Business skills and knowledge

In this subject, students are introduced to developing and implementing a workplace sustainability policy in line with a current theoretical framework and modifying it to suit the interconnections between the economy, society and the environment. Students identify, analyse and evaluate information to develop, monitor and modify organisational policies in accordance with legislative and organisational goals and changing business circumstances. During this process, they are required to communicate and consult with internal and external stakeholders. The subject also introduces students to planning, sequencing and using systematic and analytical processes to research and gather data and to evaluate outcomes of decision-making to identify improvement. This subject addresses La Trobe’s Sustainability Thinking Essential. Sustainability Thinking entails deep appreciation of how the choices we make affects the natural, economic, social, political and cultural systems – now and in the future.

Finance is concerned with raising the funds required to acquire the assets of an individual or business and managing the expenditure and investment of these funds. Accounting defines the recording of such financial transactions and reporting on the financial health and performance of an individual or business. In this subject, you will learn how to apply simple maths to make financial and investment decisions. In so doing, you will learn to make sense of accounting and financial information and learn how to use that understanding to solve financial problems of both a personal and business nature.

In this subject you will examine how businesses operate in a local, regional and global environment and how this might change in the future. You will actively engage with current business issues and establish a broad foundation of business knowledge essential to everyone in the business world. With a particular focus on contemporary management practices, this subject is designed to develop critical thinking, creative problem-solving and academic research and writing skills. You will also work closely with fellow students to enhance business skills and engage in thinking about and discussing big ideas shaping the world of work, into which you will graduate. You will develop an awareness of the external and internal contexts that shape todays business practices.

Marketing: Stand and Deliver is an introductory unit to marketing principles and practice as applied to mainly fast-moving consumer goods. The subject is designed to give you a broad understanding of the formal discipline of marketing and of the key marketing activities in business. Topics cover the marketing concept, the marketing environment, buying behaviour in consumer and organisational markets, customer segmentation, targeting and positioning, developing the marketing mix, and the implementation and control of marketing programs. As a prerequisite to further study in marketing, this subject provides a sound foundation for future marketing subjects, advanced skill development and your career.

Working with Others will provide an introduction to individual characteristics, interpersonal relationships and group processes, as they relate to individual behaviour and outcomes in organisations. Organisational behaviour theory and concepts will be applied to current organisational problems relating to motivation, decision-making, teamwork, leadership and diversity. In online forums and exercises students will develop the capabilities to work effectively in teams and lead teams to achieve their goals.

In this subject, you will explore advertising theory and practice in the context of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). You will learn how to integrate and critically analyse the elements of the IMC mix. You will learn about advertising, direct marketing, personal selling, publicity and PR. You will develop communication messages that have meaning and impact for consumers in today’s digital age. You will analyse case studies designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with consumers.

The business environment is a complex web of internal and external relationships, creating and requiring the ongoing exchange of information. It is only through effective business communications that this volume of information can be delivered and deciphered to reach a level of shared understanding. This subject introduces you to the fundamental principles of business communication including, forming and supporting written and oral arguments, the influence of new media on business communications and the varied considerations of communications held with internal and external publics. In addition, you will develop the skills to be able to contextualise and tailor business communications to suit diverse audiences. In application of these concepts, you will be able to diagnose common business communication breakdowns, improve their own communication practices and utilise effective communications to maintain business relationships. 

This subject provides an introduction to the management of organisations. It provides an understanding of the fundamental concepts and relevant issues relating to the management of firms operating in the modern Australian and global business environment. The relationship between management theory, practice and organisational performance will be explored within the context of both individual effect and organisational outcomes.

Organisations operate in a global economy. As a manager and leader, it is your responsibility to get the best out of your employees and respond to customer needs. In this subject you will develop the practical skills for the next generation leading in a diverse workforce. Managing diversity isn't just about abiding by legal obligations, it's about recognising and valuing human differences and being able to create an inclusive environment, where employees have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. This subject will help you to develop a deep understanding of diversity and so in create an inclusive workplace. You'll reflect on your own attitudes and bias, as well as researching strategies, policies and practices that develop and promote a diverse, inclusive workforce.

This subject develops the essential skills required to plan, develop and execute a project within an allocated budget and timeline. Students develop an understanding of the different types of projects that exist across a range of industries and job roles. They will learn how to define the parameters of a project, including the project scope, relevant stakeholders, resources and reporting requirements. The subject incorporates project management methodology and provides students with the opportunity to use project management tools to develop and implement a project plan.

Cloud computing is becoming an increasingly common environment for organisations to operate their IT systems. In this subject, you will learn about the breadth of cloud computing, including an introduction to cloud concepts, the services that can be provided on the cloud, and the setup of cloud services. You will also examine various cloud models and their suitability for specific organisational circumstances. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking an associated vendor certification.

To operate effectively within any information system, an understanding of the theory and practice of database management systems is essential. This subject is designed to deepen students' interest and expertise in databases in general with a focus on cloud databases. A cloud database stores/processes data on the cloud. We start by looking at how database systems have evolved. The subject is mainly concerned with the relational data model and students learn the basics of database design using entity-relationship diagrams and how this design can then be mapped onto the relational model. A significant part of the subject is devoted to the use of structured query language (SQL). A commercial database management system will be used throughout the subject to provide hands-on skills. Foundations of normalising as well as data security will also be discussed. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking an associated vendor certification.

In this subject, students are introduced to the concept of an information system (IS) including file design, input/output/interface design, file conversion and implementation techniques. This subject deals with systems development life cycle as a framework for IS development and emphasises the role and involvement of users in an IS project. The use of appropriate fact-finding techniques in systems analysis and an introduction to data flow and E-R modelling are covered. Several information system case studies are used to illustrate the concepts introduced. Students will receive hands-on experience in the construction of a small information system using a suitable prototyping tool.

Appropriate Information Systems infrastructure is crucial to the successful operation of any organisation. This subject covers the selection and implementation of systems infrastructure dependent on client needs. There is a focus on the setup and troubleshooting of machine hardware and networks and the configuration of operating systems. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking an associated vendor certification.

This subject provides a general introduction to the breadth of the field of information technology. Areas covered include the main components and operation of IT devices, data storage and retrieval, networks, programming and website development.

The Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) approach allows for the streamlined development of complex programming solutions. This subject aims to build on the knowledge and skills with Object-Oriented Programming gained in prior studies. The subject delves more deeply into Object-Oriented Programming concepts and how they can be applied to develop more complex and innovative programming solutions. Previously learnt Software Engineering skills are also further developed.

In this subject, we lay the foundation for internetworking. Basic building blocks of internetworking in terms of two main reference models are introduced. Two main reference models, OSI and TCP/IP are examined in detail mainly by analysing each layer's functionality and different protocols involved. Few of the critical concepts in network design like, IP addressing, IP Subnetting, VLSM, IP routing, local area network technologies (Ethernet), switching and packet analysis are also introduced with a practical approach as an enabler to perform small network designs. This subject is designed to prepare students for undertaking an associated vendor certification.

Students are introduced to object oriented programming concepts through a contemporary programming language. Topics covered include classes and objects, encapsulation and inheritance, primitive data types, flow of control, methods, basic input/output and arrays. Software engineering principles are introduced, including coding standards, class design and testing strategies.

In this subject, students are introduced to the environments, tools, techniques and methods of thinking needed to analyse simple data processing problems and develop effective and efficient software solutions. It is assumed that participants have no previous exposure to programming.