Bachelor of Computer Science

The Bachelor of Computer Science teaches students the strong programming, technical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills that they will need in their careers.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Computer Science teaches students the strong programming, technical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills that they will need in their careers. The course is particularly designed to lead to roles in software development or computational science, but as computing has become so important to so many different fields, the course allows the flexibility for students to take a number of units from other disciplines if they choose to.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: design, develop, test, and deliver computer programs to solve complex problems, both individually and as part of a collaborative development team; apply modern software engineering tools, skills, and practices to create, analyse, and evolve software systems; investigate and analyse new application areas, including understanding the needs of users and stakeholders, in order to design creative and appropriate solutions; apply abstraction, mathematics, and theoretical principles to the design of computer programs; communicate and collaborate effectively with others; apply appropriate methods to manage and monitor software development projects; apply ethical considerations, professionalism, and reflection to software development, with due consideration for impacts on others and society; and demonstrate well-developed knowledge and critical analytical skills in at least one disciplinary area, with an ability to extend knowledge and analytical skills into other disciplinary areas.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates have a coherent knowledge of the principles, concepts, techniques, and skills that are fundamental to computer science and information technology. They are able to apply this knowledge to create technology that solves real world problems. They have a global perspective on the impact of computing on daily life, now and into the future. Knowledge and skills in computer science and information technology are taught, assessed and practised in all core units within the course. The foundations of algorithms and programming are taught in first-year units with more advanced and specialised knowledge and skills being taught in the second and third units. Communication Skills Graduates are able to communicate ideas and information clearly and coherently, to technical and non-technical audiences, using a range of media. Communication skills are taught, practised and assessed in many units within the course. Students experience working in distributed teams, presenting their work, and critiquing the work of other students and other groups. In their final year, students are required to complete a group project, which requires students to demonstrate a professional level of communication skills with the project client as well as other group members. Problem Solving Graduates are able to identify and formulate problems, and design, create, and analyse solutions, individually and as part of collaborative teams. They are able to apply critical thinking, cognitive skills, creative skills, and judgement with intellectual independence. All units teach and assess problem-solving skills. These include skills in design thinking, algorithm design, system design, software engineering, debugging, and project management. Information Literacy Graduates demonstrate the capacity to critically evaluate the sources, values and validity of information and use information in critical and creative thinking. All units in the course require students to find and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources. This is practised and assessed throughout the course. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates demonstrate understanding and practice of the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with their discipline or profession including an appreciation of their own ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community and the environment. Reflection on social responsibility and professional practice in software development is embedded in the course content. Units require students to reflect on social implications of information technology such as social networking, malicious software, identity theft and security measures. Lifelong Learning Graduates demonstrate the creative and analytical skills to learn and adapt to new techniques, concepts, technologies, and situations as their field continues to evolve and develop. They are able to generate new technology and solutions, and to analyse and appraise developments made by others. They take responsibility and accountability for their learning and professional practice. Students are provided with fundamental skills that enable them to supplement their knowledge and adapt to the use of new software development environments, technologies and tools. This is taught and practised by providing core skills and exposing students to a variety of programming languages, tools, processes, environments and specialised systems. Independence and Collaboration Graduates are able to apply their skills and knowledge individually and as part of collaborative teams. They are able to work with intellectual independence, and to collaborate with technical and non-technical colleagues and customers. Working in a group environment is an essential component of the course and of the professional practice of software development. A number of the core units in the course require students to work in groups and provide guidance and assessment on group work. The final year project, which involves the planning, design and implementation of a large software system by a team of students, provides graduates with a capstone experience.