Master of Computer Science

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics provides rigorous training in three interconnected areas that shape the world around us. You will learn to understand the complex interactions between economic and political factors that affect policy and decision-making in contexts ranging from local communities to international organisations. You will develop skills in political understanding, critical thinking, and economic analysis that are essential for careers in politics and government, entrepreneurship, international development, public service, and many other areas.

What you will study
The program of study includes core subjects in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, plus a Major study focusing on a more extensive set of subjects within one of those three areas.

Through the study of Politics, you will learn the foundations of political theory, the impact of public policy, and the structure and history of politics in Australia. You will learn how political considerations affect international relations and the specific problems that arise in the politics of developing countries. You will also study the role of culture and media in politics, allowing you to situate your understanding in a broader social context.

Studying Philosophy will develop your skills in critical thinking and logical analysis. You will learn how distinct ways of understanding concepts such as justice, fairness, and human rights depend on different assumptions regarding knowledge, ethics, and the nature of mind and the self. You will also learn how fundamental philosophical problems relate to serious practical issues in areas such as mental health, bioethics and climate change.

Economics includes three components: macroeconomics, microeconomics, and quantitative methods. Through these, you will learn to interpret complex economic ideas and assess economic factors that arise in a wide variety of contexts. You will acquire formal skills that are essential in business and financial modelling, and you will study economic history, ensuring that your skills are informed by a broader context.

Finally, a Capstone subject integrates key components from all three disciplines into a coherent package, allowing you to apply your understanding of complex problems to real world scenarios.

The Visual Arts and Design major is for those who love not only painting and making, but also designing for real-world environments. The course will develop your skills in traditional areas such as painting and drawing, print-making and photography, and sculpture and textiles. You will also learn contemporary digital design skills, including visual communication design, innovations in design practice and interface design – all underpinned by learnings in history and theory. This dynamic major offers extensive studio time, while equipping you with the design skills essential for success in the contemporary arts and creative industries.

What you will study
The structure of the course is based on a common Creative Arts first year, followed by parallel studies in visual arts and design. This will lead to a capstone project-based subject, which brings together both fields of study. You will also take part in a major showcase and public exhibition by the end of your degree. Student work is exhibited throughout the year.

The Master of Information Technology (Information Systems Development) involves an in-depth study of the organisational, economic, regulatory and socio-technical issues that arise in the implementation of IT in business and government, and how to effectively manage those issues.

This degree is suitable for those without an IT background seeking to develop the fundamental skills required to work in the sector, or to undertake a management role in which an understanding of IT implementation is essential.

What you will study
You will study subjects in programming for social innovation and enterprise architecture design and management, alongside core subjects in programming, data management and security, information design and content management, systems development and business process management. You will also complete a minor research project or report.

This degree
This program will provide you with the skills to develop and manage computer information systems to achieve business goals. You will develop valuable transferable skills in solving business problems, such as project and change management, and an in-depth understanding of emerging technologies, IT strategy and governance, security and service provision and information management. This course will prepare you for a career as a systems analyst or systems designer.

Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineers design computer hardware and systems for all aspects of daily life and in any industry where computer and autonomous systems are prevalent – driverless cars, autonomous aerial vehicles, Artificial Intelligence Systems, computer hardware design, medical equipment, automotive and transport sector, smart buildings, automated public infrastructure, manufacturing, automated production line processes and service delivery and design of personal electronic devices and Internet of Things.

They work across a wide range of sectors including robotics and manufacturing, surveillance, medical, transport, construction, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, resources – any industry which requires personnel with expertise in the design and applications of computer systems and hardware, especially the interfacing of computers with other machinery.

This Degree
You will study a common first year allowing you to learn more about engineering and its different fields before deciding which discipline to study. The common first year provides you with sound fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, computing, engineering science and communication, mechanics, materials and fluids. You then focus on your chosen major study from second year.

Your degree includes a 12-week hands-on industry placement. You may gain credit for relevant work experience, either in Australia or overseas, by participating in our Professional Options Program.

Engineers work in a variety of industries, contributing within teams for complex projects and taking a lead role in design work, troubleshooting, testing, analysis and verification of component and system performance, project management, and system commissioning.

What you will study
In the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering you will study electrical engineering, software design and hardware-software integration, from the development of super computers to circuit design. You will acquire specialist expertise in the fields of computer architecture and software design to combine hardware and software solutions to solve practical problems.

After completing two years of physics, maths, computer programming, circuit theory and general engineering-based subjects, the later years of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering focus on the development of high level computer engineering capabilities including:

• Hardware Design
• Software Design
• Signal Processing
• Multimedia Control Systems and Robotics
• Autunomous Systems

From second year you also have the option to complete a double major, combining Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering with Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

An Honours degree provides you with the opportunity to undertake research on a topic of interest. The degree is designed to give you the skills to demonstrate excellence in research with a clear understanding of a research question in relation to current knowledge.

To graduate with an Honours degree, you will undertake a research thesis within your major study discipline, together with any required coursework. The Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree can currently be taken in the following disciplines: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Exercise Science, Geology, Marine Science, Nutrition Science, and Physical Geography and Environmental Geosciences.

