COMPA13978 - Computer Science Plan - Pre 2006 Start
- 3 years BSc 4 years BSc (Honours)
- Computer Science
- Computer Science/Psychology
- 4 years BSc (Hons, Advanced Science)
- 4 years BA BSc (Computer Science)
- 5 years BE BSc (Computer Science).
-In all Engineering disciplines except Comp Eng, Soft Eng & Bioinformatics. See relevant Engineering schools for details
- 5 years BLaw BSc (Computer Science)
- 4 years BCommerce BSc (Computer Science)
- 4 years BSc Computer Science BSc
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What to expect
Computer Science is the study of computational systems, and encompasses the fundamental areas of algorithms, data structures and computer structures, as well as specialised areas such as operating systems, networks, databases, graphics and artificial intelligence. The program is flexible enough that students can combine the study of computing with some other discipline, or can concentrate entirely on computing.
Foundations include:
-
algorithmic problem solving
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mathematical basis for computing
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fundamental algorithms and data structures
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an engineering approach to software development
Application areas:
Skills attained:
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programming: Java, C, Haskell, Prolog, 68K assembler
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systems: Unix (and UNIX tools), Oracle/SQL, HTML, TCP/IP
Program Overview
Computer Science is a three or four year program that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who perform at a superior level in the first three years are eligible for entry to the Honours year, which combines advanced coursework with a research project and thesis.
A major sequence in Computer Science is also available in the Bachelor of Arts programs.
Assumed Knowledge
Assumed knowledge for Mathematics (MATH1131): students will be expected to have achieved the equivalent of a combined mark of at least 100 in HSC Mathematics and HSC Mathematics Extension 1. Failure to meet this required knowledge means that General Mathematics (MATH1011) will have to be taken first.
Professional recognition: All graduates are eligible for admission to the Australian Computer Society, Australia's peak IT professional body.
Career opportunities: Graduates are employed as application programmers, user support (identifying problems and potential solutions) or systems analysts, database administrators. After honours, it is possible to continue studying for a postgraduate degree and to proceed to a research position at a university, in industry, or a Government institution such as the CSIRO.
Summary
The Computer Science program is arranged around a core of courses designed to acquaint you with the fundamental principles so that you can easily adapt to changing computing practices. The core material is supplemented by a wide choice of elective material from other disciplines. Possible electives include mathematics, physics, information systems and other business courses, electrical engineering, and courses from the humanities. Combined majors in computer science/psychology, computer science/philosophy and computer science/geography have been introduced in response to the developing needs of industry for computing professionals with people skills as well as technical expertise. These combinations expose students to the emerging disciplines of cognitive science and artificial intelligence.
Program Structure
Each course runs for 12 weeks during semester one (S1) or semester 2 (S2). UOC denotes Units of Credit, a measure of the amount of work required in a course.
* Students may take MATH1081 in either semester.
Computer science has mathematics and computing courses in year 1, representing five out of eight courses for a full-time student. Electives are chosen from physics, information systems, chemistry, philosophy, psychology, geography, economics and many other disciplines. ENGG1000 is a recommended elective.
Four of the ten courses in year 2 comprise core computing. The remainder are elective. Common electives include GMAT4900, mathematics (many choices), psychology, geography, biology, chemistry, physics, economics, arts, more first year courses (maximum 12uoc), material that follows on from first-year electives, and information systems.
YEAR 3
|
|
UOC
S1
|
UOC
S2
|
| COMP3111 |
Software Engineering |
6
|
-
|
| |
Year 3/4 Computer Science Electives * |
24
|
| |
General Education * |
6
|
| |
Computer Science Electives * |
12
|
| |
|
48
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* Electives, COMP electives, and General Education courses may be allocated between first and second semesters according to the student's preference, but the total uoc per semester should be 24.
Between five and seven computing courses are taken in year 3. Students proceeding to the Honours year must take at least six level 3 courses in computing or other disciplines.
YEAR 3 COMPUTING ELECTIVES
|
| COMP3121 |
Algorithms and Programming |
| COMP3131 |
Programming Languages and Compilers |
| COMP3141 |
Software System design and Implementation |
| COMP3151 |
Foundations of Concurrency |
| COMP3211 |
Computer Organisation and Design |
| COMP3222 |
Digital Circuits and Systems |
| COMP3231 |
Operating Systems |
| COMP3311 |
Database Systems |
| COMP3331 |
Computer Networks and Applications |
| COMP3411 |
Artificial Intelligence |
| COMP3421 |
Computer Graphics |
| COMP3441 |
Cryptography and Distribute Systems Security |
| COMP3511 |
Human Computer Interaction |
Students can also do COMP3xxx, COMP4xxx , and COMP9xxx courses not listed above if they meet the prerequisites.
With the approval of the Program Director, students in this program wishing to fulfil the requirements for a major in a second discipline, as well as the Computer Science requirements, may substitute a course from the other discipline for one of the level 3/4 computing electives. Please note that not all electives are offered each semester.
Majors
The flexibility of the Computer Science Program allows specialisations within the program such as Robotics and Computer Games as well as combining it with minors such as Commerce and Japanese. You can specialise in the following areas:
COMPA13978 Computer Science
COMPG13978 Computer Game Design & Construction
COMPI13978 Artificial Intelligence
COMPH13978 Human Computer Interaction
COMPR13978 Robotics
COMPE13978 Electronic Commerce
COMPN13978 Computer Networks
COMPD13978 Database Systems
General Education
UNSW wants all students to develop skills in a broad range of areas, not just in their specific study discipline, and so students in all degrees are required to undertake a number of general studies courses outside their discipline. It may not be possible for Computer Science students to enrol in general education courses that are similar in content to the courses offered in the Computer Science degree. For a comprehensive list, see:
http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/undergrad/current/gened.html
Year 4 Honours (optional)
Computer Science Honours takes one year full-time or two years part-time of study.
Normally, students are expected to have attained an average mark of 65 (according to the myUNSW calculations) to qualify for entry to the honours year. Students who do not meet this expectation may be admitted in special circumstances. Students who have graduated with a three year computer science degree from the University of NSW or another university can apply for admission to honours. Detailed information about the program is available at the Honours website at:
http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~cs4914
YEAR 4
|
|
UOC
S1
|
UOC
S2
|
| COMP4910 |
Thesis Part A |
3
|
-
|
| COMP4911 |
Thesis Part B |
-
|
15
|
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Year 3/4Computer Science Electives.
(Some courses are subject to approval). |
12 |
| |
Level 4 Computer Science Electives
(Some courses are subject to approval)
|
18 |
| |
|
48
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Computer Science Honours students must at least complete 18uoc of level 4 or postgraduate elective courses. Students may substitute level 4 courses from other schools with the permission of the Program Director.
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