Course code: 0188
Introduction
The course aims to offer students wishing to pursue a computing career the opportunity to combine with their computing studies additional material appropriate to their chosen career.
Computer science can be studied as a discipline in its own right or in combination with a wide variety of other subjects, some from other departments and other faculties.
The Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science) is an alternative and not a replacement for the BSc. Students taking the BSc or other degrees may take computer science subjects.
The course leads to level 1 professional accreditation by the Australian Computer Society.
Entrance requirements
The prerequisite is a grade of D or above in VCE Mathematical Methods 3 and 4. VCE Specialist Mathematics is strongly recommended. Students must also have VCE prerequisites appropriate for any first-year subject which they take.
Course structure
For course map details, please refer to Map 6 in the `Undergraduate course maps' section.
The pass degree, Bachelor of Computing, with a major in computer science, consists of the sequence CSC1011 or CSC1021, CSC1030, CSC2040, CSC2050 and any two of CSC2010, CSC2020 and CSC2030, at least one project (CSC3010 Project or CSC3020 Software engineering project) and at least five other third-year computer science subjects, together with subjects from other departments or faculties, taken over three years. The honours degree involves in addition CSC4000.
Computer science subjects occupy one-quarter of the first-year load, at least one-third of the second-year load, and at least one-half of the third-year load. In addition, the course requires approved mathematics subjects to a value of at least one-quarter of first year or, with prior permission of the head of department, some other introductory mathematical course such as economic statistics.
Candidates for the BComp are free to take subjects from the Faculty of Science and from other faculties as allowed by the regulations. For example, computer science with mathematics or computer science with accounting is popular.
The course for the pass degree consists of subjects to a total value of 144 points, with a major in computer science and at least one minor in one other discipline. Usually, students take forty-eight points of first-year subjects, forty-eight points of second-year subjects and forty-eight points of third-year subjects. This allows students to take a full third year in computer science, or half in computer science and half in another discipline.
In general, at most sixty points of first-year subjects may be counted towards the degree. At least thirty-six points of second-year subjects must be completed, and at least thirty-six points of third-year subjects must be completed. A major is a sequence of related studies comprising a minimum of twelve points from first-year, sixteen from second year and twenty-four from third year, for example first, second and third-year computer science. A minor is a sequence of related studies comprising a minimum of twelve points from first-year and sixteen points from second year. Alternatively, a minor may be sixteen points from second year and twelve from third year.
The course for the honours degree consists of the course for the pass degree, together with the subject CSC4000.
Students who intend to major in computer science should note the recommended sequence of computer science subjects as outlined below.
First year
Either CSC1011 or CSC1021 and CSC1030 (Computer science) (for a total of twelve points).
Second year
CSC2040 (Science of programming), CSC2050 (Software engineering 1) and any two of CSC2010 (Computer architecture), CSC2020 (Operating systems) and CSC2030 (Foundations of computing) (for a total of sixteen points). It is strongly recommended that all three of CSC2010, CSC2020 and CSC2030 be taken.
Third year
At least one project (CSC3010 Project or CSC3020 Software engineering project) and at least five additional third-year computer science subjects for a minimum of twenty-four points. Some students complete the other half of their third year with additional computer science third-year subjects, giving them a full third year in computer science. Other students complete the other half of their third year with a different discipline, giving them two majors, one in computer science and one in the other discipline.
A student is not permitted to count more than twenty points of computer science third-year subjects towards any degree unless points from the project are included.
Fourth year
Students achieving a credit or better in third-year computer science can choose to take a fourth year in computer science. This is called the honours degree and is suitable for outstanding students who want to gain a deeper understanding of computer science. It is essential for those who may be interested in pursuing research.
Typical first year
CSC1011 and CSC1030 (Computer science), twelve points of approved first-year mathematics and twenty-four points of other first-year subjects.
Typical second year
CSC2040, CSC2050 and any two of CSC2010, CSC2020 and CSC2030, and thirty-two points of other second-year subjects. It is strongly recommended that all three of CSC2010, CSC2020 and CSC2030 be taken and that students complete by the end of second-year at least one of MAT1130 (Graphs, logic and numbers) and MAP2032 (Discrete mathematics II).
Typical third year
CSC3010 or CSC3020 and at least twenty points of third-year computer science subjects, and at most twenty-four points of other third-year subjects.
Double major in computing
Popular joint majors for third-year computer science students have been accounting, mathematics and languages. Digital systems, business and economics, psychology, biology, information systems, philosophy and many others are also sensible combinations. Students contemplating undertaking a computing double major should be aware that special arrangements may be required and should seek an appointment with the faculty registrar to discuss course options.
Accreditation
Students completing at least twenty-four points of third-year computer science subjects are eligible for level 1 membership of the Australian Computer Society.
Quota
There is a quota for first-year computer science subjects.
Subjects
First year
First year coordinator: Dr Damian Conway
The first-year subjects serve both as a general introduction to computer science and as a prerequisite for further studies. Thus they may be taken either by students wishing to major in computer science or by students whose major interest is in some other branch of science, arts, economics, etc. They are also ideal for students who wish to combine computing with another discipline and graduate with a major in both disciplines.
The first-semester subject CSC1011 covers basic programming skills and gives an introduction to computer science. The alternative first-semester subject CSC1021 covers basic programming skills and elementary digital logic. This subject is recommended for students and others who are particularly interested in computer hardware design, but the majority of students are advised to take CSC1011.
