This is a unique, interdisciplinary program that will prepare you to be a future leader of the information and communications technology revolution.

As a degree accredited by the Australian Computer Society you will learn advanced computing techniques, have the opportunity to complete a unique specialisation and also develop exceptional professional skills including communication and teamwork.

While some of our students are developing code which controls unmanned aerial vehicles, others are busy writing algorithms to mine through Peta-bytes of data. If mastering challenging projects is your thing, the ANU Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) can launch you into a spectacular career.

The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its some forty majors, in fields throughout the arts, humanities and social sciences, is taught by truly outstanding scholars to ensure that each student receives the very best education, is engaged with cutting-edge research, and learns to think like a researcher. These majors can be coupled with more than seventy minors and specialisations to broaden or deepen your study. Regardless of your choices, your Arts degree will provide you with core skills in critical analysis and in written and oral communication, while developing your adaptability and ability to help shape change and prepare you for a multifaceted career or further study.

Employment Opportunities

The best computing professionals often have knowledge or a wider field than computing alone. BAC graduates will be ideally positioned to shape their chosen sector of the computing industry now and into the future. They will acquire the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the ICT industry.

Opportunities exist in high tech industries, software start-ups, computing research and development as well as specialist computing organisations. These employment opportunities include software developers; data mining specialists for insurance, banking and health sectors; human-computer interaction specialists for software services industries; and embedded systems developers for defence and automotive industries.

The best computing professionals often have knowledge or a wider field than computing alone. BAC graduates will be ideally positioned to shape their chosen sector of the computing industry now and into the future. They will acquire the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the ICT industry.

Opportunities exist in high tech industries, software start-ups, computing research and development as well as specialist computing organisations. These employment opportunities include software developers; data mining specialists for insurance, banking and health sectors; human-computer interaction specialists for software services industries; and embedded systems developers for defence and automotive industries.

Learning Outcomes

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. Demonstrate an operational and theoretical understanding of the foundations of computer science including programming, algorithms, logic, architectures and data structures.
3. Recognise connections and recurring themes, including abstraction and complexity, across the discipline.
4. Adapt to new environments and technologies, and to innovate.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of deep knowledge in at least one area of computer science.
6. Communicate complex concepts effectively with diverse audiences using a range of modalities.
7. Work effectively within 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 computer science.

1. critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
2. identify, including through interrogation of databases, relevant sources of information from across a variety of media (print and digital, written and audio-visual) and judge the importance and reliability of those sources;
3. evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
4. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
5. understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.

Further Information

The computing industry has grown very rapidly in the last 40 years, with various specialised areas, requiring advanced computational techniques, have emerged. The pervasiveness of computers and computer-enabled devices is rapidly becoming established in modern society. Humans are interacting with computers in ever more profound and sophisticated ways. Allied with this, computers are having to act more intelligently in many different contexts. As the scale and complexity of these computer systems increases, so do challenges in their engineering.

As the amount of data collected increases exponentially, new challenges in the mining and warehousing of information emerge. In all areas of computing increasingly sophisticated algorithms underpin all of the resulting technologies. The resulting hardware and software systems in these areas are complex; hence a systems engineering perspective on their design and construction is valuable. 

Linkages with other disciplines is an emerging trend within computing. Valuable perspectives on artificial intelligence are emerging from the study of natural intelligence and biological systems. Psychology is a central element in human-computer interaction. The explosion in the volume and utility of information from bioinformatics is a key driver of large-scale data systems. An engineering approach, with emphasis on both hardware and software, is needed for the design of embedded computing technology. In all cases, reliable and systematic software development remains as a key element.

The Bachelor of Advanced Computing graduate will posses technical knowledge of programming, With these as a foundation, their technical knowledge will have been honed by the study of a selection of advanced computing topics. Professional and practical skills in software development will be gained through a series of courses in software analysis, design and construction, capped off with a group software project, With professional skills developed in the areas of entrepreneurship and management, the graduate will be in a position to apply their in-depth technical knowledge to become innovators in industry.

The best computing professionals are informed by knowledge of a wider field than computing alone. Graduates fulfilling a Major in an area of advanced computing and a cognate interdisciplinary area will be ideally positioned to shape the respective sector of the computing industry as it evolves over the near future. This will also imbue a capacity for lifelong learning by exposure to a broader range of perspectives and of ways of studying.

The degree also offers a research pathway for graduates wishing to pursue careers with a high emphasis on research.

The computing industry has grown very rapidly in the last 40 years, with various specialised areas, requiring advanced computational techniques, have emerged. The pervasiveness of computers and computer-enabled devices is rapidly becoming established in modern society. Humans are interacting with computers in ever more profound and sophisticated ways. Allied with this, computers are having to act more intelligently in many different contexts. As the scale and complexity of these computer systems increases, so do challenges in their engineering.

As the amount of data collected increases exponentially, new challenges in the mining and warehousing of information emerge. In all areas of computing increasingly sophisticated algorithms underpin all of the resulting technologies. The resulting hardware and software systems in these areas are complex; hence a systems engineering perspective on their design and construction is valuable. 

