Future Students

Engineering — Software

The Area of Study

Software engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software. The discipline of software engineering encompasses knowledge, tools, and methods for defining software requirements, and performing software design, software construction, software testing, and software maintenance tasks.

Software engineering also draws on knowledge from fields such as computer engineering, computer science, management, mathematics, project management, quality management, software ergonomics, and systems engineering. Software engineers create, maintain and modify computer and software programs such as operating systems, communications software, utility programs, and compilers.

Either the telecommunication or software specialisations of engineering may be taken as a double degree with commerce (economics major) or with science (computing major). This is an efficient way to broaden one’s skills and obtain two qualifications in five years.

Engineering involves a high level of technical expertise and substantial project management skills, hence an engineering degree can lead to careers in technology development and/or business and management.

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Degree Program Information

Degree UAI 2008 CSP UAI 2008 DFEE Course duration
Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering # 78.80 73.00 4 years full-time
Bachelor of Engineering with Bachelor of Commerce 85.40 80.00 5 years full-time
Bachelor of Engineering with Bachelor of Science 76.55 73.00 5 years full-time


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What You Will Study

You must complete a program of study (major) in one of the following:

  • Software Engineering
  • Software and Commerce
  • Software and Computing

Your program of study may include units from the subject areas listed below:

  • computer and telecommunication networks
  • computer security
  • eCommerce technology
  • embedded systems
  • information systems
  • software engineering
  • language technology
  • web technology
  • applied econometrics
  • business law and economics
  • finance
  • statistics and econometrics

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

HSC Mathematics (Band 4) or its equivalent is a subject prerequisite for first-year engineering, mathematics and physics units. Higher levels of HSC Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, Engineering Studies, Senior Science, Information Processes and Technology and/or Software Design and Development or their equivalents are recommended studies. Other units taken as part of a degree may require assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies and you should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook of Undergraduate Studies for full degree requirements.

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Career Options

  • computer and communication networking
  • business systems design and management
  • engineering research and development
  • sales and service of technical equipment
  • software design and development
  • project and technology management

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Some Major Employers

  • Honeywell
  • BAE Systems
  • Optus
  • Telstra
  • Microsoft
  • IBM

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Further information

Department of Physics and Engineering
Macquarie University, NSW 2109
Telephone:  (02) 9850 9500
Email: phyicsandengineering@mq.edu.au
Web:  www.engineering.mq.edu.au

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