Bachelor of Design Computing
Overview
The Bachelor of Design Computing program teaches design with a focus on the pragmatic, creative and aesthetic possibilities of computer-expressed works.
The Bachelor of Design Computing program responds to the convergence of design and computing. The academic program prepares graduates for careers in a style of design in which computation is integral to the performance of design.
The program focuses on four key knowledge areas that provide the basis for developing students' capacity to both be skilled crafters of digitally designed works and emerge as part of a new generation of digital design specialists: design; programming; modelling and interaction.
Bachelor of Design Computing enrolment guide
The Bachelor of Design Computing is a three-year degree, or four years with honours. The first year introduces the concept of design, CAD, web page design and programming. These units form the basic knowledge needed for a broad range of design computing topics in second year, and the integrated design computing studio in the third year. The electives allow the student to develop additional skills and knowledge in design computing, computer science, architectural design or engineering.
In order to qualify for the degree, candidates must complete the requirements as specified in the resolutions of Senate and faculty for this degree. All students should read the course resolutions and monitor their progress throughout the degree by reference to them. The following points summarise the resolutions but do not replace them.
Summary of requirements
In order to qualify for the award of the pass degree, candidates:
- must maintain a full-time enrolment (18 credit points or more per semester; a normal full-time load is 24 credit points per semester; the maximum allowed is 30 credit points per semester)
- must complete successfully 144 credit points in total
- must complete successfully 84 credit points from the core units of study described in Table B
- must complete successfully 18 credit points from Technical Electives from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, from units of study prefixed COMP, ELEC, INFO, ISYS and/or MTRX. At least 6 credit points of this must be at 2000 level or higher
- must complete successfully 18 credit points from the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Science or the Business School. At least 6 credit points of this must be at 2000 level or higher
- must complete successfully a maximum of 24 credit points from elective units of study from those listed in Table B, or with the permission of the unit coordinator concerned, units of study from the faculty's tables of graduate units, provided they have completed at least 96 credit points with a weighted average (WAM) of at least 70.
Honours
In order to qualify for the honours degree, candidates must satisfy the requirements for the pass degree with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70 and in addition successfully complete 48 credit points consisting of a research thesis. In their third year, students would normally enrol in the preparatory unit of study as an elective. Honours may only be undertaken on a full-time basis. For more information about honours see the section of this Handbook about undergraduate honours.
Planning your degree
The program has been designed so that the core units should be taken in a certain order and the elective units fitted with them. The enrolment planner shows progression through the core units of study.
Bachelor of Design Computing planner
|
Unit of study |
Credit points |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
|
|
|
Semester 1 |
|
|
| DECO1012 |
Design Programming |
6 |
| DECO1006 |
Understanding Design and Cognition |
6 |
|
DECO1100 |
Digital Design Studio |
12 |
|
Semester 2 |
|
|
|
DECO1008 |
3D Modelling |
6 |
| DECO1013 |
Sound Design and Sonification |
6 |
| Electives | 12 | |
|
|
Total for Year 1 |
48 |
|
Year 2 |
|
|
|
Semester 1 |
|
|
|
DECO2010 |
Collaborative Virtual Environments |
6 |
|
INFO2120 |
Database Systems 1 |
6 |
|
|
Electives |
12 |
|
Semester 2 |
|
|
|
DECO2200 |
Interaction Design Studio |
12 |
|
|
Electives |
12 |
|
|
Total for Year 2 |
48 |
|
Year 3 |
|
|
|
Semester 1 |
|
|
|
DECO3100 |
Information Visualisation Design Studio |
12 |
|
|
Electives |
12 |
|
Semester 2 |
|
|
|
DECO3200 |
Human-Computer Experience Design Studio |
12 |
|
|
Electives |
12 |
|
|
Total for Year 3 |
48 |
Table B: Units of study in the Bachelor of Design Computing
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Core units of study |
|||
| Candidates are required to complete all the core units of study listed in this table. | |||
Junior units of study |
|||
| DECO1012 Design Programming |
6 | N DECO2011, SOFT1001 |
Semester 1 |
| DECO1006 Understanding Design and Cognition |
6 | N DECO1004 |
Semester 1 |
| DECO1100 Digital Design Studio |
12 | N DECO1011 Core unit for Bachelor of Design Computing. BST students by permission. Enrolment is limited by teaching resources. |
Semester 1 |
| DECO1008 3D Modelling |
6 | N DECO2103 This unit is for BDesComp and BST students only. Others may enrol in DECO2103. |
Semester 2 |
| DECO1013 Sound Design and Sonification |
6 | N DECO2012 Enrolment limited by teaching resources. Permission required unless enrolled in the Bachelor of Design Computing or the BST. Other students may apply directly to the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning for a place. |
Semester 2 |
Senior units of study |
|||
| DECO2010 Designing Social Media |