Linkages with other disciplines is an emerging trend within computing. Valuable perspectives on artificial intelligence are emerging from the study of natural intelligence and biological systems. Psychology is a central element in human-computer interaction. The explosion in the volume and utility of information from bioinformatics is a key driver of large-scale data systems. An engineering approach, with emphasis on both hardware and software, is needed for the design of embedded computing technology. In all cases, reliable and systematic software development remains as a key element.

The Bachelor of Advanced Computing graduate will posses technical knowledge of programming, With these as a foundation, their technical knowledge will have been honed by the study of a selection of advanced computing topics. Professional and practical skills in software development will be gained through a series of courses in software analysis, design and construction, capped off with a group software project, With professional skills developed in the areas of entrepreneurship and management, the graduate will be in a position to apply their in-depth technical knowledge to become innovators in industry.

The best computing professionals are informed by knowledge of a wider field than computing alone. Graduates fulfilling a Major in an area of advanced computing and a cognate interdisciplinary area will be ideally positioned to shape the respective sector of the computing industry as it evolves over the near future. This will also imbue a capacity for lifelong learning by exposure to a broader range of perspectives and of ways of studying.

The degree also offers a research pathway for graduates wishing to pursue careers with a high emphasis on research.

Admission Requirements

Pathways

There are a range of pathways available to students for entry into Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours):

• ANU: The ANU Bachelor of Computing provides a pathway into the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours).
• 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 Advanced Computing (Honours).

Prerequisites

ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major)/Further Mathematics (Major)/Specialist Mathematics/Specialist Methods (Major)

NSW: HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

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 Advanced Computing (Honours) flexible double degree component requires completion of 144 units, of which:

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

A minimum of 24 units that come from completion of 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science.

The 144 units must include:

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

COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving / COMP1130 Programming as Problem Solving (Advanced)

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

COMP1110 Structured Programming / COMP1140 Structured Programming (Advanced)

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

MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models / MATH2222 Introduction to Mathematical Thinking: Problem-Solving and Proofs

48 units from completion of compulsory courses from the following list:

COMP1600 Foundations of Computing

COMP2100 Software Design Methodologies

COMP2120 Software Engineering

COMP2300 Computer Organisation and Program Execution

COMP2310 Systems, Networks and Concurrency

COMP2420 Introduction to Data Management, Analysis and Security

COMP3600 Algorithms

COMP4450 Computing Research Methods

24 units from the completion of one of the following specialisations:

Artificial Intelligence

Human-Centred and Creative Computing

Machine Learning

Systems and Architecture

Theoretical Computer Science

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

Either:

18 units from the completion of 3000-level or 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

Or:

12 units from the completion of 3000-level or 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

AND

VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity

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

ENGN1211 Discovering Engineering

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques

Either:

24 units from completion of COMP4550 Computing Research Project which must be completed twice, in consecutive semesters

 Or:

12 units from COMP4500 Software Engineering Team Project which must be completed twice, in consecutive semesters

AND

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

Or:

COMP4820 Advanced Computing Internship

AND

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

COMP4801 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 electives that are neither COMP courses nor courses that are listed within the degree's named specialisations. 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 APM will then be used to determine the final grade according to the ANU Honours grading scale, found at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/grading-scale.

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

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must consist of:

48 units from the completion of one of the following majors

MAJORS

Disciplines and Fields

Anthropology

Archaeology

Art History and Curatorial Studies

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biological Anthropology

Classical Studies

Composition

Composition for Film and Video Games

Criminology

Demography

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

English

Environmental Studies

Gender, Sexuality and Culture

Geography

Global Security

History

Human Evolutionary Biology

Human Rights

International Communication

International Relations

Linguistics

Mathematics

Music

Music Technology

Musicology

Peace and Conflict Studies

Performance

Philosophy

Political Science

Popular Music

Psychology

Screen Studies

Sociology

War Studies

Languages

Ancient Greek

Arabic

Chinese Language

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Japanese Linguistics

Korean Language

Latin

Persian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish

Thai Language

Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies

Asian Studies

Asian History

Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender

Chinese Studies

Indian and South Asian Studies

Indonesian Studies

Japanese Studies

Korean Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Middle East Politics and Security

Northeast Asian Studies

Pacific Studies

Southeast Asian Studies

EITHER:

48 units from completion of a second major from the list above

OR

24 units from completion of one of the following minors, which must have a different name to the major

MINORS

Disciplines and Fields

Advanced Studies

Anthropology

Applied Linguistics

Archaeology

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biological Anthropology

Classical Studies

Climate Science and Policy

Criminology

Demography

Design

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

English

Environmental Policy

Environmental Studies

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Linguistics

Gender and Sexuality

Geography

Global Security

Health, Medicine and the Body

Heritage and Museum Studies

History

Human Ecology

Human Evolutionary Biology

Human Rights

Indian and South Asian Studies

International Communication

International Relations

Linguistics

Mathematics

Music

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy and Science

Philosophy

Political Science

Screen Studies

Social Psychology

Social Research Methods

Sociology

Sustainable Development

Visual Arts Practice

War Studies

Majors

Bachelor of Arts Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Arts Minors

Specialisations

Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) Specialisations

Study Options