Bachelor of Software Engineering (Artificial Intelligence)

This subject introduces students to foundational mathematical concepts necessary for specialisation subjects in their degree. Main topics covered are – Linear Algebra, Discrete Maths and Geometry. The delivery consists of theoretical elements, a demonstration, and then the lecturers allow students to put these skills into practice. The students collaborate and share mathematical problem-solving approaches during frequent in-class discussions and are expected to provide these solutions for class reviews.

This subject provides an introduction to the information and skills needed to begin working in software engineering. This subject will cover the concepts of object-oriented programming with a particular focus on learning to use the C++ programming language. An understanding of C++ will form the basis of the necessary skills needed for developing professional and complex software packages such as video games.

The goal of this subject is to familiarise the student with the basic concepts of artificial intelligence and the problems AI is used to solve. The course content is organised around the three main areas of AI: Search, Logic and Learning. Topics covered include basic search, heuristic search, adversarial search, constraint satisfaction, logical agents, logic and inference, knowledge representation, probabilistic reasoning, knowledge in learning, learning probabilistic models, reinforcement learning and ethics of AI.

Students learn the fundamental data structures and algorithms that are needed to solve common software engineering problems. Lecturers show examples of data structures and algorithms, and use analogies to explain. Students improve their learning throughout this subject by working on a large number of projects. They solve common problems by designing, developing, implementing, testing, and enhancing a collection of data structures and algorithms.

In this subject students learn the fundamentals and core concepts of Service Oriented Architecture and characteristics of microservices. They compare microservice architecture with monolithic style, emphasising why the former is better for continuous delivery. They also deal with operational complexities that are created while managing, monitoring, logging and updating microservices, and learn about the tools used to successfully manage, deploy and monitor applications based on microservice.

This subject provides an elementary introduction to probability and statistics with applications. In probability, students will learn about probability and distribution theory by defining probability and then studying its key properties. The subject will also introduce concepts of random variables, outcomes of random experiments and data analysis techniques using the statistical computing package R or SPSS. In statistics, students will study data and uncertainty. Students will learn how to use statistics in the design of effective experiments and in determining the type of data collected. Underlying these techniques is the assumption that these data are samples of a random variable that follows a probability distribution describing their behaviour.

Students are introduced to the fundamental topics of core computer graphics, 3D graphics programming and the rendering pipeline. Topics included are the transformation pipeline, device states, primitive rendering, basic camera systems, lighting, texturing, alpha techniques as well as software engineering design principles and testing strategies. By the end of the subject, students create a game utilizing 3D graphics concepts as introduced in the class.

The aim of this subject is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of data, questions, and tools that a data scientist deals with. Students will not only be introduced to the ideas behind turning data into information but will also be introduced to the data scientist's toolbox. Topics include: data scientist skills and responsibilities in a business including planning, performing and presenting projects; data science code of ethics; data manipulation tools and techniques.

This subject builds on the skills and knowledge students acquired from Concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The subject begins by exploring different classifications of AI (e.g. Expert Systems, Planning and Robotics, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Speech Recognition, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision) and their current applications. Students will be presented with case studies focusing on the overview of the development of NLP, Speech Recognition and Computer Vision (most commonly used applications of AI and Machine Learning). This subject also covers the AI for Good movement and how AI is being used to address economic and socially relevant problems.

This subject introduces students to core concepts of Networking and Database Systems. Students learn fundamentals of Database Management Systems and network topology including network architecture. They are introduced to relational database models and learn fundamentals of structured query language (SQL). Students will apply these concepts through completing multiple software engineering projects.

This subject introduces students to the statistical models for regression and classification necessary for more specialised subjects in this degree. The main topics covered are Classification Algorithms and Regression Algorithms; the practical use of both methods, how to evaluate the proposed models and how to choose between the different available methods.

Theoretical lectures about the main concepts to be studied are followed by demonstrations of the different applications. Then the students are asked to apply the learned concepts on different classification and regression problems.

