ANU - STUDYAT - Computer Science Major

Offered By:	Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Economics and Commerce, School of Art, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Asian Studies, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment, and ANU College of Pysical Sciences
Academic Contact:	H.J. Gardner, Reader and Head of School of Computer Science, ANU College of Engineering & Computer Science
Areas of Interest:	Computer Science

Computer Science is the study of information and computation: of algorithms, data and computing systems which accept, store, transform and present data in ways that contribute to knowledge and the well-being of society.

The computer science major teaches the basic principles and theory used in developing computational solutions to problems including a study of data structures, algorithms, and programming languages and their use in translating solutions into software systems.

Example applications include the world-wide web, databases, user-interfaces, networks, high-performance computing, computer control and real-time systems. Software Engineering electives teach techniques and skills for the analysis, design, implementation and project management for the development and maintenance of high-quality software systems.

The computer science program aims to develop skilled computer scientists with the technical background, interpersonal and communications skills, knowledge, and adaptability to contribute to the development of well-designed, robust, computer-based solutions to a range of problems in business and industry.

The major is offered by the School of Computer Science, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science. Students have access to resources that are unsurpassed in Australia. The ANU campus hosts the largest supercomputer in the Australian university system, and is a founding member of National Information and Communication Technology Australia (NICTA) which is Australia's premier institution of excellence in computing and communications science and technology.

The major allows the integration of Computer Science with studies in other disciplines, and the flexibility to focus on software development, software systems or computer science theory. Students intending to pursue further studies in computing should do a double major.

Excellent career opportunities exist for Computer Science graduates in business, industry and government as programmers, systems analysts, computer systems and network managers, user support officers and software engineers.

Requirements

A major in Computer Science requires a minimum of 42 units of courses offered by the Department of Computer Science, including:

COMP1100 Introduction to Programming and Algorithms (or COMP1130) and COMP1110 Introduction to Software systems (or COMP1140);
30 units of Group B or Group C courses, including at least 18 units of Group C courses.

A double major consists of an additional 18 units of Group C courses.

First Year course advice

Students must take COMP1100, COMP1110 and either MATH 1013/1115 and MATH 1014/1116 or MATH1005.

Computer Science Major - Overview