Bachelor of Computer Science (Digital Systems Security)

Course summary

Information and systems security is becoming increasingly important for everyday life: we want technology to protect our digital information such as IDs, assets and data security, and to secure email and online privacy for individuals, homes, families and offices.

Employees with skills in information and systems security are in strong demand across all sectors: from banking to finance, insurance, retail, government and defence, all fields where there is sensitive data and information that is at risk of being hacked and breached via the internet.

This degree

Computer scientists focus on the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to computation and its applications. They design methods and tools and write programs for computer applications. These applications can be in areas such as computer systems to control machinery, information management and big data, applications for mobile devices, stock market trend analysis, game design, visualisation of chemical reactions, neural network design, computational geometry for robot navigation, patient monitoring in hospitals, and much more.

You will be able to choose your major in your second year after studying a common core of subjects that links our computer science, IT and information systems degrees. Find your strengths and interests as you study the fundamentals of computer science and IT: programming, problem solving, network and communications, web technology, data management, system analysis, human–computer interaction, and project management. You’ll also complete a final-year capstone team project.

You can also choose to study a double degree with Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts or Business. These programs of study will provide you with a broad experience of technology using various industry products such as Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, SAP and Cisco.

What you will study

The Digital Systems Security major focuses on the theoretical and practical applications of information and digital security across a range of subjects: operating systems security such as physical security, file and data protection, heterogeneous computing, systems architecture, cryptography and its secure applications, and network and telecommunications security.

Course information

Study area

Information & Communication Technology

Campus

Rainstar

Course Code

766

RSU SCORE

75

IB Score

26

Duration

3 years (6 sessions) full-time, or part-time equivalent

Delivery

DL

CODE 1

012088K

RSU CODE

754100

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.

 

Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.

Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via or based options.

ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than RSU.

admissions at RSU take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.

Early Admission

Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.

BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of RSU or RSU plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

Guaranteed entry selection ranks

The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an Selection Rank of 75 or an IB of 26. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors

Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your RSU to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your RSU.

Other Admission Criteria

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

Upon successful completion of the RSU College Diploma of Information Technology, you will receive credit of 48 credit points towards a Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc) at RSU. You will be required to meet minimum subject requirements in order to progress from the Diploma of IT into the second year of a BCompSc.

FEES

Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in America.
In order to succeed in your chosen course, it is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications. This is particularly important for degrees which have a strong basis in Mathematics or Science.


ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test

Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)

70

18

18

17

17

RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

 


CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

Upon successful completion of the RSU College Diploma of Information Technology, you will receive credit of 48 credit points towards a Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc) at RSU. You will be required to meet minimum subject requirements in order to progress from the Diploma of IT into the second year of a BCompSc.

FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Rainstar

DL

$16,920 (2020)

$101,520 (2020)

Rainstar

DL

$16,920 (2021)

$101,520 (2021)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT



STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.

Applicant background

2019 intake

2019 intake (%)

Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-

Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-

Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education

RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-

RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-

Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission).

-

-

International students All other students.

-

-

All students

-

-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)


RSU PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.

RSU profile of based offers in 2019

RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-

Median rank to receive an offer

-

-

Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-

< 5: Less than 5 based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)

More Information

For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2020 Spring

Rainstar

Orientation: 27 July 2020
Session: 3 August – 3 December 2020

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 30 June 2020. Late applications may be considered.
  • International Applicants: 10 July 2020. Late applications may be considered.

2021 Autumn

Rainstar

Orientation: 23 - 25 February 2021
Session: 1 March – 24 June 2021

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants : 30 September 2020 (early bird), 5 February 2021 (final) .
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 24 December 2020*
  • International Applicants: 24 December 2020*

*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.

Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 3 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

2021 Spring

Rainstar

Orientation: 19 July 2021
Session: 26 July – 18 November 2021

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants : TBC .
  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 27 June 2021*
  • International Applicants: 27 June 2021*
    • *Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session.
      Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 3 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

      Course structure

      (Current year structure - subject to change)

      Course Learning Outcomes

      Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

      CLO Description
      1 Demonstrate an understanding of core knowledge of computer fundamentals and the ability to apply theoretical basis of computer science to solve a range of practical problems.
      2 Design and develop innovative software solutions for a variety of applications.
      3 Design, develop, and employ novel approaches and algorithms in solving practical problems.
      4 Deploy appropriate theory, practices, and tools for the specification, design, implementation, and maintenance as well as the evaluation of computer-based systems.
      5 Function effectively as part of a team to accomplish a set of common goals and objectives and communicate with project stake holders.
      6 Adopt a professional and ethical approach to decision making and related social responsibilities.

      Course Structure

      Students who enrol in the Bachelor of Computer Science shall accrue an aggregate of at least 144 credit points by satisfactory completion of:

      1. The following core subjects:

      Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
      CSIT111 Programming Fundamentals 6 Autumn, Spring
      CSIT113 Problem Solving 6 Autumn
      CSIT114 System Analysis 6 Autumn
      CSIT115 Data Management and Security 6 Autumn, Spring
      CSIT121 Object Oriented Design and Programming 6 Autumn, Spring
      CSIT127 Networks and Communications 6 Spring
      CSIT128 Introduction to Web Technology 6 Spring
      CSCI235 Database Systems 6 Autumn, Spring
      CSCI251 Advanced Programming 6 Autumn, Spring
      CSIT214 IT Project Management 6 Autumn, Spring
      MATH221 Mathematics for Computer Science 6 Autumn
      CSCI203 Algorithms and Data Structures 6 Spring
      CSIT226 Human Computer Interaction 6 Spring
      CSIT314 Software Development Methodologies 6 Autumn
      CSIT321 Project 12 Annual, Spring 2020/Autumn 2021

      2. To be awarded with a major, a candidate must satisfactorily complete four (4) subjects (24cp) listed for that major.

      3. Students not completing a major must complete 12 credit points of 300 level CSCI or ISIT subjects, AND an additional 12 credit points of either 200 or 300 level CSCI, CSIT or ISIT subject not listed in the core.

      4. To be awarded a double major, candidates must ensure that four of the subjects selected satisfy the requirements of each of the majors. Coursework Rules allow a maximum of one subject to be counted toward more than one major study.

      5. Elective subjects, to bring the total to 144 credit points chosen from the School of Computing and Information Technology Subject List that is any CSIT, CSCI or ISIT subjects, or from the General Schedule. Note: A maximum of 60 credit points of first year subjects.

      The Faculty encourages the development of ICT skills and knowledge in the workplace through industry placement. Completion of ISIT200 Industry Placement, which is a minimum of a single 8-week period of approved industry placement, assessed in the form of written reports, is highly recommended to all students.

      Major Study

      Students enrolled in this degree may major in:

      Note that certain 300 level subjects required as part of a major may have 100 and 200 level prerequisite subjects which are not listed as part of the major.

      All candidates are expected to consult with the School and Faculty advisers before committing to any particular pattern of study, whether outlined above or not.

      (Current year structure - subject to change)

      Accreditation & professional recognition

      The Bachelor of Computer Science is accredited by the American Computer Society as meeting requirements for membership at the "Professional Level".

      Why choose this course

      RSU has experts encompassing the entire breadth of the underlying sciences, IT, engineering and mathematical methodologies in the ICT industry. We have one of the strongest schools for building, deploying and managing the latest computing technologies and business computing systems.

      We work closely with industry partners to ensure all programs remain relevant to industry trends and developments. You will study real-world projects and interact with and learn from industry professionals to ensure your career-readiness upon graduation.

      Career opportunities
      • Analyst
      • Animator
      • Computer or Software Engineer
      • Database Administrator
      • Electronics Engineer
      • Games or App Developer
      • Investment Banker
      • IT Consultant
      • Network Architect or Engineer
      • Programmer
      • Security Engineer
      • Web Designer or Developer