IT Software Development

Academic requirements:

• Year 12 Certificate or equivalent
• Basic computing skills

Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

English requirements

Students must meet one of the following English requirements:

• IELTS 5.5 (no band score less than 5.0)
• TOEFL iBT - 46
• PTE Academic - 42 (minimum of 36 in each band)
• Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 162
• Successful completion of CIT's English for Study and Life (Upper Intermediate)English for Study and Life (Upper Intermediate)

• ICTPRG418

  Apply intermediate programming skills in another language

  CIT Code:	INFT450
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out intermediate programming activities using another programming language. The language may be an object-oriented language. It applies to individuals who are programmers in a variety of fields and who are required to produce software programs.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG527

  Apply intermediate object-oriented language skills

  CIT Code:	INFT456
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake intermediate level programming tasks using an object-oriented programming language. It applies to programmers in a variety of fields who are required to produce programs in object-oriented languages.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG532

  Apply advanced object-oriented language skills

  CIT Code:	INFT1033
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake advanced programming tasks using object-oriented programming languages in the development of large-sized applications.It applies to individuals who are programmers producing complex object-oriented programming in the development of large-sized applications.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTICT418

  Contribute to copyright, ethics and privacy in an ICT environment

  CIT Code:	INFT707
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain professional and ethical conduct, as well as to ensure that personal information of stakeholders is handled in a confidential and professional manner when dealing with stakeholders in an information and communications technology (ICT) environment. It applies to ICT personnel who are required to gather information to determine the organisation's code of ethics, and protect and maintain privacy policies and system security.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG502

  Manage a project using software management tools

  CIT Code:	INFT789
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use software management tools, to manage a project from initiation to completion. It applies to individuals who work in a team, or who individually develop systems to specification, using software management tools to manage delivery within time and budget parameters.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG503

  Debug and monitor applications

  CIT Code:	INFT790
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to debug and monitor a software application. It applies to individuals who work as developers, testers and support engineers, using logging and tracing techniques to identify software problems and to monitor systems.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG504

  Deploy an application to a production environment

  CIT Code:	INFT791
  Description:	This unit describes the, skills and knowledge required to install, uninstall, and configure an application to a production environment. It applies to individuals responsible for the software deployments of enterprise applications. They may work as application developers, administrators, release managers or deployment coordinators.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG520

  Validate an application design against specifications

  CIT Code:	INFT796
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to check a software application design against the specifications, and to apply validation techniques across the system’s life cycle. It applies to individuals employed in the area of software development who are responsible for verifying and validating software design specifications. They may be software project managers, testers, software engineers, system analysts or software developers.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG529

  Apply testing techniques for software development

  CIT Code:	INFT797
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop test strategies and implement tests to assure the reliability and quality of an application. It applies to individuals who are responsible for test plan preparation, execution and maintenance, the reporting of tests and defect management in an application. These individuals include quality assurance analysts, test analysts, testers, system testers, software testers, test leads and developers.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG523

  Apply advanced programming skills in another language

  CIT Code:	INFT458
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake advanced programming tasks using a selected choice of another programming language. The language may be an object-oriented language. It applies to individuals who are programmers required to develop program code.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• Advanced programming in another language

  CIT Code:	INFT988
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake advanced programming tasks using a selected choice of another programming language. The language may be an object-oriented language. It applies to individuals who are programmers required to develop program code. This subject achieves ICTPRG523 Apply advanced programming skills in another language
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTWEB502

  Create dynamic web pages

  CIT Code:	INFT290
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to produce both server and client-side content. It applies to individuals working as web developers who are responsible for creating dynamic pages to provide interaction between the user and the website. They use highly developed technical and analytical skills when developing the user-website interface.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTDBS504

  Integrate database with a website

  CIT Code:	INFT325
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to ensure the database is integrated with a website. It applies to individuals employed as web developers who are responsible for creating data-driven web applications.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTICT509

  Gather data to identify business requirements

  CIT Code:	INFT326
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify, analyse and document business requirements. It applies to individuals working as systems analyst developers and project team leaders, and managers responsible for gathering data to identify business requirements.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTICT517

  Match ICT needs with the strategic direction of the organisation

  CIT Code:	INFT1027
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to ensure information and communications technology (ICT) products and systems match the strategic direction of the organisation.It applies to individuals whose responsibilities may include improving, evaluating, acquiring, maintaining and supporting ICT for organisations.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTSAS502

  Establish and maintain client user liaison

  CIT Code:	INFT472
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and maintain client user liaison in an information and communications technology (ICT) environment, post support implementation. This occurs after the business critical functions have been determined. It applies to individuals who are responsible for system and business analysis and administration, and liaising with clients to ensure that their requirements are fully met.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTSAD505

  Develop technical requirements for business solutions

  CIT Code:	INFT512
  Description:	This unit describes the outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop technical and related requirements that will enable business solutions to be implemented in an organisation. It applies to individuals who are responsible for performing complex technical analysis to complete a range of tasks and provide solutions to complex problems.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG415

  Apply skills in object-oriented design

  CIT Code:	INFT172
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to produce an object-oriented design from specifications, applying the cyclic process of iteration from identification of class, instance, role and type to the final object-oriented model of the application. It applies to system designers who are required to design systems using an object-oriented method.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG430

  Apply introductory object- oriented language skills

  CIT Code:	INFT1031
  Description:	This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to undertake introductory programming tasks using an object-oriented programming language including tool usage, documentation, debugging, and testing techniques.It applies to individuals who are programmers in a variety of fields and who are required to produce simple programs in object-oriented languages.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG414