This subject provides students with an opportunity to work collaboratively on a series of projects, enhancing skills such as project management, time management, prioritisation, resilience and a gamut of interpersonal skills within a team of people across multiple specialisations. Additionally, students will be challenged to find creative solutions to product development and small-scale rapid prototypes. Students will engage in peer learning through agile development and processes. This learning experience will enhance self-development and enable continuous learning.

This subject helps students explore several important fields of general inquiry pertaining to significant intellectual issues related to human beings so they can view everyday problems and formulate solutions in new ways. Broadly, the subject covers the theory of knowledge, human cognition, ethical and moral values, analysis of human history, critical analysis, appreciation of literature and arts and social interaction among human beings through a technological context. Human Centred Design is to give students an appreciation of the factors that influence human behaviour and interactions so that they can apply specialised skills to help solve problems that affect diverse societies.

This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and the concept of entrepreneurial mindset in the technology sector. It stimulates new ways of thinking about enterprising behaviour in a multi-disciplinary manner. Students will learn to identify opportunities, creatively solve problems, network, communicate persuasively and work effectively in a team. In addition, this subject will empower students to propose new ventures that focus on social change for good.

This subject aims to introduce students to the applications of machine learning, such as robotics, data mining, computer vision, bioinformatics and natural language processing, but will also discuss risks and limitations of machine learning. The subject also covers machine learning concepts and techniques such as supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques; learning theory, reinforcement learning and model performance improvement. This subject requires students to have programming skills and knowledge in probability, statistics, regression, and classification.

The aim of this subject is to teach students data mining techniques for both structured and unstructured data. Students will be able to analyse moderate-to-large sized datasets, data preparation, handling missing data, modelling, prediction and classification. Students will also be able to communicate complex information in results of data analytics through effective visualisation techniques.

This subject extends students’ skills and knowledge learned in Machine Learning Principles and Applications of Artificial Intelligence. It discusses application of statistical and other machine learning algorithms to intelligently analyse written and spoken language. It begins with discussion of foundation concepts in natural language processing (NLP) and speech recognition such as language modelling, formal grammars, statistical parsing, machine translation, and dialog processing. Students will then be presented with modern NLP and speech recognition quantitative techniques. Students will be working around different examples applying techniques and NLP toolkits.

This subject builds on the skills and knowledge students acquired from Machine Learning Principles and focuses on deep learning. It introduces students to foundational topics on neural networks, its applications to sequence modelling, computer vision, generative models and reinforcement learning. Focus will be given on learning how to model and train neural networks to implement a variety of computer vision applications. Students will be presented with practical examples of how to develop applications using deep learning. Knowledge in programming and understanding of machine learning concepts is required in this subject.

This subject is designed to provide students with professional experience in an area related to their specialisation. The aim of providing industry-specific opportunities is to enable students to develop skills that will enhance their prospects of gaining meaningful employment and building their career for the future. Much of the benefit of work integrated learning comes from observation, practicing under supervision and reflection. Work Integrated Learning is an excellent way to broaden the students learning environment while they are studying. It allows them to see first-hand how what they are learning in their degree translates into practice, as well as how ‘real world’ practice relates to what they are learning at University.

This subject will develop work ready skills and boost students’ employability while they are studying.

There are two work integrated learning options available to students:

Option 1: Industry Placement 
Students are offered the opportunity to work within a technology company as an intern or volunteer at a technology non-profit organisation. It encourages students to build long-term relationships with the tech industry and provides an opportunity for them to work with and learn from people who may end up becoming colleagues, bosses or mentors. It also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will undertake a series of industry-led tasks that are relevant to their field of study in order to understand the key concepts of working in and managing a professional technology team with emphasis placed on the operation of the environment.

Option 2: Industry Live Brief 
This subject requires students to respond to criteria set within the context of an Industry Live Project. An understanding of research methodologies appropriate to professional practice and the documentation of personal creative investigation will be explored. Students will also further investigate and examine entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities through collaborative work practice. The subject is delivered from a cross specialisation perspective and draws on both specialised and common software engineering practices.

