Bachelor of Information Studies

What is this course about?

This course is designed to reflect the critical importance of information and knowledge management across a wide range of fields and institutions. The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the creation, evaluation, collection, organisation, utilisation and dissemination of information in the contemporary.

About the course

The changing nature of society has brought a growing demand for knowledge and information at work, in education and in leisure. Librarians, archivists, knowledge managers and many other information professionals are meeting that demand by providing effective access to information resources and services.

Qualified information professionals play a vital role in facilitating the creation, management and preservation of information and in the development of information literacy. Our graduates provide the necessary link between the information resources, whether physical or digital, and the users of that information.

Students commence the course with a three-day compulsory course orientation.

The Bachelor of Information Studies offers specialisations in:

Librarianship BInfoStud(Lib)

Librarianship at CSU’s School of Information Studies has been the cornerstone of our success. This specialisation sees students being able to choose from a large number of elective subjects that cater to those students who want to work specifically in libraries, in areas such as reference services, library management, information access, and information delivery. The specialisation benefits from the large number of academic staff whose teaching is informed by extensive experience in libraries.

Information and Knowledge Management BInfoStud(Info&KM)

The Information and Knowledge Management specialisation has been designed for aspiring information professionals who wish to study beyond traditional areas and gain skills working with real clients and live scenarios on relevant and practical assignments in business, government, and other settings. The objective is to produce graduates who understand people, processes, innovations and trends, and can combine this understanding with technology to create, share and use information and knowledge.

Records and Archives Management BInfoStud(Rec&ArchMgt)

The Records and Archives Management specialisation introduces students to the world of government, corporate, community and personal recordkeeping. It explores international and Australian theory and practice including standards, legislation and ethical issues relating to the management of digital and analogue records. The emphasis is on building knowledge and skills that students can apply in a range of organisational contexts and in a climate of rapid change.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Bachelor of Information Studies may be admitted to Associate (professional) Membership of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) without further examination.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Information Studies (Records and Archives Management) are eligible for professional membership of the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA).

Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIMPA) has accredited the Bachelor of Information Studies course.

Professionals teaching you

This course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience in the information field.

Practical experience

There is a professional study visit subject, comprising four days of visits to a range of information agencies, and a three-week professional placement. There is also a professional activities subject which requires students to attend, evaluate and report on a minimum of 30 hours of professional activities (such as conference sessions, seminars, workshops) of value to the development of information professionals, and the development of an ongoing e-portfolio.

Residential schools

There is a compulsory three-day course orientation residential school scheduled at the commencement of the course (February and July).