Bachelor of Applied Information Technology

The Bachelor of Applied Information Technology is a 360 credit programme, consisting of two specialisations: Network Engineering and Security or Software and Web Development. A full time student is expected to complete the programme in up to 3 years (108 weeks excluding study breaks).

In this first year of 120 credits, students first complete four common 15 credit subjects before progressing to specialised subjects depending on whether they are learning Network Engineering and Security or Software and Web Development. This programme allows students to specialise much earlier than more degrees.

The Course Outline:

Common Subjects, all 15 credits at Level 5:

• IT Systems
  
• Data Handling and Web Concepts
• Professional Practice
• Programming Principles

Specialised Subjects: Network Engineering + Security, all 15 credits at Level 5:

• Computer Servicing Skills
• Operating Systems
• Networking
• System Administration and Management

OR

Specialised Subjects: Software + Web Development, all 15 credits at Level 5:

• Event-driven Programming
• Web Programming
• Business Analysis and Solution Design
• Client-side Development

In year two students study 120 credits in their specialised fields. All courses are 15 credits at Level 6 and workplace soft skills are taught along with the concept of design thinking.

Specialised Subjects: Network Engineering + Security, all 15 credits at Level 6:

• IT Security Fundamentals
• Routing and Switching
• Connecting Networks
• Network Management
• Wireless Networking
• Unified Communications
• Network Security
• IT Management

OR

Specialised Subjects: Software + Web Development, all 15 credits at Level 6:

• Application Security and Server-side Development
• Data Access Management
• Web Services
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Game Development
• Mobile Development
• Software Testing and Maintenance
• Agile Project Management

Year three consists of 120 credits and starts with three subjects in each specialised field, but at 20 credits. This allows for critical and creative thinking skills and design thinking.

The final part of this degree is the IT project. This provides real-world learning in the workplace partnering with an internal Academic Project Support and external Industry Mentor.

Specialised Subjects: Network Engineering + Security, all 20 credits at Level 7:

• IP Switched Networks
• IP Routing
• Troubleshooting IP Networks

OR

Specialised Subjects: Software + Web Development, all 20 credits at Level 7:

• Advanced Programming
• Interaction Design
• Web Technologies

Final IT Project, 60 credits at Level 7:

• IT Project in the industry

Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Information Technology will develop and systemic and coherent understanding of information technology. In their chosen specialisation of Networking Engineering and Security or Software and Web Development, they will develop knowledge and understanding that they can apply in the workplace and will prepare them for IT professional body membership and certification.

• Apply critical thinking skills to resolve information technology challenges in a range of contexts and communicate ideas effectively
• Select, adapt, and apply a range of IT infrastructure, architecture, and software development processes and solutions in their organisational or industry context
• Manage the requirements analysis, design, development, implementation, and quality assurance of information technology projects and systems
• Apply ethical, legal, and social practice within the industry, while working with professional intent, demonstrating a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Self-manage, lead, and/or collaborate within a project to generate and communicate the solutions identified to meet the needs of the market or business

Specialised Knowledge and Skills:

• Identify opportunities for the application of specialist knowledge to a range of technical contexts including security, systems deployment, and maintenance
• Lead and implement change management processes and procedures for an organisation in their chosen area of specialisation

Network Engineering + Security:

• Troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks on advanced security, voice, wireless, and video solutions
• Plan, configure, install, and verify the implementation of complex enterprise switched and routed networks using current network architecture

Software + Web Development:

• Design, develop, and maintain software applications, web, and mobile solutions, and related technologies
• Critically evaluate and implement solutions for software and web-related environments

This qualification offers training towards the following globally-recognised vendor qualifications:

• CompTIA IT Fundamentals
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Security+
• Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
• CCNA Wireless
• Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching
• Implementing Cisco Collaboration Devices (CICD)
• Cisco CCNP Switching and Routing
• Cisco 210-260 IINS Certification (CCNA Security)

NZ Government key information link for students, that provides more information to support your decision making for this programme

Domestic Student Entry Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Minimum Age: Students must turn 17 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake degree-level study including appropriate knowledge and skills in the areas of written communication and mathematics, by having achieved:
  • Certificate in IT Essentials or
  • A New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed to be equivalent to the above by the Head of School/Programme Leader or
  • Passes in other Certificate/Diploma qualifications or courses as considered appropriate by the Head of School or Programme Leader

Please Note:

• Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be eligible for admission with the approval of the Head of School or Programme Leader
• Applicants for the Bachelor of Applied Information Technology are required to attend an interview

International Student Entry Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Minimum Age: Students must turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 or equivalent
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake degree-level study including appropriate knowledge and skills in the areas of written communication and mathematics, by having achieved:
  • Certificate in IT Essentials or
  • A New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed to be equivalent to the above by the Head of School/Programme Leader or
  • Passes in other Certificate/Diploma qualifications or courses as considered appropriate by the Head of School or Programme Leader

Please Note:

• Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be eligible for admission with the approval of the Head of School or Programme Leader
• Applicants for the Bachelor of Applied Information Technology are required to attend an interview

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Requirements:

This programme has Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirements, we recommend you follow the specifications listed as these will support you to be successful in your studies.

Required IT Specifications:

• Access to the internet is required for this programme. 

Recommended IT Specifications:

Minimum Hardware requirements 

• Mac - Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
  OR 
• MacBook Air with M1 Chip 
  OR 
• Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later 
• 8 GB RAM (Recommended 16 GB)   
• 250 GB SSD or higher hard drive with 10GB free space minimum    
• Wireless capability 802.11n dual-band    
• Up-to-date antivirus software    

Minimum Operating System     

• Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported (a must for IT Students) 
  OR     
• Apple macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later 

• Internet and data plan.    

Not Supported:    

• Chromebooks    
• Windows X or Windows S OS    
• Tablets (except Windows Surface Pro or iPad Pro)