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 software systems, computer networks and computer architecture.
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 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 understanding of the 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, intelligent systems, compilers and systems software, numerical computing, etc.;
- 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 subjects CSE2NEF and CSE3INE in their undergraduate studies. 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 subjects 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 subjects in software engineering (the design of large software systems) or network engineering (the design and implementation of computer networks). If students desire, they may complete a stream in either network engineering or software engineering. 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 subjects and obtain approval from the Department of Electronic Engineering.
First year (120 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject 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 | Subject name | Subject 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 subjects (105 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | System Design and Methodologies | CSE3SDM | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Software Engineering Project A1 | CSE3PRA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Software Engineering Project B1 | CSE3PRB | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Applied Probability for Computer Systems Engineers | STA3AP | 15 |
Key: 1 Subjects must be taken in the one academic year
Plus a further 45 credit points of computer science subjects chosen from the following:
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject 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-2 | Operating Systems2 | CSE3OSS | 15 |
Key: 2 If permitted the student may replace the elective subject and CSE3OSS with CSE3IBB
Electives (15 credit points)
The remaining 15 credit points may be chosen from the list below:
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject 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 | Object-Oriented Application Development | CSE3OAD | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Computational Intelligence | CSE3CI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Professional Environment | CSE3PE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Networks, Systems and Web Security | CSE3NSW | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Metrics, Quality and Reliability | CSE3MQR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Operating Systems | CSE3OSS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Web Applications Engineering | CSE3WAE | 15 |
Fourth year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (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 subjects and have obtained approval from the fourth year coordinator in the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering and the Department of Electronic Engineering. Those undertaking the Engineering Project must take an additional fourth year computer science subject.
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject 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 subjects below.
| Teaching period | Subject name | 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 | Pattern Recognition3 | CSE4PRN | 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 | Performance Analysis of Computer Systems | CSE4PCS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Pervasive Network Design | CSE4PND | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Quality and Reliability | CSE4AQR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Business Intelligence Engineering3 | CSE4BIE | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Data Mining | CSE4DMI | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Entrepreneurship in I.T. | CSE4ENT | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Mobile and Pervasive Computing | CSE4MPC | 15 |
Key: 3 Not available in 2010.
The following conditions apply for students taking the Network Engineering stream: in third year students must take CSE3INE, CSE3NSW and at least one of CSE2DBF or ELE3EMB; in fourth year students must take CSE4WNE and either CSE4MPC or CSE4PND.
The following conditions apply for students taking the Software Engineering stream: in third year students must take CSE2DBF, CSE3MQR and ELE3EMB; in fourth year students must take CSE4ASD and CSE4AQR.
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 subjects (CSE4CPA and CSE4CPB) (45 credit points) and an additional third or fourth year level computer science subject, in place of Thesis A (CSE4THA) and Thesis B (CSE4THB) (60 credit points).
For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, students should access the Subject Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.