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Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Computing

The Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Computing course offers a cost-efficient and time- effective pathway for students to prepare themselves for a science-oriented career in research, industry or commercial settings where a professional level of skill in computer software development and information technology is valuable. It is increasingly the case that many chemists, physicists, biologists and mathematicians (including statisticians and operation researchers) require a high level of competence in computer-based collection, management and analysis of data.

Aims and Objectives

In delivering the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Computing double degree, the School of Applied Science and the Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology aim to:

  • equip graduates with the knowledge, competencies and attitudes that will enable them to pursue a computing career in a scientific setting or a career in one of the sciences supported by professional-level computing skills;
  • foster in students an intellectual curiosity as a preparation for lifelong learning;
  • develop a high quality, challenging and supportive learning environment appropriate to the needs of both on-campus and distance education students, including international students.

Objectives

On completion of this double degree students should have:

  1. a sound knowledge and in-depth understanding of a chosen branch of science or mathematics;
  2. expertise to apply a range of analytical techniques within the chosen areas of the sciences;
  3. an understanding of the role and impact of the physical and natural sciences in society;
  4. an appreciation of the importance of an ethical base for scientific research and development activity;
  5. an understanding of information technology including the organisation and operational principles of computer hardware, systems software, data communications, database technology and the planning and management of system development;
  6. an in-depth knowledge in a selection of the areas of data communication and networks, systems programming, artificial intelligence, information systems management, computer graphics or human computer interface design and development;
  7. qualifications to work at a professional level in a computing/information technology oriented environment or in a scientific research or application environment requiring high-level use of information technology;
  8. the skills required for logical, independent and critical thinking and for effective problem-solving;
  9. the basis for progression to further study or research training;
  10. the ability to effectively communicate and cooperate with others in a multidisciplinary setting, and to work within and contribute to a team environment.

Methods of Teaching and Relationship to Objectives

The course has been designed to incorporate units which provide core scientific, mathematical and computing skills as well as specialist studies in each area. It will be taught both on-campus and by off-campus distributed learning.

On-campus students will be required to attend combinations of lectures, seminars, laboratory classes, tutorials, workshops and microlab sessions appropriate to the objectives of the individual units. First year units will combine lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes and provide the theoretical frameworks, methodologies and strategies for inquiry and research upon which second and third year units can be built.

In the final stage of their program students will have the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained in a practical setting, by undertaking a significant project. They will also choose from a range of more advanced studies and develop to a greater depth relevant knowledge and skills in selected areas of the sciences and selecting computing areas such as data communications and networks, systems programming, artificial intelligence, information systems management or human computer interface design and development.

In most computing units and some of the applied science units students interact regularly with staff and other students, including off campus students, via newsgroups and electronic bulletin boards, and via the Internet. Off-campus distributed learning students are provided with a range of instructional techniques and opportunities for interaction which support the off-campus mode, including the following.

  1. Interaction, opportunities for effective staff/student consultation and directed learning including weekend schools, residential schools, telephone tutorials, teleconferencing and computer networking. This allows student to student contact as well as contact between staff members and groups of students and provides for interactive learning between on and off-campus students;
  2. Materials, including text books, course handbooks, study guides, home laboratory kits (in some science units), collections of relevant articles, audio and video materials, computer disks and CD ROMs.
  3. Facilities including libraries, laboratories, regional study centres, computer microlabs, depositories, archives and the extensive range of services provided by the computer centre through NetFace and the Off-campus distributed learning centre.
  4. Electronic communication with staff and other students via e-mail and newsgroups. Off-campus students are required to have regular access to a personal computer and modem. The Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology has developed a suite of computer mediated communications software to support this process, and to simplify assignment submission, library catalogue access, e-mail exchange and the like.

