Postgraduate handbook 2005 - Information Technology

Graduate Diploma in Computer Science

Course code: 0362 + 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time + On-campus (Clayton)
Coordinator: Dr Peter Tischer

Course description

The course has been developed in response to a steady stream of requests from potential students currently in industry for a diploma-level course in computer science to broaden and develop computing skills and knowledge for specific vocational and occupational outcomes. Graduates are eligible for level 1 membership of the Australian Computer Society.
This course is open to applicants with a first degree in any field other than computing, computer science, information science or equivalent. Intending students should note that the entry requirements require some prior knowledge in computer programming using C or C++ and assume applicants will have knowledge of mathematics equivalent to at least two first-year units. Applicants without mathematics or a knowledge of C or C++ may be required to undertake foundation studies, the points of which will not be counted towards the award.
Students completing the Graduate Diploma in Computer Science are eligible to apply to upgrade their knowledge and qualifications to honours (or Master of Computing preliminary) level.

Entry requirements

(a) A degree that is recognised as equivalent to an Australian bachelors degree.
(b) A knowledge of computer programming at the introductory level.
(c) 12 points of first-year mathematics or equivalent.
Applicants who do not have an appropriate degree or diploma will be considered only if their training and experience are judged to be of high quality and to provide a suitable alternative to the normal entry requirement. These applicants may be required to undertake foundation units to attain the necessary standards. In all cases of special entry, employer support and endorsement will be highly valued. The number of places available to applicants in this category is limited to 25%.

Course structure

The course consists of 48 points of second and third-year computer science units.
Part-time students are recommended to take 24 points of second-year units during the first year of study and 24 points of third-year units (which includes the third-year project) during the second year of study and must include:

• CSE2303 Formal methods I (6 points)
• CSE2304 Algorithms and data structures (6 points)
• CSE2305 Object-oriented software engineering (6 points)
• CSE3301 Project or CSC3302 Software engineering project
• Besides the above, students choose four other units - at least three units must be at third-year level from the Bachelor of Computer Science approved elective list 3.

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