The second-semester subject CSC1030 develops the understanding of algorithms, data structures and computer systems. CSC1030 together with twelve points of approved mathematics (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for further studies in computer science.
Approved mathematical sequences are:
* MAT1010 (Mathematics I) and MAT1020 (Mathematics II) for students with a background knowledge of VCE Specialist Mathematics. (For students with a background knowledge of only VCE Mathematical Methods, a credit grade or higher in MAT1050 (Mathematical Methods) is an acceptable alternative to MAT1010.)
or
* Any two of MAT1130 (Graphs, logic and numbers), MAT1060 (Statistical methods), MAT1240 (Mathematics of chaos and fractals)
or
* MAT1910 (Engineering mathematics I) and MAT1920 (Engineering mathematics II) for students enrolled in degrees offered by the Faculty of Engineering
or
* ECM1020 and ECM1031/ECM1032 (Business and economic statistics) for students enrolled in degrees offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics.
Students intending to major in computer science are strongly advised to take the mathematics subject MAT1130 (Graphs, logic and numbers) or MAP2032 (Discrete mathematics II) prior to proceeding to third-year computer science. Students who do not develop a solid background in mathematics may be at a disadvantage in later years of the computer science course.
Students intending to take second-year mathematics are advised to consult with the Department of Mathematics on choice of first year mathematics subjects.
Second year
Second year coordinator: Dr Ann Nicholson
Second year aims to develop a firm foundation in the fundamental concepts of computer science, namely operating systems and computer architecture, foundations of computing, algorithm development and software engineering. In addition, it introduces new topics to broaden the student's view of computation and its applications.
The prerequisites for entry to second-year computer science are passes in CSC1030 and twelve points of approved mathematics (or equivalent).
The department strongly advises that students take the mathematics subject MAT1130 (or MAP2032) prior to proceeding to third-year computer science. Students who do not develop a solid background in mathematics may be at a disadvantage in later years of the computer science course.
The core subjects CSC2040 (Science of programming), CSC2050 (Software engineering 1) and any two of CSC2010 (Computer architecture), CSC2020 (Operating systems) and CSC2030 (Foundations of computing) must be passed before a student can proceed to third-year computer science. It is strongly recommended that all three of CSC2010, CSC2020 and CSC2030 be taken.
Optional second-year subjects available include CSC2061 (Digital logic) and CSC2070 (Numerical computing).
Third year
Third year coordinator: Dr Sid Ray
No third-year subject may be taken until the second year core material has been completed successfully (CSC2040, CSC2050 and any two of CSC2010, CSC2020 and CSC2030).
Students wishing to major in computer science must take at least one project (CSC3010 or CSC3020) and at least five additional third-year computer science subjects.
The project is a corequisite for all third-year subjects but, with prior permission of the head of department, individual third-year subjects may be taken.
A student is not permitted to count more than twenty points of computer science third-year subjects towards any degree unless points from the project are included.
Honours program in computer science
Coordinator: Dr Kim Marriott
Prerequisites: An average of a credit or better result in CSC3010 or CSC3020 and at least five other third-year computer science subjects. Entry to the honours year may be subject to quota restrictions.
Each honours student undertakes a substantial individual project which may be selected from a list suggested by the department or of the student's own devising, subject to approval. The project includes writing a thesis and an oral presentation and carries 40 per cent of the total weight of the year's work. The remaining 60 per cent of the year's work is coursework. Honours students are required to take eight units out of those offered each year. Each unit consists of eighteen lectures. Assessment is typically by practical work, written work and/or examination. Subject to approval by the coordinator, the student may substitute up to two of these units for other subjects such as mathematics, electrical engineering, accounting or third-year computer science.
The Department of Computer Science organises a regular series of seminars, often including interstate and overseas visiting computer scientists. All honours students should attend these seminars. Attendance at all seminars is a prerequisite for passing the honours course.
Units taught in fourth year vary from year to year depending on the research interests of the staff. The following is a list of units taught in previous years: 1994 - causal reasoning, data and image compression, geometric modelling, graphical user interface systems; information theory, logic programming, parallel programming, neural networks, functional programming, telecommunications, object-oriented methodologies and mechanisms. Prior to 1994 - Bayesian learning, topics in operating systems, pattern recognition, object-oriented methodologies and mechanisms, computer security, topics in artificial intelligence, topics in image processing, communications, advanced database, denotational semantics, modern programming paradigms, graphics modelling, distributed computing.
Honours program in computer science/accounting
The honours program is available to students with an average of a credit or better in CSC3010 or CSC3020 and five other third-year computer science subjects and a credit or better in any three of AAF2140, AAF3160, AAF3120 and AAF3150.
This is a full-time BComp honours-year course which combines studies in computer science and accounting. It is designed so that students successfully completing it will satisfy the formal educational requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants as well as those of the Australian Computer Society. The fourth-year program consists of four computer science units together with AAF3130 (or AAF3140) and AAF3110.
Students taking this program will be required to complete a major project involving at least 200 hours work (equivalent to half of a normal fourth-year computer science project). The project will be defined jointly by the departments of Accounting and Finance and Computer Science.
The foregoing syllabus amounts to about three-quarters of a year's work. Students, for the additional quarter year, may choose either further work on the project, or up to two further CSC4000 units or up to one-quarter of a year of equivalent material to be approved by the Department of Accounting and Finance, or a combination of both.