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Monash University:
University handbooks: Undergraduate handbook:
Units indexed by faculty Bachelor of Software EngineeringCourse code: 2770 + Course abbreviation: BSE + Total credit points required: 192 + 4 years full-time (part-time only by special permission) Study mode and course locationOn-campus (Clayton) Course descriptionThe course, offered by the Clayton School of Information Technology, aims to prepare students for careers in software engineering, software project management, and software development and integration. Software engineering comprises the core principles consistent in software construction and maintenance: fundamental software processes and life-cycles, mathematical foundations of software engineering, requirements analysis, software engineering methodologies and standard notations, principles of software architecture and re-use, software quality frameworks and validation, software development, and maintenance environments and tools. Current industry-strength programming languages, technologies and systems feature highly in the practical components, electives and projects of the course, but they are also taught with a view to understanding and applying principles underlying their more ephemeral character. Experts estimate that half of all current technologies become obsolete in approximately three years. Course objectivesOn completion of a Bachelor of Software Engineering, graduates will have acquired a basic knowledge and understanding of: analysis, synthesis and design of complex systems; ethical standards and legal responsibilities; principles of management of physical, human and financial resources; mathematical foundations of software engineering and applying mathematics to software problems; and team and team management skills in moderate or large scale teams. Graduates will also have acquired discipline-specific knowledge and understanding of: software engineering process and life-cycle; software systems interfaces and design; software architecture and reuse; software development methodologies and notations; programming languages and operating systems; quality frameworks, validation and reliability as it applies to software systems; software and other applicable engineering standards including documentation; development and maintenance environments for large scale software systems; and software system measurements including evaluating system performance. Students will develop professional general skills which enable them to: write and speak competently; listen critically to the needs of clients; relate to others, especially in working teams; reason and argue convincingly; critically evaluate assumptions and arguments; identify and solve problems efficiently; think creatively about approaches to problems; perform independent research and analysis; use time and resources efficiently and effectively; and continue to learn effectively throughout their careers; and cope with the rapid changes in the discipline and related disciplines. Students will develop professional discipline skills which enable them to: translate user requirements into a system specification; use existing techniques effectively and be able to develop new techniques; design, engineer and maintain software systems; formulate models of information systems; and evaluate the usability and performance of computer systems (in particular software systems in terms of economics, safety and impact on the environment). Course structureThe course commences with the establishment of a sound foundation in introductory information technology and mathematics. All information technology units have approximately one-third laboratory-based programs. In the later years, the introduction of major software engineering projects builds the students' self-reliance and planning capabilities in both individual and team-based environments. Project management units strengthen the formal basis of management skills. Elective units are provided to allow specialisation in some aspect of the field of study, with free electives to permit broadening of intellectual and personal horizons. Areas of studyThe course structure balances four major strands: 1. Synthesis: software systems construction and design, including methodologies and notations 2. Analysis: software artifact analysis including mathematical foundations, evaluation and measurement 3. Processes: software and team management including software lifecycle and software projects 4. Systems: understanding, abstracting, re-using and maintaining systems and components, including exposure to the architecture and principles of large systems such as operating systems and distributed systems. This four-year course is based upon the four-year engineering degree structure, from which it is derived. In particular, the honours program is integral with the four years of study, rather than a separate degree, and is undertaken in the fourth year, with enrolment in the honours program predicated upon students reaching a credit level of performance in the first three year levels.* *This standard of performance is determined from a weighted average of results over the first three levels, with first level having a weight of one, second level a weight of two, and third level a weight of three. An honours grade is calculated with a scaled weighted average of results from levels 3 and 4. Course requirementsThe requirements for this degree changed in 2006; students who commenced the BSE prior to 2006 should refer to the handbook entry for the year in which they commenced their studies. To fulfil the degree regulations, students are required to complete the following core units, together with electives, to a total value of 192 points. All units are 6 points, unless otherwise specified. In addition, students are required to fulfil a 12-week industry placement requirement. Students will be advised to complete this requirement during their summer break between year 3 and year 4 of their course. This approach is in line with what is followed by the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University to ensure compliance with Engineers Australia requirements for accreditation of Professional Engineering courses. The requirements of the degree are as follows: First year (48 points)a) two core units from the Faculty of Information Technology: (b) one unit from the Faculty of Engineering:
(c) two BSE core units: (d) two mathematics units: (e) one approved elective (6 points) chosen from a schedule published by the Faculty of Information Technology at www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bse/electives and approved electives from the Faculty of Engineering. Approved course variations of the BSE level 1 course structure1. Students intending to complete a minor or major sequence in mathematics within the Faculty of Science should substitute another mathematics unit for MAT1841, with approval. 2. Students requiring other mathematics for an engineering sequence may replace MAT1830/1841 with approval. 3. Students who completed Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Specialist Mathematics in Year 12 may take a more advanced mathematics unit sequence, with approval. Second year (48 points)
Third year (48 points)
Fourth year (48 points)Like other engineering degrees, the Bachelor of Software Engineering is graded – pass, H3, H2B, H2A, H1. A candidate is awarded a degree with honours for meritorious performance. No additional time is required. The grade is determined by a weighted average of core units undertaken for levels 3 and 4. Option 1 is available to students who will not be undertaking the honours/research version of the degree. Options 2 and 3 provide two research variations. Option 1
Option 2Students who perform well in level 3 are invited to take the research project FIT4003, replacing the year 4 free electives. This unit will add to the weighted average to determine research.
Option 3Students who perform well in level 3 are invited to take the research project FIT4013, instead of FIT4002 and FIT4003. This unit will add to the weighted average to determine the final mark.
Professional recognitionThe Bachelor of Software Engineering program is accredited for the purpose of admission to membership of Engineers Australia as part of the Monash Bachelor of Engineering courses accredited by Engineers Australia (IE Aust). Graduates of this course are also eligible for professional-level membership of the Australian Computer Society. Contact detailsEmail enquiries@csse.monash.edu.au or visit www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bse Course leaderDr Sita Ramakrishnan Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents |