Software Engineering is about building effective software systems that address complex problems in a broad range of domains including transport, communications, finance, medicine, science, entertainment and the arts.

The Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) is a four-year program accredited by Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society.  Graduates will obtain skills and capabilities for professional software engineering practice, innovation and research. We adopt a systems approach to software engineering that not only covers the technical aspects of professional practice, innovation and research, but also the complex socio-technical context in which these activities occur. This includes approaches to dealing with uncertainty and risk, design, modern management practices, ethics and communication.                  

BSEng students develop these skills and capabilities through a balance of theoretical study, practice in team projects with industry partners, and work experience. Students also have the opportunity to develop their innovation and entrepreneurial capabilities by working on their own start-ups with industry entrepreneurs as part of their degree.

Are you a maths whiz who wants stimulating work, limitless potential and an ever growing salary? This is the esteemed degree that will make you a thought leader in a wide variety of areas. With an ANU Bachelor of Actuarial Studies you can excel in your career literally anywhere in the world.

Risk is all around us - in investment markets, on the roads, from our health and the climate. This degree will teach you how to apply your mathematical talent in understanding, measuring and managing these risks.

Graduates will apply mathematical, statistical, financial, economic and other skills to untangle the most complex and difficult problems facing the commercial world.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates work as accredited, professional software engineers and are highly sought after by both large international organisations and local firms.

They are employed in a variety of roles, including but not limited to:

• Software Engineer
• Software Developer
• Software Consultant
• Software Architect
• Programmer
• System Analyst
• Project Manager
• Product Manager
• Application Developer
• Database Analyst
• Network Architect

Our graduates work in many organisations including:

• IBM
• Google
• Microsoft
• Yahoo
• Intel
• Price Waterhouse Coopers
• Accenture Australia
• Bloomberg
• National Australia Bank
• Citigroup
• Deloitte
• Unisys
• Australian Government (Australian Taxation Office, Reserve Bank of Australia, Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, etc.)

Graduates work as accredited, professional software engineers and are highly sought after by both large international organisations and local firms.

They are employed in a variety of roles, including but not limited to:

• Software Engineer
• Software Developer
• Software Consultant
• Software Architect
• Programmer
• System Analyst
• Project Manager
• Product Manager
• Application Developer
• Database Analyst
• Network Architect

Our graduates work in many organisations including:

• IBM
• Google
• Microsoft
• Yahoo
• Intel
• Price Waterhouse Coopers
• Accenture Australia
• Bloomberg
• National Australia Bank
• Citigroup
• Deloitte
• Unisys
• Australian Government (Australian Taxation Office, Reserve Bank of Australia, Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, etc.)

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1.     Define and analyse complex problems, and design, implement and evaluate solutions that demonstrate an understanding of the systems context in which software is developed and operated including economic, social, historical, sustainability and ethical aspects.

2.     Recognise connections and recurring themes, including abstraction and complexity, across the discipline

3.     Adapt to new environments and technologies, and to innovate

4.     Demonstrate an operational understanding of systems engineering and the foundations of computer science including programming, algorithms, logic, architectures and data structures

5.     Apply an advanced understanding of software engineering practices in requirements engineering, system level architecture, data management, security, design, construction, evaluation, and project management.

6.      Communicate complex concepts effectively with diverse audiences using a range of modalities

7.     Lead and work effectively within multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural and distributed teams in order to achieve a common goal

8.     Demonstrate commitment to professional conduct and development that recognises the social, legal and ethical implications of their work, to work independently, and self- and peer-assess performance.

9.     Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of research methodologies, including defining research problems, background reading and literature review, designing experiments, and effectively communicating results.

10.  Apply research methods to the solution of contemporary research problems in software engineering.

1. utilise concepts in financial mathematics, including the time value of money, annuities, bond and loan calculations
   
2. interpret the accounts and financial statements of companies and financial institutions.
   
3. describe the fundamental concepts of micro and macroeconomics.
   
