The 3778 BSc(Computer Science) program requires students to complete a stream, most of which cover specialist areas of study. Students who do not wish to specialise enrol in a default major, COMPA1. The following table shows total enrolments in each stream (all students who specify the stream as their major, across years 1, 2 and 3) in each term since 2019.
| 19T1 | 19T2 | 19T3 | 20T1 | 20T2 | 20T3 | 21T1 | 21T2 | 21T3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPA1 (no major) | 1431 | 1281 | 1322 | 1628 | 1711 | 1731 | 2307 | 2240 | 2289 |
| COMPD1 (databases) | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 28 | 34 | 34 | 32 |
| COMPE1 (e-commerce) | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 |
| COMPI1 (AI) | 221 | 231 | 260 | 271 | 281 | 265 | 267 | 259 | 255 |
| COMPJ1 (prog langs) | 12 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 |
| COMPN1 (networks) | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| COMPS1 (systems) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| COMPY1 (security) | 99 | 110 | 115 | 131 | 142 | 141 | 139 | 139 | 152 |
The above table shows that
(a) the vast majority of students don't choose a major (i.e. stay in COMPA1),
(b) only two other majors have substantial enrolments,
(c) the other majors have very small, and falling, enrolments
The overall structure of the 3778 program is:
This is also the structure of the COMPA1 stream.
The specialist streams typically add to the core a foundation course in the specialisation, and then require students to take 18 UOC in advanced electives in the specialistion. These take slots from the 30 UOC computing electives requirement. This still leave the 36 UOC of free electives, which could be used for more computing study, or to pursue non-computing interests.
An example:
COMPD1 adds COMP3311 Database Systems to the core,
and then requires students to take 18 UOC from a set
of advanced database courses: COMP6714, COMP9312,
COMP9313, COMP9315, COMP9318, COMP9319.
Since there are five advanced options (was six but
COMP9318 will no longer be offered), students have
a reasonable choice.
These majors (effectively four courses beyond the core) are relatively small by UNSW standards, and the flexibility of the Computer Science degree makes it possible to fulfil the requirements of several specialisations. Only one of these specialisations is shown on the graduation testamur.
Some majors have a limited set of specialist options, which makes it difficult to complete the major, and especially if courses are not offered in the "right" term, or if students don't organise their pre-requisites carefully.