Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
This double degree aims to provide students with a broad range of multimedia production skills combined with extensive skills in the software engineering and development required to develop games and interactive applications. The degree is designed to combine theoretical and practical knowledge through a range of experiential teaching methods, and apply these to the development of 2D and 3D games. Students completing this degree will possess a highly desirable combination of multimedia and information technology skills, enabling them to find work in a variety of positions in the games industry as well as in the broader information and communications technology sector.
Aims & Objectives:
Graduates should have: A sound and broad knowledge of the design of multimedia and interactive applications and an appreciation of the various skills required Skills in the application of learning and instructional design principles to structured multimedia and interactive applications The ability to function effectively as an individual and in project teams, whether as manager, leader or team member The communication and management skills required to successfully manage multimedia development projects Been prepared for the rapidly evolving multimedia and games industries by developing their life-long learning skills and flexibility of mind Knowledge of the computer networking and software technologies typical for multimedia production facilities, and skills in analysing, specifying and supporting those networking and software resources An understanding of the process of multimedia and interactive application development, and the skills necessary for working in a development team on a large-scale project An understanding of the changing face of multimedia and the current games industry, in relation to both acceleration in the use and development of technology, and its impact on society An understanding of the process of software development Skills in the object-oriented approach to systems analysis, design and implementation High-level skills in developing software in Java and C++ An understanding of social, legal and ethical issues confronting the software engineering professional An understanding of aspects of user interaction An immersive and experiential understanding of the interactive nature of game play Knowledge of current aspects of game play including: terrain models, levels of detail, character and real-time animation, game architecture and user-interaction An understanding of game-specific principles such as ludology and haptics and their application to wider games research The skills to build large-scale graphical simulations and non-recreational games
Course Structure:
The BMm (Games and Interactivity)/BSc (Computer Science and Software Engineering) double degree requires students to successfully complete 400 credit points of approved units of study equivalent to four years of full-time study, with an optional and additional year of Industry-Based Learning (IBL) normally taken after three years of study. Note: The optional IBL program is not available to international students. These courses operate under a student workload model based on 100 credit points for a full-time academic year. One credit point is deemed equivalent to one hour of student work per week for one semester whether in contact with staff or in private study. Usually, four units of study are taken per semester, each subject having a value of 12.5 credit points. The typical student’s average weekly workload during semester is therefore expected to be 50 hours. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, and laboratory sessions, will be approximately 16 hours/week during academic semesters. Students choose units of study from three Study Groups, completing at least 400 credit points made up of: Core Games & Interactivity Studies (112.5 credit points) Core Multimedia & CSSE Studies (237.5 credit points) Elective Studies (50 credit points) Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of your course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students who commence their course from 2007 onwards. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt for the unit as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills. Final Year Experience - Major Projects As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates from 2007 will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken.
