The new ICT
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You can study Information & Communications Technology (ICT) for a variety of reasons – to be a computing professional, to use ICT to be a better scientist, or to empower yourself to better understand the technology behind so many of today's careers.
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Increasingly, employers see an ICT qualification as a sign of academic well-roundedness.
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ICT is an integral part of our daily lives and drives the innovations that make a positive difference to the world such as the human genome project, vaccine research, and environmental modelling. Exciting emerging areas include electronic security, earth simulation (related to the mining boom) and bioinformatics.
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ICT today is also about creativity and entertainment, such as Internet social networking and games design.
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ICT is an enabling profession - graduates work as part of team to help companies and community organisations to improve their efficiency and their interactions with people.
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Independent job market surveys show that demand for graduates is escalating, along with salaries. Industry is concerned about a shortage of talent.
What will I study?
Your study program builds on a solid foundation in software and hardware to develop good analytical and critical thinking skills. You will develop your lateral thinking and communication skills, learn how to give effective presentations, how to work well in teams, and how to use technology to be well-organised. Some mathematical ability is required and the successful ICT graduate combines technical strength with creativity and sensitivity to client needs.
The program is project-focused from first year. In third year, students can apply to take their two-semester project in a workplace with local Australian and international companies. Students can also access internships during vacation periods or by interrupting their studies. Credit for industrial certification courses licensed by major software developers like Microsoft and Cisco are also available.
You can choose to complete one or more majors or study plans (including business-oriented and games majors) or you can build your own degree. See how to build your own BInfTech degree, as well as how to construct a major, with our recipe.
You can view the attributes our graduates can expect to acquire here.
The BInfTech is also offered with a range of other programs that allow you to complete a dual degree.
To download the 2009 undergraduate prospectus, click here
Where are the jobs in ICT?
Employment opportunities in the ICT industry have improved significantly since a worldwide downturn of several years ago. In fact, industry is now concerned that there will be a shortage of qualified people in the coming years.
ICT permeates practically every industry. Every medium to large organisation has its own ICT personnel or calls on other businesses to provide them with ICT services, and the variety of work available is increasing.
The Queensland Government’s ICT Careers website sums it up: “There is more to a career in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) than just programming and desktop support. There are over 150 job definitions within this industry – most of which you have probably never considered as an ICT career”.
People in the ICT industry rarely work alone in cubicles anymore – they work on large-scale projects, on business process re-engineering, or on human problems, all requiring interaction with people and being part of a team. And you don’t need to eat, breathe and live computing to be successful.
Tell me more about the facts and figures of job prospects.
Tell me more about the types of work.
Why ICT at UQ?
Here are 12 reasons to choose UQ for your ICT studies. And here are the stories of some of our students.
Direct entry for best Aerospace Gateway Schools students
Top-performing students from Queensland's aerospace gateway high schools can gain direct admission to the UQ Bachelor of Information Technology degree program. The schools concerned nominate students during Term 3 of Year 12, and a selection committee of UQ and Education Queensland representatives will choose successful candidates. The application form is here.
The schools are: Aviation High, Balmoral SHS, Bremer SHS, Brisbane SHS, Cairns SHS, Caloundra SHS, Good Shepherd Catholic College, Indooroopilly SHS, Iona College, Ipswich Grammar School, Miami SHS, Oakey SHS, Redbank Plains SHS, Springwood SHS, St Patrick's College, Toowoomba SHS and Townsville SHS.
More Information
- IT Prospectus (incorporating Multimedia Design) for students entering in 2008 (PDF).
- How to apply for admission.
- Scholarships