Computer Science major
Computing software and systems are becoming increasingly integral to our lives, revolutionising the world in which we live, work and communicate. This major provides its students with the knowledge and skills required to participate in this revolution. Your studies develop your knowledge of theoretical, algorithmic, implementation and systems principles that underpin computer languages and networks. If you wish to play a role in developing new computing technologies or specialise in enterprise-level programming, systems, software engineering or research careers, then Computer Science is the major for you.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) identify appropriate data structures and algorithms to solve computational problems; (2) design, implement, verify, test, and document robust and secure computer programs; (3) apply the knowledge of design and operation of core computer system components to the development of computer systems; (4) explain ethical, social and security aspects and constraints of contemporary computer science practice; (5) apply team-based software development processes; and (6) communicate software and systems requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation clearly in oral and written formats.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
Mathematics Methods ATAR or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year.
Students without ATAR Mathematics will take two first-year mathematics units.
Computer Science can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Computer Science is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- three Level 1 units
- three Level 2 units
- six Level 3 units
Key to availability of units: |
---|
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021 |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Level 1
Take all units (18 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1, S2 | CITS1001 | Software Engineering with Java |
|
S2 | CITS1003 | Introduction to Cybersecurity |
|
S2 | CITS1402 | Relational Database Management Systems |
|
Take units if applicable:
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods |
|
Level 2
Take all units (18 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S2 | CITS2002 | Systems Programming |
|
S1 | CITS2200 | Data Structures and Algorithms | |
S2 | CITS2211 | Discrete Structures |
|
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S2 | CITS3001 | Algorithms, Agents and Artificial Intelligence |
|
S1 | CITS3002 | Computer Networks |
|
S2 | CITS3200 | Professional Computing |
|
S1 | CITS3403 | Agile Web Development |
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | CITS3003 | Graphics and Animation | |
N/A | CITS3005 | Knowledge Representation |
|
N/A | CITS3007 | Secure Coding |
|
N/A | CITS3402 | High Performance Computing |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Computer Science degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Computer Science degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .