Overview

Career Outcomes

The Internet is now an essential part of the media and communications environment in society and is part of most people’s everyday lives. The BA (Internet Communications) will enable you, depending on the choices you make in the units you study, to work in a number of fields of employment: Internet communications, media and marketing; Internet content management; Internet policy and regulation; online research and analysis; virtual communities; website design and development; online media production; web publishing. Your studies will also lead to careers in more traditional media and information industries that are now moving online, as well as any corporate entity, public or private, that utilise online communications.

Transition Arrangements

From 2010, Curtin University of Technology will replace the BA (Internet Studies) with the BA (Internet Communications) and all students who commence study with us in 2010 will be working towards completion of the new degree. Students who are already studying for the BA (Internet Studies) will have the option of either continuing to study for that degree or switching, with no penalty, to complete the BA (Internet Communications). This information sheet will assist you in making the choice and understanding what happens.

Curtin_BA(InternetCommunications)_2010_Transition (PDF, 33 KB)

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications), students must complete 24 units of study, comprising of:

* a ten-unit major in Internet Communications;
* ten electives drawn from any other areas of study, and
* four general humanities units for breadth of education.

Note that only 4 of the 10 electives can be Level 1 units, unless special permission is given by the course coordinator.

Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit

You may be eligible for credit for prior learning, either because of formal qualifications or from experience. You need to apply for credit when you register for the degree (see below). You may also be granted limited credit for appropriate training and technical studies undertaken during your enrolment in the degree where those studies directly relate to Internet Communications. Normally students with an advanced diploma will receive between 8 and 12 units’ credit; a diploma provides between 4 and 8 units credit. Units already studied within Open Universities Australia or at university level can be used to satisfy the requirement for some of the elective or broad humanities units, depending on the units and their level and when those studies were undertaken. All decisions about recognition of prior learning are made on an individual basis according to Curtin University of Technology’s policies on recognition of prior learning. Since RPL claims can affect the choice of units to study, students are advised to contact the Course Coordinator directly for advice internetstudies@curtin.edu.au early in their studies.

Registering in this Course

Students are encouraged to register for the Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications) as soon as they have decided they wish to complete the degree. The cost of Registration is currently $100. Registration permits Curtin University to provide further advice on your study program and confirm whether you are eligible for credit (if any) for prior learning. Please contact opencurtin@curtin.edu.au for information on how to register, or the Course Coordinator for academic advice on credit. Once students have completed all of their studies, they must then apply to graduate. An additional fee is payable to cover the costs of processing graduation. Please contact opencurtin@curtin.edu.au for information. Students cannot graduate without having registered.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students should start by completing NET102 – Internet and Everyday Life and WEB101 – Web Communications before completing other units (these units can be done together, or in either order). Students should also complete MED104 – Engaging Media as the first of the four required humanities units. Finally, students interested in web design should complete NED11 - Internet Design Introduction as one of their electives early on. Students who are unsure of their skills in university learning can take SSK12 – Study Skills which counts as a humanities unit.

Once students have completed NET102, WEB 10 and MED104 (and NED11 if doing web design), then they should mix together study of second-level NET or WEB units, and electives, as well as the remaining Humanities units. Students need to complete second-level units in NET or WEB before studying the third-level units.

Note that the recommended study pattern for the BA (Internet Communications) depends significantly on whether or not students have any recognition of prior learning, and the choices they will make for electives and the selection of broad humanities units. All students are strongly advised to contact the Course Coordinator directly for advice internetstudies@curtin.edu.au. Since the BA (Internet Communications) is new, replacing the BA (Internet Studies), individual advice to students about study patterns and options is particularly important in 2010.

Course Structure

Electives