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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cost of the course?
Where can I find the entry requirements?
If I don't live in Australia, can I speak to someone in my home country about applying to Curtin?
Will my qualification be recognised overseas?
Is the qualification I am considering studying recognised outside Australia?
What is the difference between Computer Science and Information Technology?
There are two IT programs, the B.Science (IT) and the B.Commerce (IT). What's the difference?
Can I get credit for courses I have studied previously?
How much does it cost to study engineering (local students)?
What is the average contact time per week when studying an Engineering degree?
At postgraduate level, what's the difference between a "coursework" program and a "research" program?
If I am having difficulties in my studies can I get any help?
What are the job prospects for the different courses?
Curtin graduates are often referred to as "job ready". What does this mean?
I want to be able to program games. What's the best course?
I'm interested in studying Nanotechnology but I am worried there won't be any jobs in the field when I graduate. What's your advice?
Should I study a double degree program?
The double degree programs with Engineering and Commerce are not offered any more. Why is that?

Other useful FAQ sites:

Curtin FAQ: This site is designed to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions that arise when you are finding your way around at Curtin.

International student FAQ: If you are an international student and seeking answers to questions you have in regards to topics such as the application process, obtaining visas, costs of living in Perth and much more.

Answers

1. What's the cost of the course? [back to top]

Visit the Fees and finances page for an indication of what it may cost you to study. But bear in mind there's never a fixed price on what a course will cost, as tuition fees are calculated per unit and there is often flexibility with the combination of units you can study within a course.

2. Where can I find the entry requirements? [back to top]

The course entry requirements are generally listed for each course in the Courses Handbook.

International students can view a list of recognised qualifications at the Admissions Section of the International Students website.

If you are still not sure if your qualifications will be recognised or whether you meet the entry requirements for a particular course you can contact us for further assistance.

3. If I don't live in Australia, can I speak to someone in my home country about applying to Curtin? [back to top]

Curtin enlists the help of a large number of local agents in countries throughout the world. A list of recognised agents can be found from the International Students website.

Agents from the university also travel throughout the world speaking to students. A schedule of these activities is available from the Events in Your Country section of the International Students website.

4. Will my qualification be recognised overseas? [back to top]

Many students throughout the world are choosing Australia as their preferred study destination, not only for value but also to obtain qualifications which are well recognised and "employable". Australian qualifications are regulated by strict government policies ensuring that the standard of education is high under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislative framework.

Curtin qualifications in particular are recognised for their quality in many countries. Countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei have large numbers of Curtin graduates in successful careers with a resulting growth of local alumni and increasing awareness of the strengths of our graduates.

5. Is the qualification I am considering studying recognised outside Australia? [back to top]

Probably. In most cases the courses offered by Science and Engineering are accredited with professional organisations in Australia who are in turn affiliated with similar bodies in other countries throughout the world. In the Courses Handbook, the professional recognition for each course is outlined together with a link to that organisation. The most notable organisations affiliated with our faculty's courses are:

Whilst most courses are accredited by professional organisations, it is important that you check that the relevant professional body in your own country (or the country you anticipate you will work) recognises the course you plan to study.

6. What is the difference between Computer Science and Information Technology? [back to top]

Computer Science and Information Technology are similar programs of equal duration and similar cost. However, there are differences between the two programs. Most notable is the differing level of mathematics taught. TheComputer Science course focuses on software, with a technological and scientific bias. It prepares students for careers in areas such as software development, systems programming, systems administration, network management and technical support. Graduates have extensive skills in UNIX operating system and C++ and Java programming languages, which are the most in-demand skills sought by employers of software professionals. Local, wide area and inter-networking software skills are also developed in the course along with abilities in extensively used World Wide Web software techniques.

Information Technology focuses on the overall discipline of information technology, which covers the more technological and applied aspects of computing, with less emphasis on theory and a moderate emphasis on mathematics. Some of these areas range from programming to software design and engineering, networking including the web, artificial intelligence for decision support, graphics and system programming.

Commencing in 2005, the Computer Science and Information Technology degrees offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering will have a common first year of study. The benefit to students will be that the commitment to study Computer Science or Information Technology can be delayed until the end of the first year of study.

