Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) | Courses | Swinburne University

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The Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) is intended to provide students who have demonstrated academic ability with the opportunity to pursue their undergraduate studies to an advanced level, to deepen their intellectual understanding in the fields of Computer Science and/or Software Engineering, and to develop their research skills.

The honours course is a recognised point of entry into postgraduate research studies. Students will concentrate on a chosen problem from the fields of Computer Science and/or Software Engineering, gaining a better understanding and practising appropriate research techniques. Students will also be required to complete a substantial original piece of research for their thesis to ensure that they develop the ability to conceptualise problems, devise research strategies and carry out individual research work under the supervision of a member of staff with expertise in the area.

Graduates of this course will have advanced skills in Computer Science and/or Software Engineering and will have well-developed oral and written communication skills.

An honours year can improve your job prospects or provide a pathway to postgraduate study.
Register your interest to find out more.

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 27 February 2023
Semester 2 - 31 July 2023

View application and start dates

Duration

1 year full-time

Full-time

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Course details

- Course structure and career opportunities.

Course 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.
View course rules and special requirements

Core studies

6 units (75 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Topics in Computer Science *	COS40004	12.5
Honours Research Project *	ICT40001	50
Honours Research Project A *	ICT40003	12.5
Honours Research Project B *	ICT40004	37.5
Research Methods * - Must Complete	ICT40005	12.5
Honours Seminar * - Must Complete	ICT40009	12.5
Research Report A *	ICT40010	12.5
Research Report B *	ICT40011	12.5

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Other studies

2 units (25 credit points)

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).

– Work Integrated Learning + Elective units + Signature Series

Work Integrated Learning

Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.

Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.

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You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.

A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!

You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.

Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Data Structures and Patterns	COS30008	12.5
IT Security	COS30015	12.5
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence	COS30019	12.5
Languages in Software Development	COS30023	12.5
Concurrent Programming	COS40003	12.5
Software Development for Cloud Computing	COS80001	12.5
Advanced Java	COS80007	12.5
Software Testing Processes and Automation	COS80010	12.5

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

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

Course learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

demonstrate an in-depth understanding of 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
effectively communicate, both orally and in written form, the identified question, the chosen research methodology, the rationale behind the chosen methodology, and the achieved outcomes to the relevant community.

Career opportunities

If you wish to seek employment following your honours degree, the course affords the opportunity to extend your knowledge of information technology and to specialise in an area within it. The course's strong orientation to research should teach you the principles and techniques of original research and prepare you for areas of professional employment in which conceptual, organisational and research skills are in demand.

Fees

- Fees for 2023.

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

2023 rate*	Estimated total cost of the course	Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time*	Amenities fee per year if studying full-time*
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)	$8,301	$8,301	See how your SSAF is calculated

Fees are estimates only: The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester. Students who participate in a six or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.

Find out more about fees.

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Honours course, students must have completed a Bachelor (pass) degree in Computer Science, Software Development or Software Engineering equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree and must have at least a credit average in ICT studies undertaken. Students who achieve at least two distinctions or better in third year ICT units may also be considered. Agreement of a Project Supervisor for the Honours Research Project proposed is mandatory.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Learn more about pathways.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply.