Course

Bachelor of Computer Science

Approved Abbreviation: BCompSc

Western Sydney University Course Code: 3506.4

CRICOS Code: 041105G

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course was 2008.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

Commencement Year 2006, 2007 - 3506.3 - Bachelor of Computer Science

Commencement Year 2004, 2005 - 3506.2 - Bachelor of Computer Science

Commencement Year 2001 to 2003 - 3506.1 - Bachelor of Computer Science

The Bachelor of Computer Science course is a three year course with three distinct majors which allow students to specialise in different applications of computer science and computer systems. The three majors are: computer forensics, networked systems and systems programming. The course and the three majors are all available on the Penrith Campus. Students may graduate without a major but where a major is completed it will appear on the student’s transcript . Accreditation with the Australian Computer Society is being sought.

Computer Forensics major: Computer forensics focuses on the gathering of evidence (often as part of an investigation) from computers and computer networks. Such evidence may consist of actual files (e.g. an image) or the traces of a user's activities that are left in the activity logs of operating systems, browsers, databases, web proxies, or network firewalls, etc. Identifying such evidence requires in-depth technical knowledge of the interactions between hardware, the operating system, programs, and the network. Similarly, knowledge of cryptographic techniques is required where data has been encrypted and/or obfuscated. This major develops this requisite knowledge; it also develops the skills necessary to ensure that evidence is not corrupted, and can be documented and presented in an intelligible manner.

Networked Systems major: This major aims to develop graduates with sound skills in the discipline of networked computer systems. Recent advances in computer and telecommunications networked systems, particularly those based on TCP/IP, have increased the importance of network technologies in the discipline of computer science. This major covers a wide range of topics including computer communication network concepts and protocols, multimedia systems, Internet standards and technologies, network security, wireless and mobile computing, and distributed systems. The candidates are also introduced to some of the relevant current key research issues of the field.

Systems Programming major: This major aims to develop graduates with sound skills in the discipline of programming. The focus is on programming at the level of system calls to the underlying operating system and many of the units use the industry standard language for systems programming, namely C/C++, as the vehicle of instruction. There is a strong emphasis on the development of highly efficient and reliable code that can provide support services for higher level application oriented programs, as well as the development of programs suitable for systems administration and management. Practical work utilises both Unix and Microsoft environments. This major is appropriate where a career in systems programming or systems administration is planned, or where the student wishes to develop advanced systems programming skills.

Study Mode
Three years full-time.

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Computer Science currently is accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) at Professional Level.

Admission

Assumed knowledge required: HSC Mathematics (2 unit) and any two units of HSC English

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

UAC

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International Office

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website (UAC).

UAC

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

One of

200192

Statistics for Science

300700

Statistical Decision Making

Note: from 2010, 200192 - Statistics for Science replaced by 300700 -Statistical Decision Making

300580

Programming Fundamentals

100483

Principles of Professional Communication 1

200025

Discrete Mathematics

Spring session

300096

Computer Organisation

300103

Data Structures and Algorithms

300104

Database Design and Development

300565

Computer Networking

Year 2

Autumn session

300167

Systems Programming 1

300581

Programming Techniques

300121

Formal Languages and Automata

Note: Unit 300121 Formal Language and Mathematics will no longer be available from 2014 and students are advised to enrol in unit 300582 Technology for Web Application in its place.

And one elective

Spring session

300404

Formal Software Engineering

And two Computer Science alternate units

And one elective

Year 3

Autumn session

300578

Professional Development

And two Computer Science alternate units

And one elective

Spring session

300579

Professional Experience

And two Computer Science alternate units

And one elective

Computer Science Alternate Units

300090

Compiler Theory and Practice

300092

Computer Architecture

300093

Computer Graphics

300095

Computer Networks and Internets

300115

Distributed Systems and Programming

Information Security

Internet Programming

Network Security

Operating Systems

Systems Administration Programming

300166

Systems and Network Management

300168

Systems Programming 2

300368

Intelligent Systems

300447

Computer Forensics Workshop

300507

Extended Computing Project 1

300508

Extended Computing Project 2

300575

Networked Systems Design

Majors

The majors listed below were designed specifically for this course and are recommended for Bachelor of Computer Science students. Other majors, from the School of Computing and Mathematics or any other School may also be selected but may require more than the standard six semesters to complete depending on their affinity with this course.

M31015V2

Computer Forensics

M31026V2

Networked Systems

RU3010V2

Systems Programming

Sub-major elective spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).

Search for sub-majors

Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Indigenous Australian Creative Expressions Sub-major

Indigenous Economics Sub-major

Business Sustainability Sub-major

Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)