Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2003: Units indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Computer Science


General information

Course code: 2380 + Clayton, Monash Malaysia + Course leader (Clayton): Dr Sid Ray + Director of Studies (Malaysia): Dr Hiew Pang Leang

The Bachelor of Computer Science degree is designed for students who want to study computing in depth, focusing on the software, the hardware and the underlying theory of computing and its applications to scientific and technical problem solving, and to information processing in commerce and industry.

Computer science can be studied as a discipline in its own right or in combination with a wide variety of other units, some from other schools and other faculties. The course offers students the opportunity to combine their computing studies with additional material appropriate to their chosen career.
Graduates completing the Bachelor of Computer Science are eligible for professional-level membership of the Australian Computer Society.
Students enrolled in a variety of degrees (eg BA, BSc and BEc) may be able to take a major, minor or individual units in computer science. It has been common to combine computer science and accounting in the BSc degree and in the Bachelor of Computer Science degree. The Bachelor of Computer Science is an alternative to and not a replacement for the BSc.

Entry requirements

The prerequisite is a grade study score of 20 or above in VCE Mathematical Methods units 3 and 4 and in English (any). (VCE Specialist Mathematics is recommended.) Students must also have VCE prerequisites appropriate for any first-year unit they wish to take.

The course prerequisites for Malaysia are English and mathematics Year 12 equivalent. For details on entry requirements, please inquire on campus or email info@monash.edu.my

Course structure

For course map details, refer to map 4 in the `Undergraduate course maps' section.

The course for the pass degree Bachelor of Computer Science can be completed in three years of full-time study. It includes both compulsory and optional units selected from the range of computer science units, plus units chosen from those offered by other schools or faculties.
The course for the pass degree consists of units to a total value of 144 points, with a major in computer science (96 points) and corequisite studies in mathematics (12 points). The remaining 36 points may be taken in computer science or another discipline (computing or non-computing) and may be selected from any first, second or third-year units for which the student has the appropriate prerequisites.
In the pass degree, computer science units must total at least 96 points. They occupy at least one-quarter (12 points) of the first-year load, at least three-quarters (36 points) of the second-year load, and at least three- quarters (36 points) of the third-year load. The remaining 12 points may be selected from first, second or third-year computer science electives. In addition, the course requires approved mathematics units to a value of at least one-quarter (12 points) of first year.
In general, a maximum of 60 points of first-year units may be counted towards the degree. Students must complete at least 36 points of second- year units, and at least 36 points of third-year units.
The Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 of Malaysia requires students in Malaysia to take three units: Malaysian studies, a national language (there is one unit for Malaysian citizens and another for citizens of other countries), and either Islamic studies (Muslim students) or moral studies (other students). For further details, inquire on campus.

First year
Second year
Third year

At least two of:

Some students complete the remainder of their third year with additional computer science third-year electives, giving them a full third year in computer science. Other students complete the remainder of their third year with units from another discipline.

Units

First year

First-year coordinator (Clayton): To be advised

The first-year units serve both as a general introduction to computer science and as a prerequisite for further studies. 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, or another discipline area. They are also ideal for students who wish to combine computing with another discipline.

The first-semester unit CSE1301 covers basic programming skills and gives an introduction to computer science. The second-semester unit CSE1303 develops the students' understanding of algorithms, data structures and computer systems.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Computer Science are required to take 12 points of first-year mathematics or the equivalent. Examples of approved mathematical sequences are:

or

or

or

Students who do not develop a solid background in mathematics may be at a disadvantage in later years of the course. Students intending to take second-year mathematics are advised to consult with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics on their choice of first-year mathematics units.

Second year

Second-year coordinator (Clayton): To be advised

The second-year core units aim to develop a firm foundation in the fundamental concepts of computer science, namely operating systems; formal methods; algorithms and data structures and software engineering. In addition, at least 12 points of second-year computer science electives broaden the student's view of computation and its applications.

Third year

Third-year coordinator (Clayton): To be advised

Students in computer science must take the core third-year unit of CSE3308, plus at least two of the core units of CSE3305, CSE3322 and CSE3323, plus one of the projects of CSE3301 (Project) or CSE3302 (Software engineering project) and at least 12 points of additional third- year computer science units.

Honours program in computer science

Coordinator (Clayton): Dr Bernd Meyer + Course code: 1608

Selected students achieving a credit or better in third-year computer science can choose to take an honours year in computer science. This honours degree is suitable for good students who want to gain a deeper understanding of computer science.

An honours degree in computer science leads to many career opportunities. Students with honours are particularly sought after by employers, and can choose from more interesting research and development positions because of their extra skills and proven abilities. An honours degree also leads to postgraduate study, which is necessary for an academic career or a career in industrial research.
To be admitted to the honours year, students require an average of a credit or better result in CSE3301 (Project) or CSE3302 (Software engineering project) and at least three other third-year computer science units. Entry to the honours year may be subject to quota restrictions.
The honours program is arranged as a single unit CSE4300 (Computer science) of 48 points comprising:

The research project is designed for a problem in an area associated with a research program being carried out by some staff member.

The coursework units are to be selected from the honours units and designated postgraduate units offered by the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering. One of these units can be substituted by approved third-year CSE electives, or honours or postgraduate units from other disciplines with approval from the coordinator.
Each year, 12 to 14 units are offered, depending on the research interests of the staff. The following is a list of units taught in recent years: communications and research skills (compulsory), modelling, animating and rendering: advanced topics in graphics, parallel systems, advanced object-oriented idioms in C + +, formal methods in software engineering, advanced programming language paradigms, persistence, optimisation and constraints, advanced network design, digital communication technologies, advanced internet protocols and applications, public telecommunications networks, network design and management, natural language processing, reasoning under uncertainty, machine learning, causal reasoning, neural network fundamentals, learning and prediction, information theory, pattern recognition and image processing, advanced digital design, video coding and compression, cryptography and information security.

Core units and computer science electives

Bachelor of Computer Science, 1998 course structure

Course code: 1606

A major amendment to the Bachelor of Computer Science course was approved in 1998. The 1998 course structure appears below.

The course for the pass degree, Bachelor of Computer Science, can be completed in three years of full-time study. It includes both compulsory and optional units selected from the range of computer science units, plus units chosen from those offered by other schools or faculties.
The course for the pass degree consists of units to a total value of 144 points, with a major in computer science (72 points) and corequisite studies in mathematics (12 points).
In the pass degree, computer science units must total at least 72 points. They occupy at least one-quarter (12 points) of the first-year load, at least one-half (24 points) of the second-year load, and at least one-half (24 points) of the third-year load. The remaining 12 points may be selected from first, second or third-year computer science electives. In addition, the course requires approved mathematics units to a value of at least one- quarter (12 points) of first year.
In general, a maximum of 60 points of first-year units may be counted towards the degree. Students must complete at least 36 points of second- year units, and at least 36 points of third-year units.

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