computational-science/ug-sci-computational-science

aos

18 September 2017 21 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Area of study

Students who commenced study in 2013 should refer to this area of study entry for direction on the requirments; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your area of study.

print version

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2013 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook. Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Science component of any bachelors double degrees.

Managing facultyFaculty of Science
Offered byClayton School of Information Technology
Campus(es)Clayton, Sunway
CoordinatorDr David Albrecht (Clayton School of Information Technology); Dr Kumaran Nayaranan (Sunway)

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.
  • At Sunway campus only a minor sequence is available in this area of study.

Description

A significant aspect of scientific enquiry in the 21st century is the use of computational approaches and computational thinking. No contemporary scientist should be without knowledge of the methods of computational science, their potential and their limitations. A minor in computational science provides a general introduction to computing for students whose major interest is in another science discipline. A major is appropriate for those whose main focus is another discipline, but who want to become fully qualified as computational scientists, while a double major is suitable for students who want to specialise in computer science itself.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the role of computer science and computational methods
  • demonstrate understanding of the theoretical basis of computer science
  • demonstrate knowledge of computational problem solving strategies
  • design and implement substantial pieces of software
  • demonstrate understanding of the importance of theoretical scientific underpinnings for practical work and methodology
  • demonstrate the ability to systematically analyse problems
  • develop, design and analyse algorithms
  • achieve efficient solutions to computational problems
  • communicate and coordinate proficiently - by listening, speaking, reading and writing in English - for professional practice
  • demonstrate the ability to work in both independent and collaborative ways with others that accommodate diverse abilities and perspectives
  • work as an effective team member or team leader.

Units

Level one

  • FIT1008 Introduction to computer science
  • FIT1029 Algorithmic problem solving
  • FIT1040 Programming fundamentals

Level two

Level three

Sequence requirements

Minor sequence in computational science (24 points)

Major sequence in computational science (48 points)

Double major sequence in computational science (72 points)

In addition to these requirements, students completing a major sequence in computational science are required to have completed at least 12 points of approved mathematics units.

* Note that this unit has a pre-requisite of MTH1030 or MTH1035.

Requirements for honours in computational science

  • 24 points of level three units, with a minimum of 18 points from the level three units listed above.

Additional information

Graduates who have completed at least the 48-point major sequence in computational science are eligible for level-one membership of the Australian Computer Society.

Level one

The sequence of FIT1029, which covers algorithmic problem solving, FIT1040, which covers basic programming skills, and FIT1008, which extends these programming skills and provides a general introduction to computer science, is highly recommended for all students, whether or not they intend to become computer scientists.

The level-one units serve both as a general introduction to computer science and as a prerequisite for further studies. Thus they may be taken either by students wishing to major in computational science or by students whose major interest is in some other branch of science.

Students who are considering completing a major sequence in computational science should also take at least 12 points of approved mathematics units.

Level two

The core level-two units aim to develop a firm foundation in the fundamental concepts of computer science, namely algorithm development and the theory of computation. In addition, the elective level-two units introduce new topics to broaden the student's view of computation and its applications.

Level three

Students intending to complete a major sequence in computational science must take FIT3139, which provides an introduction to computational science, and FIT3143 Parallel computing, a topic highly relevant to computational science, plus one 6-point computer science elective.

FIT3139 Computational science is also recommended for all students of science, whether or not they intend to become computer scientists.

Students intending to proceed to honours should complete at least the 48-point computational science major sequence to ensure they have sufficient breadth to undertake the honours coursework units offered each year.

Honours

Coordinator: Dr Alan Dorin, (Clayton School of Information Technology)

In addition to the requirements listed above, students must meet the entry requirements for the Science honours program relevant to their course of enrolment. See the entries for:

  • 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
  • 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
  • 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Full details regarding the course structure for honours in this area of study are outlined in course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science.

Relevant courses

Single degrees

  • 0050 Bachelor of Science
  • 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
  • 1120 Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Double degrees

  • 0530 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
  • 3537 Bachelor of Arts (Global) and Bachelor of Science
  • 1469 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
  • 3711 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education
  • 1633 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education
  • 3278 Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and Bachelor of Science
  • 4609 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and Bachelor of Science
  • 3282 Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering and Bachelor of Science
  • 0085 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering
  • 0086 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws

Honours degrees

  • 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
  • 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)