  Apply introductory programming skills in another language

  CIT Code:	INFT447
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out programming activities using a procedural approach. It applies to individuals working in programming, development and technical roles. They may work as programmers, software developers or may be IT staff with responsibility for conducting programming activities, including writing, maintaining and updating programs, defining data and file handling.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG405

  Automate processes

  CIT Code:	INFT449
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to write scripts to automate solutions, by using basic scripting processes, and application-specific scripting options. It applies to individuals who may work in information and communications technology (ICT) support roles and who are required to automate tasks.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTICT418

  Contribute to copyright, ethics and privacy in an ICT environment

  CIT Code:	INFT707
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain professional and ethical conduct, as well as to ensure that personal information of stakeholders is handled in a confidential and professional manner when dealing with stakeholders in an information and communications technology (ICT) environment. It applies to ICT personnel who are required to gather information to determine the organisation's code of ethics, and protect and maintain privacy policies and system security.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG402

  Apply query language

  CIT Code:	INFT779
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to retrieve and manipulate information stored in information systems, using a query language. It applies to individuals in a range of work environments, who are required to extract information from a source such as a database, a text file, or an extensible markup language (XML), by creating and running queries.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG403

  Develop data-driven applications

  CIT Code:	INFT780
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to create data-driven applications that access data from a range of sources, such as databases, object data sources or eXtensible markup language (XML). It applies to individuals who may work as programmers or database application developers and who are responsible for data-access coding.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG404

  Test applications

  CIT Code:	INFT781
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare test plans, write test procedures or scripts according to test plans, and maintain test plans and scripts. It applies to individuals who may be responsible for test plan preparation, execution, maintenance, and reporting of tests; as well as defect management in the software development life cycle.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG410

  Build a user interface

  CIT Code:	INFT784
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design, build, and test a user interface (UI) to specification, including command-line interfaces (CLI), graphical user interfaces (GUI), web user interfaces (WUI) and natural user interfaces (NUI). It applies to individuals who work as user-interface designers, and are responsible for specifying the layout and style of the desired user interface. They may be developers working in the area of user interface design and implementation.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG419

  Analyse software requirements

  CIT Code:	INFT786
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and analyse client requirements, produce a range of options, and create a software-requirements document. It applies to individuals in a range of work environments who are required to perform an analysis role in formulating software requirements. They may work as database or computer developers, business analysts, or project managers
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTSAD401

  Develop and present feasibility reports

  CIT Code:	INFT165
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and analyse potential system solutions and present a feasibility report to the client. It applies to individuals required to investigate potential solutions within the context of an information and communications technology (ICT) project.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG527

  Apply intermediate object-oriented language skills

  CIT Code:	INFT456
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake intermediate level programming tasks using an object-oriented programming language. It applies to programmers in a variety of fields who are required to produce programs in object-oriented languages.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTICT408

  Create technical documentation

  CIT Code:	INFT461
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to create technical documentation that is clear to the target audience and easy to navigate. It applies to individuals working as technical writers, designers, developers and support staff who are required to produce technical support documents of their work.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTDBS403

  Create basic databases

  CIT Code:	INFT641
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design, develop and test a database in order to meet a specification. It applies to individuals who may be either database, or web designers, required to create a simple database to store information for an online application, using a simple entity relational database.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPMG401

  Support small- scale ICT projects

  CIT Code:	INFT765
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support the management of low risk, straightforward information and communications technology (ICT) projects within an organisation. It applies to individuals who may work under supervision but have responsibility to ensure workflow is planned and completed in line with requirements.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTPRG425

  Use structured query language

  CIT Code:	INFT267
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use a structured query language (SQL) to define, create, and manipulate database structures, and the associated data in a relational database. It applies to individuals in a wide variety of information and communications technology (ICT) roles, where relational databases and SQL are being used.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTICT401

  Determine and confirm client business requirements

  CIT Code:	INFT376
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine client business system requirements and verify the accuracy of the information gathered. It applies to information and communications technology (ICT) personnel who are required to analyse client expectations and needs, and recommend business system changes.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

• ICTICT403

  Apply software development methodologies

  CIT Code:	INFT377
  Description:	This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply traditional and non-traditional systems development methodologies. It applies to individuals in a senior development role who exercise discretion and judgement to create solutions using appropriate technical knowledge and analysis skills.
  Prerequisites:	Nil

Certificate IV: assistant applications programmer, assistant programmer, assistant software programmer, assistant web application programmer, assistant web developer.

Diploma: analyst programmer support, assistant programming developer, assistant software applications programmer, assistant software developer, database support programmer, web support programmer.

Modes of study include attending face-to-face classes, online digital learning, and participation in a group capstone project through the Virtual Consultancy, plus personal study.

Learners may experience all of the following assessment methods in this program:

• Direct Observation - in a simulated off-the-job situation that reflects the workplace
• Product Based Methods - structured assessment activities such as reports, displays, work samples and presentations.
• Portfolio - collection of evidence including written documents, logbooks etc.
• Questioning - assessing knowledge evidence by written or oral questioning.
• Supplementary evidence - samples of evidence from the workplace, including reports from workplace. supervisor.

All assessments aim to reflect tasks that may occur in a work environment. Some assessments are completed under teacher supervision so that students can directly demonstrate their skills and knowledge Other assessments, such as projects, assignments and portfolios are completed outside of class time so that students can develop research, team work and communication skills. All diploma students are required to participate in a group capstone project delivered through the virtual consultancy.

CIT’s credit transfer arrangements can reduce the time and fees required to complete a bachelor degree at university. If you successfully complete your CIT qualification and gain entry into the university below, you will receive the following:

University of Canberra (UC)

• Diploma of Software Development (ICT50715)  =  24 credit points (1 year) towards UC's Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design) (ARB202.1)

We advise you speak directly with your chosen university in relation to credit transfer, entry requirements and their application process.