Bachelor of Software Engineering for 2009

Course overview

The study of software engineering involves computer science, problem-solving, mathematical foundations of software engineering, programming, software development methodologies, software processes and lifecycles, software quality, testing and technical documentation. This course explores the design, construction and engineering of large complex software systems, which meet information processing challenges, subject to constraints such as cost, time and risk management. Students complete core units in programming, engineering, mathematics and computer systems and then study specific software engineering units. Electives may be taken from IT and Engineering, allowing specialisation in areas such as mobile computing, networks, security, telecommunication and embedded systems. A large number of units are laboratory-based, and students spend a significant portion of their time in individual and group-based project work. The work develops skills in group management and dynamics, along with professional communication skills such as technical writing, documentation and presentation. High achieving local students may apply to receive a $15,000 Industry-Based Learning (IBL) scholarship and experience a 22-week industry placement during the third year of the degree. In their fourth year, students undertake a full year group studio project with an industry client. Students in the studio project address an open-ended complex problem embracing the full design cycle. Students work in teams on an industry specified project, negotiating a formal analysis and the development of a legal IP agreement before embarking on the design and development cycle. The projects embrace every aspect of Software Engineering product development in a real industry setting and conclude with the formal processes of product acceptance testing, presentation, and documentation. Students are exposed to professional practice thorough a regular interface with the industry client. Students who perform well in year three are invited into the fourth year Honours stream, where they take a research project, replacing two electives. This degree is often used as a pathway to postgraduate study and research. Students must fulfil a 12-week vacation industry placement requirement.

Duration, campus, fees and application information

Career outlook

The Bachelor of Software Engineering (BSE) is intended to produce quality, world-class graduates in this rapidly developing discipline. The degree has been specially designed in response to industry demand to produce graduate software engineers with large-scale software systems project capability. Graduates who can offer skills in these areas are in demand by business and government organisations concerned with software development on a large scale. Such skills are equally important to small projects and businesses, providing software engineering and integration services to government or large private organisations.

Graduates will be prepared for careers across all industries as applications developers, internet developers, programming specialists, systems programmers, and software designers, engineers, architects, consultants and developers.