Units of Study:
Core Games & Interactivity Studies (all 12.5 credit points) HET120 Interactive Games Structures HET321 Physics of Games HET325 Principles of Game Design HET430 Interaction Evaluation HET435 Games & Interactivity Project 2 HIT3046 Artificial Intelligence for Games HIT3083 Digital Graphics HIT3243 Games Programming HIT3158 Software Engineering Project A Core Multimedia & CSSE Studies (all 12.5 credit points) HDMD101 Design for Multimedia 1 HET104 LAN Principles HET238 3D Modelling (replaces HET208) HET213 User Experience Design HET222 Digital Video and Audio HET233 Games & Interactivity Lab 1 HET234 Games & Interactivity Lab 2 HIT1307 Internet Technologies HIT1402 Database Analysis and Design HIT2080 Introduction to Programming HIT2308 Software Development Practices HIT3037 Programming in Java HIT3044 Professional Issues in Information Technology HIT3172 Object-Oriented Programming in C++ HIT3181 Technical Software Development HIT3309 Software Project Practices and Management HIT3310 Software Architectures and Design HIT3311 Software Deployment and Evolution HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1 Elective Studies (all 12.5 credit points) HALM104 Media Literature Film: Texts and Contexts HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management HDMD102 Design for Multimedia 2 HET215 Multimedia Applications HET217 Business of Games HET236 Writing for Interactive Narratives HET324 Media Theory, DVD and Compositing HET332 Interactive Multimedia HET407 Multimedia Technology HET412 Networking and Online Games HIT2427 Object-Oriented Programming in .NET HIT3087 Advanced Java HIT2420 Database Management Systems Recommended Study Sequence Semester 1 HDMD101 Design for Multimedia 1 HET120 Interactive Games Structures HIT1402 Database Analysis and Design HIT2080 Introduction to Programming Semester 2 HDMD102 Design for Multimedia 2 HET222 Digital Video and Audio HIT3181 Technical Software Development HMS111 Engineering Mathematics 1 Semester 3 HET238 3D Modelling (replaces HET208) HET215 Multimedia Applications HIT2308 Software Development Practices HIT3172 Object-Oriented Programming in C++ Semester 4 HET213 User Experience Design HET325 Principles of Game Design HIT1307 Internet Technologies HIT3037 Programming in Java Semester 5 HET321 Physics of Games HET233 Games & Interactivity Lab 1 HIT3046 Artificial Intelligence for Games Choose one of: HALM104 Media Literature Film: Texts and Contexts HET236 Writing for Interactive Narratives HET324 Media Theory, DVD and Compositing HET407 Multimedia Technology Semester 6 HET234 Games & Interactivity Lab 2 HIT3083 Digital Graphics HIT3243 Games Programming HIT3309 Software Project Practices and Management Optional IBL year HSW050 Industry-Based Learning HSW055 Industry-Based Learning Semester 7 HET104 LAN Principles HET430 Interaction Evaluation HIT3158 Software Engineering Project A HIT3310 Software Architectures and Design Semester 8 HET435 Games & Interactivity Project 2 HIT3044 Professional Issues in Information Technology HIT3311 Software Deployment and Evolution Choose one of: HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management HET217 Business of Games HET332 Interactive Multimedia HET412 Networking and Online Games Note: In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. The optional Industry-Based Learning (IBL) program is not available to international students.
Industry-Based Learning:
Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/ The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However, international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.
Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/
The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However, international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.
Education Abroad:
Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies while on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates will possess a highly desirable combination of creative multimedia and programming skills. Graduates may find employment in a variety of positions in the games industry as well as in the broader information and communications technology sector. Graduates may also find employment in areas such as web authoring for electronic publications and news broadcasts, computer authoring and information architecture, 3D animation, non-linear video production and interactive television.
Professional recognition:
It is expected that the course will be accredited at Professional Level with the Australian Computer Society.
Entry Requirements:
Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent. 2009 VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 & 4 - a study score of at least 20 in English (any) and a study score of at least 25 in Mathematical Methods (either) or Specialist Mathematics. All Non-Year 12 students (NONY12) should refer to the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au for further infomation.
ENTER:
2008 Round 1 Cleary-In ENTER: 77.55 (CSP)
Credit Transfer:
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//
Pathways (articulation):
An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate studentsCommonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students. HELP The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of: HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a 20% discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $81,600 from 1 January 2008). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year. OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel. Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au
Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate studentsCommonwealth Supported Places (CSP). Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa are classified as domestic students. All other students are considered international students.
HELP
The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. HELP consists of:
Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.
For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au
Scholarships:
Applicants who believe they will receive an ENTER of at least 97.00, have an opportunity to undertake this course through the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Program. For further information visit the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships
Application Procedure:
Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). VTAC code: 34721 (CSP), 34723 (Int. Fee) For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au
Further information:
Submit an Online Enquiry Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794) Email: study@swinburne.edu.au Faculty of Life and Social Sciences website