2380 - Bachelor of Computer Science
This course entry should be read in conjunction with information provided in the Faculty information section of this Handbook by the managing faculty for this course
| Abbreviated title | BCompSc |
|---|---|
| CRICOS Code | 030782E |
| Managing faculty | Information Technology |
| Study location and mode | On-campus (Clayton, Sunway) |
| Total credit points required | 144 |
| Duration (years) | 3 years FT, 6 years PT |
| Contact details | Clayton: Refer to http://ask.monash.edu.au/ or visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bcs; Sunway: Visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.my |
| Course coordinator | Associate Professor Bernd Meyer (Clayton), Mr Loke Kar Seng (Sunway) |
Description
The course is designed for students who wish to study computing in depth, focusing on the software, hardware and 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.
High-achieving Australian resident students at Clayton campus will be given the option of participating in the Industry-based learning (IBL) placement program, focusing on the applications of computer science in industry, and providing students with an understanding of computer science roles in business.
Objectives
Graduates from the course will have knowledge of:
- different programming language paradigms
- the breadth of computer science applications
- the software design and development process
- problem solving and algorithm design strategies
- the theoretical basis of computer science
- cultural, legal and ethical issues in the discipline of computing.
Graduates will have an understanding of:
- limitations of algorithmic solutions
- the underpinning of information technology by computer science
- levels of abstraction from hardware to high-level languages
- computer system design; programming and debugging methods
- user-interface design
- and several important application areas such as databases, artificial intelligence and graphics.
Graduates will have the ability to:
- design well-structured programs
- implement substantial pieces of software
- write technical documentation
- develop efficient algorithmic solutions
- analyse the complexity of algorithms
- participate in large-scale programming projects
- communicate effectively
- evaluate computing systems.
Graduates will have attitudes which enable them to:
- behave in an ethical and professional manner
- work in group projects
- recognise the importance of theoretical underpinnings for practice
- develop safe and reliable software
- adapt readily to changing technologies
- and participate professionally in industrial research and development.
Structure
NOTE: The requirements for this degree changed in 2006; students who commenced the BCompSc prior to 2006 should refer to the handbook entry for the year in which they commenced their studies.
The course includes compulsory (core) and optional (elective) units selected from the range of Faculty of Information Technology units, plus units chosen from those offered by other schools and departments.
Areas of study
Industry-based learning (IBL) placement program (Clayton only)
Applicants who qualify for the industry-based learning placement program are awarded a scholarship (currently valued at $15,000) and will undertake a 22-week industry placement with a participating company as directed by the University. The student's work during the placement will be structured and assessed as part of the degree.
The IBL placement program is available to Australian residents who commenced their studies after 2006. There are a limited number of places available. Selection takes place after the completion of first year and is based on an interview (conducted by industry partners) and academic performance. IBL students are required to be available during the normal vacation period in summer and winter for special units and industry-based learning placements. For further information on IBL, including application deadlines, how to apply and selection criteria, please visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/ibl.
Requirements
All units are six points, unless otherwise specified.
(a.) seven core units:
- FIT1001 Computer systems
- FIT1002 Computer programming
- FIT1003 IT in organisations
- FIT2001 Systems analysis and design
- FIT2008 Networks and data communications
- FIT2010 Database
- FIT3086 Project management
(b.) seven FIT units that are core to the BCompSc:
- FIT1008 Computer science
- FIT2004 Algorithms and data structures
- FIT2014 Theory of computation
- FIT2022 Computer systems 2
- FIT3014 Analysis and design of algorithms
- FIT3036 Computer science project, or FIT3038 Software engineering project
- FIT3077 Software engineering: architecture and design
(c.) two mathematics units from the Faculty of Science that are core to the BCompSc:
(d.) two computer science-specified electives (12 points) chosen from a schedule published by the Faculty of Information Technology at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bcs
(e.) six electives (36 points) chosen from any faculty of the University
(f.) students selected to participate in the IBL placement program will replace the following:
with:
- FIT3127 Industry-based learning (18 points) and FIT2043 Technical documentation for software engineers (6 points).
Notes
(1.) Approved variations to the BCompSc course structure are as follows:
(a.) 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
(b.) students requiring other mathematics for a non-computer science elective stream (for example, an engineering stream) may replace MAT1830/MAT1841, with approval
(c.) students transferring from other faculty programs and students entering with credit for prior studies may be permitted the following course variation:
- FIT1004 (Database) may be substituted for FIT2010 (Database)
- FIT1005 (Networks and data communications) may be substituted for FIT2008 (Networks and data communications)
(d.) FIT2002 (Project management) may be substituted for FIT3086 (Project management) if taken in second year. One approved computer science elective must be at third-year level
(e.) students selected to participate in the IBL placement program will replace the following:
with
- FIT3127 Industry-based learning (18 points), and FIT2043 Technical documentation for software engineers (6 points).
(2.) The BCompSc degree is subject to the requirement that:
- a maximum of 60 points is obtained at level 1
- a minimum of 36 points is obtained at level 3.
(3.) Computer science electives are non-core units identified as supporting the specific objectives of the course. A list of approved computer science electives can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bcs.
First year
The first-year units serve as a general introduction to computer science and as prerequisites for further studies. Students must complete the FIT core units FIT1001 and FIT1003 as well as Bachelor of Computer Science core units FIT1002, FIT1008 and MAT1841 and MAT1830.
Two elective units which may form the basis of a sequence either in the computer science area or in another discipline from IT or any other faculty must also be undertaken.
Second year
The second-year core units aim to develop a firm foundation in the fundamental concepts of computer science. These include FIT2004, FIT2022 and FIT2014. Three faculty core units must also be undertaken: FIT2001, FIT2010 and FIT2008, as well as two elective units.
Third year
Students in computer science must take the core third-year unit FIT3086, plus FIT3077, FIT3014 and one of the projects FIT3036 or FIT3038, and 12 points of additional third-year computer science-approved elective units, as well as two elective units.
Students in the IBL placement program will replace FIT3036 or FIT3038 and two approved computer science electives with FIT3127. These students are also required to complete FIT2043 as a core unit (replacing one free elective).
Please refer to http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bcs for specified computer science electives.
Professional recognition
Award(s) received on completion *
* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.