Higher degrees by coursework
Master of Software Engineering – Melbourne (Bundoora) (SMSE)
The principal objective of this program is to train ICT professionals in the specialisation of software engineering. The duration of the course is a maximum of two years of full-time or the equivalent of part-time study.
Admission requirements
Prospective students must:
- have completed a three-year undergraduate degree major in computer science; or
- hold a four-year engineering degree with a substantial computer science content, equivalent to a third year computer science course.
Full-fee international students are required to have equivalent qualifications.
Students should note that they may take out the award for the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science after completing the first year of the Masters course only if they decide not to proceed to the second year of the Masters course.
Professional recognition
Satisfactory completion of the course meets the professional level requirements for membership of the Australian Computer Society.
Course structure
The duration of this course is two years full-time or equivalent part-time and requires the completion of 240 credit points. Students are required to enrol in one of the following two course options:
Option 1 with major coursework thesis comprises ten coursework units (including up to four level 1, 2 or 3 units and at least four level 4 units from the lists below) (150 credit points), each involving about 20 hours of lectures and associated practical work, together with a major coursework thesis (CSE5THA and CSE5THB) in the area of Software Engineering worth 90 credit points. In the full-time course eight units are studied during the first year, the remainder being undertaken in conjunction with the completion of the major coursework thesis during the second year. The thesis is expected to take eight to nine months of work and must be written up as a minor thesis. For approval to enrol in this thesis students must achieve a 65% average grade in the first year of the masters by coursework program (eight units). A pass in both the coursework units and the coursework thesis is required to qualify for the degree.
Option 2 with a minor coursework thesis comprises twelve coursework units (including up to four level 1, 2 or 3 units and at least four level 4 units from the lists below) (180 credit points) together with a minor coursework thesis (CSE4THA and CSE4THB) worth 60 credit points. In the full-time course eight units are studied during the first year, the remainder being undertaken in conjunction with the completion of the minor coursework thesis during the second year. The minor coursework thesis will be taken over two semesters. For approval to enrol in this thesis students must achieve a minimum 60% average grade in the first year of the masters by coursework program (eight units). A pass in both the coursework units and the minor coursework thesis is required to qualify for the degree.
NOTE: Students with an average grade less than 60% in the first year of the program do not qualify for a major coursework thesis or a minor coursework thesis and will not be able to continue their enrolment in the Master of Computer Networks. A transfer to a Master of Information Technology or Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science will occur.
Students are permitted to enrol in the units of their choice if the prerequisite requirements are met. Students undertake a maximum of four level 1, 2 or 3 units and select the remainder from level 4 (advanced) units. The elective units can be chosen from the lists appearing under the course entry for the Master of Computer Science – however, not all units offered are available every year.
Level 1, 2 and 3 units (a maximum of four units may be taken)
Most units have prerequisites
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Database Fundaments | CSE2DBF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Algorithms and Data Structures | CSE2ALG | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Metrics, Quality and Reliability | CSE3MQR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | System Design and Methodologies | CSE3SDM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | System Testing and Quality | CSE2STQ | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | System Design Engineering Fundamentals | CSE2DES | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Object-Oriented Application Development | CSE3OAD | 15 |
Level 4 units
(A minimum of 60 credit points must be taken. Only one Project unit can be taken)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Databases | CSE4ADB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Software Engineering Project A* | CSE4PRA* | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced System Design | CSE4ASD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Quality and Reliability | CSE4AQR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Programming Project | CSE4PRG | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Software Engineering Project B | CSE4PRB | 15 |
Students may take out the award for the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science after completing the first year of the Masters course, if they decide not to proceed to the second year of the Masters course.
Advanced standing
Advanced standing may be available for previous tertiary studies, for units completed equivalent to fourth year level or the completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science. If Advanced Standing is granted for the first year of the masters degree then second year units must be selected from the list of Level 4 units and no further Level 1, 2 or 3 units may be taken.
Unit offerings may change according to available staffing resources and because of the ongoing process of evaluation and updating of content. Additional information on units is available from the school’s course handbooks.