Students are required to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team in order to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions that expand the notion of an industry live brief.

In this subject students learn the fundamental elements of Cloud Computing. They identify the building blocks of Cloud Computing including essential characteristics, different service models and how these models differ from each other. In addition, students also develop an understanding of resource pooling and virtualisation in Cloud. They learn about various deployment models in cloud computing and how these deployment models differ from traditional IT deployment models.

In this subject students learn the definition, history, value, building blocks, and scope of DevOps. They also learn the process of unification and collaboration between development and operations. Students are introduced to key concepts, benefits, tools, and practices of implementing Continuous Integration, Continuous Testing, and Continuous Deployment. They also analyse the process of automation in DevOps.

This subject explores the groundwork theory and practice of user experience (UX), user interface (UI) and interaction design for digital media. The subject covers the core research phases of UX before enabling students to create UI and web-based solutions to identified problems. Students will focus on interpreting and structuring information architecture and focus on the visual aspects of UI design – how visual design affects end-user experience.

This subject develops students’ understanding of typographic convention in both traditional and contemporary applications. Students will use their understanding of basic typographic formatting, page composition and layout to explore advanced typographic setting, work flow and content editing across print and digital platforms.
Students will also explore the role of typographic narrative within the sequenced delivery of information across a variety of environments. They will be challenged to consider the ‘voice of type’ and develop a greater appreciation and understanding of how content is read and viewed in traditional and non-traditional mediums.

This subject introduces students to the theory and practice of Information Design. Students will visualise both quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources via linear and non-linear typography, signs, icons, pictograms and mapping techniques. They will explore theories and practical approaches that examine instructional systems, methods to convey instructions and complex information systems.

Working individually students are required to research a number of given topics. They will analyse and process this information within the context of the LATCH organisational system, demonstrating their knowledge via the design of a series of visual graphics that dramatise both the research they have conducted and the skills they have gained.

The 21st Century economy is dynamic and driven by customers ever changing wants and needs. To remain competitive businesses need to understand what their customers want and how to deliver a quality customer experience that goes beyond the product or service offering. This subject explores how a customers’ perceptions – both conscious and subconscious – effect their relationship with a brand’s value proposition. Students will explore how a customer’s interactions with a brand during the customer life cycle will determine levels of customer satisfaction. Students will analyze Customer Journey Mapping techniques, Employees engagement in the customer experience strategy and metrics of satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy.

Students will gain a solid foundation in the marketing discipline introducing relevant and contemporary concepts, theories and models. The unit magnifies the importance of understanding consumer behaviour, segmentation, targeting and positioning, the extended marketing mix and ethics in marketing. Industry relevance provides students with the opportunity of applying key concepts in practical settings. These marketing foundations are expanded on in other subjects available as electives.

Game Design Principles introduces students to game design foundations, techniques and paradigms through a series of lecture-led and student-led activities. Students will explore game design principles through the analysis of existing game artefacts, applying those findings to the development of their own games. Students are introduced to a variety of analysis, development and presentation techniques encouraging discussion, creation and dissemination of their design choices through prototyping and documentation.

Game Production Foundation combines art assets and basic scripting, enabling students to recognise how user experience is affected through art, design, and code. Utilising game development techniques and tools, students will create their own games, which requires a multifaceted approach including the following: project management, art and design theory, user interaction, menu systems, audio integration, scripting, game design and release. These trans-disciplinary artefacts scaffold the student’s knowledge for when they will interact with other disciplines in a professional development environment.

This is a core unit in all the Applied Social Science courses. This subject explores aspects of counselling as a form of interpersonal communication and considers the role of self and culture, as well as important relational skills such as perception, listening and reflection. Students learn about different modes of interpersonal communication including verbal, nonverbal, written and oral, as well as the barriers to effective communication and approaches for overcoming them. The subject also examines how different types of relationships (family, work, personal, and social groups) can be enhanced through effective communication. An informed awareness of power and rank is discussed.

This subject introduces students to the field of developmental psychology and explores what drives or motivates human behaviour throughout their life from birth to death.

