COMPA13978 - Computer Science

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
• mathematical basis for computing
• fundamental algorithms and data structures
• an engineering approach to software development

Application areas:

• artificial intelligence
• compilers
• computer architecture
• database systems
• graphics and image processing
• operating systems
• networks

Skills attained:

• programming: Java, C, Haskell, Prolog, 68K assembler
• systems: Unix (and UNIX tools), Oracle/SQL, HTML, TCP/IP

Program Overview

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.

** Note: Students are permitted to complete a maximum of 30uoc of First Year electives within this program.

***ENGG1000 (Engineering Design) is designed for students with a Computing Major to choose it in semester 1 and is highly reccommended. ENGG1811 (Computing for Engineers) is not designed for students with a Computing Major.

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.

Note: Students are permitted to complete a maximum of 30uoc of First Year electives.

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.

* Note: Students are permitted to complete a minimum of 21uoc of First Year electives within this program.

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

Minors

It is possible to combine a minor in many other disciplines with Computer Science. A minor is four courses of level II or higher in the other disciplines. Some examples of choices in minors are:

Note that the choices above are just examples. Any minor available to BSc students (except computer science) can also be chosen. See the list here.

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)