio. You get the broad coverage of a media degree in conjunction with a hands-on approach to learning practical skills. Swinburne also offers an honours (fourth) year for this program. This course is also offered through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. Successful applicants are awarded HECS waiver scholarships and will be funded for the duration of their course. Note that this program is not available to international students.
Aims & Objectives:
The Bachelor of Multimedia (Media Studies) aims to produce graduates with a broad range of multimedia production skills combined with an appreciation of the emerging possibilities of the new media. The course will equip graduates with an understanding of how the media works and to recognise the place it occupies within the broader social context. A graduate of the Bachelor of Multimedia (Media Studies) should have: a sound and broad knowledge of the design of multimedia applications and an appreciation of the various skills required; skills in the application of learning and instructional design principles to structured multimedia applications; the ability to function effectively as an individual and in project teams, whether as manager, leader or team member; the communication and management skills required to successfully manage multimedia development projects; been prepared for the rapidly evolving multimedia industry by developing their life-long learning skills and flexibility of mind; an appreciation of texts in context: the various ways in which we make sense of film and media materials (TV, radio, print, new media); an understanding of the political economy of media and telecommunications - including issues such as ownership, control of the media and the cultural impact of new technologies;an understanding of the changing face of multimedia, in relation to both acceleration in the use and development of technology, and its impact on society. The Bachelor of Multimedia (Media Studies) aims to produce graduates with a broad range of multimedia production skills plus a thorough understanding of how multimedia and the internet is revolutionising the way business is being conducted.
Course Structure:
This course will operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed to be equivalent to one hour of student work per week over a semester, whether in contact with staff or in private study. Four units of study, each worth 12.5 credit points, will generally be taken each semester. The typical student's average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be fifty hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and laboratory and field sessions will be approximately 16 hours/week during academic semesters. Students in the Bachelor of Multimedia (Media Studies) must complete 300 credit points, normally 24 units of 12.5 credit points, comprising: Digital Media Professional Major, 16 units of 12.5 credit points each (200 credit points); andMedia Co-Major 8 units of 12.5 credit points each (100 credit points). Additionally the following rules apply. The non-credit unit, HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum, is compulsory.Two (2) Major Project units must be completed as part of the major studies sequence.The same unit cannot be counted more than once. Where there are overlaps, the 300 credit points of study must be made up in the first instance by a Minor where 50 credit points is required, otherwise by freeelectives or Options Plus units.Students will normally not be permitted to successfully complete more than 26 units (325cps).Professional Major Co-ordinators have the authority to approve alternative units if required for students to complete in a timely fashion. To be noted at Faculty Academic Committee. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of their course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills. Final Year Experience - Major Projects As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken. Winter and Summer Term This program also provides opportunities to undertake study in an optional six-week Winter and Summer term allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option. Options Plus Students will have access to a small set of approved individual Options Plus units of study which provide either a distinctive learning experience or targeted study support. This could include optional study tours, an Intercultural Communications unit, and an introduction to undergraduate research unit. In some cases, students may be advised or directed to take specially targeted Options Plus units, for example the Analysing and Writing English unit to be offered for credit in Winter Term for NESB students. Students undertaking a full 300 cp program are allowed to substitute at least one Options Plus unit for one existing unit within their co-major– but not in their Professional Major. They will be advised by their faculty on which unit(s) of the co-major. In the case of students who enter with significant levels of advanced standing and whose program is therefore composed only of a Professional Major, the faculty may approve a substitution, or else require the students to undertake the Options Plus unit in addition to their Major studies.
Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of their course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills. Final Year Experience - Major Projects As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken. Winter and Summer Term This program also provides opportunities to undertake study in an optional six-week Winter and Summer term allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option. Options Plus Students will have access to a small set of approved individual Options Plus units of study which provide either a distinctive learning experience or targeted study support. This could include optional study tours, an Intercultural Communications unit, and an introduction to undergraduate research unit. In some cases, students may be advised or directed to take specially targeted Options Plus units, for example the Analysing and Writing English unit to be offered for credit in Winter Term for NESB students. Students undertaking a full 300 cp program are allowed to substitute at least one Options Plus unit for one existing unit within their co-major– but not in their Professional Major. They will be advised by their faculty on which unit(s) of the co-major. In the case of students who enter with significant levels of advanced standing and whose program is therefore composed only of a Professional Major, the faculty may approve a substitution, or else require the students to undertake the Options Plus unit in addition to their Major studies.
Major specialisation:
Professional Majors A Professional Major (200 credit points or 16 units of study) is designed to provide students with appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge in a particular field of study and provide suitable preparation for professional graduate employment. It may be based on a single, recognised discipline, or it may be inter-disciplinary in character. The Digital Media Professional Major incorporates a comprehensive approach to digital media production with a strong emphasis on practical skills and techniques, including web development/programming, animation, and digital video/audio. 3D modeling, DVD authoring and video game development are combined with the more theoretical areas of experience design, information architecture, multimedia technology and interactive narrative. Co-Majors A co-major (100 credit points or 8 units of study) is a sequence of study focused on a specific discipline and is normally self-contained, in that it includes any requisite foundation studies. Where a student has studied a co-major they are not normally eligible to apply to graduate with the associated tagged degree outcome. Through a combination of theoretical units based around the social world, cultural diversity and research techniques, the Media Co-Major will teach students how to think critically about media and the role of media in societal processes. Students will learn practical focus skills in writing for media, developing blogs and opinion pieces, engaging with debates around cinema and digital technologies and exploring the changing face of social media and media production.
Units of Study:
Digital Media Professional MajorHAC113 Professional Communication Practice HET332 Interactive Multimedia HET113 The Internet and World Wide Web 1 HET215 Multimedia Applications HET213 User Experience Design HET222 Digital Video and Audio HAC103 Writing Fiction (replaces HET236 Writing for Interactive Narratives from 2011) HET238 3D Modelling HET401 Multimedia Project 1 HET324 Media Theory, DVD and Compositing HET120 Interactive Games Structures HET123 The Internet and World Wide Web 2 or Elective (Choose from HDC004 Digital Design, HAC213 Intercultural Communications or HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing) HET402 Multimedia Project 2 HET325 Principles of Game Design HET217 Business of Games or Elective (Choose from HDC004 Digital Design, HAC213 Intercultural Communications or HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing) HET407 Multimedia Technology Media Co-Major HACM104 Media Literature Film: Text and Context HAM105 The Media in Australia HAJM100 Journalism Practice I HAM210 Popular Culture HAM211 New Media: The Telecommunications Revolution HAM207 Network Cultures HACM312 Cinema Studies HAM319 Network Literacies
Industry-Based Learning:
Industry-Based Learning (IBL) is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. IBL gives you practical experience to add to your academic studies and is aimed at increasing a your employability upon graduation. All IBL placements are subject to availability of places. It is not available to international students holding a student visa. For further information visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/ibl
Honours:
Outstanding Bachelor of Multimedia (Media Studies) students have the option of undertaking a specialised additional year of study, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. Honours provides students with an opportunity to enhance their research ability and permits further studies and specialisation in their major discipline. It also leads to a wide range of job opportunities and gives students a market edge. The honours year is offered in the areas of Industry and Community Studies, Psychology, Social Science, Culture, Nature Civilisation, Languages, Media and Multimedia. Please see the entry for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) for details.
Education Abroad:
Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of this program are expected to be in high demand as the media industry continues to shift its delivery to the newer multimedia platforms. Examples include: interactive content creation, journalism, public relations, communications research, advertising, information architecture, digital media production, web design, video production, animation, and architectural visualisation.
Professional recognition:
Students and graduates will be eligible for membership of the Australasian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA).
Graduate Attributes:
Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be: capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community;effective and ethical in work and community situations;adaptable and manage change;aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (such as sociocultural, economic, natural).
Credit Transfer:
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate students Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students.HELPThe Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of: HECS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a 20% discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front.FEE-HELP – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $85,062 from 1 January 2010). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel. Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate students Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students.HELPThe Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of:
Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Scholarships:
For information about scholarships at Swinburne visit: www.swin.edu.au/scholarships
Further information:
Submit an Online EnquiryTel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 368 777)Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