This is a core unit in all the Applied Social Science courses. In this subject, students are introduced to the interdisciplinary practice of social analysis and its role in understanding the various human elements and social institutions that constitute our communities and societies. It covers a variety of important social theories through which to understand human practices, identities and social structures. In particular, students learn how cultural, historical, economic and political factors shape the human experience.

Students develop social analysis skills to critically examine how human and social elements shape our views about equality, justice and fairness. The subject encourages students to assess the relevance of these elements to our social and professional relations.

This subject covers the role of statistical analysis in decision-making. Topics include descriptive statistics, frequency and probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and linear regression and correlation.

Understanding Advertising introduces students to the fundamentals of advertising and explains how students can use this important tool to solve communication problems in today’s complex and fast-changing world. The unit provides an introduction to the advertising industry and the process of creating advertisements for different media. It begins by looking at the initial steps of advertising planning and research, differentiation and targeting, and the development of an advertising strategy.

This subject introduces accounting systems and processes, leading to an understanding of how financial transactions are recorded and the form and function of financial statements. It includes the preparation, analysis and interpretation of different forms of financial statements. The role of an organisation’s internal accounting functions are introduced along with the different ways organisations cash resources are managed.

This is an introductory subject in economics that covers basic microeconomic principles and macroeconomic principles and their application to firms and the macroeconomy. Topics covered include the economic question, how markets and government actions solve the economic question, how firms maximise profits in different market structures, macroeconomic foundations, contemporary models of the economy, money and banking and the operation of fiscal and monetary policies.

This course covers the major finance and treasury functions, and provides an understanding of a business’s financial position, covering the theory of capital markets, investment and distribution decisions. Financial risk management, and financial planning and control.

Design Thinking 1 is a theoretical and practice based subject that encourages students to consider audience, purpose and context, while creating personas and stories to inform practical outcomes that fuse commercial reality with design thinking tools. It introduces students to traditional and non‐traditional digital, 2D and 3D design with a strong emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. Students will justify the physical and conceptual format their outcome will take, to innovatively challenge existing conventions of what is currently available commercially, and deliver an empathic, holistic solution from point of sale through to consumer use and finally to disposal.

This subject introduces the practical and conceptual skills and knowledge required to design and produce online user interfaces. Students learn how to use compliant standards-based markup and scripting language to develop interfaces. The subject covers concept development, prototyping, development, testing and troubleshooting concepts and techniques typical to interface development. Students also learn how to produce animated elements suitable for online interactive media.

Businesses today are increasingly adopting a project-based approach to undertake and manage a diverse mix of business activities ranging from recruitment and change management to product development and implementation. Project management allows organisations to more effectively manage human and financial resources and to meet specific time constraints. This subject introduces students to the field of project management. It explores the historical development of project management and introduces students to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. It examines the theoretical underpinnings of project management and looks at such specific elements as the project life cycle, the role of the project manager, the use of project teams, issues affecting project implementation, and planning, scheduling, and costing. It also explores how technology is used to assist in the management of projects and discusses various project management tools.

This subject expands on the financial accounting concepts and practices introduced in Principles of Accounting. It also covers the regulatory environment for financial reporting in Australia, the purpose and interpretation of accounting standards, the preparation of financial statements for partnerships and the issue of shares and debentures.

This subject expands the understanding of symbols, signs and semantic conventions within communication systems and media. Students are introduced to the history and application of semiotics and encouraged to review, relate and re-evaluate design and communication strategies within the context of de-constructing conventional thinking and design practices. There is particular reference to the cultural shift from words to pictures and the role of meaning in an evolving creative and technological environment. Students present individual and group solutions for the development of a system of symbols and information graphics.

This subject introduces the nature, role and benefits of information systems in businesses and how it can assist in management decision-making. The business process; e-commerce and commerce models; data and its organisation; and users that are crucial in the development and management of information systems are also explored. Students are introduced to cultural, security, privacy and ethical aspects of business information systems. Students will get the opportunity to complement the theoretical knowledge with practical skills by using and managing electronic spreadsheets and database tools.

