Bachelor of Commerce and Administration

On this page:

Information Systems (INFO) Information Systems Major e-Commerce (ELCM) e-Commerce Major Communications Studies COMM) Summer courses

Also See:

General Information for Students

Changes to the BCA

From 2009, the BCA will be changing in a number of ways. The core is being increased from three to seven courses, with the addition of INFO 101, MARK 101, MGMT 101 and QUAN 102; click here for further details.

Information Systems (INFO)

Information Systems (INFO) courses do not require extensive mathematics knowledge. INFO 101 (Foundations of Information Systems) is the general introduction to Information Systems in organisations.  Students are introduced to the different types of information technology (IT) available, how and why it is employed, and the ways IT-based systems can be developed. Students learn how to develop simple database and Internet applications, but no programming is required.

INFO 102 (Business Applications Programming) follows for those wishing to continue in the field. This practical course introduces students to programming for business applications development.

200-level INFO courses further explore the nature of information systems -- some building on the practical skills and knowledge from INFO 102, while others follow on with the management and organisational impact of IT from INFO 101.

INFO 201 (Introduction to Information Systems Management) looks at the essential challenges facing those who must manage information systems in organisations.

INFO 321 (Principles of Project Management) is focussed more specifically on the management of organisational projects. Note that this course looks at projects of all types, not just IT-based projects. For this reason, no previous exposure to INFO courses is required.

INFO 332 (Advanced Systems Analysis) focuses on modern methods of analysis and design, including object-oriented approaches.

INFO 232 (Business Systems Analysis) focuses on business analysis techniques, including data modelling, process modelling, and systems design.

INFO 241 (Introduction to Database Management and Programming) carries on from the programming work introduced in INFO 102. However, this course includes critical material (and practical applications) of databases and their role in Information Systems.

INFO 301 (Strategic Information Systems Management) looks at the strategic issues surrounding the use of IT in organisations. This includes both information systems and e-Commerce applications.

INFO 320 (Project in Information Systems) provides students with an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge in a real-life setting. Students are allocated to small teams working on real projects 'down-town'. Students with different backgrounds will be able to apply a variety of useful skills (including project management, client liaison, programming, analysis & design).

INFO 322 (Information Systems Implementation) recognises the fact that organisations focus more on how to design and develop new information systems, than they do on how to implement them. With projects increasing in size, breadth, and complexity, implementation has become a major challenge, and this course examines effective strategies for areas like system transition and risk management.

INFO 325 (Telecommunications in Business) looks at both the technological basis for, and management of, the use of telecommunication technologies in an organisational environment. This includes communication protocols, service options, network operations, bandwidth, the Internet, and data transfer applications.

INFO 341 (Advanced Database Management and Programming) carries on from the material introduced in INFO 241. The course applies advanced applications programming, in conjunction with enterprise-wide database server technologies, to achieve realistic business solutions.

INFO 395 (Case Studies in Information Systems) looks at human, organisational, and environmental perspectives of information systems.

These courses are outlined in the chart below. The lines indicate the pre-requisite requirements for each course. Please refer to the online timetable for the trimester that the courses will be offered in. Note that the more technical courses are grouped on the right-hand side, whereas the management-oriented courses are grouped on the left.

Information Systems Major

To complete a BCA majoring in Information Systems, you are required to complete the following:

• INFO 101, 102, 201, 232, 241;
• Two courses from {INFO 300-399}; and
• INFO 395.

Please note: no course numbered 300-399 can be counted for more than one major.

e-Commerce (ELCM)

The fastest-growing area in modern business is e-Commerce: the application of information technologies to improve standard business processes, and the creation of totally new ways of doing business. It is being adopted by organisations worldwide, and demand for graduates with skills in this area is expected to continue rising for the foreseeable future.

ELCM courses start with INFO 101 (Foundations of Information Systems), which includes a general introduction to e-Commerce. INFO 102 (Business Applications Programming) is necessary for those students who wish to go on with the more practical 200-level ELCM courses that follow.

ELCM 211 (Foundations of e-Commerce) is an introduction to e-Commerce principles, theories, technologies and applications. This course gives an overview of the impact of new technologies on commercial paradigms and practices, legal issues and business ethics.

ELCM 251 (Introduction to Internet Design and Development) is a practical course covering the knowledge and skills necessary to design effective website and business applications.

INFO 241 (Introduction to Database Management and Programming) carries on from the programming work introduced in INFO 102. However, this course includes critical material (and practical applications) of databases and their role in Information Systems.

ELCM 311 (Advanced Topics in e-Commerce) -- this course reflects the fact that e-Commerce is still evolving at a considerable pace, constantly presenting new challenges based on the applications of new technologies to business practices.

ELCM 320 (Project in e-Commerce) provides students with an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge in a real-life setting. Students are allocated to small teams working on real projects 'down-town'. Students with different backgrounds will be able to apply a variety of useful skills (including project management, client liaison, multimedia, web design, programming, etc.).

ELCM 351 (Advanced Internet Design and Development) -- this course follows straight on from the material covered in ELCM 251, including the creation, management, and delivery of integrated multimedia content, including animation, video, and audio.

ELCM 353 (Internet Development Environments) looks into effective Internet and intranet development environments that enable the extraction and delivery of content in a variety of e-business applications.

ELCM 395 (Case Studies in e-Commerce) looks at human, organisational, and environmental perspectives of electronic commerce systems.

These courses are outlined in the chart below. The lines indicate the pre-requisite requirements for each course. Please refer to the online timetable for the trimester that the courses will be offered in. Note that the more technical courses are grouped on the right-hand side, whereas the management-oriented courses are grouped on the left.

e-Commerce Major

To complete a BCA majoring in e-Commerce, you are required to complete the following:

• INFO 101, 102, 241; ELCM 211, 251;
• ELCM 395
• Two further courses from {ELCM 300-399, INFO 321, MARK 306, COML 307}.

Please note: no course numbered 300-399 can be counted for more than one major.

Communications Studies (COMM)

The introductory course, COMM 101 (Introduction to Communications and Information Management) is offered every year. This is a practical course which demonstrates how to find and manage information from such media as CD-ROMs, databases, and the Internet. This course is particularly useful to those with significant information-handling requirements (such as research). COMM 201 (Human Communications and IT) provides an overview of the study of communications and the impact of communications on us personally and professionally. COMM 202 (Interpersonal Communication) is co-taught as LING 224 and is offered every second year (odd numbered years). From a linguistic perspective, this course explores interpersonal communication in difference workplace environments.

Summer courses

The School of Information Management normally offers a limited number of courses over the summer; full details are provided on www.sim.vuw.ac.nz/summer.