Structure

For the Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Computing degree students will complete units with a total credit value of at least 192 points, as follows:

Fifteen units with a total of 96 points comprising one of the following majors:

Systems Development Major

First level

Second level

  • GCO2812 Computer Organisation
  • GCO2813 Information Systems 2
  • GCO2815 Database Management Systems
  • GCO2816 Object Oriented Analysis and Design
  • GCO2817 Data Structures and Algorithms

Third level

plus two units selected from:

  • GCO3812 Data Communications and Networks 1
  • GCO3813 Systems Programming
  • GCO3814 Human Computer Interaction
  • GCO3816 Information Management Systems
  • GCO3817 Computer Graphics
  • GCO3822 Multimedia Concepts and Applications
  • GCO3823 Client Server and WWW Database Applications
  • GCO3824 Data Communications and Networks 2

Business Systems Major

Level 1

Level 2

  • GCO2802 Computer Models for Business Decisions
  • GCO2803 Internet Commerce
  • GCO2812 Computer Organisation
  • GCO2813 Information Systems 2
  • GCO2815 Database Managment Systems
  • GCO2816 Object Oriented Analysis and Design

Level 3

  • GCO3900 Business Systems Project (12 points)
  • GCO3807 Project Management
  • GCO3816 Information Systems Management

plus two units selected from:

  • GCO3601 Infrastructure for Electronic Commerce
  • GCO3806 General Operations Management
  • GCO3811 Software Engineering
  • GCO3812 Data Communications and Networks 1
  • GCO3814 Human Computer Interaction
  • GCO3822 Multimedia Concepts and Applications
  • GCO3823 Client Server and WWW Database Applications
  • GCO3824 Data Communications and Networks 2

Multimedia Technology Major

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

  • GCO3700 Multimedia Compuitng Project (12 points)
  • GCO3826 Advanced Multimedia Technology
  • Plus one approved third level computing elective at third level

 

Applied Science Units

Units with a total credit value of at least 96 points drawn from Schedule A - Units offered by the School of Applied Science and creditable to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree. These studies must include:

Units from Schedule B (excluding the Computing and Information Systems sequences) with a total credit value of at least 12 points at first level and 24 points at each of second and third levels, including at least one major sequence consisting of at least 12 points at each of first, second and third levels.

  • GAS1030 Science and Society
  • GAS1614 Discrete Mathematics (which provides core mathematics background for computing studies)
  • GAS2062 Scientific Thought and Methods

A typical course structure over four years of full-time study.

Length of the Course

Four years (eight semesters) for full-time students, or typically eight years via off-campus distributed learning at 50% load factor.

Workload Requirement

It is expected that a student will devote approximately twelve hours of study per week, on average, to a semester-length unit of 6 points credit value. This time allocation includes scheduled classes for on-campus students.

For a 6 point semester length unit, typical class contact hours are as follows:

First level:

Biological, Chemical, Physical Sciences:
3 hours lectures, 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours laboratory

Computing, Mathematical Sciences, Psychology:
4 hours of integrated lectures, tutorials and workshops

Second and third levels:

Biological, Chemical, Physical Sciences:
3-4 hours lectures, 3-4 hours laboratory

Computing, Mathematical Sciences, Psychology:
4-5 hours of integrated lectures, tutorials and workshops

Admission Requirements

VTAC entry applies.

Normal Monash University entry requirements of VCE or equivalent with a grade average of C in the following studies: English, Mathematical Methods and one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Information Technology.

Fee Structure

For Australian residents this course will be offered within approved Faculty loads. International students will be accepted on a full fee basis set at $16,280 per year for a full-time load, subject to determination by the Vice Chancellor. Pro rata rates will be struck for part-time programs.

Enquiries

Details relating to course structure, course regulations, and individual units are available in the Monash University Handbook.

For enquiries concerning enrolment, credits or exemptions for prior studies, and course structure please contact:

School of Applied Sciences
Monash University
Gippsland Campus
Churchill, Victoria, Australia, 3842

Phone (03) 990 26453 or (03)51 22 6453
FAX (03) 9902 6738 or (03) 5122 6738
World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.sci.monash.edu.au
 

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