6 | P DECO1100 or (DECO2101 and DECO2102) or INFO1000 or INFO1003 N DECO2005 Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Student Administration Centre. First preference to Bachelor of Design Computing students. |
Semester 1 |
| INFO2120 Database Systems 1 |
6 | A Some exposure to programming and some familiarity with data model concepts such as taught in INFO1103 or INFO1003 or INFS1000 or INFO1903 N INFO2820, INFO2005, INFO2905 |
Semester 1 |
| DECO2200 Interaction Design Studio |
12 | P DECO1100 N DECO1200 Core unit for the Bachelor of Design Computing. BST students by permission. Enrolment is limited by teaching resources. |
Semester 2 |
| DECO3100 Information Visualisation Design Studio |
12 | P DECO(1100 and 1200) or DECO(1100 and 2200) or DECO(2101 and 2102) or DECO(2012 and 2013) or DECO(1013 and 2013) N DECO3001 Core unit for Bachelor of Design Computing. BST students by permission. Enrolment is limited by teaching resources. |
Semester 1 |
| DECO3200 Human-Computer Experience Design Studio |
12 | P DECO3100 or (DECO2101 and DECO2102 and (DECO(1012 or 2011 or SOFT1001))) N DECO3002 Core unit for Bachelor of Design Computing. BST students by permission. Enrolment is limited by teaching resources. |
Semester 2 |
Technical electives |
|||
| Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 18 credit points, with a minimum of 6 credit points at 2000 level or higher, from units offered by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies prefixed ELEC, MTRX, COMP, ISYS and/or INFO. | |||
Arts and Social Sciences, Science or Business School electives |
|||
| Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 18 points, with a minimum of 6 credit points at 2000 level or higher, from units offered by the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Science or the Business School | |||
Electives |
|||
| Candidates are required to complete a maximum of 24 credit points of electives from the following list. Students who have completed 96 credit points with a WAM of at least 70 may substitute, with the permission of the unit coordinator concerned, units from Table G, Graduate units of study. | |||
Design Computing electives |
|||
Senior units of study |
|||
| DECO3005 Advanced Interaction Design |
6 | P DECO(1200 or 2200 or 2102) N DESC9142 Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Student Administration Centre. First preference to Bachelor of Design Computing students. |
Semester 1 |
| DECO3006 Principles of Animation |
6 | P DECO1003 or DECO1008 or DECO2103 N DESC9019, DESC9141 Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Student Administration Centre. First preference to Bachelor of Design Computing students. |
Semester 1 |
| DECO3008 Design Computing Prep Hons Research |
6 | P 72 credit points and minimum WAM of 70 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 |
| DECO3003 Design Computing Research Opportunity |
6 | A Computer programming. P 96 credit points and minimum WAM of 65. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Students from other faculties may apply directly to the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning. |
Semester 2 |
Allied Arts in Architecture electives |
|||
Junior units of study |
|||
| AWSS1001 Architectural Sketching and Drawing |
6 |
Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 |
Senior units of study |
|||
| AWSS2001 Public Art |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. |
Semester 1 |
| AWSS2002 Site Specific Art |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. |
Semester 2 |
| AWSS2010 Ceramics (Handbuilding) |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. |
Semester 1 |
| AWSS2013 Digital Video |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 2 |
| AWSS2014 Printmaking |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| AWSS2015 General Drawing |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| AWSS2018 Life Drawing |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| AWSS2020 Object Design |
6 | A Completed an ATSC workshop proficiency class Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| AWSS2022 Painting |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| AWSS2023 Photography 1 |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| AWSS2024 Photography 2 |
6 | P AWSS2023 or equivalent. Equivalence can be established by either presenting a portfolio of b&w photographic work or by presenting a transcript indicating a minimum of a full semester unit in b&w photography. Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| AWSS2026 Screen Printing on Paper |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Int February |
| AWSS2027 Sculpture |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Tin Sheds Gallery, Wilkinson Building. Attendance at the first class is compulsory to maintain your place in the unit: allocation of spare places will be made at the first meeting. Students may incur costs for materials in some Art Workshops units. |
Semester 1 |
Design Architecture electives |
|||
Junior units of study |
|||
| DESA1004 Designing with Surfaces and Light |
6 |
Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Student Administration Centre. |
Semester 2 Summer Early Winter Main |
Senior units of study |
|||
| DAAE2005 Designing with Colour 1 |
6 | A DESA1004 Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Student Administration Centre. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 Summer Early Summer Main Winter Main |
| DAAE2006 Designing with Colour 2 |
6 | P DAAE2005 Enrolment numbers limited by teaching resources. If your attempt to enrol online is unsuccessful, please seek permission from the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning Student Administration Centre. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 Summer Early Summer Main Winter Main |
