Undergraduate courses offered by the faculty
Bachelor of Computer Science (SBCS) – Melbourne (Bundoora)
The Bachelor of Computer Science offers a comprehensive and highly flexible program of study in the fields of hardware, software, and their underlying principles. The course offers an extensive range of topics with the opportunity to specialise in ‘streams’ in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, Network or Software Engineering. Distinctive features of the course are its heavy emphasis on object-oriented systems, and its emphasis on practical work. The course also allows students to take some units from outside the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering. It is a three-year full-time course, and the Honours program requires a further year of study. The degree is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Upon completion of this course, students should possess:
- a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the core body of mathematics and computer science required for the construction of information processing systems;
- a comprehensive understanding of the different types of information technology tools, and their role in managing knowledge and information
- an understanding of the role of modern information systems within organizations and familiarity with the business settings in which these systems are used;
- an ability to critically evaluate currently existing information technology systems and new developments
- familiarity with the latest developments in information technology
- skills in software engineering and object-oriented programming currently using Java;
- skills and abilities necessary to function effectively in project teams;
- written and oral communication skills enabling effective communication with professional colleagues and the wider community;
- ability to engage in lifelong learning, and
- an appreciation of pertinent social, legal, and ethical issues faced by today’s computing professional.
Scholarships
First year scholarships are available for high achieving students. Prospective candidates should contact the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering early in their year-12 studies for details.
CISCO Program
A CISCO certification training program is available for students who have passed the units CSE2/3NET, CSE3PPR, and CSE3LAN in their undergraduate studies. From 2008, units required are CSE2NEF and CSE3INE. Any students interested in obtaining full details of this CISCO program should contact the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering at the beginning of first semester.
Course structure
The course is of three years full-time or equivalent part-time duration and requires the completion of 360 credit points. In the first year, students select units from a list of core and recommended units from within the disciplines of computer science and mathematics. Elective units may be chosen from units offered by any department. In the second and third years of the degree, students select available computer science and elective units. In the third year of the degree, students must include either the software engineering project, CSE3PRA and CSE3PRB (30 credit points) or the programming project, CSE3PRG (30 credit points) in their choice of units. Students may choose to take one of the ‘streams’ available in the second and third years.
Mid-year commencement
Students entering the course mid year with equivalent year-12 studies will commence second semester on 30th June 2008, three weeks earlier than the normal commencement date for that teaching period. Some students with prior tertiary studies may also be required to commence their course on 30th June. These students will be advised by the faculty office at the time of offer.
First year (120 credit points)
Core units (90 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Calculus and Number Systems | MAT1CNS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Object Oriented Programming Fundamentals | CSE1OOF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Discrete Mathematics | MAT1DM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Intermediate Object Oriented Programming | CSE1IOO | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Mathematics Topics for Computer Science | MAT2MFC | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Object Oriented Programming Using C++ | CSE1CPP | 15 |
Electives (30 credit points)
The remaining 30 credit points may be chosen from first year units offered by any department, subject to meeting the prerequisites for those units. The unit BUS1MIS is not permitted.
Second year (120 credit points)
Core units (90 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Computer System Architecture | CSE2CSA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Database Fundamentals | CSE2DBF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Algorithms and Data Structures | CSE2ALG | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals | CSE2AIF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Professional Environment | CSE3PE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | System Design Engineering Fundamentals | CSE2DES | 15 |
Electives (30 credit points)
The remaining 30 credit points may be chosen from units offered by any department, subject to meeting the prerequisites for those units. The units BUS2BAD and MGT2BCO are not permitted.
Third year (120 credit points)
Students are required to take 90 credit points of third year level computer science units from the ‘streams’ or from the list below. Students must include either the software engineering project CSE3PRA and CSE3PRB (30 credit points) or the programming project CSE3PRG (30 credit points) in their choice of units.
Core units (90 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | System Design and Methodologies | CSE3SDM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or TE-SEM-2 |
Third year level computer science units chosen from the lists below. | 75 |
Electives (30 credit points)
The remaining 30 credit points may be chosen from units offered by any department and may include further computer science units from the list below or the business unit BUS3EBS.
Students may also choose to include one of the following computer science specialty ‘streams’ in their structure:
Software Engineering Stream:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second year: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | System Testing and Quality | CSE2STQ | 15 |
| Third year: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | System Design and Methodologies | CSE3SDM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Metrics Quality and Reliability | CSE3MQR | 15 |
Data Engineering Stream:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second year: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | Internet Client Engineering | CSE2ICE | 15 |
| Third year: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | Database Management Systems | CSE3DMS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Web Applications Engineering | CSE3WAE | 15 |
Artificial Intelligence Stream:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third year: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | Artificial Intelligence: Logic and Reasoning | CSE3ALR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Computational Intelligence | CSE3CI | 15 |
Network Engineering Stream:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second year: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 or SEM-2 | Network Engineering Fundamentals | CSE2NEF | 15 |
| Third year: | |||
| TE-SEM-1 | Intermediate Network Engineering | CSE3INE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Networks, Systems and Web Security | CSE3NSW | 15 |
The remaining 15 credit points may be chosed from the list below:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Intelligent Multimedia Systems | CSE3IMS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Intermediate Graphics Programming | CSE3IGR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Intermediate Games Technology | CSE3IGT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Object-Oriented Application Development | CSE30AD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Operating Systems | CSE30SS | 15 |
Honours
Honours degree students are selected based on their performance in the final year of the pass degree course. To qualify for entry to the Honours year in computer science students must obtain a minimum average of 60% across all of their third year units and obtain an average of at least 70% over their best 60 credit points of third year level computer science and computer engineering units (project included), the units CSE3PRA and CSE3PRB (30 credit points) and CSE3PRG (30 credit points) will count as 15 credit points only in this calculation. Meeting this requirement, however, does not guarantee a place in the Honours year as resources may limit the total number of places available, and students are expected to find a supervisor prior to re-enrolment.
A full description of units, including the unit name, unit code, credit points, campus/location, unit coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites, and readings, appears at the end of this chapter. For the most recent descriptions of units, students should access the Unit Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.