4. apply mathematical statistics, regression modeling and other statistical techniques to actuarial problems
   
5. describe and apply stochastic processes, survival models and their application in actuarial contexts
   
6. model and value cashflows dependent on death, survival, illness, retirement, and other contingencies
   
7. apply risk modelling techniques across a variety of financial contexts 

Professional Accreditation

To meet Part I of the professional requirements of the Actuaries Institute  you must complete eight Core Technical (CT) subjects that correspond with 14 to 15 ANU courses which are accredited by the Institute. An average grade of 60 per cent must be achieved across the ANU courses corresponding with each CT subject in order to be recommended for the Part I exemptions. Further information on the ANU Part I exemption policy can be found here. Part II requirements of the Institute can be met by an additional fourth year of study in the College, usually in the form of an honours year. Interested students should contact the ANU College of Business and Economics. For further information about the Actuaries Institute visit: www.actuaries.asn.au.

Further Information

Learn more about the degrees offered at the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, read current student profiles to see what campus life is really like, and discover what our graduates have achieved since leaving the College - Visit the College of Engineering and Computer Science website. 

Learn more about the degrees offered at the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, read current student profiles to see what campus life is really like, and discover what our graduates have achieved since leaving the College - Visit the College of Engineering and Computer Science website. 

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

→ School leavers will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
• the co-curricular or service requirement, and
• any program specific requirements that are listed below.

→ Non school leavers:
a) will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
b) Non school leavers who:
• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or
• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or
• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,
will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Pathways

Bachelor of Information Technology might be a pathway for students who meet the Maths pre-requisites but do not have the required score for direct entry into Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours).

Eligible students should enrol into a Bachelor of IT and if they can maintain a High Distinction average in their first year courses, they may be approved to transfer to Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) in their second year.

International agreements/pathways: College of Engineering and Computer Science has a range of articulation agreements with institutions around the world. Students completing the appropriate qualification in these institutions may be approved for entry and credit exemptions towards Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours).

Maths Bridging course: ANU College offers a Maths Bridging course for students who do not meet pre-requisite for Maths for entry into Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours). Successful completion of the Maths Bridging course meets the Maths pre-requisite for entry into this program (other entry requirements still apply).

Prerequisites

ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major)/Further Mathematics (Major)/Specialist Mathematics/Specialist Methods (Major), NSW: Mathematics or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

ACT:  Specialist Mathematics (Major/Minor) (160+)/Specialist Methods(Major/Minor) (160+), NSW: Mathematics Extension 1 (Band E3) or equivelant. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs,  please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) flexible double degree component requires completion of 156 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

12 units contribute towards the requirement of the other double degree component

The 156 units must include:

96 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

COMP1600 Foundations of Computing

COMP2100 Software Design Methodologies

COMP2300 Computer Organisation and Program Execution       

COMP2310 Systems, Networks and Concurrency

COMP2120 Software Engineering

COMP2420 Introduction to Data Management, Analysis and Security

COMP3120 Managing Software Development

COMP3500 Software Engineering Project

COMP3530 Systems Engineering for Software Engineers

COMP3600 Algorithms

COMP4130 Managing Software Quality and Process

COMP4450 Advanced Computing Research Methods

COMP4800 Industrial Experience

ENGN1211 Discovering Engineering

ENGN3230 Engineering Innovation

MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models

6 units from completion of course from the following list:

COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving

COMP1130 Programming as Problem Solving (Advanced)

6 units from completion of course from the following list:

COMP1110 Structured Programming

COMP1140 Structured Programming (Advanced)

Either:

12 units from completion of COMP4500 Software Engineering Practice

12 units from completion of further 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

            Or:

            24 units from completion of COMP4540 Software Engineering Research Project

Either:

6 units from completion of further courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

Or:

6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1014 Mathematics and Applications 2

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1

MATH1116 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 2

MATH2301 Games, Graphs and Machines

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

Either:

6 units from completion of further 3000- and 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

Or:

             6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity

VCUG3002 Mobilising Research

HONS4700 Final Honours Grade will be used to record the Class of Honours and the Mark. The Honours Mark will be a weighted average percentage mark (APM) calculated by first calculating the average mark for 1000,2000, 3000 and 4000 level courses. We denote these averages: A1, A2, A3, and A4 respectively. The averages are computed based on all units counted towards satisfaction of degree requirements, excluding non-COMP electives. Finally these averages are combined using the formula APM = (0.1 X A1) + (0.2 X A2) + (0.3 X A3) + (0.4 X A4).

