University of Sydney Handbooks - 2020 Archive

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Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Software)

Stream Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Software) will prepare you for a role as a senior software engineer, development manager, applications programmer, analyst, consultant or software innovator. You will learn about all aspects of software production, from strategy and design to coding, quality and management.

Software engineers design and develop computer games, business applications, operating systems and network control systems. They must be experts in the theory of computing systems, the structure of software, and the nature and limitations of hardware to ensure that the underlying systems will work properly. The tasks performed by software engineers evolve quickly, reflecting changes in technology and new areas of specialisation, as well as the changing practices of employers and industry.

Course Requirements


To meet requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Software), a candidate must successfully complete 192 credit points, comprising:

  1. 36 credit points from the Engineering Core Table, including all required units
  2. The Professional Engagement Program (PEP). Details of the requirements of PEP can be found on the Faculty of Engineering Student Portal
  3. 108 credit points from the Software Stream Core Table pertaining to the specialist stream being undertaken, including all required units
  4. A minimum of 48 credit points of additional units from the Software Stream Specialist Table pertaining to the specialist stream being undertaken, including satisfying any additional requirements specified for the Specialist Table
  5. A maximum of 12 credit points of general electives may be taken


The completion of a major is not necessary. If a student chooses to do a major, aligned majors can be completed within the 192 credit points described above.

The best aligned majors with the Software Stream are:


For a standard enrolment plan for Software Engineering visit CUSP (https://cusp.sydney.edu.au).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Software Engineering stream students will be able to:

No. Mid-Level Learning Outcomes
1 Demonstrate mastery of analytical skills including the applications and limitations of linear algebra, calculus and statistical models and scientific methodology.
2 Demonstrate proficiency with the software tools, methods, principles, technical knowledge and conceptual frameworks of software engineering, including programing with Internet computing platforms, software modeling and design, software testing, software quality assurance, software process management
3 Effectively address non-routine design and troubleshooting problems.
4 Apply diverse strategies to develop and implement innovative ideas in software systems.
5 Plan, design, and review software systems, services and IT solutions.
6 Recognise and respond to the interdisciplinary context of software systems.
7 Find, interpret, evaluate and manage research in software systems to support decision making.
8 Present compelling oral, written and graphic evidence to communicate software engineering practice.
9 Contribute as an individual to multidisciplinary and multicultural teams to deliver software related projects.
10 Apply relevant values, standards and judgement to contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of software systems.