Join us on an exciting journey tailored for students who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of computing technology. The Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours) program is designed to immerse you in a dynamic learning environment where you'll not only master advanced computing concepts but also engage deeply in hands-on research and development projects. From day one, you'll dive into a blend of challenging advanced coursework that covers everything from foundational principles to cutting-edge algorithms and software engineering techniques. Classes are interactive and designed to cultivate your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, essential skills for tackling complex real-world challenges.

What sets the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours) program apart is its emphasis on research. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with renowned faculty members on groundbreaking research projects. This hands-on experience isn't just about learning theory—it's about applying what you've learned to solve real problems and contribute to advancements in computing. Within your degree program, you have the flexibility to learn and explore the range of computing offerings, and you can choose to complete a Computing Major or Specialisation if you want to study an area in more depth. Beyond the classroom, the program encourages interdisciplinary exploration. You'll have the flexibility to explore connections between computing and other fields like mathematics, biology, creative arts and social sciences. This interdisciplinary approach enriches your understanding and equips you with a broader perspective and adaptable skills that are highly sought after in today's tech-driven world.

As a Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours) student, you'll graduate with a robust skill set and a portfolio of real-world projects that showcase your expertise. Whether your goal is to develop innovative software solutions, pursue advanced research opportunities, or lead technology initiatives, the ANU Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours) program prepares you to excel in diverse career paths within the vibrant and evolving field of computing.

What makes the human brain tick?

Find out with the Bachelor of Science (Psychology), which provides you with a great base in the key areas of psychology: developmental, social, personality, health and mental health, research methods, cognition and the biological bases of behaviour.

In your later year courses, you’ll apply this knowledge and your skills in more specialised areas such as neuroscience, counselling, health, mental health and organisational (business) psychology.

Once you’ve completed your third year, you can apply to undertake an Honours year and pursue further postgraduate study. This will allow you to practice as a psychologist or clinical psychologist.

Find out more about psychology, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Employment Opportunities

Innovative solutions to many of the problems in society today will come from those working in R&D and are at the forefront of new product design and development as well as being a wealth and change generator. After graduation, students choose to become innovators and leaders in R&D roles in IT or other industries, government, academia, or by creating their own start-ups.

BACR&D students can work across a range of industries in a variety of roles. Examples include:

• Data Mining Specialist
• Big Data Analyst
• Human-Computer Interaction Specialist,
• Software Developer
• Embedded systems developer
• Network Architect
• Systems Analyst
• Advanced Software Solutions Engineer
• Software Architect

Our graduates work in many organisations including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Atlassian, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Accenture, National Australia Bank, Deloitte, Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Signals Directorate.

Students graduating with AACRD have been accepted directly into PhD programs around the world including ANU.

Innovative solutions to many of the problems in society today will come from those working in R&D and are at the forefront of new product design and development as well as being a wealth and change generator. After graduation, students choose to become innovators and leaders in R&D roles in IT or other industries, government, academia, or by creating their own start-ups.

BACR&D students can work across a range of industries in a variety of roles. Examples include:

• Data Mining Specialist
• Big Data Analyst
• Human-Computer Interaction Specialist,
• Software Developer
• Embedded systems developer
• Network Architect
• Systems Analyst
• Advanced Software Solutions Engineer
• Software Architect

Our graduates work in many organisations including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Atlassian, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Accenture, National Australia Bank, Deloitte, Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Signals Directorate.

Students graduating with AACRD have been accepted directly into PhD programs around the world including ANU.

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. Illustrate an understanding of deep knowledge in at least one area of computer science
4. Demonstrate a deep understanding of the fundamentals of research methodologies, including defining research problems, evaluating background readings, developing literature reviews, designing experiments, and effectively communicating results to a transdisciplinary audience.
5. Proficiently apply research methods to the solution of contemporary research problems in computer science.

1. Understand, critically evaluate, apply, integrate and generate psychological knowledge in educational and professional contexts.
2. Develop and engage in a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse, critique and respond to complex problems involving psychological processes.
3. Systematically identify relevant psychological theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
4. Apply appropriate psychological research methods, including statistical techniques, to evaluate data.
5. Communicate psychological concepts and results clearly and effectively in written and oral formats to diverse audiences.
6. Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives on psychological issues.
7. Critically examine psychological knowledge and skills, and their application, from diverse cultural perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ perspectives.
8. Utilise psychological knowledge and skills for exercising personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Further Information

The Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research & Development) is a four-year program that has been specifically designed to provide exceptional students with early experience in undertaking research and or development. The program combines a strong foundation in computer science and mathematics, a specialty advanced computing curricula unique to the ANU, and a project-based, research-intensive course of study, also unique to the ANU. It provides ample scope for the student to pursue research in individual areas of interest, working with researchers of international distinction in the areas of computer science, engineering and mathematics.

