In our computerised society no modern scientist, engineer or business person should be without a knowledge of computers. First-year computer science is designed as a general introductory course and is suitable either for students whose major interest is in another science discipline or for those students who wish to become computer scientists - people who have an understanding of all the basic aspects of computing.
Computers are everywhere - in business, industry, education, in the home. Computer science is concerned with the science of computing, dealing with the design and use of computers in all these areas. Computer science is a broad discipline, encompassing software design and programming, the actual computer machinery, the theoretical foundations, and all the applications of computing which pervade our modern society. Knowing the internal working of the machine leads to better programming. Knowing the theory of computing allows clearer thinking. This means computer scientists are able to apply their computing knowledge and general analytic skills to a wide range of tasks.
Computer scientists have a wide choice of career options; they can become programming specialists, systems designers, consultants or project managers. They can work in software development, customer support, industrial process control, information retrieval, or with communication networks. Computer scientists produce animations for the film industry (from Star Wars to Jurassic Park or Twister), support space shuttle missions, and work on exciting projects such as unlocking the human genetic code, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
To obtain a major sequence in computer science students should take:
First-year coordinator: Associate Professor Ingrid Zukerman
The first-year subjects 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 computer science or by students whose major interest is in some other branch of science.
The first-semester subject CSC1011 covers basic programming skills and gives an introduction to computer science.The second-semester subject CSC1030 develops the understanding of algorithms, data structures, and computer systems.
Second-year coordinator: Dr Ron Pose
Second year aims to develop a firm foundation in the fundamental concepts of computer science, namely operating systems, formal methods, algorithm development and software engineering. In addition, it introduces new topics to broaden the student's view of computation and its applications.
Third-year coordinator: Dr Sid Ray
Students wishing to study a major sequence in computer science must take at least one project (CSC3010 or CSC3020) and at least five additional third-year computer science subjects which should include CSC3050 and CSC3080 and may not include another project. Students may choose to take their remaining twenty-four points in another discipline, or to take a full third year in computer science. If students choose to take additional third-year subjects in computer science, a second or third project may be taken.
Honours coordinator: Dr Kim Marriott
Prerequisites
An average of a credit or better result in CSC3010 or CSC3020 and at least five other third-year computer science subjects. Entry to the honours year may be subject to quota restrictions.
The program
The honours program is undertaken as an additional year by students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science. An honours degree in computer science opens many career opportunities. Students with honours are particularly sought after by employers, and can choose from more interesting research and development positions because of their extra skills and proven abilities. An honours degree also leads on to postgraduate study which is necessary for an academic career or a career in industrial research.
Each honours student undertakes a substantial individual project which may be selected from a list suggested by the department or of the student's own devising, subject to approval. The project includes writing a thesis and an oral presentation and carries 42 per cent of the total year's work. The remaining 58 per cent of the year's work is coursework. Honours students are required to take seven units out of those offered each year. Assessment is typically by practical work, written work and/or examination. Subject to approval by the coordinator, the student may replace one of these units with other subjects such as mathematics, electrical engineering, accounting or third-year computer science.
The Department of Computer Science organises a regular series of seminars, often including interstate and overseas visiting computer scientists. All honours students should attend these seminars. Attendance at all seminars is a requirement for passing the honours course.
Units taught in the honours year vary from year to year depending on the research interests of the staff. The following is a list of units taught in previous years.
Units taught in 1996
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