Bachelor of Computer Science

Overview

Computer scientists design and write programs for computer applications. These applications include computer systems to control machinery, the analysis of stock market trends, games design, visualisation of chemical reactions, neural network design, computational geometry for robot navigation, automatic teller machines and patient monitoring in hospitals.

Computer programming is the science of writing computer software to solve problems. Computer science is the study of algorithmic processes that describe and transform information: theory, analysis, design, efficiency, programming and application.
This degree includes a core of programming subjects as well as electives in database, languages, artificial intelligence, computer security, computer graphics, operating systems, real-time software and software engineering.

A high point of the degree is the third year project where students form teams to develop computer applications. High-achieving students may complete a fourth year Honours degree.

UOW’s Computer Science degree allows you to specialise in software development, distributed systems or digital systems security, as well as study other disciplines including management, visual arts, languages, commerce and mathematics. You can take subjects from another discipline, study a second major or enrol in a double degree.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

Approximate UAI: 77
Assumed Knowledge: Any two units of English plus Mathematics.
For entry requirements for students 21 and over or international students, please refer to the relevant prospectus.

Advanced Standing

Information about Approved Credit Transfer Arrangements with domestic providers is available at: www.uow.edu.au/handbook/generalcourserules/UOW028672.html
Information about Approved Credit Transfer Arrangements with international providers is available at: www.uow.edu.au/prospective/international/credit

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Computer Science, a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 144 credit points by satisfactory completion of:

1. 1. the following core subjects:
   CSCI102 Systems
   CSCI103 Algorithms & Problem Solving
   CSCI114 Procedural Programming
   CSCI124 Object Programming
   MATH121 Discrete Mathematics
   STAT131 Understanding Variation & Uncertainty
   CSCI203 Algorithms and Data Structures
   CSCI204 The C Family and Unix
   CSCI212 Interacting Systems
   CSCI222 Systems Development
   CSCI321 Project
2. an additional 24 credit points of 300-level subjects, of which 12 credit points must be CSCI subjects. Note that at least 24 credit points of 300-level subjects, including CSCI321, must be at pass grade or better.
3. no more than 60 credit points at 100-level.
4. at least 48 credit points of subjects chosen from the Computer Science Schedule (below) and/or the General Schedule (see the list of recommended subjects from the General Schedule).
5. no more than 24 credit points (ie 1/6) of subjects at PC grade.

Areas of Major Study

Students enrolled in this degree can major in:

• Computer Science
• Digital Systems Security
• Distributed Systems
• Software Development

Approved second majors are available in:

• Biological Sciences
• Business Information Systems
• Chemistry
• Electronic Commerce
• Electronics
• English Language Studies
• Geosciences
• Management
• Marketing
• Mathematics

All candidates are expected to consult with the School and Faculty advisers before committing themselves completely to any particular pattern, whether outlined above or not.

Computer Science Schedule

The following subjects are approved for inclusion in the Bachelor of Computer Science degree.

Honours

Candidates who achieve a credit average or better in the Bachelor of Computer Science or a major in computer science in another degree are eligible to enrol in an additional year of study towards a Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) (BCompSc(Hons)).
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours), candidates must complete CSCI401. The level of honours awarded at the completion of the course is determined in accordance with University Course Rule 8.4(2).

The program of study for BCompSc(Hons), (ie CSCI401 Computer Science IV Honours) is 48 credit points and will include:

1. an 18 credit point project;
2. 30 credit points of 400-/900-level Postgraduate Computer Science subjects;
3. with the permission of the Head of School, candidates may substitute up to 12 credit points of subjects with 300-level Computer Science subjects or 400-level subjects from another discipline;
4. attendance at a series of seminars on research methodology in Autumn Session is compulsory (including quantitative and qualitative analysis). Seminars will cover the purpose of research, formulating a research question, conducting a literature review and writing a research proposal. Students will learn how to design an appropriate research plan; requirements for scholarly writing will also be discussed and the process of undertaking a research project will be analysed.

Individual results for subjects attempted will not be released. Instead, the final result for CSCI401 will be calculated from the total results for the project and subjects. Set out below are a sample of subjects which may be taken as part of the BCompSc(Hons):

• Topics in Software Engineering
• Perception and Planning
• Parallel Architectures and Algorithms
• Multi-Media Studies
• Advanced Topics in Database Management
• Advanced Computer Graphics
• Neural Computing
• Design and Analysis of Algorithms
• Coding for Secure Communication
• Complexity Theory
• Network Security
• Advanced Computer Security

Joint Honours with Computer Science

CSCI405 – Computer Science Joint Honours comprises one half of CSCI401 and is available to students who wish to undertake a joint honours project. This is particularly suited to students who have undertaken a double major in the BCompSc degree. A thesis topic will be determined in consultation with both academic units.