Students are required to maintain high grades to remain and complete this program. Students who are unable to maintain these grades may transfer into the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) degree program.

The BAC(R&D) is not a professionally accredited degree, while the BAC is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Program Transfers

Current students wishing to transfer into the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research & Development) are required to achieve at least an 80% average in the university courses they have completed and be deemed suitable by an interview with the program convenor. Generally, students would need to transfer into the program before the end of their second year.

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 by visiting the College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics website.

The Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research & Development) is a four-year program that has been specifically designed to provide exceptional students with early experience in undertaking research and or development. The program combines a strong foundation in computer science and mathematics, a specialty advanced computing curricula unique to the ANU, and a project-based, research-intensive course of study, also unique to the ANU. It provides ample scope for the student to pursue research in individual areas of interest, working with researchers of international distinction in the areas of computer science, engineering and mathematics.

Students are required to maintain high grades to remain and complete this program. Students who are unable to maintain these grades may transfer into the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) degree program.

The BAC(R&D) is not a professionally accredited degree, while the BAC is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Program Transfers

Current students wishing to transfer into the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research & Development) are required to achieve at least an 80% average in the university courses they have completed and be deemed suitable by an interview with the program convenor. Generally, students would need to transfer into the program before the end of their second year.

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 by visiting the College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics website.

Admission Requirements

Pathways

Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) is the pathway for students who meet the Maths pre-requisites but do not have the required score for direct entry into this program.

Eligible students should enrol in the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) complete the Advanced first-year courses and if they can maintain a High Distinction average in their first year, they may be approved to transfer into the R&D program in their second year.

Prerequisites

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

NSW: HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent.

VIC: Mathematics Methods or equivalent

QLD: Mathematics Methods or equivalent

TAS: Mathematical methods/Mathematics Specialised/Mathematics 1 and II through U Tas/Both Mathematics 1 and II through UTAS/Both Advanced Calculus and Applications 1A and 1B through UTAS

SA / NT: Mathematical Methods or equivalent

WA: Mathematical Methods or equivalent

IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations HL/Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL or HL

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:

• achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
• if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
• applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program

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 (Research and Development) (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

The 144 units must include:

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

COMP1130 Programming as Problem Solving (Advanced) (6 units)

COMP1140 Structured Programming (Advanced) (6 units)

COMP1600 Foundations of Computing (6 units)

COMP2100 Software Construction (6 units)

COMP2300 Computer Architecture (6 units)

COMP2550 Computing R&D Methods (6 units)

COMP3600 Algorithms (6 units)

COMP3770 Individual Research Project which must be completed twice, in consecutive semesters (6+6 units)

COMP4550 Computing Research Project which must be completed twice, in consecutive semesters (12+12 units).

18 units from completion of courses from the following list:

MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models (6 units)

MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1 (6 units)

MATH1014 Mathematics and Applications 2 (6 units)

MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1 (6 units)

MATH1116 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 2 (6 units)

MATH2222 Introduction to Mathematical Thinking: Problem-Solving and Proofs (6 units)

STAT1003 Statistical Techniques (6 units)

STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods (6 units)

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

12 units of Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving tagged courses

12 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU, which may include courses in the subject area COMP Computer Science

After the first four periods of enrolment students must achieve a minimum 75% Weighted Average Mark in Computing courses. Students who do not achieve a minimum 75% Weighted Average Mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours).

To continue into the final year of the program students must have completed 144 units and achieved a minimum 80% Weighted Average Mark calculated from the courses that contribute to the final Honours grade calculation. Students who do not achieve this 80% Weighted Average Mark will be automatically transferred to the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) degree. 

To graduate with the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours) students must achieve a minimum 80% final Honours mark. Students who do not achieve a minimum 80% final Honours mark will be transferred to the Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) degree program prior to graduating.

Honours Calculation

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 calculated based on all courses completed (including fails), that are listed in the program requirements, excluding non-COMP-coded electives, giving NCN and WN a nominal mark of zero. 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 Science (Psychology) requires completion of 144 units, of which:

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

A minimum of 84 units must come from completion of courses from the discipline area PSYC – Psychology

The 96 units must include:

A minimum of 84 units, which must come from completion of courses from the following lists

72 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour (6 units)

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context (6 units)

PSYC2001 Social Psychology (6 units)

PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)

PSYC2008 Cognition (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods (6 units)

PSYC3020 Health Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan (6 units)

PSYC3026 Personality Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3202 Developmental Psychology (6 units)

12 units from completion of 3000-level courses in the subject area PSYC- Psychology

Specialisations

Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours) Specialisations

Study Options