Undergraduate courses offered by the faculty
Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering (SBCSE) – Melbourne (Bundoora)
The Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering produces graduates skilled in the design of large systems, consisting of hardware and software. It is a four-year pass or honours degree, and provides the opportunity to be an expert in the design of the computer and its digital components, large software systems, computer architecture, the design and analysis of embedded systems and design of large communication networks and associated software. Specialisations are available in Software Engineering and Network Engineering. A distinguishing feature of the course is the fourth year thesis, which provides students with research skills and the opportunity to study a current research area in great depth. The course is accredited by both Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Upon completion of this course, students should possess:
- a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the core body of mathematics physics, electronics and computer science subject matter that forms the academic basis of computer engineering;
- in-depth knowledge and understanding of the digital circuitry constituting computer hardware, as evidenced through completion of a digital electronics design project in which this knowledge is applied;
- high level skills in developing software using high level languages, with a current emphasis on C++ and Java;
- proficiency in applying an object-oriented approach to software systems analysis, design and implementation;
- a sound knowledge of the basic engineering principles and methodologies underlying the analysis design and implementation of total systems composed of hardware, software, and an interface between the two;
- depending on electives chosen, advanced knowledge and skills in other areas of computer science including networks and communications, software engineering, intelligent systems, compilers and systems software, numerical computing;
- skills in the management of resources and technology, as required of an engineering professional;
- skills and abilities necessary to function effectively in project teams as a manager, leader or team member;
- 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, ethical, and environmental issues faced by today’s engineering professional.
Articulation
Students who have completed the Bachelor of Computer Technology may apply for entry to the third year of this course.
Industry experience
Students are required to complete at least twelve weeks of certified practical experience before being deemed to have completed the course. This is usually undertaken during the annual vacation following the third year of the course.
Scholarships
First year scholarships are available for high achieving local 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 passed the units CSE2/3NET, CSE3PPR, and CSE3LAN in their undergraduate studies. From 2008, students will take 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 four years full-time or equivalent part-time duration and requires the completion of 480 credit points. In the first and second years, students study a fixed combination of units in computer science and electronics, together with mathematics, computer systems, physics, and engineering management. In the third and fourth years, students may select from a range of units in software engineering (the design of large software systems) or network engineering (the design and implementation of computer networks). A major industry-relevant project must be completed in third year and a research project in the student’s fourth year. A student may choose to take the Engineering Project (ELE4EPA and ELE4EPB) 45 points and an additional fourth year level computer science elective in place of the fourth year thesis (CSE4THA and CSE4THB) 60 points. Those students who choose to take the Engineering project must ensure they complete the required prerequisite units and obtain approval from the Department of Electronic Engineering.
First year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Calculus and Probability for Engineers | MAT1CPE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Introductory Electronics | ELE1IEL | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Object Oriented Programming Fundamentals | CSE1OOF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Discrete Mathematics | MAT1DM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Basic Electronic Circuits | ELE1CCT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Calculus and Linear Algebra | MAT1CLA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Intermediate Object Oriented Programming | CSE1IOO | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Object Oriented Programming Using C++ | CSE1CPP | 15 |
Second year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Microprocessors and Digital Design | ELE2MDD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Network Engineering Fundamentals | CSE2NEF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Principles of Physics A | PHY1SCA | 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 | Digital Design with Programmable Logic | ELE2DDP | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Mathematics Topics for Computer Science | MAT2MFC | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | System Design Engineering Fundamentals | CSE2DES | 15 |
Third year (120 credit points)
Core units (105 credit points)
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | System Design and Methodologies | CSE3SDM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Software Engineering Project A2 | CSE3PRA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Software Engineering Project B2 | CSE3PRB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Operating Systems | CSE3OSS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Applied Probability for Computer Systems Engineers | STA3AP | 15 |
Plus a further 30 credit points of computer science units chosen from the following:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Database Fundamentals | CSE2DBF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Embedded Processors | ELE3EMB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Intermediate Network Engineering | CSE3INE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | System Testing and Qualify | CSE2STQ | 15 |
Electives (15 credit points)
The remaining 15 credit points may be chosen from the list below:
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Artificial Intelligence: Logic and Reasoning | CSE3ALR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Database Management Systems | CSE3DMS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Intelligent Multimedia Systems | CSE3IMS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Intermediate Graphics Programming | CSE3IGR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Computational Intelligence | CSE3CI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Professional Environment | CSE3PE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Intermediate Games Technology | CSE3IGT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Networks, Systems and Web Security | CSE3NSW | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Metrics Quality and Reliability | CSE3MQR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Object-Oriented Application Development | CSE3OAD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Operating Systems | CSE3OSS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Web Applications Engineering | CSE3WAE | 15 |
Fourth year (120 credit points)
Core units (90 credit points)
Eligible students may choose either the Thesis (60 credit points) or the Engineering Project (45 credit points). Those students wishing to undertake the Engineering Project must have completed the required prerequisite units and have obtained approval from the fourth year coordinator in the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering and the Department of Electronic Engineering.
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Applied Management for Engineers | ELE4EMT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Thesis A | CSE4THA | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Thesis B | CSE4THB | 30 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Performance Analysis of Computer Systems | CSE4PCS | 15 |
Electives (30 credit points)
30 credit points must be chosen from the list of units below.
| Teaching period | Unit name | Unit code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Databases | CSE4ADB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Games Programming Technology | CSE4AGT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced System Design | CSE4ASD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Communication Protocol Engineering | CSE4CPE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Decision Support Systems | CSE4DSS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Multi-Agent Systems | CSE4MAS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Pattern Recognition | CSE4PRN | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Real-Time Fault Tolerant Systems | CSE4RFS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Web Services Engineering | CSE4WSE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Wireless Network Engineering | CSE4WNE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Performance Analysis of Computer Systems | CSE4PCS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Pervasive Network Design | CSE4PND | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Graphics | CSE4AGR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Qualify and Reliability | CSE4AQR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Business Intelligence Engineering | CSE4BIE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Data Mining | CSE4DMI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Entrepreneurship in IT | CSE4ENT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Mobile and Pervasive Computing | CSE4MPC | 15 |
Honours
Students completing the degree will have their degree awarded with Honours provided they are accepted as Honours candidates at the beginning of their final year. Entry to the Honours course is based on academic performance in third year. Those students not eligible for entry to Honours are required to undertake the Major Computer Engineering Project units (CSE4CPA and CSE4CPB) (45 credit points) and an additional third or fourth year level computer science unit, in place of Thesis A (CSE4THA) and Thesis B (CSE4THB) (60 credit points).
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.