General Information

Overview

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) is a 1-year research-oriented degree. It aims at developing students’ independent research skills in dealing with research project related to Computer Science, Software Engineering and Information Technologies. Graduates may further their research studies into Masters by Research or PhD research programs.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Honours Project Part A
Core unit , 25.0 credit points 		NPS40012
Honours Project Part B
Core unit , 50.0 credit points 		NPS40013
Topics in Computer Science
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS40004
Research Methods
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		ICT40005

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 25 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

Find more detail about elective units

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • critically evaluate the underlying principles and concepts within the fields of Computer Science and Software Engineering that facilitate independent lifelong learning in their professional practice
  • critically analyse existing knowledge and formulate a research question in the context of a specialized area within Computer Science and Software Engineering, and to use accepted research methodologies to explore possible solutions
  • plan and execute a substantial individual research project that demonstrates the ability to undertake further research in a post-graduate context
  • communicate research questions, methodological choices, rationale, and findings through clear and accurate oral and written formats, relevant to academic, professional, and community with cultural sensitivity such as Indigenous communities

Career opportunities

Completing a Bachelor of Computer Science Honours degree opens up diverse career opportunities across industries that need to apply / discover new technologies and techniques in Computer Science and Information Technology in solving real world problems. For example, graduates can pursue roles in research and academia, working as research scientists, data scientists, cyber security experts or teaching assistants, or contribute to cutting-edge technology fields in the IT related industries as software engineers, machine learning engineers, cyber security specialists or systems architects. Additionally, roles in artificial intelligence and robotics, network security, and cloud computing are highly sought after, with graduates developing innovative solutions and automated systems.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) students must complete 100 credit points comprising:

  • Two (2) core project units (75 Credit Points)
  • Two (2) core computing technology units (25 credit points) that are related to their honours research project.
     

An overall Honours Grading is based on a weighted average of four units.

Students in this course will be awarded merit based Honours according to Swinburne’s Academic Course Regulations. Honours merit calculation will be based on the averaged results of the all units undertaken in the course.

  • BCs (Hons) with First Class Honours (H1); for students who achieve 80%-100%
  • BCs (Hons) with Upper Second Class honours (H2A); for students who achieve 70% – 79%
  • BCs (Hons) with Lower Second Class honours (H2B); for students who achieve 60% – 69%
  • BCs (Hons) with Third Class Honours (H3); for students who achieve 50%-59%
     

Final results are given for the year as a whole. Students will be graded as follows:

  • First class Honours (H1) 80%-100%
  • Second class Honours Division A (H2A) 70%-79%
  • Second class Honours Division B (H2B) 60%-69%
  • Third class Honours (H3) 50%-59%

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) is 50 credit points

Honours project and supervisor list

At Swinburne, our honours program emphasises independent research, with your individual research project accounting for 75% of your time, effort, and grade.

Browse the available projects and explore the areas that align with your interests to identify the right research project for you. Once you have picked a project, then email your future supervisor to discuss next steps.

Browse honours project and supervisor list

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours)?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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