The Bachelor of Engineering (Software) requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time).
The course is offered by the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements. Successful completion of SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Mathematical Studies or Mathematical Methods or the equivalent are normally required for entry to The Bachelor of Engineering (Software).
Course aims
The course has been designed to provide graduates with:
- a strong foundation in both the theoretical and the practical aspects of engineering, particularly those relevant to the systematic development of large and/or complex software systems
- an awareness of social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of (software) engineering
- an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a commitment to them
- well developed written and oral communication skills
- structured Engineering Work experience
- the ability to work and interact professionally as an individual and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams
- an understanding of the need to undertake lifelong learning and the capacity to do so
- preparation for future management roles as professional engineers.
The course provides the foundations that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study or for a career in an engineering related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the award, students will be able to:
- competently use Professional Skills and knowledge in the systematic development of complex software systems
- apply their skills and knowledge in a professionally responsible manner
- communicate effectively with other engineers and the wider global community using a wide range of communication technologies
- work professionally as an individual and in a team
- understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge was developed
- develop engineering solutions appropriate to the social, political, international, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
- engage in the process of continuing learning needed to retain the necessary level of Professional Skills and knowledge in the area of Software Engineering
- contribute successfully to Project Management.
On completion of The Bachelor of Engineering (Software), students will be eligible for professional membership of both Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society.
Program of study
To qualify for The Bachelor of Engineering (Software) a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Students achieving a credit level average or better at the end of third year will be allowed to enrol in the honours degree program in Engineering in their final year. Other students will be able to complete the ordinary degree program. Students admitted to the honours degree program and maintaining a credit average or better will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours. Students who complete the honours degree program but who fail to maintain a credit average and students who complete the ordinary degree program will be awarded the ordinary degree of Bachelor of Engineering.
Students who have successfully completed the first three years of the program (108 units) (plus ENGR3403 Engineering Work Experience (0 units) if the practicum has not been completed) may exit with a Bachelor of Engineering Science.
This award has two recommended sequences:
- Sequence 1 Electronics-based Software Engineering
- Sequence 2 Computing-based Software Engineering
These recommended sequences indicate sensible progressions that will satisfy prerequisites. Students are free, however, to select topics from either sequence subject to meeting topic pre-requisites.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Core - Year 1 topics
36 units comprising:
COMP1001 Fundamentals of Computing (4.5 units)
COMP1102 Computer Programming 1 (4.5 units)
ENGR1201 Digital Electronics 1 (4.5 units)
ENGR1202 Analog Electronics 1 (4.5 units)
ENGR1401 Professional Skills for Engineers (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
Plus 4.5 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:
Option - Electronics-based - Year 1 topics
PHYS1332 Engineering Physics 1 (4.5 units)
Option - Computing-based - Year 1 topics
STAT1412 Data Analysis Laboratory (4.5 units)
Core - Year 2 topics
36 units comprising:
COMP2731 Software Engineering 1 (4.5 units)
COMP3712 Computer Programming 3 (4.5 units)
ENGR2701 Engineering Programming (4.5 units)
ENGR2711 Engineering Mathematics (4.5 units)
ENGR2792 Software Engineering 2 (4.5 units)
Plus 13.5 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:
Option - Electronics-based - Year 2 topics
ENGR2712 Electronic Design and Automation (4.5 units)
ENGR2721 Microprocessors (4.5 units)
ENGR2722 Signals and Systems (4.5 units)
Option - Computing-based - Year 2 topics
COMP2761 Database and Conceptual Modelling (4.5 units)
COMP2762 Operating Systems (4.5 units)
ENGR2782 Computer Networks (4.5 units)
Core - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
COMP2781 Computer Mathematics (4.5 units)
ENGR3704 Project Management for Engineering and Science (4.5 units)
ENGR3791 Software Engineering 3 (4.5 units)
One of:
ENGR3700 Engineering Practicum* (13.5 units)
ENGR3710 International Engineering Practicum*# (13.5 units)
Plus 9 units from recommended sequence 1 or 2:
Option - Electronics-based - Year 3 topics
COMP2761 Database and Conceptual Modelling (4.5 units)
ENGR3701 Computer Organisation and Design (4.5 units)
Option - Computing-based - Year 3 topics
COMP3751 Interactive Computer Systems (4.5 units)
COMP3771 Advanced Database (4.5 units)
Core - Year 4 Honours program topics
36 units comprising^^:
ENGR4700A Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR4700B Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR4700C Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR4700D Honours Thesis (4.5/18 units)
ENGR4791 Software Engineering 4 (4.5 units)
Plus 9 units of CSEM option topics#
Plus a 4.5 unit elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met.
Core - Year 4 ordinary program topics
36 units comprising:
ENGR4710A Engineering Project (4.5/9 Units)
ENGR4710B Engineering Project (4.5/9 Units)
ENGR4791 Software Engineering 4 (4.5 units)
Plus 18 units of CSEM option topics#
Plus a 4.5 unit elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met.
*With the permission of the Director of Studies (Engineering), students may undertake ENGR3403 Engineering Work Experience (0 units) in place of ENGR3700 Engineering Practicum or ENGR3710 International Engineering Practicum. ENGR3403 may be taken any time after the student has completed 72 units, plus 13.5 units of CSEM upper-level topics. CSEM upper-level topics must be selected from COMP, ENGR, MATH and STAT topics at 2000-level and above.
#ENGR3710 International Engineering Practicum should be selected by those students intending to undertake their Practicum outside of Australia. Enrolment is subject to approval by the School and will consider the quality and appropriateness of the placement.
^^Students must undertake the Masters Thesis topics over a minimum of two semesters.
#CSEM option topics must be selected from Table A, at least half of which will be chosen from those labelled as software (Group S). With permission of the Director of Studies, one CSEM option topic may be chosen from CSEM upper-level topics. CSEM upper-level topics must be selected from COMP, ENGR, MATH and STAT topics at 2000-level and above.
Combined degrees
The Bachelor of Engineering (Software) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with a: