Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) |
| Deakin course code | S464 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 092212D Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Minors
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of minor sequences
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Create the smart software and systems of the future by studying Deakin’s Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours). This course arms you with the skills needed to build disruptive technologies that create change, making you a sought-after expert ready to solve tomorrow’s business problems through creative computing solutions. Explore a broad range of exciting study areas, including robotics, algorithms, programming and software architecture, and apply your skills in world-class facilities.
Gain practical experience and learn how to work successfully in a team with project-based learning activities. Contribute to real-world projects alongside professional engineers during industry placements. You will develop specialised skills in robotics, cyber-physical systems and the Internet-of-Things (IoT), all while getting hands-on with the latest software engineering tools that allow you to push beyond the limitations of traditional technologies.
Want to be at the forefront of robotics, computing and smart technologies?
The rapid advancement in sensing hardware, computers and smart devices has created a growing demand for software engineers who can develop complex software systems that meet the need for smart and innovative technologies. From Mars rovers to smart homes and cities, robotic surgery and precision agriculture, software engineers combine software systems and embedded hardware to create solutions that benefit society. Deakin’s Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) prepares you to take advantage of this demand.
Your ideas and creativity will flourish in our state-of-the-art facilities. You will work alongside hardware designers and app developers to drive the development of computing solutions that interact with people, environments and other technologies.
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, 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 Software Engineering (Honours) is accredited by Engineers Australia (EA) and the Australian Computer Society (ACS)
Career opportunities
Graduates will be equipped to find employment in diverse areas of software engineering. You’ll be able to develop and implement state-of-the-art smart devices, systems and applications for industries including transport, health, agriculture and manufacturing.
You may pursue a career as a software engineer, software developer, programmer, embedded systems developer, robotics programmer or systems architect. Software engineers also work in specialist research roles; with experience, your career can move into project management and business development, in roles such as CIO and CTO, from start-ups to multinational corporations.
Participation requirements
In order to satisfy course accreditation requirements, as specified and administered by Engineers Australia, all online enrolled students are required to participate in campus-based learning activities equivalent to a minimum duration of one full academic week for every trimester of effective full-time study in order to ensure that graduates possess and have demonstrated the minimum necessary knowledge and skill base, engineering application abilities, and professional skills, values and attitudes at successful completion of the course to be sufficiently prepared to enter professional engineering practice.
Students enrolled in online learning are required to attend campus-based activities during the corresponding Intensive Week in a trimester. Attendance at campus-based activities is linked to assessment requirements within the engineering programmes, failure to attend will result in not meeting the hurdle requirement of the respective assessment. Thus, a fail grade shall be awarded for the respective affected unit(s) for that particular trimester.
International students: Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online. To participate in the mandatory campus-based activities during the trimester intensive week, it is suggested that you apply for a tourist visa to enter Australia. Please be advised that Deakin University cannot guarantee that you will be granted a tourist visa by the Australian Government.
International students studying online may not be granted a visitor visa to complete mandatory components of the course at a campus.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
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. More information available at Disability support services.
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.
Course expenses
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.
For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the 'Bring your own device (BYOD) guidelines via the School of Information Technology website in addition to the individual unit outlines in the Handbook.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop a broad, coherent knowledge of the software engineering discipline, with detailed knowledge of the application of software engineering principles and approaches. Use knowledge, skills, tools and methodologies for professional software engineering practice. Design software components, systems and computing processes to meet application requirements, within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, legal and ethical constraints.
|
| Communication | Communicate in a professional context incorporating research-driven perspective to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through software engineering, utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences.
|
| Digital literacy | Identify, select and use digital technologies, platforms, frameworks, and tools from the field of software engineering to generate, manage, process and share digital resources for research and practice.
|
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse information provided to inform decision making and evaluation of plans and solutions associated with research and practice in software engineering.
|
| Problem solving | Apply cognitive, technical, and creative skills from software engineering to understand requirements and design, implement, operate, and evaluate innovative solutions to real-world and ill-defined computing problems.
|
| Self-management | Work independently to apply knowledge and skills to new situations in research and professional practice and/or further learning in the field of software engineering with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner.
