Bachelor of Communication and Media/Bachelor of International Studies (Dual degree)

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

As data sets continue to expand exponentially, connecting data with artificial intelligence technology can provide new insights that are critical to solving complex problems.

Big Data can solve problems in science, society and business including population growth, transport, security, medical technology, trade and commerce. However, data first needs to be processed and refined so we can gain intelligence and make better decisions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) aims to develop computer software and hardware to enable machines to learn from experience, adapt to new, incoming information and tackle tasks that require human-like thinking.

The most common examples of AI today - from chess computers to driverless vehicles - are based on deep learning, computer vision and natural language processing and various other methods. With these technologies, computers can be trained for specific tasks by processing large amounts of data and recognising patterns in the data.

AI is being integrated into every major technological system in the world in healthcare, legal and financial services, manufacturing, education, transport, agriculture, mining and other industries where automation and robotics can enhance production and improve safety.

What you will study
You will study subjects in the foundation of AI and Big Data, augmented and virtual reality and complete subjects in foundations of AI, modern AI, Big Data management, Big data mining techniques and implementation.

Are you interested in understanding the links between the brain and behaviour? Do you want to understand the biological building blocks of human behaviour? Do you want to investigate the psychological and biological basis of mental illness? The Bachelor of Psychological Science-Bachelor of Neuroscience will provide you with a sound understanding of the molecular, neural and cognitive underpinnings of human behaviour and the investigative research methods used in the area. With further study these degrees can lead to professional registration as a psychologist.

What you will study
You will study the psychological and biological basis of human behaviour and learn about the how the brain links to human behaviour. Using a foundation in psychology, biology, chemistry and psychophysiology, the Bachelor of Psychological Science-Bachelor of Neuroscience will provide you with the groundwork for applying knowledge to addressing questions in understanding how we think, the processes underpinning ageing, neurological and mental health disorders.

This degree
Your first year will provide you with a broad understanding of foundation level biology, chemistry, physiology and psychology. You will study the basics of writing research reports, laboratory skills, scientific communication and the scientific knowledge that will be examined in depth later in the course. During your subsequent years, you will gain in-depth knowledge on specific topics such as cognitive psychology, psychopathology, social and developmental psychology, psychopharmacology, cognitive sciences, genetics and quantitative research methods. Throughout your degree you will be an active scientist, gaining scientific skills.

Spanish is the world's second most spoken language after Chinese, and is the second most used language in international communication. Speaking Spanish will allow you to communicate with more than 495 million people worldwide and will also greatly increase your employment options with many of the world's leading economies demanding Spanish speakers. Hispanic culture continues to have a global impact on film, architecture, cinema, art and literature.

What you will study
At UOW, you will study Spanish language, grammar, culture and history. Core language subjects focus on developing spoken and written language skills that can be used in real-life situations. Core cultural subjects focus on literature, linguistics, and the history, culture and society of the Spanish-speaking world.

In addition to the Spanish major, you will choose a minor or a second major from the Bachelor of Arts offerings.

The Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) is an alternative final year option for students who have demonstrated excellence in the first three years of the Bachelor of Primary Education or the Bachelor of Primary Education (Dean’s Scholar) degree.

This degree is a nationally accredited qualification for employment as a Kindergarten to Year 6 teacher in the public and independent school systems. You will learn through on-campus classes, online learning and school and community placements.  The extensive professional experience program involves placement in schools from the second year of the degree allowing you to learn by observation and apply your skills in the classroom early in your degree. 

During your study you will have opportunities for rural professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs.

What you will study
In the final year of your degree, you will have the opportunity to be involved in a research project of your own choice or interest or work with a Primary Education academic as part of your research. All students will receive supervision throughout their research project and will be required to complete a thesis or other form of research dissemination detailing their research project, their methods and their findings. Participation in the Honours program can lead to further research opportunities as a postgraduate student.

Mathematics is the basis for successful decision-making and problem-solving independent of sector or industry. Mathematical and statistical models help us analyse information and forecast results in economics, finance, medicine and industrial processes. This analysis helps governments and businesses understand the factors behind important decisions.

This degree
The Bachelor of Mathematics will teach you highly transferable skills in problem-solving, data analysis, probability and variability, mathematical modelling, logistics and logic. The degree is flexible, and allows you to take subjects from other study areas to expand your career options; you can also choose to study a major in Applied Statistics, Applied Mathematics or Pure Mathematics.

Other opportunities include scholarships from corporate partners, summer scholarships and undergraduate research projects with academic staff, access to programs offered by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and inter-university courses via our Access Grid Room.

