Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Systems) Honours

Edith Cowan University

About

Computer systems engineering is the synergistic combination of electronic engineering and computer science.

Computer systems engineers have a wide knowledge of digital and analog electronic systems and a detailed understanding of computer architecture, software design and hardware-software interfacing.

They are involved in all aspects of computing from the development of individual microprocessors, to the design of personal, mainframe or supercomputers systems, as well as digital and mixed signal circuit design, real-time and embedded system implementation, and software engineering.

Graduates of the course will be conversant in the fundamental physical sciences, computer architecture, digital electronics, data communications, interfacing, real-time and embedded systems, robotics, and software development.

The course focuses on the development of knowledge and skills relevant to professional engineering practice, and along with a sound theoretical base, includes strong elements of practical problem-solving, teamwork and project development.

As a result, as well as having multiple technical and transferable skill competencies, graduates will have strong analytical skills and the ability to lead complex projects.

Structure

Students are required to complete 29 Core units, 3 Elective units and a Practicum unit.

Year 1 - Semester 1

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENS1154 * Introduction to Engineering 15
ENS1115 Materials and Manufacturing 1 15
ENM1102 Engineering Drawing and Computer Aided Design 15
MAT1250 Mathematics 1 15

Year 1 - Semester 2

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENS1101 Engineering Mechanics 15
ENS1180 Introduction to Energy and Resource Engineering 15
ENS1253 Electrical Engineering 1B 15
MAT1251 Mathematics 2 15

Year 2 - Semester 1

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CSP2151 Programming Fundamentals 15
ENS2456 Digital Electronics 15
ENS2159 * Engineering Innovation and Ethics 15
ENS5170 Engineering Systems 15

Year 2 - Semester 2

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENS2257 Microprocessor Systems 15
CSG2341 Intelligent Systems 15
ENS2344 Computer Architecture 15
ENS3553 Signals and Systems 15

Year 3 - Semester 1

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENM2104 Instrumentation and Measurement 15
ENS3554 Data Communications and Computer Networks 15
CSI2312 Foundations of Software Engineering 15
ENS3555 Communication Systems 1 15

Year 3 - Semester 2

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENS5204 Real-Time Embedded Systems 15
ENS5251 Digital Signal Processing 15
ENS2457 Analog Electronics 15
Elective Unit 15

Note: Students who receive a WAM of 70 per cent or above at the end of their third year of study will be invited to complete a graded Honours degree by taking the two Honours Thesis units in place of the standard project units in their fourth year. Students below this cut-off, or who decline the offer to undertake the Honours Thesis, will graduate with an ungraded Honours degree.

Year 4 - Semester 1

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENS5111 Engineering Practicum
ENS5442 Robotics 1 15
ENS5253 Control Systems 15
ENS4152 ^ Project Development 15
Or
ENS5145 ^ Engineering Honours Thesis 1 15
Elective Unit 15

Note: Students undertaking the graded Honours pathway should enrol into ENS5145 Engineering Honours Thesis 1 in place of ENS4152 Project Development.

Year 4 - Semester 2

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENS5543 Engineering Management 15
ENS5240 Industrial Control 15
ENS4253 ^ Engineering Project 15
Or
ENS5146 ^ Engineering Honours Thesis 2 15
Elective Unit 15

Note: Students undertaking the graded Honours pathway should enrol into ENS5146 Engineering Honours Thesis 2 in place of ENS4253 Engineering Project.

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
ENS3206 Power Systems 1 15
ENS3556 Wireless Communication 15
ENS5203 Electronic Circuit Design 15
ENS5230 Electrical Machines and Transformers 15
ENS5447 Propagation and Antennas 15
ENS5542 Communication Systems 2 15
ENS5444 Telecommunication Networks 15
ENS5209 Process Control 15
ENS5360 Power Electronics 15
MAT3486 Multivariate Calculus 15
CSP2348 Data Structures 15
CSP2104 Object-oriented Programming with C++ 15
CSG2132 Enterprise Data 15
CSI3344 Distributed Systems 15

Note: Electives chosen from outside this list must be approved by the Course Coordinator.

^ Core Option * Students will be assessed to see if they have achieved the ECU minimum standard of English language proficiency in this unit. Students who don't meet the minimum standard will be provided with appropriate English language support and development.

Entry requirements

Admission requirement (Band 4)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Diploma or equivalent;
  • Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course; or
  • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment.

English Language requirement (Band 3)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;
  • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;
  • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have Mathematics: Methods ATAR, with equivalents considered, and Physics ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR, with equivalents considered. It is desirable that all applicants have Mathematics: Specialist ATAR, with equivalents considered.

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and in depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the computer systems engineering discipline.
  2. Think critically, and apply established engineering methods and research skills to complex computer systems engineering problem solving.
  3. Apply systematic engineering synthesis and design processes to conduct and manage computer systems engineering projects, with some intellectual independence.
  4. Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics and computer and information sciences which underpin the computer systems engineering discipline and fluently apply engineering techniques tools and resources.
  5. Demonstrate clear and coherent oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook and knowledge of contextual factors impacting the computer systems engineering discipline, including respect for cultural diversity and indigenous cultural competence.
  7. Demonstrate effective team membership and team leadership to implement engineering projects according to relevant standards of ethical conduct, sustainable practice and professional accountability.
  8. Demonstrate responsibility for own learning, professional judgement and an understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice.

Institution