Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2004: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2004
Information Technology

Bachelor of Computer Science

Course code: 2380 + Clayton, Monash Malaysia + Course leader (Clayton): Dr Sid Ray, enquiries@csse.monash.edu.au, http://www.csse.monash.edu.au + Director of Studies (Malaysia): Dr Hiew Pang Leang, infotech@monash.edu.my, http://www.monash.edu.my/busit

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 units 3 and 4 Mathematical Methods 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 inquiries@infotech.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.

Core units and computer science electives

Honours program in computer science

Course code: 1608 + Coordinator (Clayton): Dr Bernd Meyer, enquiries@csse.monash.edu.au, http://www.csse.monash.edu.au

An honours degree in computer science opens a range of 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 eligible for the honours year, students should have fulfilled the requirements for the Bachelor of Computer Science (years one to three) with at least a distinction average in their third-year core units (including either CSE3301 or 3302) and at least 12 other points of studies in relevant computer science units at level three or above. External applicants should have fulfilled the equivalent of these requirements. Entry to the honours year may be subject to quota restrictions.

Course length

The honours degree is normally undertaken as one year of full-time studies. Approval is required from the course coordinator for part-time studies.

Course structure

The honours degree consists of a total of 48 points, with an individual 24-point honours research project, CSE4650 and 24 points of advanced computer science coursework electives, detailed below
.

Students choose four six-point units from the following list:

Instead of choosing four CSE460X units from the list above, students may complete three CSE460X units and a six-point elective chosen from either a third or fourth-year unit, or from another school within the Faculty of IT or Monash University with approval from the honours coordinator.

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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