Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Course

The course is designed for students who wish to study computing in depth. It focuses on software development, computer architecture, and the underlying theory of computation. These areas are combined with the study of computational approaches in science and engineering and with information processing applications in commerce and industry.

In addition to the core studies undertaken by every student the course provides the opportunity to specialise in a field of choice, either within computer science itself or in another discipline. Specialisations are loited in the 'Areas of Study' below or refer to a comprehensive list of specialisations in specific fields of other sciences at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bcs.

Eligible* 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.

* Refer to 'Industry Based Learning Program' information below.

Graduates from the course will have an understanding of:

• the breadth of computer science and its applications
• the underpinning of information technology by computer science
• the role of computational methods in modern society and 21st century science
• limitations of computational and algorithmic solutions.

Graduates will have knowledge of:

• computational problem solving strategies and methods
• software design and programming
• the theoretical basis of computer science
• hardware and software architectures from hardware to high-level languages
• the software development process
• important application areas such as artificial intelligence, scientific computation, computer graphics, human-computer interaction, and decision support
• ethical, professional, cultural, and legal issues in the discipline of computing.

Graduates will have the ability to:

• systematically analyse problems and develop efficient computational solutions
• specify, design, and analyse algorithms
• design and implement substantial pieces of software
• evaluate complex computing systems
• participate in large-scale IT projects
• communicate effectively.

Graduates will have attitudes that enable them to:

• respect the social, ethical, and intellectual responsibilities of their work
• behave in an ethical and professional manner
• act reliably and efficiently as team leaders and team members
• recognise the importance of theoretical underpinnings for practical work
• adapt readily to changing technologies
• participate professionally in industrial research and development.

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 citizens and Australian permanent resident visa holders. There are a limited number of places available.

Selection takes place after the completion of first year and is based on academic performance and an interview conducted by industry partners of the program. IBL students are required to be available during the normal vacation period in summer and winter for special units and IBL placements. For further information on IBL, including application deadlines, how to apply and selection criteria visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/ibl.

This course is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as meeting the standard of knowledge for professional-level membership.

The course consists of 14 compulsory (core) units in computer science and mathematics, two restricted electives chosen from an approved list of computer science topics, and eight free elective units. Free electives should normally be taken as a major (eight units) or minor (four units) sequence in a specific field of study (listed below). It is possible to select electives to complete two minor sequences. A capstone project taken during the third year concludes the studies.

Please refer to http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/bcs for example course maps and electives.

Students complete:

(a.) six information technology core units (36 points):

• FIT1002 Computer programming
• FIT1004 Data management
• FIT1031 Computers and networks
• FIT2001 Systems development
• FIT2002 Project management
• FIT2003 IT professional practice

(b.) six computer science core units (36 points):

• FIT1008 Introduction to computer science
• FIT1029 Algorithmic problem solving
• FIT2004 Algorithms and data structures
• FIT2014 Theory of computation
• FIT3036 Computer science project (6 points) or FIT3144 Computer science project (12 points)
• FIT3140 Advanced programming

Note that the 12 point project can only be taken in combination with one of the minors or majors listed in the areas of study.

(c.) two mathematics units (12 points):

• MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science
• MAT2003 Continuous mathematics for computer science

(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.) eight electives (36 points). These can be taken:

• as a major or minor (with additional electives) according to the requirements listed in the areas of study below, or in a science area of study eg. biology, physics, chemistry, and biotechnology (refer to science areas of study at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/sci.html).
• as units chosen from any faculty of the University.

(f.) students selected to participate in the IBL placement program will replace the following:

• FIT3036 Computer science project and two approved computer science electives

with

• FIT3045 Industry-based learning (18 points)

IBL students must complete FIT2002 Project management over or overload in one semester by one unit.

Notes

(1.) Approved variations to the BCompSc course structure are as follows:

• students requiring other mathematics for a non-computer science elective stream (for example, an engineering stream) may replace MAT1830/MAT2003, with approval.

(2.) The BCompSc degree is subject to the requirement that:

• a maximum of 60 points is obtained at level one
• a minimum of 36 points is obtained at level three. This requirement is reduced to 24 points at level three if two named minors are taken.

(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.

Areas of Study

• computer science
• computational science
• mathematics (Computer science)
• systems development
• decision support

Bachelor of Computer Science