A Bachelor of Business – Bachelor of Laws from UOW equips you with a comprehensive legal education: a world-class degree that provides a thorough grounding in the law, as well as a real-world focus on the essential practical skills and the social and ethical context in which the law operates.

Combining Law with Business prepares you for a range of careers, giving you the edge as you gain a legal perspective on contemporary and socially responsible business practice. It provides a program of study in commerce, business and administration and further develops analytical and interpersonal skills, and high levels of literacy and numeracy.

We believe that practical experience is a vital part of your legal training. We are the only law school in New South Wales that requires you to complete a legal internship, providing highly valued industry experience.

We are committed to social justice and providing a legal education that engages with the complexities of law's intersection with society.

Today’s business environment is dynamic and complex. The Bachelor of Business degree provides core skills across all business functions, as well as specialist knowledge in a chosen field. Throughout this degree you will have the opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience and make professional connections, including the opportunity to participate in the Business Internship program.

This degree

Double degrees are designed to broaden your knowledge and skills set, giving you a competitive advantage in the workforce. They also reduce the length and cost of study by combining two different degrees. This double degree delivers a practical and contextual legal education that prepares graduates not only for traditional careers in the legal profession but also for a wide range of careers in government, business and community organisations – as leaders, innovators and problem solvers.

On completion of this degree, you will be able to apply critical thinking, including the application of research methods to commercial issues in local, national and international contexts.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Business – Bachelor of Laws covers the prescribed areas of knowledge for future admission to the profession as well as including a choice of electives. Additionally, an integrated skills program equips graduates with experience in areas such as legal research, interviewing, legal drafting, advocacy and negotiation. Opportunities also exist to undertake subjects by way of an international exchange. You will select from a list of business majors including, Accountancy, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing and Public Relations.

The Master of Engineering (Computer) provides graduate Engineers with discipline-specific knowledge and technical skills in the design and development of hardware and embedded systems. These include sensors, robotics, smartphones, medical equipment and multimedia technology. You will develop specialist skills needed to lead a process of innovative change within the sector.

This degree

The Master of Engineering delivers expert skills and applied competencies required for the professional engineer. It is designed to train and enhance professional practice, advance technical and specialist skills, and provide an opportunity to put theory into practice with applied projects and research. The degree also delivers communication, strategic and project management skills essential to the practising engineer.

What you will study

You will complete the core subjects in Professional Communications and Engineering Workplace Practice, Innovation and Design, Advanced Laboratory, and Research Methods.

For the Computer Engineering major you will study subjects in Advanced Signals and Systems, Image and Video Processing, The Future Internet: Architectures and Communication Protocols plus additional subjects selected from the electives from Electrical, Computer, Mechanical or Engineering subjects. You will also complete an advanced project.

Chemistry is the central science that enables us to understand our world at the molecular level. The ability to understand the relationship between structure and function of molecules is critical to understanding the processes of life, of the natural world and of the industrial world.

The Bachelor of Science major in Chemistry will give you the knowledge and skills to apply chemistry across the full range of technically-based disciplines including physics, molecular biology, life sciences, geochemistry, environmental science, engineering, and health sciences. These skills include both analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as expertise in using sophisticated laboratory instrumentation, all of which are highly valued by employers in all sectors of the economy.

Human Geography is the study of people and place. Human Geographers examine social and environmental problems in a holistic way, and apply spatial thinking to help resolve social conflicts and environmental crises. At UOW, Human Geographers investigate solutions to issues around climate change, economic development, environmental management, population and cultural change, and urban, rural and regional planning.

This degree
The Bachelor of Science (Human Geography) program at UOW includes the opportunity to undertake practicals and fieldwork, taking advantage of the local Illawarra environment including urban and heritage landscapes, coastal landscapes, rainforest escarpment and freshwater ecosystems.

What you will study
As a Science student, you will learn skills in logical and critical thinking, creative problem-solving, practical research, organisation and project management, numeracy, statistical literacy, computer applications (including geographic information systems), and strong communication.

Software engineering incorporates all aspects of software production from business strategy to design and coding, testing, quality and management of large-scale complex software systems. Software engineering is about multi-person development of multi-version software that is large and complex, such as the Windows, Linux and Android operating systems, office software, and flight control systems.

This degree
Computer scientists focus on the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to computation and its applications. They design methods and tools and write programs for computer applications. These applications can be in areas such as computer systems to control machinery, information management and big data, applications for mobile devices, stock market trend analysis, game design, visualisation of chemical reactions, neural network design, computational geometry for robot navigation, patient monitoring in hospitals, and much more.

What you will study
You will be able to choose your major in your second year after studying a common core of subjects that links our computer science, IT and information systems degrees. Find your strengths and interests as you study the fundamentals of computer science and IT: programming, problem solving, network and communications, web technology, data management, system analysis, human–computer interaction, and project management. You’ll also complete a final-year capstone team project.

You can choose to study a double degree with Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts or Business. These programs of study will provide you with a broad experience of technology using various industry products such as Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, SAP and Cisco.