Bachelor of Computer Science (3506)

  • Approved Abbreviation: BCompSc
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 3506
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 041105G

This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year 2019 to 2021 please refer to: 3506.9 - Bachelor of Computer Science

For Commencement Year 2014 to 2016 please refer to: 3506.7 - Bachelor of Computer Science

The Bachelor of Computer Science provides an in-depth technical understanding of computer software systems, underpinned by theoretical foundations and practical techniques. The program provides a solid foundation for computer science study in computer theory, software design, development, and applications. It provides you with the knowledge and skills to develop effective and innovative solutions to problems. A range of specialised majors are offered in Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Systems Programming, Networked Systems, Technology Entrepreneurship and Cloud Computing. Students work on real world projects and complete an industry experience project giving them an edge to access excellent career opportunities as programmers, system or software developers, or AI engineers.

Study Mode

Three years full-time.

Program Advice

Program advice

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Full Time Internal See above
Penrith Campus Full Time Internal See above

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Computer Science currently is accredited with the Australian Computer Society at the professional level.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

Admission

Assumed Knowledge: HSC Mathematics and any two units of HSC English.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

This sequence below applies to students who commenced in 2023 or earlier. If you commenced in 2024 or later please refer to the Sequence 2024 tab for details.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence 2022-2023

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
MATH 1028 Statistical Decision Making 10
COMP 1005 Programming Fundamentals 10
COMM 1026 Principles of Professional Communication 1 10
INFO 1003 replaces COMM 1026 from Autumn 2023  
MATH 1006 Discrete Mathematics 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMP 2008 Computer Organisation 10
COMP 2014 Object Oriented Programming 10
INFS 2001 Database Design and Development 10
COMP 2004 Computer Networking 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
COMP 2019 Systems Programming 1 10
COMP 2009 Data Structures and Algorithms 10
Select two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFS 3003 Artificial Intelligence 10
INFO 3006 Information Security 10
COMP 3009 Distributed Systems and Programming 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
INFO 3008 Professional Development 10
Select three electives 30
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMP 3018 Professional Experience 10
INFS 3008 Formal Software Engineering 10
Select two electives 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Full-time mid-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Spring sessionCredit Points
COMP 1005 Programming Fundamentals 10
INFS 2001 Database Design and Development 10
COMP 2004 Computer Networking 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Autumn session
MATH 1028 Statistical Decision Making 10
COMM 1026 Principles of Professional Communication 1 10
INFO 1003 replaces COMM 1026 from Autumn 2023  
MATH 1006 Discrete Mathematics 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Spring session
COMP 2008 Computer Organisation 10
COMP 2014 Object Oriented Programming 10
Select two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Autumn session
COMP 2019 Systems Programming 1 10
COMP 2009 Data Structures and Algorithms 10
INFO 3008 Professional Development 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Spring session
INFO 3006 Information Security 10
INFS 3008 Formal Software Engineering 10
COMP 3009 Distributed Systems and Programming 10
INFS 3003 Artificial Intelligence 10
 Credit Points40
Autumn session
COMP 3018 Professional Experience 10
Select three electives 30
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Accelerated Pathway - Summer Sessions

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
MATH 1028 Statistical Decision Making 10
COMP 1005 Programming Fundamentals 10
COMM 1026 Principles of Professional Communication 1 10
INFO 1003 replaces COMM 1026 from Autumn 2023  
MATH 1006 Discrete Mathematics 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMP 2008 Computer Organisation 10
COMP 2014 Object Oriented Programming 10
INFS 2001 Database Design and Development 10
COMP 2004 Computer Networking 10
 Credit Points40
Summer A session
Select two electives 20
 Credit Points20
Year 2
Autumn session
COMP 2009 Data Structures and Algorithms 10
COMP 2019 Systems Programming 1 10
Select two electives 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 3006 Information Security 10
INFS 3008 Formal Software Engineering 10
COMP 3009 Distributed Systems and Programming 10
INFS 3003 Artificial Intelligence 10
 Credit Points40
Summer A session
INFO 3008 Professional Development 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points20
Year 3
Autumn session
COMP 3018 Professional Experience 10
Select three electives 30
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Suggested Elective Subjects

Subject Title Credit Points
COMP 3003Cloud Computing Architecture10
COMP 3006Computer Graphics10
COMP 3007Computer Networks and Internets10
INFO 3002Ethical Hacking Principles and Practice10
INFO 3015Internet of Things and Smart Environments10
COMP 3012Introduction to Cloud Computing10
MATH 2009Introduction to Data Science10
From 2022 MATH 2009 Introduction to Data Science is replaced by COMP 2025 Introduction to Data Science
COMP 2025Introduction to Data Science10
COMP 3013Mobile Applications Development10
INFO 3007Network Security10
COMP 3014Networked Systems Design10
COMP 3015Operating Systems Programming10
MATH 3007Predictive Modelling10
From Spring 2022 MATH 3007 Predictive Modelling is replaced by COMP 3032 Machine Learning
COMP 3032Machine Learning10
COMP 3033Quantum Computing and Communication10
COMP 3027Robotic Programming10
COMP 3020Social Web Analytics10
COMP 2020Technologies for Web Applications10
MATH 2014Visual Analytics10
From 2022 MATH 2014 Visual Analytics is replaced by COMP 2026 Visual Analytics
COMP 2026Visual Analytics10
INFS 3017Web Systems Development10
COMP 3025Wireless and Mobile Networks10

Majors

The majors listed below have been designed specifically for this program and are recommended for Bachelor of Computer Science students.

