Caulfield, Peninsula and Gippsland campuses
This course is designed to produce graduates who satisfy the computing needs of industry, government and commerce. Upon completion of the course, graduates should be well suited to employment in the fields of computer programming, systems analysis and design, database management and related areas.
The course leads to level 1 professional accreditation by the Australian Computer Society.
The prerequisite is a grade average of D or above in VCE English in units 3 and 4, and units 1 and 2 of any VCE mathematics. However, applicants wishing to do a major in systems development or business systems at Gippsland or by distance education must also have a grade average of D or above in VCE mathematics at units 3 and 4. Students must also have VCE prerequisites appropriate for any first-year subject which they take.
Mature-age applicants are considered on the basis of their employment history, educational background and career objectives. A lack of formal qualifications should not discourage inquiry. Applicants may be able to qualify for admission by completing two single subjects. For further information, please refer to the `Information for students' section at the front of this handbook.
The course is structured so that major and minor studies in a non-computing discipline may be undertaken concurrently with the relevant computing major.
The pass degree covers both compulsory and optional subjects selected from the set of subjects offered at each campus, to the total value of 144 points. In general, the major study occupies at least a quarter (twelve points) of first year, a third (sixteen points) of second year and a half (twenty-four points) of third year.
In general, a maximum of sixty points of first-year subjects may be counted towards the degree. Students must complete at least thirty-six points of second-year subjects and at least thirty-six points of third-year subjects.
Students achieving a credit or better in third year in their major study may apply to take a fourth year in that major study area. This is called the honours degree and is available to outstanding students wishing to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the area. It is essential for those who may wish to pursue a research career.
For further information about the honours program in each of the major study areas, refer to the separate entries for each campus.