Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2010

Coursework programs

Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science – Melbourne (Bundoora) (SPCS)

This one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) course aims to produce ICT professionals. The course comprises coursework subjects and may include a research thesis in the areas of artificial intelligence, computer communications and networks, software engineering and software systems.

Upon completion of this course students should possess:

  • strong skills in the area of computer science and computer studies;
  • an appreciation of pertinent social, legal and ethical issues faced by today’s computing professional;
  • an understanding of core areas of computer science and computer studies and
  • ability to lead and engage in lifelong learning.

Admission requirements

A three year pass degree (majoring in computer science), the Graduate Diploma in Computer Science, or an equivalent, is required. Applications are competitively assessed and performance in the initial degree or graduate diploma is taken into account. Demonstrated skills using a modern programming language such as C, C++, or Java, and some familiarity with an operating system such as UNIX or Windows is required.

Subject offerings may change according to available staffing resources and because of the ongoing process of evaluation and updating of content. Additional information on subjects is available from the Department.

Course structure

The subjects on offer are generally the same as those available to Master of Computer Science students, subject to prerequisite requirements. A maximum of four level 1, 2 or 3 subjects may be taken. Students select any eight subjects (120 credit points) from those available or they may choose a course structure identical to fourth year Honours and take four advanced subjects (60 credit points) and a thesis (CSE4THA and CSE4THB). Students should note that subjects may be offered in different teaching periods and may not all be available every year. Successful graduates may be admitted to the second year of the two year Master of Computer Science or Master of Information Systems programs. Further details may be found in the prospectus available from the Faculty office or the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, and on the Department’s web page: www.latrobe.edu.au/cs.

Level 1, 2 and 3 subjects (a maximum of four subjects may be chosen)

Most subjects have prerequisites.

Teaching period Subject name Subject code Credit points
TE-SEM-1 Advanced Games Programming Technology CSE3AGT 15
TE-SEM-1 Advanced Graphics Programming CSE3AGR 15
TE-SEM-1 Artificial Intelligence – Logic and Reasoning CSE3ALR 15
TE-SEM-1 or TE-W39-W51 Database Fundamentals CSE2DBF 15
TE-SEM-1 Database Management Systems CSE3DMS 15
TE-SEM-1 Intelligent Multimedia Systems CSE3IMS 15
TE-SEM-1 Intermediate Network Engineering CSE3INE 15
TE-SEM-1 Internet Client Engineering CSE2ICE 15
TE-SEM-1 Network Engineering Fundamentals CSE2NEF 15
TE-SEM-1 System Design and Methodologies CSE3SDM 15
TE-SEM-1 System Testing and Quality CSE2STQ 15
TE-SEM-2 Artificial Intelligence – Fundamentals CSE2AIF 15
TE-SEM-2 Computational Intelligence CSE3CI 15
TE-SEM-2 Professional Environment CSE3PE 15
TE-SEM-2 Games Programming Technology CSE2GAM 15
TE-SEM-2 Metrics, Quality and Reliability CSE3MQR 15
TE-SEM-2 Network Engineering Fundamentals CSE2NEF 15
TE-SEM-2 Networks Systems and Web Security CSE3NSW 15
TE-SEM-2 Object-oriented Programming using C++ CSE1CPP 15
TE-SEM-2 Operating Systems CSE3OSS 15
TE-SEM-2 System Design Engineering Fundamentals CSE2DES 15
TE-SEM-2 Web Applications Engineering CSE3WAE 15
Level 4 (advanced) subjects
Teaching Period Core Subjects Subject code Credit points
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 Advanced Software Engineering Project A* CSE4PRA* 15
TE-SEM-1 Real-time and Fault-tolerant Systems CSE4RFS 15
TE-SEM-1 Web Services Engineering CSE4WSE 15
TE-SEM-1 Wireless Network Engineering CSE4WNE 15
TE-SEM-2 Advanced Databases CSE4ADB 15
TE-SEM-2 Advanced Quality and Reliability CSE4AQR 15
TE-SEM-2 Data Mining CSE4DMI 15
TE-SEM-1 Decision Support Systems CSE4DSS 15
TE-SEM-2 Entrepreneurship CSE4ENT 15
TE-SEM-2 Mobile and Pervasive Computing CSE4MPC 15
TE-SEM-2 Performance Analysis of Computer Systems CSE4PCS 15
TE-SEM-2 Pervasive Network Design** CSE4PND 15
TE-SEM-2 Advanced Software Engineering Project B CSE4PRB 15
TE-SEM-2 Programming Project CSE4PRG 30

Key:
*Students choosing CSE4PRA must also include CSE4PRB and CSE3SDM in their enrolment.
**Not offered in 2010.

Professional recognition

Satisfactory completion of the course meets the professional level requirements for membership of the Australian Computer Society.

Advanced Standing

No advanced standing is given.