| BDES6026 Architecture Revue |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
General electives |
|||
Senior units of study |
|||
| DECO3551 Design Computing General Elective A |
6 | P 48 credit points. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by the elective supervisor, with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 1a Semester 1b Semester 2 Semester 2a Semester 2b |
| DECO3552 Design Computing General Elective B |
6 | P 48 credit points. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by the elective supervisor, with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 1a Semester 1b Semester 2 Semester 2a Semester 2b |
| DECO3553 Design Computing General Elective C |
6 | P 48 credit points. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by the elective supervisor, with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 1a Semester 1b Semester 2 Semester 2a Semester 2b |
| DECO3554 Design Computing General Elective D |
6 | P 48 credit points. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by the elective supervisor, with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 1a Semester 1b Semester 2 Semester 2a Semester 2b |
Independent study electives |
|||
Senior units of study |
|||
| DECO3441 Design Computing Independent Study A |
6 | P 48 credit points and WAM of at least 70. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by your proposed supervisor and program coordinator with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DECO3442 Design Computing Independent Study B |
6 | P 48 credit points and WAM of at least 70. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by your proposed supervisor and program coordinator with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DECO3443 Design Computing Independent Study C |
6 | P 48 credit points and WAM of at least 70. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by your proposed supervisor and program coordinator with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DECO3444 Design Computing Independent Study D |
6 | P 48 credit points and WAM of at least 70. Note: Department permission required for enrolment Submit an Independent Study Approval Form, signed by your proposed supervisor and program coordinator with your request to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Honours units of study |
|||
| Candidates enrol in A and B in their first semester and C and D in their second semester. | |||
| DECO4001 Design Computing Honours Research A |
12 | P Completion of the Pass degree. Students in the Bachelor of Design Computing will require a WAM of at least 70. Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DECO4002 Design Computing Honours Research B |
12 | C DECO4001 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DECO4003 Design Computing Honours Research C |
12 | C DECO4002 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| DECO4004 Design Computing Honours Research D |
12 | C DECO4003 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Course resolutions
Bachelor of Design Computing (Honours)
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course Resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course and stream title |
|---|---|
|
CH009 |
Bachelor of Design Computing |
|
CH042 |
Bachelor of Design Computing (Honours) |
2 Attendance pattern
3 Admission to candidature
0.
Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Details of admission policies are found in the Coursework Rule.
4 Requirements for award
(2)
To qualify for the award of the pass degree, a candidate must successfully complete 144 credit points, comprising:
(b)
at least 18 credit points of electives from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, of which at least 6 credit points of these must be at 2000 level or higher
(c)
at least 18 credit points of electives from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the University of Sydney Business School or Science electives, of which at least 6 credit points of these must be at 2000 level or higher
5 Requirements for the Honours degree
(1)
Honours is available to meritorious students who complete an additional year of full time study, after the completion of the pass degree.
(2)
Admission, requirements and award of Honours are according to the resolutions of the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning.
6 Award of the degree
(1)
The Bachelor of Design Computing is awarded in the grades of either Pass or Honours. The honours degree is awarded in classes ranging from First Class to Second Class according to the rules specified in the Resolutions of the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning.
(2)
Candidates for the award of the Honours degree who do not meet the requirements, and who have not already graduated, will be awarded the pass degree. Students who fail or discontinue the honours program may not re-enrol in it, except with the approval of the Dean.
7 Credit for previous study
0.
Credit transfer is subject to the provisions of the Coursework Rule and the Resolutions of the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning. All candidates for the Bachelor of Design Computing, not withstanding any credit transfer, must complete DECO3100 and DECO3200 and not less than 12 additional senior credit points of units of study from Table B.
8 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 and who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that the requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.