|
| Teamwork | Work independently and collaboratively to achieve team goals, contributing knowledge and skills from software engineering practice and research to advance the teams objectives, employing effective teamwork practices and principles, and comprehending distinct workplace roles and their functions.
|
| Global citizenship | Apply professional and ethical standards and accountability in research and practice in the field of software engineering, and engage openly and respectfully with diverse communities and cultures.
|
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) students must pass 32 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 22 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of software engineering capstone units
- 4 credit points of software engineering research training capstone units
- 4 credit points which may comprise of:
- 1 minor (4 credit points)
- 4 credit points of open elective units
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 or above
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Minors
Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Technologies
- Computational Mathematics
- Cyber Security
- Data Science
- Game Design
- Information Technologies Research
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
Course structure
Core
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SIT010 | Safety Induction Program (0 credit point unit) |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit) |
| SIT102 | Introduction to Programming |
| SIT111 | Computer Systems |
| SEJ104 | Engineering in Society |
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| SIT225 | Data Capture Technologies |
| SIT217 | Introduction to Software Engineering |
| SIT232 | Object-Oriented Development |
| SIT103 | Database Fundamentals |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| SIT210 | Embedded Systems Development |
| SIT221 | Data Structures and Algorithms |
| SET111 | Sustainable Design |
| SIT331 | Full Stack Development: Secure Backend Services |
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| SIT202 | Computer Networks and Communication |
| SIT313 | Full Stack Development: Secure Frontend Applications |
| SIT223 | Professional Practice in Information Technology # |
| SIT315 | Concurrent and Distributed Programming |
Year 3 - Trimester 1
| SIT333 | Software Quality and Testing |
| SIT310 | Robotics Application Development |
Plus 1 open elective or minor unit (1 credit point)
Software Engineering capstone:
| SIT374 | Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices ^ |
Year 3 - Trimester 2
| SIT314 | Software Architecture and Scalability for Internet-Of-Things |
| SIT329 | Advanced Embedded Systems |
Software Engineering capstone:
| SIT378 | Team Project (B) - Execution and Delivery ^ |
Plus 1 open elective or minor unit (1 credit point)
Year 4 - Trimester 1
| SIT732 | Developing Secure Internet of Things Applications |
| SIT723 | Research Techniques and Applications (2 credit point unit) (Research Training capstone)^ |
Plus 1 open elective or minor unit (1 credit point)
Year 4 - Trimester 2
| SEL703 | Professional Practice ^@ |
Plus 1 open elective or minor unit (1 credit point, level 2 or higher)
Plus 2 credit points from the following Research Training capstone options:
| SIT724 | Research Project (2 credit points)^ |
OR
| SIT746 | Research Project (Advanced) (2 credit points)*^ |
^ offered in Trimester 1, Trimester 2, Trimester 3
* Entry to SIT746 is subject to specific unit entry requirements.
@ Please note that all students must complete their SEL703 placement.
# Corequisite of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit).
It is important to ensure your course plan meets the course rules detailed above. Students should contact Student Central for assistance with course planning, choosing the right units and understanding course rules.
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
Through SEL703 Professional Practice, you will gain industry experience by completing a practical work experience in an engineering workplace with assessment tasks designed to develop and enhance your understanding of the engineering profession, professional practice and continuing professional development, possible career outcomes, and the opportunity to establish valuable professional networks.
Details of minor sequences
Artificial Intelligence
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000013
Overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving digital disruption, with new technologies helping to redefine many industries. Demand for skilled professionals who are knowledgeable in AI practices is increasing globally as innovative businesses look to take advantage of recent advances in AI. This minor sequence provides an introduction to artificial and computational intelligence, data analysis and optimisation and constraint programming.
Units
| SIT112 | Introduction to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence |
| SIT215 | Computational Intelligence |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra for Data Analysis |
One of:
| SIT330 | Natural Language Processing |
| SIT332 | Robotics, Computer Vision and Speech Processing |
Cloud Technologies
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000011
Overview
In today’s data-driven digital world, cloud technologies are an area of significant business interest and their adoption and integration into business practices is growing at a rapid pace. This minor focuses on providing you with the knowledge, skills and expertise required to construct solutions using virtualisation, enterprise networks, system security and cloud infrastructure.
