Course code: BO/BOOS
Course coordinator: Mr Tim Roberts
Introduction
This course is designed to produce graduates who satisfy the computing needs of industry, government and commerce. Upon completion of the course, graduates should be well suited to employment in the fields of computer programming, systems analysis and design, and related areas.
The course leads to professional accreditation by the Australian Computer Society.
Entrance requirements
The prerequisites are VCE English and a grade average of D or better in two units of VCE mathematics. 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 5 in the `Undergraduate course maps' section.
The course for the pass degree consists of subjects to a total value of 144 points, with a major in systems development of at least ninety points, other compulsory subjects totalling twenty-four points, and thirty points of elective subjects. 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.
In general, at most sixty points of first-year subjects may be counted towards the degree. At least forty-two points of second-year subjects must be completed, and at least thirty points from third year.
Students study a range of core subjects including programming, systems analysis and design, database management, computer organisation, operating systems and software engineering. In third-year, students undertake a computing project and a minimum of three third-year computing elective subjects from a range including data communications, systems programming, information systems, human-computer interaction, computer graphics and artificial intelligence. Students also have scope to choose electives from other areas, such as business or mathematics.
The system development major in the Bachelor of Computing consists of, at first level, the sequence GCO1811, GCO1812, GCO1813 and GCO1815. At second level, the sequence consists of GCO2811, GCO2812, GCO2813, GCO2814, GCO2815 and GCO2817. At third level, GCO3811, GCO3819 and at least another eighteen points of third-year system development subjects must be completed.
Other compulsory studies in human communications, accounting, mathematics, and scientific thought and methods must be completed. In addition, at least thirty points of unspecified elective subjects are taken, of which at least twelve points must be at second or third level.
System development subjects occupy half of the first-year load, three-quarters of the second-year load, and at least five-eighths of the third-year load. Some students complete the elective requirements by taking further third-year computing subjects. Other students complete the elective subjects in a different discipline, giving them third-year studies in system development and some other discipline area.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Computing are free to take subjects from other faculties as allowed by the regulations. For example system development with a sequence of elective subjects from mathematics, accounting or management is popular.
The Bachelor of Computing, with a major in system development, requires students to complete a total of twenty-four subjects, each of which has a credit value of six points, comprised of sixteen core subjects and eight others as outlined below. All subjects have a credit value of six points.
Core subjects
* GCO1063 Human communications
* GCO1811 Computer programming I
* GCO1812 Computer programming II
* GCO1813 Information systems I
* GCO1815 Computer technology
* GAS1614 Discrete mathematics
* GBU1001 Introductory accounting
* GAS2062 Scientific thought and methods
* GCO2811 Commercial programming
* GCO2812 Computer organisation
* GCO2813 Information systems II
* GCO2814 Operating systems
* GCO2815 Database management systems
* GCO2817 Computer programming III
* GCO3811 Software engineering
* GCO3819 Computing project
Elective subjects
Students study at least three third-year computing elective subjects from:
* GCO3812 Data communications
* GCO3813 Systems programming
* GCO3814 Human-computer interaction
* GCO3815 Artificial intelligence
* GCO3816 Information systems III
* GCO3817 Computer graphics
In addition, students take up to five other elective subjects from a list approved by the head of the Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology. At least two of these five elective subjects must be at second-year level or above.
Possible schedule
One of a number of possible schedules of subjects for a full-time student is as follows:
First year
* First semester: GCO1063, GCO1811, GCO1815, GBU1001
* Second semester: GAS1614, GCO1812, GCO1813, elective
Second year
* First semester: GCO2811, GCO2812, GCO2817
* Second semester: GCO2813, GCO2814, GCO2815
* Full year: GAS2062, elective
Third year
* First semester: Three electives
* Second semester: Three electives
* Full year: GCO3811, GCO3819
Honours program
Coordinator: Dr R J Bignall
The Bachelor of Computing (Honours) study in system development is available only in on-campus mode. Students achieving a credit or better in third-year system development subjects may undertake a fourth year in system development. The purpose of the honours year is to allow the students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of system development. The honours year requires the completion of twenty-four points of coursework and a minor thesis (twenty-four points). It prepares students for both research and professional careers.