Four students sitting a table
MJRU-SFDEV

Software Development

Undergraduate major

Develop advanced knowledge and skills in software development for agile careers in industries ranging from agriculture to entertainment.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Guaranteed ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Software Development Major (BSc Science)
  • Credit

    Credit

    200
Course outline

Select your preferred degree

This course belongs to multiple degrees. Select the single degree or double degree below to see the application deadlines.

Course outline

Overview

Overview

Computing skills enhance employability in many areas of science, especially in the vast majority of industries and organisations that rely on efficient and secure computer systems.

In this course, you will learn the core components required to develop complex computer applications for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in particular. You'll learn about programming, algorithms, and the entire development cycle – from gathering requirements to testing.

You'll also learn about application development for the Apple device ecosystem. Your learning will be informed by knowledge at the forefront of software development in general.

The skills you'll gain in this course are ideal for positions in SMEs where programming is valuable as a complementary science expertise. Combining this course with a strong industry-related discipline will give you the skills to customise or develop proprietary systems and software for that industry.

For example, if you add a major in Agriculture Science, you'll have the expertise to contribute to the development of digital systems required for modern agriculture. Or, if you choose to major in Chemistry, your combined skill sets will be ideal for an organisation seeking a computational chemist and for roles requiring both chemistry and computing skills.

Note: Up to and including our 2022 intakes, many Science courses offered a choice of streams, or discipline areas, to specialise in. From 2023, these streams were replaced with a range of specialisations, which offers you even more flexibility. View the full list of specialisations here.

What jobs can the Software Development course lead to?

Careers

  • Application developer
  • Software engineer and developer
  • Game developer
  • Cloud consultant
  • Data scientist
  • IT language developer
  • Geographical information system developer
  • Programmer
  • Software engineer
  • Science educator
  • Database design

Industries

  • Applications and software development
  • Entertainment and gaming
  • Business and commerce
  • Information technology
  • Education
  • Finance
  • Transport
  • Cybersecurity
  • Health informatics

What you'll learn

  • have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in Software Development that is typically at a level that, whilst supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that will be informed by knowledge of the forefront of Software Development, GC1
  • can apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to Software Development, and have competencies typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments (to both specialist and non-specialist audiences) and solving problems within Software Development, GC2
  • understand the constructs of the scientific method and apply these principles in Software Development using digital technologies, GC3
  • can gather and interpret relevant data within Software Development to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues, including being aware of the diversity of international perspectives associated with Software Development, and how these impact upon the practice of Software Development, GC4
  • understand and appreciate cultural diversity and how it impacts on the practice of Sofware Development, GC5
  • display a high standard of professional behaviour, including effective time management, both independently and as a team member, GC6

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Application ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Not accepted. Written English may be used to demonstrate English Competency (140)

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Not accepted. Written English may be used to demonstrate English Competency (140)

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    • A TAFE Diploma or Advanced Diploma in a relevant field of study, if you are not sure if it is relevant, check with the course co-ordinator for the major they are going into.

    • Curtin College Diploma of Information Technology does NOT meet the MAM requirements for the data science major. Alternative offer B-MTDSC to be given

     

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Not accepted. Written English may be used to demonstrate English Competency (140)

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  1. Met the admission criteria for minimum entry
  2. Met the ATAR Mathematics Applications prerequisite (or equivalent).

Prerequisite Information

The ATAR Mathematics Applications can be met with one of the following Curtin units:
MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics
MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus
MATH1015 Linear Algebra 

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses from another higher education course provider.

In addition, you need to have:

  1. Met the ATAR Mathematics Applications prerequisite (or equivalent).

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Please view the Bachelor of Science (Science) degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Apply now
  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

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  • Curtin course code: MJRU-SFDEV
  • Last updated on: 12 December 2024

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