Are you thinking of undertaking a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW?
We’ll give you all the info you could want about the degree, including insights on requirements, subjects, dual degrees, uni culture and more!
Check it out!
What is a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW?
Core Units and Majors
How to Get into a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW
What’s the Teaching Format?
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
What is a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW?
Computer Science involves thestudy of the design, construction and uses of different computer systems. You can expect to look into data and data structures in computer systems, the creation of algorithms for automatic manipulation of information by programming languages and machine systems.
This degree very much focuses on thedesign and development of hardware and software toolsby which computer applications may be developed.
This degree is useful to people who want to further develop theircomputer literacy, programming prowess和flex their brain withanalytical thinking！
Career Paths
The career paths for this degree are extremely broad! The potential career opportunities include but are not limited to:
-
- Software engineer/developer
- Chief technology officer
- Digital security specialist
- Database developer/administrator
- Game developer
- Systems analyst
Can I study this degree in conjunction with another?
The Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW can bestudied as its own degree.However, it can also bestudied as a double degree,meaning that at the end of studies,students will have two qualifications！
Many students decide to do a double degree with this course.Popular courses to combine with the Bachelor of Computer Science includeEconomics, Mathematics, Advanced Science, Artsor evenEngineering.
For more information on Bachelor of Computer Science double degrees offered at UNSW, check out the handbookhere！
Core Units and Majors
What Majors are available?
A multitude of majors can be chosen with a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW. The following are some you can choose from:
| Major | Description |
|---|---|
| Database Systems | Exposes students to both the foundations of Database Management Systems architecture, as well as to the principles behind leading-edge applications of databases, including commerce and data mining. |
| eCommerce Systems | Students are introduced to a range of core network, database and interface technologies, as well as the principles behind them, techniques for analysing them, and the exploration of how these technologies can be used to create effective online services. |
| Artificial Intelligence | Shows students the foundations of Artificial Intelligence and the core technologies related. This includes machine learning and knowledge representation that is required to apply Artificial Intelligence in the real world. |
| Programming Languages | Teachers students the foundations of programming languages, how they are designed, how they can be implemented, and how they can potentially be best exploited by programmers. It considers procedural languages, functional languages, object-oriented languages and parallel languages. |
| Computer Networks | Shows students the foundations of computer networks, computer network architecture, their management and emerging application areas. |
| Embedded Systems | Exposes students to both the underlying hardware technologies and the techniques for controlling hardware programmatically. |
| Security Engineering | Students who choose Security Engineering as their major are equipped for careers in penetration testing, incident response, software assessment, malware analysis, forensics, military or law enforcement and security consulting. |
To find out more about the majors have a lookhere！
What are the Core Units?
Throughout this degree, all Computer Science students arerequired to complete certain core units in conjunction with subjects related to their chosen majors.Some core units includeData Structures and Algorithms, Discrete Maths和Object-Oriented Design and Programming.
One of the first-year compulsory units is titledProgramming Fundamentals.Within this unit, students are given an introduction to programming, which helps studentsdevelop proficiency in using a high-level programming language.
Another first-year core unit is titledSoftware Engineering Fundamentalswhere you can learn aboutsoftware engineering principles, basic software lifecycle concepts, modern development methodologies, conceptual modelling和how these activities relate to programming. This unit also introduces the basic notions ofteam-based project management！
Are there built-in internships or placements?
There are no compulsory internships or placements for the Bachelor Computer Science degree at UNSW.
How to Get into a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW
The ATAR cut off for a Bachelor of Computer Science is anATAR of 93. Even if you don’t achieve this ATAR, there are still other ways to get into this course!
An alternate pathway to this degree is theFaculty of Engineering Admissions Scheme (FEAS). If you are only 10 points below the required ATAR of 93, you may still be evaluated for a spot to study Computer Science.
Your ability inmaths, physics and other sciences, as well as yourattitude and motivation, will becredited for suitabilityto undertake an undergraduate degree at UNSW Engineering. More can be found about the Admissions Schemehere.
Are there any prerequisites?
This degree has one prerequisite subject;the completion of at least Mathematics Extension 1is required to get into this course.
What scholarships are available?
There is a broad range of scholarships available at UNSW and in the field of Computer Science. To have a look at the scholarships on offer, have a lookhere!
What’s the Teaching Format?
Studying a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW means you’ll have to get used to thetrimester system.This just means that the teaching periods are broken into three sessionswith breaks in between each session.
Class Structure
Within this degree, you’ll engage with your learning throughlectures, tutorials和labs.
Lectures last for around2 and a half hours, and have the teacher speaking to the students in anauditorium, via zoom, or even in pre-recorded lectures！可以,这个学习环境的大小te large,up to 300 people.
Tutorials generallygo for an hour和help to consolidate the knowledge learned in the lectures, with muchsmaller class sizes (24 at most).This environment is much smaller as opposed to lectures, and a tutor will generally have the help of an assistant teacher.
Content varies in each tutorial, but you can expect to listen to the tutortalk about topics covered in the lectureor to be able tojoin a group coding system. Multiple people can code on a file at the same time.
Labstypically last for 2 hours和consist of the same tutorial group,with 24 people at most in a class with the tutor and assistant tutor. Students tend to engage in anextensive exercise,or aseries of small activities to get through that are programming related.
What are Assessments like?
There are lots of different ways to be assessed within this degree. The following are assessments you can expect to complete:
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- Weekly quizzes
- Formal examinations
- Assignments
- Open problem-solving questions
Skills That You Refine and Learn
Within this degree, a multitude of skills is developed and refined.Real-life type scenarios are presented to students, emulating what the workforce in the field will be like.Through this teaching style, students developproblem-solving skillsrelevant to their discipline such ascreating, producing and developing online code and programsas well asanswering mathematical questions.
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
The Bachelor of Computer Science degree is a part of the Engineering Faculty. This faculty isone of the largest of its kind in Australia！
UNSW accommodates for a large variety of students from many different disciplines. The university is alsoknown for its inviting and welcoming culture, from student clubs to enthusiastic tutors!
If you choose to study here, you’ll have access to有用的和热情的讲师和导师, who are willing to listen to any questions and supply resources.
Societies
If you study a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW, you’d probably want to join theComputer Science and Engineering Society(CSESoc). The society gives students from Computer Science and Engineering courses a fun way tonetwork with fellow students, as well astraining and workshopsrun by their peers.
Another Program to look out for isWIE, Women in Engineering.This clubpromotes and encourages women to pursue a career in an engineering field, through workshops, networking opportunities and support for female students in the Engineering Faculty at UNSW!
What resources and support programs can you access?
TheUNSW Engineering Society Peer Mentoring Programprovides support for first-year students by matching them with mentors a year or so above.Ideally, mentors will be studying the same degree as their mentees; but if this is not possible due to numbers, the mentor is still a part of the engineering faculty.
Through this program, bonds are formed, social activities are planned, but most importantly,学员将能够缓解融入大学的生活a buddy who can guide them!
Now you’ve got all the facts, learn about what people really think about UNSW Computer Science!
Matilda Elliottis a Content Writer at Art of Smart and a Communication graduate with a major in Journalism at Western Sydney University. You can find some of her published work in a range of platforms including SBS World News, The Music Network and within her own creative exploits with her twin sister. Matilda is a lover of listening, helping people to tell their stories, making genuine connections, clowning around in her circus troupe and dancing like no one is watching at live music shows!
