Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

This comprehensive, hands-on programme covers project management, operations management and e-commerce in relation to supply chain logistics. You'll learn from industry experts how to identify important phases of supply chain and logistical management from internal and external perspectives; evaluate and critique existing operations; identify supply chain and logistical issues; and create effective and sustainable management solutions.

You'll also gain a practical understanding of e-commerce and its role in business; develop concepts and analytical methods for managing people and resources; explore the basic principles and terminology of project management; and appraise project plans using MSProject.

With this program you will have the expertise to strategically direct the future focus of your organisation with regards to Food and Beverage, and Accommodation and Facilities. You will combine your knowledge and skills gained into a practical industry project, completed within a work context further developing your skills and ability, whilst assisting an organisation to resolve a business issue.

This programme has been designed to ensure that when you graduate you'll have the knowledge and skills needed for this dynamic industry, and that you can be a flexible, future-focused, creative leader who can adapt to changing circumstances. Your studies will cover: hospitality and tourism trends; marketing strategies for local and international hospitality and tourism contexts; financial management strategies; business analysis for hospitality and tourism; communication; self-management; problem solving; teamwork and planning. In addition, you'll explore New Zealand's heritage and indigenous culture, and gain an understanding of sustainability issues relating to tourism, such as its impact on the environment.

This degree programme aims to give you tools to become an independent designer or garment producer. You'll learn key skills in design strategy, drawing, garment construction and pattern making. You'll also get to choose two courses from a wide range of electives that will help you to develop specialist skills that suit your goals. As well as studio courses, you'll complete a group of core courses in academic subjects, including both professional and contextual studies, which will give you great communication skills, knowledge of a range of creative practices, and basic business skills.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice has been designed for musicians, dramatists, performing and visual artists, designers, film makers, writers, directors and other professional creatives who wish to take their first foray into postgraduate study. It will enable you to advance your creative practice and develop knowledge and specialist skills, beyond those gained through your undergraduate degree.

As a student of this programme you'll have the opportunity to use reflection on creative and critical theory to initiate and develop an area of interest into a supervised research project within a domain of practice.

IT industry partners have significant input into the structure and content of this programme to ensure that what is being taught continually meets industry needs. The first year covers a broad range of ICT topics that will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in software engineering (programming), hardware and networking, website development, IT tools and concepts and mathematics skills relevant to IT. In years two and three you'll choose one of three specialist pathways: Information Systems, Networking and Infrastructure or Software Development. During this time you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen area through a range of compulsory and elective courses.

You'll also develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, team work, project management, time management, self-reliance and communication skills. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills and work-readiness, so wherever possible, theory is integrated and applied to practical tasks. Many courses include group activities or group projects, as the ability to work as part of a team is strongly valued by employers.

The Bachelor of Construction is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to work at a high level in the construction industry, as a leader who is able to innovate and contribute to new ways of creating the built environment.

The program starts with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, attributes and academic abilities required of a construction manager or quantity surveyor. You'll gain discipline-specific skills and knowledge, starting with a focus on small domestic buildings then moving on to low-rise and large commercial construction, then heavily serviced, multifaceted projects.

Your year-two project work and assessments will require problem solving, independent research skills and application of cultural approaches and aspects of sustainability. In the third year you'll be required to source and organise technical, project and academic research information, and evaluate, critique and propose well-rationalised solutions.

You will gain a solid grounding in engineering theory and principles of engineering science including design and drawing electrical, electronics, networks, programming and microcontrollers. Working closely with professional engineers you will apply current and emerging technologies in new situations. Our courses are industry designed and during this program you will develop sound thinking and problem solving skills for work in designing and implementing engineering technology.

This programme looks in-depth at a wide range of retail-related areas, with a focus on strategic decision making around the resources used to develop and sustain a high performing retail business. Areas covered include ownership models, channel management, human capital, technology use and adoption, customer experience and merchandising.

You'll learn how to critically evaluate management and marketing concepts in a range of retailing environments; identify and analyse opportunities for improvement; and create strategies for building and sustaining a retail enterprise.

You'll learn about leadership principles, how to build and maintain positive staff relationships, and how to monitor and maintain operating procedures and compliance requirements. Key areas covered include the importance of excellent customer service and how to work in collaborative, team-based environments within the restaurant, bar, barista, hotel reception and accommodation contexts. In addition, you'll gain a sound understanding of local and international tourism and the essential contribution tourists make to the hospitality industry. You'll undertake a practical work placement which will give you the opportunity to set personal and professional development goals.