Units
| SIT233 | Cloud Computing |
| SIT226 | Cloud Automation Technologies |
| SIT323 | Cloud Native Application Development |
| SIT314 | Software Architecture and Scalability for Internet-Of-Things |
Computational Mathematics
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000026
Overview
Utilising computer science and mathematics, this minor allows you to enhance your logical and abstract thinking soft skills across real-world applications, including designing algorithms, analysing data and statistics.
Units
| SIT190 | Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs |
OR
| SIT194 | Introduction to Mathematical Modelling # |
Plus two of:
| SIT281 | Cryptography ^^ |
| SIT291 | Mathematical Methods for Information Modelling ^^# |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra for Data Analysis ^^# |
Plus one of:
| SIT316 | Optimisation and Constraint Programming |
OR
| SIT334 | Numerical Methods in Mathematics *# |
* available from 2026
# Students in S464 should undertake SIT194, SIT291, SIT292 and SIT334
Cyber Security
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000015
Overview
In today's digital world, cyber security threats are a major challenge across many sectors. As cyber-attacks become everyday occurrences, IT professionals with the ability to identify, analyse and manage cyber security challenges are in increasing demand globally. This minor sequence provides an insight into cyber security and equips you with skills in secure coding, security management and ethical hacking.
Units
| SIT182 | Real World Practices for Cyber Security |
| SIT218 | Secure Coding |
| SIT284 | Cyber Security Management |
| SIT379 | Ethical Hacking |
Data Science
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000014
Overview
Skilled data professionals are in high demand as organisations increasingly rely on skilled specialists to unlock hidden patterns in big data to provide strategic advantage in the competitive business world.This minor sequence will prepare you with knowledge and technical skills in the areas of data mining, machine learning, deep learning and applied statistics for data analysis.
Units
| SIT199 | Applied Algebra and Statistics |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra for Data Analysis |
| SIT307 | Machine Learning |
| SIT319 | Deep Learning |
Game Design
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000006
Overview
Game design introduces the range of concepts relevant to an aspiring game designer, ranging from the terminology used in professional game design through to aspects of game content design, design of rules and mechanics, and design to support the marketing and distribution of interactive applications.
Units
| SIT151 | Game Fundamentals |
| SIT253 | Content Creation for Interactive Experiences |
| SIT254 | Game Design |
| SIT283 | Development for Virtual and Augmented Reality |
Information Technologies Research
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000018
Overview
This minor provides students with hands on experience in research and publishing scientific papers. This minor is designed to help support students aiming to pursue a research higher degree.
Units
| SLE761 | Professional Research Practice |
| SIT718 | Real World Analytics |
| SIT747 | Research Project (Publication) (2 credit points)+ |
+ Entry to SIT747 is subject to specific unit entry requirements.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Unit set code
MN-S000009
Overview
Virtual and augmented reality technologies are revolutionising business processes, disrupting the way companies work with complex data sets, and enhancing educational and training practices. They contribute to novel therapies and treatments, allow access to opportunities despite physical and geographical restrictions and have redefined the way we represent and interact with digital media whether it be our holiday souvenir snapshots or the latest interactive gaming experience.
Units
| SIT183 | Interactive Application Design for Virtual and Augmented Reality |
| SIT283 | Development for Virtual and Augmented Reality |
| SIT253 | Content Creation for Interactive Experiences |
| SIT383 | Assembling Virtual and Augmented Reality Experiences |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing 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 may apply to undertake a study tour to explore and engage in a structured program of study overseas to gain discipline expertise as well as be challenged to develop your personal qualities and global understanding.
Research and research-related study
The key assessment of research and research skills in the programme is through the two linked 2 credit point units in the final year of the course. The first of these units is for students to develop a detailed research proposal and undertake preliminary proof-of-concept or testing of their experimental methods. The second unit is designed to undertake the proposed research and critically evaluate the outcomes of the project. The project is predominantly student-led with direction from an academic supervisor that has expertise in the research field.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.