Degree Comparisons

In general, Bioinformatics, Computer Engineering and Software Engineering are specialisations of Computer Science. That is, Computer Science contains the core of all four degrees, and then the other three add onto that with the respective specialisation. Looking at it this way, Bioinformatics is Computer Science plus Biology, Chemistry, and some further data mining skills. Computer Engineering is Computer Science plus Electrical Engineering studies to focus the degree on Embedded Systems. Software Engineering is Computer Science plus management and group-based workshops. Does this mean that Computer Science is half the work? Not at all! Within Computer Science you also study these core areas, but the other half of the degree is left to each student to specialise in their own way, or through one of the predetermined Specialisations or Minors. Further, Computer Science students can graduate after three years with a Pass degree, or continue to a fourth-year honours year.

Computer Science is a 3-year science degree, while the Bioinformatics, Computer and Software Engineering degrees are 4-year engineering degrees which require a thesis project. Good students in Computer Science may elect to do a fourth (Honours) year thesis project, and all degrees can lead to Masters or PhD study.

Computer Science is the most flexible degree, with a huge range of electives which may be chosen from more computing topics, or from non-computing topics like History or Japanese. Double specialisations, like Computer Games, eCommerce, Human Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics are highly sought after by employers.

It is helpful to think of computing as a spectrum ranging from Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering to Software Engineering, covering electronic devices, digital circuits, low-level computing circuits, networks, computer hardware, computer programs, software, operating systems, logical networks, and computer applications.

There is an overlap between Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering and Computer Engineering, and between Computer Engineering and Software Engineering: Computer Engineering has interfaces with Electrical Engineering and with Software Engineering, while Software Engineering has interfaces with Computer Engineering and applications.

The overlaps can vary considerably, depending on the elective courses chosen and thesis undertaken. Both Computer Engineering and Software Engineering contain considerable software and fundamental computing coursework, but Software Engineering contains no (or very little) Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering has no Information Systems and less emphasis on processes for developing large scale software systems.

It is very important to understand that the flexibility built into the Software Engineering program allows the mixture to be varied considerably: 30% of the program is elective; 50% of the final two years is elective. This allows the software-to-hardware mix to be varied to suit the individual.

The Bachelor of Computer Engineering/Masters of Biomedical Engineering is a 5-year degree for computer engineers who are interested in building and maintaining medical devices or medical systems (e.g. pacemakers, bionic eye, MRI machines and medical imaging).

Bioinformatics is a 4-year degree that gives students the skills and knowledge to analyse and manipulate biological data to discover new drugs and treatments, etc. It is a strong computing degree in the field of Life Sciences, and graduates can find work in either industry or in specialist Bioinformatics positions. Note that a Bachelor of Bioinformatics/Master of Biomedical Engineering program is also available for students who want to combine computing, life sciences and biomedical engineering.

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