Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Research and Development) (Honours) requires completion of 192 units, of which:

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

A minimum of 48 units must come from completion of 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP

A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

 The 192 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

A minimum of 48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

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.

Capstone Courses

Specialisations

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

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 guarantee entry into the program.

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.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:

• completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
• co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:

• previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:

• previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:

• ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements 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.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission 

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 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.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

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.

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.

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.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

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.