What you will study
During this degree you will study subjects in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and statistics; giving you the quantitative skills that are in demand across all industries. The content covered in this degree also serves as initial preparation for employment as a professional mathematician. You will gain problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills that are in demand across all government and private sectors.

Studying a double degree combination of Bachelor of Creative Arts and Bachelor of Arts offers a vibrant and progressive approach to learning. The Bachelor of Arts allows you to gain experience in analysing and synthesising complex ideas; skills that are essential in real-world problem solving and highly valuable to a wide range of employers. The Bachelor of Creative Arts supports you to develop your creative, practical and conceptual skills enabling you to join the creative industries, one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.

UOW offers hands-on studio production with critical reflection, and practice-based subjects with theoretical analysis in study areas including creative writing, music, visual arts and visual arts and design. A double degree encompassing both the Creative and the Liberal Arts gives graduates the edge in a world that increasingly values flexibility and interdisciplinary knowledge.

In Australia, over 600,000 people create a living from working in film, television and radio as well as pod and webcasting; writing and editing; recording and performing; advertising and marketing; visual arts, design and architecture; as well as in museums, galleries, theatres and arts organisations. The practical learning undertaken in the creative arts is complemented by the interpretive and critical skills offered by study in the humanities, leading to employment in the public, private or non-for profit sectors and giving you an edge in the global marketplace.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Creative Arts involves the study of theory and practice-based work in the following major study areas: Creative Writing, Music, Visual Arts and Visual Arts and Design.  You will choose one of these majors as well as a major in the Bachelor of Arts degree:  Archaeology and Ancient History, English Literatures, Environmental Humanities, French, History, Indigenous Studies, Japanese, Legal Studies, Mandarin, Mandarin , Philosophy, Photography, Politics, International Relations, Sociology, Spanish, Creative Writing or Writing and English Literatures.

Huge increases in the volume of data available in science, industry, commerce and governments have led to a growing demand for professionals who can design, organise, manage and manipulate databases. These professionals also need the ability to analyse and extract useful and practical insights and information from data sets of differing size and complexity, and then communicate these findings to a range of audiences. These skills will become increasingly important in the workplaces of the future.

This degree is designed for students who wish to develop strong and rigorous mathematical, statistical and computing skills. The degree also involves the development of good communication and consulting skills which will allow graduates to successfully pursue careers across the wide range of data-driven industries.

A Data Science and Analytics (Honours) degree is available to candidates who have achieved a distinction average or better in the three-year Bachelor of Data Science and Analytics degree.

This degree
The Bachelor of Data Science and Analytics teaches highly transferable skills in problem solving, data analysis, statistics and variability, and statistical and mathematical modelling. There are opportunities for scholarships from corporate partners, plus summer scholarships and undergraduate research projects with academic staff. You will have access to programs offered by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and inter-university courses via our Access Grid Room.

What you will study
In your first year you will study core subjects in mathematics, statistics, and computer science.
You will also study a range of subjects in big data mining and management, database performance, sample survey and experimental designs, linear algebra, and linear models. The degree includes industry guest lectures and industry-inspired projects that involve a series of related analyses.

The business sector is one of the world's largest employers offering varying roles and careers. Business plays an important role in assisting the evolution of a complex global economy by providing solutions to problems in a sustainable and ethical way.

This degree
The Bachelor of Business Administration is a flexible degree offering a broad education across all key aspects of the business environment. In addition to studying the essential core disciplines of accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing, you can tailor your studies according to your interests or career aspirations by choosing electives from particular Business disciplines, or you can combine Business electives with subjects from other disciplines.

You will also undertake a final-year capstone subject that lets you apply everything you have learned in collaboration with students from other disciplines. Plus, you have the option of applying for an internship to gain valuable experience whilst receiving credit towards your degree.

What you will study
The Bachelor of Business Administration is a flexible degree offering a broad education across all key aspects of the business environment. In addition to studying the essential core disciplines of accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing, you can tailor your studies according to your interests by choosing electives from a particular Business discipline, or you can combine Business electives with subjects from other disciplines.

With more communication and commerce being conducted online than ever before, the web provides incredible opportunities for businesses and individuals working in web development. Web design has become an integral part of our personal and business lives. Animated graphics, key words, user interface design, usability testing and easy to use information flows give customised websites a competitive edge in today's digital media economy.

Web designers and developers create visual architecture for the web using code that is clean, maintainable, user-friendly and responsive to changing business needs and customer requirements.

Careers include web developers, web designers, mobile developers, web database administrators and web analysts.

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
This course provides you with the technical knowledge to design and develop effective websites and web applications for online shopping, online auctions, employee kiosks, online catalogues or social networks. You'll learn about issues related to usability and accessibility, navigation, site structure and information architecture.

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.