Bachelor of Computer Science

2021 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2021 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2021 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Computer Science
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	083695K Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	S306
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
The final intake to this course version was in 2021. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the Handbook archive.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin’s Bachelor of Computer Science equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to design and develop innovative software solutions to the multifaceted information and technology problems faced by our community, business and industry. Learn what it takes to create and integrate complex new computing technologies while exploring existing and emerging challenges in areas such as data analytics, machine learning, robotics, intelligent and autonomous systems, and telecommunications.

Computer scientists are problem solvers and innovators and at Deakin, you will get a competitive edge in the job market through hands-on experience with current technologies and training in fundamental concepts, models and methods. Extend your skills through a work placement and develop valuable professional networks. Professional accreditation by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) means your degree will be recognised around the world.

Want to drive change through technology?

This course provides a combination of experiential learning and practical exposure, with access to specialised labs and facilities, including dedicated robotics, cyber security and augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) laboratories. These are well-equipped with modern equipment and educational technologies, supported by enthusiastic and experienced staff. You will have access to current state-of-the-art software and hardware throughout the course, giving you vital hands-on experience that employers demand.

The course offers you a range of industry-based learning opportunities, including an IT placement unit that gives you a minimum of 100 hours of hands-on experience in industry. This practical experience enhances your future employment prospects, adding experience to your resume and developing your professional networks before graduation.

You will have access to our brand-new specialised capstone project and co-working space, which offers you an inspiring space to collaborate with your teammates. The capstone unit allows you to develop solutions to real-world problems from industry and learn agile project management methods – widely used across industry.

Our past students have worked on capstone projects such as:

medical – a mobile app that tracks pupil responses to light
real estate – a mobile app to track your notes about properties you view
transport – planning a bus trip with real-time data
gaming – children’s computer game to build their resilience
architecture – a virtual reality space to assess architecture student projects
security – voice activated passwords
political – a secure online voting system

Deakin’s teachers are active researchers in the field, working with groups such as the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute. Our world-class research programs feed directly into our classrooms, meaning that you’ll be learning at the cutting edge of industry standards.

Equip yourself with a comprehensive understanding of:

artificial intelligence
machine learning
embedded devices
Internet of Things (IoT)
computer systems and networks
data management and information processes
human computer interaction
programming and software development
mathematical methods
algorithm design and analysis.

The Bachelor of Computer Science is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), meaning your degree will be recognised around the world.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Computer Science is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Career opportunities

You’ll be ready for employment in organisations engaged in:

artificial intelligence and machine learning
robotics application development
technology innovation.

You’ll graduate with career options such as:

innovation lead
data scientist
software developer
database specialist
technology consultant
software analyst
solutions architect
project manager.

As a computer science graduate, you’ll enter one of the most exciting and dynamic industries, with opportunities in areas such as:

cognitive computing and intelligent systems
robotics and autonomous systems
emerging technologies.

As your experience develops, you will also be well prepared to progress into project management positions.

Participation requirements

Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Equipment requirements

For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the School of Information Technology's website, www.deakin.edu.au/information-technology/students or telephone 03 9244 6699.

Course expenses

Student Equipment Purchases

The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course require that students have access to a range of technologies beyond a desktop computer or laptop. Access to high cost specialist equipment, such as robots, is provided. Students will be required to purchase minor equipment, such as small single board computers, microcontrollers and sensors, which will be used within a range of units in this course. This equipment is also usable by the student beyond their studies. Equipment requirements and details of suppliers will be provided on a per-unit basis. The indicative cost of this equipment for this course is AUD$500.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Develop a broad, coherent knowledge of the computer science discipline, with detailed knowledge of the application of computer science methods and principles in modern computing systems. Use knowledge, skills, tools and methodologies for professional computer science practice. Design algorithms, system models, software components, computing systems and processes, to meet application requirements within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, legal and ethical constraints.
Communication	Communicate in a computer science context to inform, motivate and effect change by utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences.
Digital literacy	Utilise a range of digital technologies and information sources to discover, analyse, evaluate, select, process and disseminate both technical and non-technical information.
Critical thinking	Evaluate specialist computer science information using critical and analytical thinking, technical skills and well-developed personal judgement and values to identify problems, analyse requirements and propose solutions.
Problem solving	Apply theoretical constructs and skills and critical analysis to real-world and ill-defined problems and develop innovative computing solutions.
Self-management	Apply knowledge and skills to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of computer science with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. Apply understanding of reflective practice and self-critique skills within broad parameters to plan for their own future continuing professional development.
Teamwork	Contribute effectively as a skilled and knowledgeable individual to the processes and output of a work unit or team. Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams, employing effective communication, self- and team- management skills to achieve shared goals.
Global citizenship	Apply professional and ethical standards and accountability for own learning to in the development, design, construction and management of localised computing solutions.

Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Computer Science, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:

19 core IT units (which includes a compulsory internship unit SIT306 IT Internship or STP301 Industry Based Learning) totalling 19 credit points
5 general elective units totalling 5 credit points
completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
completion of SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
completion of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
level 1 - maximum of 10 credit points
levels 2 and 3 - minimum of 14 credit points over both levels

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Course structure

Core

Level 1 - Trimester 1

STP050

Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

SIT010

Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

STP010

Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SIT111

Computer Systems

SIT192

Discrete Mathematics

SIT112

Data Science Concepts

SIT102

Introduction to Programming

Level 1 - Trimester 2

SIT232

Object-Oriented Development

SIT103

Data and Information Management

SIT123

Data Capture Technologies

Plus one elective unit (one credit point)

Level 2 - Trimester 1

SIT210

Embedded Systems Development

SIT221

Data Structures and Algorithms

SIT215

Artificial and Computational Intelligence

Plus one elective unit (one credit point)

Level 2 - Trimester 2

SIT202

Secure Networking

SIT320

Advanced Algorithms

SIT223

Professional Practice in Information Technology #

SIT312

System Design and Prototyping *

Level 3 - Trimester 1

SIT374

Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices ^ ~

SIT307

Data Mining and Machine Learning

Plus two elective units (two credit points)

Level 3 - Trimester 2

SIT378

Team Project (B) - Execution and Delivery ^ ~

SIT315

Concurrent and Distributed Programming

Plus one elective unit (one credit point)

Plus one unit in:

SIT306

IT Placement ^#

STP301

Industry Based Learning

^ Offered in Trimester 1, trimester 2 and trimester 3

# Must have completed STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit point unit)

~ Note: Students are recommended to undertake SIT374 and SIT378 in consecutive trimesters. Students should seek advice from the unit chair if they are unable to complete SIT374 and SIT378 consecutively.

* SIT312 System Design and Prototyping has been removed from offer from 2022. Students that have not completed this unit may replace it with SIT317 Information Technology Innovations and Entrepreneurship.

Electives

Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. In some cases you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).

Work experience

This course includes a compulsory work placement where you will be required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours in industry, providing professional work experience with an approved host organisation. Alternatively, high achieving students may have the opportunity to undertake an extended full-time paid industry-based learning placement between 6 – 12 weeks (conditions apply, please refer to deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil.)

Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

You will have the opportunity to participate in a range of extra-curricular learning opportunities, such as internal and external competitions and challenges, industry projects within the Deakin Incubator Group, and international study tours.