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Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development) 

I053     


Campus Availability Study Mode Study Level Duration
Hawthorn Full-time Undergraduate Three years full-time. An optional and additional year of Industry-Based Learning (IBL) is also available.
Students holding an international student visa are not eligible for Industry-Based Learning.

This three year Professional Software Development course has been developed in conjunction with representatives of the local and global software industry. The course covers advanced software development with an emphasis on problem solving, practical software engineering including the critical skills of quality assurance, project management and the use of industry-standard development techniques and tools. Graduates will develop deep technical skills with an understanding of software architecture and its
role in an organisation. The course maintains regular industry interaction through seminars, site visits, industry-based projects, equipping graduates with a valuable combination of industry and academic knowledge for future application in the global software industry.

An additional year of advanced project-based study allows students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development) (Honours).

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The program aims to develop in students:
  • The skills necessary for working in a software development team on a large scale project.
  • 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 modern program languages such as Java and C++
  • The communication and management skills required to successfully manage software development projects
  • An understanding of social, legal and ethical issues confronting the software engineering professional
  • Knowledge and experience in human-computer interaction, web and database systems and data communications

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Four units of study will generally be taken each semester. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials and laboratory sessions, will normally be between 12 - 16 hours per week during the academic semesters.
Students choose units of study from four Study Groups:
  • Software Development Core Studies
  • Contextual Studies
  • Specialist ICT Studies
  • Non-ICT Studies
Students may choose to extend the program to four years to complete the Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development)(Honours). The additional honours year involves an intensive major studio project and some advanced electives.

Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study, HIT0004 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 compulsory for all undergraduate students who commence this course from 2006 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.

Electives Plus sequences
Electives Plus sequences provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline.
 
Students undertaking this course can choose to study Electives Plus sequences of up to three units from one of the following themes:
Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.

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.

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Students must complete three units from one of these groups, or alternatively one of the three-unit minors from another discipline must be taken.

 
Current specialisation options include:

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Recommended Study Sequence

Semester 2
HIT2302 Object-Oriented Programming
HIT1307 Internet Technologies
HIT2313 Computer Systems
HIT2316 Usability

Semester 2
HIT3304 Database Programming
HIT3309 Software Project Practices and Management
HIT3315 Languages in Software Development
Elective

Semester 2
HIT3205 Software Development Project B
HIT3311 Software Deployment and Evolution
HIT3044 Professional Issues in Information Technology
Elective

Stage 4 - Honours (optional)
Semester 1
HIT4301 Studio Project A, or
HIT4303 Research Project A
Elective
 
 


Non-ICT Elective Studies        
HBSG200 New Venture Development and Management
Other non-IT electives may be drawn from other disciplines subject to prerequisites and timetabling.
Students can choose to study an Electives Plus sequence of up to three units (see above).

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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.

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Students may choose to extend the program to four years to complete the Bachelor of Science (Professional Software Development)(Honours). The additional honours year involves an intensive major studio project and some advanced electives. For further information, contact the Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies or visit http://www.swin.edu.au/ict/courses/undergrad/honours.html

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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.

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Graduates will find employment in organisations engaged in medium- to large-scale software development projects in areas such as defence, aerospace and medicine, where complex software plays a major role, as well as in manufacturing industry. Graduates are often initially employed in technical areas such as programming and systems analysis and design, and progress into project leadership and management positions as their experience develops.

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This course is acknowledged as being at the Professional Level (the highest level) with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

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Graduates will develop deep technical skills with an understanding of software architecture and its role in an organisation.

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Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. 2009 VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 20 in English (any) and Units 1 & 2 -Mathematics (any).

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2008 Round 1 Clearly-in ENTER: 71.40 (CSP)

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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//

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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//

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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.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ind3.htm

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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

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For further information visit: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships

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Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

VTAC Code: 34001 (CSP) 34003 (Int. Fee)

For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au

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Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
 

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