Bachelor of Communication and Media in Visual Communication Design

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

Civil engineers build and maintain the infrastructure of advanced modern living. They plan, design, construct, operate and maintain everything from buildings to bridges, tunnels and dams, highways and airports, power plants, water and sewerage systems.

Using computer technologies and advanced materials, Civil engineers design structures that meet the needs of a growing population while protecting the environment, reducing the dangers from natural phenomena and considering the future needs of the community.

This degree
You will study a common first year allowing you to learn more about engineering and its different fields before deciding which discipline to study. The common first year provides you with sound fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, computing, engineering science and communication, mechanics, materials and fluids. You then focus on your chosen major study from second year.

Your degree includes a 12-week hands-on industry placement. You may gain credit for relevant work experience, either in Australia or overseas, by participating in our Professional Options Program.

Engineers work in a variety of industries, for example, construction, mining, resources, aeronautical, electronics, engineering management, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, aerospace, water resource management, robotics and manufacturing, railroad and shipbuilding.

What you will study
As an engineering student at UOW, you will have access to fully-equipped laboratories and the latest computer-aided software that is used in modern industrial workplaces. Our lecturers encourage you to approach them and get involved in industry projects and learning opportunities so you get the most out of your university education. Our engineering students are trained through practical learning experiences including:

• Laboratory experiments
• Problem-based learning
• Computer simulations
• Teamwork assignments
• Industrial case studies
• Project management
• Site visits to industry

The later years of the Civil Engineering degree cover areas including structural engineering, water engineering, geomechanics, engineering management, engineering applications and design, materials and transport, and surveying.

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Dean's Scholar) offers a challenging and enriched educational experience for high-achieving students who want to perform above the level normally expected. As a Dean's Scholar student you will also be encouraged to continue your studies through the completion of Honours and research programs.

This degree
Computer scientists focus on computation and its applications, designing methods, tools and writing programs for computer applications. These applications can be in areas such as computer systems to control machinery, information management and big data, applications for mobile devices, stock market trend analysis, game design, visualisation of chemical reactions, neural network design, computational geometry for robot navigation, patient monitoring in hospitals, and much more.

You will be able to choose your major in your second year after studying a common core of subjects that links our computer science, IT and information systems degrees. Find your strengths and interests as you study the fundamentals of computer science and IT: programming, problem solving, network and communications, web technology, data management, system analysis, human–computer interaction, and project management. You’ll also complete a final-year capstone team project.

What you will study
You will complete the normal course requirements for the degree, and receive special privileges as you study, such as the opportunity to complete a research project and direct access to academic mentoring. Places are limited each year. Current students who have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 80 at the end of one year of full-time study in a relevant degree may apply to transfer to the Dean's Scholar degree.

Architectural engineering bridges the gap between the professions of architect and engineer. If you are interested in engineering and ecologically sustainable design this degree will develop your integrative design skills, and inspire you to create buildings that are functional, efficient, beautiful, stimulating and have minimal environmental impact.

What you will study
You will study a common first year allowing you to learn more about engineering and its different fields. The common first year provides you with sound fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, computing, engineering science and communication, mechanics, materials and fluids.

From your second year you will focus on architectural engineering where you will learn about net zero energy, minimum environmental impact buildings that are integrated with renewable energy. Study areas include integrative and collaborative design studies, construction technology, history and theory of architectural engineering, project and practice management, environmental and cultural studies.

This degree
This degree includes a 12-week hands-on industry placement, and you may also be eligible to gain credit for relevant work experience, either in Australia or overseas, by participating in our Professional Options Program.

Through regular exposure to industry professionals and our multi-disciplinary Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, as a graduate of this degree you will be industry-ready and capable of contributing to creative, integrative design solutions.

Studying arts and physics will teach you an understanding of the world, ourselves and the universe in which we live, following an approach based on evidence. You will also learn foundational knowledge in many traditional areas of study including history, literature, languages and philosophy and the disciplines of social sciences: cultural studies, sociology and politics.

