University of Sydney Handbooks - 2017 Archive

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Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology

Course Overview


The Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology (BCST) will prepare you to work at the cutting edge of information technology. After you have completed core studies in programming, databases, systems analysis, and professional IT practice, you will pursue a course of study along one of two streams: computer science or information systems.

While undertaking your degree, you are encouraged to explore your personal interests by enrolling in units from a range of other disciplines such as psychology, languages, biology, philosophy, geography or commerce. This study experience provides domain-specific knowledge useful to the application of information technologies in that area.

The computer science stream involves the study of computers and computer programs. You will excel in this stream if you're more technically-minded and want to contribute to the future development and support of computer technology.

The information systems stream comprises the study of the direct application of software design and development to the business domain. You will gain an understanding of the principles and techniques involved in the analysis, design, implementation and maintenance of computer systems within a business environment.

The Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology (Advanced) is a more challenging variant of the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology, and will appeal to you if you have substantial programming experience, aptitude and/or a high ATAR.

The course has the same flexible structure as the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology, except that students complete a significant amount of their study in advanced units, where more sophisticated and challenging topics and approaches are covered. You will choose units of study from a wide range of areas including networking, human-computer interaction, graphics, object-oriented design, internet software platforms, artificial intelligence, and e-business analysis and design.

As in the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology, all students will enrol in one of two streams: information systems or computer science.

An additional honours year is available to eligible students.

Course Requirements


To meet the requirements of the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology, a candidate must successfully complete 144 credit points, comprising:

  1. at least 114 credit points from core and recommended elective units;
  2. 18 credit points of selected Mathematics and Statistics units, with at least six credit points at 2000-level or above;
  3. a maximum of 30 credit points of free elective units of study
  4. for either the Computer Science stream or the Information Systems stream as shown in the units of study tables for this course;
  5. and ensuring:

i. no more than 72 credit points in junior (1000-level) units of study; and
ii. at least 42 credit points in 3000-level units of study.

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology (Advanced), a candidate must successfully complete 144 credit points specified in the Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology above, except:

  1. a minimum of 12 credit points of 2000-level core and recommended elective units are at the Advanced level; and
  2. a minimum of 12 credit points of 3000-level core and recommended elective units are at the Advanced level.


For a standard enrolment plan for Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology visit CUSP https://cusp.sydney.edu.au.