Minor

Note: students may use some of their elective space to complete a Major or the Minor

Minor elective spaces

Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved minor (40 credit points).  Western Sydney University offers minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Global Sustainability Minor 
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor

Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary Challenge Minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.

Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change  
Personal Innovation    
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving 
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life 
Climate Justice
Creative and Visual Communication
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans 
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing  
Ideate.Strategise.Innovate.
Humanising Data

For more information, visit the Challenge Minor website.  

Search for majors and minors

Students can apply for an elective minor via Western Now.

WesternNow

This sequence below applies to students who commenced in 2024. If you commenced prior to 2024 please refer to the Sequence 2022-23 tab for details.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence 2024

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
MATH 1028 Statistical Decision Making 10
COMP 1005 Programming Fundamentals 10
INFO 1003 Professional Practice, Communication and Ethics 10
MATH 1006 Discrete Mathematics 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMP 2008 Computer Organisation 10
COMP 2014 Object Oriented Programming 10
INFS 2001 Database Design and Development 10
COMP 2004 Computer Networking 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
COMP 2019 Systems Programming 1 10
COMP 2009 Data Structures and Algorithms 10
Select two electives or major or minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFS 3003 Artificial Intelligence 10
INFO 3006 Information Security 10
COMP 3009 Distributed Systems and Programming 10
Select one elective or major or minor subject 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
INFO 3019 Project Management 10
Select three electives or major or minor subjects 30
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMP 3018 Professional Experience 10
INFS 3008 Formal Software Engineering 10
Select two electives or major or minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Full-time mid-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Spring sessionCredit Points
COMP 1005 Programming Fundamentals 10
INFS 2001 Database Design and Development 10
COMP 2004 Computer Networking 10
Select one elective or major or minor subject 10
 Credit Points40
Autumn session
MATH 1028 Statistical Decision Making 10
INFO 1003 Professional Practice, Communication and Ethics 10
MATH 1006 Discrete Mathematics 10
Select one elective or major or minor subject 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Spring session
COMP 2008 Computer Organisation 10
COMP 2014 Object Oriented Programming 10
Select two electives or major or minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Autumn session
COMP 2019 Systems Programming 1 10
COMP 2009 Data Structures and Algorithms 10
INFO 3019 Project Management 10
Select one elective or major or minor subject 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Spring session
INFO 3006 Information Security 10
INFS 3008 Formal Software Engineering 10
COMP 3009 Distributed Systems and Programming 10
INFS 3003 Artificial Intelligence 10
 Credit Points40
Autumn session
COMP 3018 Professional Experience 10
Select three electives or major or minor subjects 30
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Accelerated Pathway - Summer Sessions

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
MATH 1028 Statistical Decision Making 10
COMP 1005 Programming Fundamentals 10
INFO 1003 Professional Practice, Communication and Ethics 10
MATH 1006 Discrete Mathematics 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMP 2028 Cryptography, Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain 10
COMP 2014 Object Oriented Programming 10
INFS 2001 Database Design and Development 10
COMP 2004 Computer Networking 10
 Credit Points40
Summer session
Select two electives or major or minor 20
 Credit Points20
Year 2
Autumn session
COMP 2009 Data Structures and Algorithms 10
COMP 2019 Systems Programming 1 10
Select two electives or major or minor subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFS 3008 Formal Software Engineering 10
INFO 3006 Information Security 10
COMP 3009 Distributed Systems and Programming 10
INFS 3003 Artificial Intelligence 10
 Credit Points40
Summer session
INFO 3019 Project Management 10
Select one elective or major or minor subject 10
 Credit Points20
Year 3
Autumn session
COMP 3018 Professional Experience 10
Select three electives or major or minor subjects 30
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points240

Suggested Elective Subjects

Subject Title Credit Points
COMP 3003Cloud Computing Architecture10
COMP 3006Computer Graphics10
COMP 3007Computer Networks and Internets10
INFO 3002Ethical Hacking Principles and Practice10
INFO 3015Internet of Things and Smart Environments10
COMP 3012Introduction to Cloud Computing10
COMP 2025Introduction to Data Science10
COMP 3013Mobile Applications Development10
INFO 3007Network Security10
COMP 3014Networked Systems Design10
COMP 3015Operating Systems Programming10
COMP 3032Machine Learning10
COMP 3033Quantum Computing and Communication10
COMP 3027Robotic Programming10
COMP 3020Social Web Analytics10
COMP 2026Visual Analytics10
COMP 3025Wireless and Mobile Networks10

Majors

The majors listed below have been designed specifically for this program and are recommended for Bachelor of Computer Science students.

Minor

Note: students may use some of their elective space to complete a Major or the Minor

Major and Minor elective spaces

Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved major (80 credit points) or minor (40 credit points).  Western Sydney University offers majors and minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Global Sustainability Minor  
Indigenous Australian Studies Major   
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor

Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary Challenge Minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.

Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change   
Personal Innovation    
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving 
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life 
Climate Justice
Creative and Visual Communication
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing
Ideate. Strategise. Innovate. 
Humanising Data

For more information, visit the Challenge Minor website.  

Search for majors and minors

Students can apply for an elective major or minor via Western Now.

WesternNow