The Bachelor of Science (Physics) – Bachelor of Arts combines the practical, numeracy and computer skills of science with the critical and creative thinking skills and effective communication and problem solving skills learned from studying the arts and humanities. It will teach you a diverse skill set and equip you with all of which are required for high achievement in a range careers.

This degree
You will choose one major in the Bachelor of Arts degree: Archaeology and Ancient History, English Literatures, Environmental Humanities, French, History, Indigenous Studies, Japanese, Legal Studies, Mandarin (Non-Chinese Background Students), Mandarin (Character Background Students), Philosophy, Photography, Politics, International Relations, Sociology, Spanish, Creative Writing, or Writing and English Literatures, as well as a minor from the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Combining a Bachelor of Communication and Media with a Bachelor of Arts degree places a strong emphasis on applied learning and offers a broad introduction to ways in which new media practices shape our everyday lives, both in the workplace and in our communities. It will equip you with critical and creative thinking skills and effective communication and problem solving skills, all of which are required for high achievement in a range of media or related careers. 

A Bachelor of Arts degree is one of the most popular degrees at University. Students who are passionate and curious about humanity and society enjoy the breadth and flexibility of the Bachelor of Arts degree. This degree will allow you to hone your skills of analysis and interpretation, and your ability to synthesise complex ideas; skills that are essential to practical problem solving and highly valuable to a wide range of employers. Every real-world problem today has a cultural and social dimension that can be understood using the skills you will gain doing a Bachelor of Arts degree, whichever major you choose.

The Bachelor of Communication and Media degree offers students a strong foundation in the global communication and media industries. This degree has a focus on preparing students for global careers in digital and social media, visual communication design, journalism, screen media production, marketing, communication and advertising. Students will encounter key ideas in the study and practice of media and communications, and gain flexible and transferable skills that will prepare them for informed engagement with the changing world of global media culture.

What you will study
You will choose one major in the Bachelor of Arts degree; Archaeology and Ancient History, English Literatures, Environmental Humanities, French, History, Indigenous Studies, Japanese, Legal Studies, Mandarin (Non-Chinese Background Students), Mandarin (Character Background Students), Philosophy, Photography, Politics, International Relations, Sociology, Spanish, Creative Writing, or Writing and English Literatures. In addition to the arts major you will also choose a minor or a second major from the Bachelor of Arts offerings.

The Bachelor of Communication and Media offers five majors - Digital and Social Media, Visual Communication Design, Journalism, Screen Media Production and Marketing, Communication and Advertising. You will need to select one major to specialise in throughout the duration of your degree

Studying Sociology at UOW will prepare and enable you to understand, question and analyse human life and society, social processes, cultural and social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behaviour. You will develop an understanding of our diverse and rapidly changing world and identify the roots of and solutions to social problems. In an increasingly dynamic world, where divisions and inequalities are becoming more prevalent, this discipline provides invaluable analytical, research and intellectual skills and an in-depth understanding of our diverse societies and cultures.

The Sociology program at UOW organises specific study areas thematically, allowing you to find your own path through the curriculum, and consolidate in areas of interest over the course of the degree.

What you will study
Specific areas of study include: power and stratification; employment, work futures, and social policy; globalisation, migration, and urban/family life; sexualities, genders and intersectionality; social movements, subcultures and networks; and bodies, biotechnology, emotions and affect.

In the Digital and Social Media major, you will learn skills in digital media production, content development, social media curation and project design through ideas and practice. These real-world practical skills are backed up with high-level critical and creative analysis of emergent media phenomena.

Students will graduate as digital change-makers, with future-facing career options in social media management, digital content analysis, online campaign design, digital innovation and creative entrepreneurship.

The Bachelor of Communication and Media enables you to expand your career options by combining the Digital and Social Media major with one of four other majors in the degree: Screen Media Production; Journalism; Visual Communication Design; or Marketing Communication and Advertising. This is an ideal degree if you are interested in more than one area of media and communications and want a flexible future career path.