Game Studies introduces students to the study of video games as texts situated within wider cultural and theoretical settings. Students will explore histories of video games as creative technologies and as cultural artefacts. These ideas will be framed through critical analysis of specific case studies, informed by a wider reading of contemporary games scholarship.

Through a series of lecture and seminar-based talks, discussions, and play sessions, students are encouraged to critically analyse the wider context of the game industry in relation to the economic, social, & cultural determinants surrounding the production & consumption of games & game technology.

This look into society develops scholarly skills by encouraging students to research and debate contemporary issues surrounding the production, dissemination, and consumption of interactive media.

In this subject students will research and develop self-promotion materials in preparation for employment. Students will be expected in this unit to review, revise and edit their existing body of design work. They will be expected to frame and deliver this work with an emphasis on self-reflection and identification of a personal brand and value proposition in relation to a chosen design industry sector.

This subject focuses on defining the value of design in modern business. It embeds a systematic process for leveraging relationships between design and business processes and encourages students to think through design to exceed user’s needs. Students must understand and influence how people give meaning to things, by transforming ideas from conception to innovative business strategies. Students can generate unique user- centered offerings, build emotional brand engagements and gain insight into all aspects of establishing a unique and viable business. Students are required to conduct research, analyse and define an entrepreneurial and commercially viable opportunity.

Through an integration of marketing theories, concepts and models studied in previous marketing subjects, in this subject students will be taught how to apply advanced analytical, planning and implementation skills in the field of marketing, as well the role marketing strategy plays within the overall business strategy and organisation goals. It covers the principles and techniques of creating, implementing, and evaluating a marketing strategy, including the analysis of market opportunities and formulating marketing strategies for a variety of different business environments. This subject culminates with a discussion of useful tools and techniques for developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating a marketing plan.

This subject seeks to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to succeed as an entrepreneur. These knowledge and skills are then applied to identify and evaluate innovative high-growth product and service opportunities in the context of a start-up, a corporation, a not-for-profit or a government institution. The subject equips students with practical skills, including creativity tools, cash-flow modelling, business model analysis and lean experimentation.

This subject is built on broad aspects of sustainable development, corporate responsibility, stakeholder thinking and accountability. It explores how organisations acknowledge their impact of their activities in economic, social, and environmental terms. Students will examine why organisations around the world are increasingly moving to reduce the adverse effects of business operations on their stakeholders and local communities. It discusses some of the most common practices associated with environmental ethics evolving to sustainability ethics. It also examines the link between social responsibility and corporate governance. This course will equip you with a set of tools for managing and leading organisations more ethically and sustainably.

This subject examines how new ideas and end-user experiences are translated into marketable products or services and how design driven innovation creates new meaning to deliver competitive advantage. It also looks at the seductive power of design thinking to match necessity to utility, constraint to possibility, and need to demand. Working in small collaborative teams students are required to embrace the multifaceted challenges we encounter every day in society, and describe and define an innovative and sustainable solution to a user experience problem.

This subject provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical application of the brand building process and the role of the marketing mix within it. It begins with the strategic importance of brand management and presents a consumer-focused model of brand equity. It explores the contribution of advertising to strategies for building and sustaining strong brands over time.

This subject builds on the skill sets created in User-centred Design, encouraging students to take a holistic approach to the creation of meaningful ‘cradle to grave’ user experiences. This theoretically based subject challenges students to consider audience, purpose and context, while creating personas & stories to help deliver practical, group outcomes that fuse commercial reality with design thinking tools. It emphasizes observation, collaboration, fast learning, visualization of ideas, concept prototyping, and concurrent business analysis, which ultimately influence innovation and business strategy.

In this subject, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts and methodologies utilised in programming. Students will develop problem solving skills in order to identify appropriate tools and methodologies to address software requirements. Decision logics and iterative programming will be explored and applied through software coding, debugging and testing on various platforms. Lastly, students will produce and present verified and validated software solutions and documentation to meet project goals.