Faculty of Mathematic Handbook,1987 - University of Newcastle

Bachelor of Computer Science
This new degree course, which is being introduced in 1987, has been designed to provide
students with the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects in computer science and
related areas, and thus equip them with an excellent background for a professional career
in the computer industry or as a programmer or systems analyst in industry or commerce.
In order to qualify for a B.Comp.Sc. degree, students must pass nine subjects. At least
seven of these subjects must be from the Schedule, including three Part I subjects, the
Part III subject Computer Science IlIA and one other Part III subject. In practice this
means that a full-time student will typically take the following subjects:
First year: Computer Science I, Mathematics I, Computer Engineering I, X
Second year: Computer Science II, Mathematics IICS, Y
Third year: Computer Science IlIA, Computer Science IIlB.
X will normally be a Part I subject and Y a Part II subject. Students may take any Part I
subject from the list at the end of this section in the slot X. Slot Y will usually be a Part
II subject and can include other Part II subjects from the Schedule. At present the only
such subject is Computer Engineering II, but further subjects may be added to the
Schedule. Alternatively a student can choose a Part II subject from the list below.
Students who wish to transfer from some other degree and who have already taken
Computer Science I and Mathematics I, together with two other Part I subjects, may in
suitable cases be granted standing in these subjects as the X and Y subjects. but then they
must enrol in Computer Engineering I. For such students it would then be impossible to
take Computer Engineering II. For this reason there is an option for them to study
Computer Engineering III rather than Computer Science 11m. The prerequisite for
Computer Engineering III is Computer Engineering I (not II). (Students should note that
they cannot take both Computer Engineering II and Computer Engineering Ill.)
Up to two subjects which are not on the Schedule may be taken as part of the course.
Subjects approved for this purpose include:
Accounting I
Biology I
Chemistry I
Part I
Classical Civilisation I
Drama I
Economics IA
English I
French IA or IS
Geography I
Geology I
German IS or IN
Greek I
History I
Japanese I
Latin I
Legal Studies I
Linguistics I
Philosophy I
Physics IA or IE
Psychology I
Sanskrit I
Sociology I
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Part II
Biology IIA
Chemistry IIA
Classical Civilisation IIA
Economics IIA
Education II
Electronics and Instrumentation II
English ITA
French IIA
Geography IIA
Geology IIA
Gennan IIA
History IIA
Japanese IIA
Legal Studies IIA
Mathematics IIA
Philosophy IIA
Physics II
Psychology IIA
Statistics II
For part-time students the degree patterns described above can be adjusted appropriately
over not more than seven years.
Essay Requirement
Students of the B.Comp.Sc. degree must complete an essay on some aspect of the history
or philosophy of computer science or the social issues raised by computer technology.
This will normally be completed in a student's second or third year. Details will be
discussed at the beginning of the Computer Science II lectures each year. This involves
reading several books and articles in preparation, so it should not be left until the last
minute. The degree cannot be awarded until the essay has been satisfactorily completed.
Students Wishing to Transfer from other Degrees
Standing for subjects taken as part of other degree courses should be discussed in the first
instance with the Head of the Department of Computer Science.
Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours)
This is a separate degree from the Bachelor of Computer Science, which may be taken
full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Entry requires at least Computer
Science IlIA (or its equivalent) with at least a credit result. It consists of the single
subject Computer Science IV, which includes a major project in addition to lecture topics
(which will include topics from Computer Science IUB for students who have not already
taken these).
Diploma in Computer Science
A post-graduate diploma, the Diploma in Computer Science has undergone a complete
revision which takes effect in 1987. The new regulations assume that students already
have a sound knowledge of basic programming in Pascal. Students who cannot
demonstrate that they have such a background must ftrst complete the preliminary subject
Introduction to Programming (or Computer Science I) before taking the main subjects.
The new regulations basically require students to complete subjects consisting of about
half the second year and half the third year topics of the Bachelor of Computer Science
degree (or exceptionally a full third year for students with a suitable background),
together with a project involving about 100 hours of work.
The diploma is intended as a part-time course and prerequisites make it difficult to
complete in a single full-time year, unless the candidate already has a good background
(e.g. having previously completed Computer Science IT).
Transition Arrangements
Students who enrolled in the Diploma before 1987 should consult the Diploma Coordinator
to detennine whether they should continue under the old regulations or transfer
to the new. In the latter case standing may be given for subjects previously passed.
Master of Computing
This is a new post-graduate coursework masters degree which requires two years full-time
(or the equivalent part-time) study. To qualify for the M.Comp. a student must pass the
subject Computer Science IVM, which involves about one full year of coursework
(normally based on that of Computer Science IUB and IV) together with a very
substantial one-year research related project, usually associated with one of the research
projects being carried out in the Department of Computer Science.
Applications will be considered from graduates who have completed Computer Science
IlIA or its equivalent (e.g. including the Diploma in Computer Science). The course
commences at the beginning of the academic year.
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