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

72 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

BUSN1001 Business Reporting and Analysis

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

STAT2013 Introductiory Mathematical Statistics for Actuarial Studies

STAT2005 Introduction to Stochastic Processes

STAT2014 Regression Modelling for Actuarial Studies

STAT2032 Financial Mathematics

STAT3032 Survival Models

STAT3057 Risk Modelling 1

STAT3058 Risk Modelling 2

STAT3037 Life Contingencies

STAT3038 Actuarial Techniques

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

ECON1100 Economics 1 (H)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

ECON2102 Macroeconomics 2 (P)

ECON2016 Economics II (H)

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

MATH1013 Mathematics and Application 1

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Application 1

MATH1113 Mathematical Foundations for Actuarial Studies

6 units from the completion of courses on List 1 or List 4 of the ANU College of Business and Economics.

Students may choose to take two MATH courses instead of MATH1113. The options are MATH1013 / MATH1014 or MATH1115 / MATH1116. MATH1013 / MATH1014 is recommended for students with the bare minimum of mathematical background for the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies or for those not confident in their mathematical ability. MATH1115 / MATH1116 is a higher level of MATH1013 / MATH1014 and is recommended for those who are considering further mathematical study. Should two MATH courses be chosen, the elective course position would need to be used for the additional MATH course.

In the requirements of the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies above it is not possible to gain full exemptions from Actuaries Institute Foundation Program requirements as the required FINM courses are not included. However, by including these FINM courses in the other flexible double degree (if the FINM courses meet the requirements of the other degree), or overloading (i.e., taking more than the standard four courses in some semesters on non-award basis which means you will need to pay full fees for the courses you are overloading) or by using the College of Business and Economics Summer School Program (if available), students may be able to complete their exemptions from the Foundation Program. To facilitate either of these options, it is recommended that students undertake FINM1001 Foundations of Finance as their elective course.

If your flexible double degree is within the College of Business and Economics (for example Commerce and Economics), the suggested study plan may show the same course twice. If this is the case, you must only do the course once and replace the other course with a University Wide Elective, CBE List 1 course or CBE List 4 course. Please note that you cannot exceed 8 out of college electives.

The minor in Business and Economics Essentials will not be listed on transcripts for students completing the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies.

The courses on List 4 are equivalent to the university-offered courses under the Actuaries Institute Actuary Program, noting the following:

• The courses can only be enrolled in by students taking a flexible double degree combining a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and another degree that contains sufficient overlap in courses to free up sufficient elective space.
• Examples of flexible double degrees where these courses can be fit into the degree are the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Finance and Bachelor of Statistics (this list is not exhaustive).
• These courses have strict academic entry requirements. Further information on entry requirements into these courses can be found on the links to the course pages linked from the List 4 webpage.
• Students considering including List 4 courses into their degree should contact the program convener for further information on study plans, as it is necessary to move courses in the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies to earlier semesters than that of the study plan below, in order to meet the requisites of the List 4 courses.

Majors

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) Minors

Bachelor of Actuarial Studies Minors

Specialisations

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) Specialisations

Study Options

Honours

Students may proceed to an additional honours year in Actuarial Studies. Entry to the honours year program is subject to an appropriately high average grade (generally distinction level or above) in the 3000-level compulsory subjects described in the course listings and requires the approval of College. Other conditions may also apply. Students who are interested in the honours program should seek further advice from the Convenor of the Actuarial Program in the Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Applied Statistics

Students undertaking honours will be able to meet the Actuaries Institute Part II requirements