What you will study
You will study digital and social media, with a focus on the process of media development. From day one you will use a wide variety of technologies and platforms to test your ideas in projects defined and driven by you.

Our unique approach to learning through project development means that you will rapidly become skilled in innovation, prototyping, testing and practice through creative media approaches to real-world problems. You will learn how to create work that meets the needs of users and clients, and how to use feedback to grow your project potential.

At the same time, you will study the ethical, social and technological changes that are shaping digital media careers in Australia and overseas.

In addition to the core subjects and a major in Digital and Social Media,  there is also the opportunity to complete another major from the below list.  This will increase your knowledge and employability in the media and communication industries.

This degree is for high achieving students who have completed a three-year Bachelor's degree with a major or specialisation in either Human Geography or Environment and Heritage Management, and achieved the required academic standard. This Honours year is an added year of study at the end of the general Bachelor degree, and involves a year of research training.

This degree
This one-year Honours program provides you with the opportunity to undertake research on a topic of interest. An Honours degree may be used as a gateway to higher research degrees, a research-focused career, or for professions requiring advanced analytical and investigative skills.

What you will study
The UOW Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Human Geography, or Environment and Heritage Management investigates issues of global significance, especially the human impact on the Earth, the management of landscapes, and the planning of cities and regions. During your Honours year you will conceptualise, plan, undertake and report on an independent geographical research project. You will construct an evidence-based approach to identify and develop your leadership potential as a geographer in the changing world.

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is for university graduates from non-teaching courses who want to become primary school teachers (Kindergarten to Year 6). On completion of this degree, you will obtain formal qualifications making you eligible to teach children aged 5 to 12 years in public, religious, and private schools. This degree produces high-quality teachers with an understanding of diversity in the classroom and with strong connections to school communities.

This program focuses on building teaching skills through a professional experience immersion program in your very first session, and regular professional experience periods throughout the degree. You will complete 60 days of professional experience (PEX), including the option to complete one PEX in a rural or remote area of NSW. There are also opportunities to undertake international immersion programs that, while not counted as a PEX, allow you to travel overseas, visit schools and develop your understanding of people and cultures.

Your learning will be supported by online teaching, forums, podcasts and video streamed lectures, on-campus tutorials, and in-school activities. You will benefit from the expertise of local teachers and a range of workshops to develop your skills in communication, technology-enhanced learning, working with parents, designing assessments,s and conducting school-based research.

During your study you will explore the concepts of teaching and learning to build your professional skills in the key learning areas for primary schools: English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Creative Arts, Health and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, and Human Society and its Environment (History and Geography).

Every major company in the world now relies on networks to survive. Network designers enable governments and businesses to share data and applications to achieve greater strategic advantage through, for example, the use of social media and cloud computing. Whether it’s a multinational company with offices throughout the world or a small start-up business, IT networks provide the means by which people can stay connected with each other and the latest information.

Network managers ensure networks operate reliably, so that their performance is appropriate to the organisation’s needs, as well as being made secure from external threats.

By studying network design and management you will develop the skills necessary to build or manage networks to support businesses and governments in a competitive global market.

This degree
The Bachelor of Information Technology provides foundation knowledge of organisational areas in IT, including:

• Database management
• Programming
• Information systems analysis and design
• Communications and networks
• Security
• Project management
• Web-based technology
• Professional practice in IT

You will be able to choose your major in your second year after studying a common core of subjects that links our computer science, IT and information systems degrees. Find your strengths and interests as you study the fundamentals of computer science and IT: programming, problem solving, network and communications, web technology, data management, system analysis, human–computer interaction, and project management. You’ll also complete a final-year capstone team project.

You can also choose to study a double degree with Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts or Business. These programs of study will provide you with a broad experience of technology using various industry products such as Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, SAP and Cisco.

What you will study
The Network Design and Management subjects in this course will provide you with an understanding of requirements gathering, requirements analysis and the development of logical design to physical application. You'll learn how architectures provide the framework for addressing and routing, performance characteristics, security and network management.