Professor Andrew Lister intends graduates of the bachelor of information environments at the new University of Queensland Ipswich campus to be the designers and builders of 'cyberspace'.
Professor Lister, who is Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture Executive Dean at the University of Queensland, said the new three-year course, the first of its kind in Australia, would focus on leading-edge information technology.
Information environments are the networked systems that groups use to work together at a distance, ensuring that every member of an organisation has access to the information required and allowing the distributed groups to work together effectively.
'This course will produce the designers, architects and implementors of the highly sophisticated, networked, distributed, computer-based information environments of the future,' Professor Lister said.
'Graduates of the Bachelor of Information Environments will mould computers, networks and interfaces, just as architects and engineers shape physical space.'
Professor Lister said the course would be structured around three core areas: design; information technology; and business practice management and communication.
It would incorporate a hands-on approach to learning, with students spending half of each semester working in a studio environment - an intimate space equipped with computing and other design equipment.
Studio work would be themed and undertaken with subjects designed to complement and reinforce the practical applications, Professor Lister said.
'As our society becomes increasingly networked, organisations, governments, business and other groups will conduct more and more of their business and other interactions using computing and information-based networked systems,' Professor Lister said
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'The Bachelor of Information Environments is being developed as a cutting-edge degree that will equip students with the skills for both the design, construction, deployment and evolution of these information environments.'
Graduates would find employment in industry, business, government, defence, health, education, media and many other areas.
Following the three-year degree, graduates could elect to undertake an honours year at the St Lucia campus.
In this year, students would undertake intensive thesis work, usually with a research component and with links to industry.
The new courses will be offered at UQ Ipswich, at which construction began in May for a February 1999 opening with an expected intake of 580 students.
The 25-hectare campus, which is 1.4km from the Ipswich city centre, has a history dating from 1878. The first stage is expected to be completed by November 1998, allowing academic staff to move on site. Planning has begun for stage two, due for completion in February 2000.
For further information contact the Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture Faculty office on (07) 3365 4777 or Professor Simon Kaplan on (07) 3365 2097.
