Structure of our Degrees

All four computing degrees at UNSW have a common core of computing and mathematics. This core provides the fundamentals in good design and techniques that are essential for a deep understanding of the field. It also covers the skills that most employers are looking for in a way that makes our graduates highly sought after. It also makes transferring between the four degrees relatively easy in most cases.

What differentiates the four Degree Programs are the other courses studied beyond this core. As shown below, the degrees all overlap to an extent, and therefore so do job prospects, but each degree also contain unique fields of study.

Bioinformatics is a specialisation that fuses computing and life sciences, and therefore incorporates biology and chemistry with the common computing core. The field largely involves analysis of genes and proteins to propose cures and solutions in biomedical and environmental sciences through computer analysis rather than laboratory experimentation. Graduates work in the fields of biosciences, pharmaceuticals and all industries requiring data analysis - for example financial institutions.

Computer Science is the most flexible computing degree at UNSW. Students study the common core, but are then free to choose other courses to specialise in their own way - either within computing or in fields outside of computing, like engineering, science, arts or business. Psychology, philosophy, information systems and Japanese are popular, but there are many more. Even though this is a Science degree, at UNSW it is taught with strong Engineering principles with a focus on design.

Computer Engineering is focussed on embedded systems - those devices that contain hardware and software but that are generally not called a computer – like GPS systems, mobile phones, microwave ovens and game consoles. Computer Engineering extends the common core into the field of Electrical Engineering, which provides the knowledge on circuitry and hardware infrastructure necessary to design hardware and software systems together efficiently.

Software Engineers design software systems that have the required functionality, and are secure and reliable. The implementation of a software project is often hampered by the problems associated with teamwork and project management. Software Engineering goes beyond programming, and a feature of the program at UNSW is a series of software engineering workshops that give students experience in designing a large system, working in teams, and managing projects.