7. There are two IT programs, the Bachelor of Science (IT) and the Bachelor of Commerce (IT). What's the difference? [back to top]

Both programs share common elements. The main difference between the programs is their focus. The Bachelor of Commerce (IT) is an IT degree with a focus on business. Consequently, its main objective is to teach aspects of IT relevant to making businesses run more efficiently.

The Bachelor of Science (IT) deals with fundamental concepts of Information Technology including the programming languages, hardware considerations and software engineering which are required to build software for uses including, but not limited to, the business environment.

8. Can I get credit for courses I have studied previously? [back to top]

In many cases you can. Curtin's policy of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) recognises and rewards previous performance while, at the same time, ensuring that a student completes a sufficient number of units to warrant the conferral of a degree. Eligible students may receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course.

Applications to study at Curtin will automatically be assessed for credit. The amount of credit offered to students will be determined by factors such as:

The level of study conducted at the institution you are wishing to credit
The grades you have achieved in your studies
The relevance of your studies to the program you are applying for at Curtin

Download the RPL application form here.

10. What is the average contact time per week when studying an Engineering degree? [back to top]

This varies depending on what stage of the course a student is completing. Generally however it is common for students to be required to participate in approximately 25 hours of class time per week. "Class time" can mean lectures, laboratory sessions or tutorials.

11. At postgraduate level, what's the difference between a 'coursework' program and a 'research' program? [back to top]

Coursework programs are primarily classroom and laboratory based and require students to undertake studies which are prescribed by in course curriculum. These programs often include examinations and projects assessed by the university throughout the study period.

Research programs are offered at the masters and PhD level. The structure of research programs is determined through consultation between the student and a suitable research supervisor. Research projects are assigned by schools in consultation with its supervisory staff upon receipt of a students�� research proposal. The project proposal is accepted based on assessment that it coincides with the students experience and aspirations and the expertise of the supervisory staff.

12. If I am having difficulties in my studies can I get any help? [back to top]

Each unit you study at Curtin will also have a laboratory or tutorial component which is in addition to the lectures. Laboratories and tutorials are designed to be interactive and students are encouraged to ask questions of their tutors if they do not understand certain aspects of the teaching program. These periods are the times when students can clarify ideas and concepts that are raised in lectures.

Students can also approach their lecturers if they are having difficulties in their studies. It is not always as convenient for students to ask questions during lectures (though many lecturers do allow this) so students are encouraged to make appointments with lecturers to discuss any problems they are having in their studies.

Students wanting to boost their study skills can attend one of the free programs at the Student Learning Support Centre. The centre offers academic support programs to enhance the performance of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

For first year engineering students there are also tutorial support classes available throughout the week. These are accessed via the first year studio and students are free to visit these classes at any time during the opening hours (Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm) to obtain help in mathematics or computing.

13. What are the job prospects for the different courses? [back to top]

The job prospects for most of our graduates are good, both locally and internationally. In most cases, our degree programs are formally recognised by professional associations in Australia which are in turn recognised by similar bodies overseas.

Graduate Destination Surveys are conducted each year by the Office of Planning and Statistics at Curtin each year. These provide a good indication of the employment rates of our graduates and show the sorts of jobs they have been employed in. The details can be found at the Graduate Destination Survey.

General information about finding a career can be found at careers.curtin.edu.au.

Further information about career paths can be found at:

14. Curtin graduates are often referred to as 'job ready'. What does this mean? [back to top]

Curtin courses tend to be a healthy mix of theory and practical training. This means students are given a good theoretical basis for their education but at the same time are also given lots of opportunity to implement their knowledge through practical application. Studying at Curtin involves more than attending lectures and remembering facts and figures. Practical components are built in to most programs such as laboratory work, practical case studies, project work, and work experience placement (in courses such as Engineering).

Curtin also prides itself on active links with industry and being in touch with the changing needs of these. Such linkages influence the content of Curtin courses, resulting in programs adapted to meet the expectations and changing requirements of prospective employers in Australia and worldwide.

15. I want to be able to program games. What's the best course? [back to top]

The Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) or the Bachelor of Science (Information Technology).

The most common way of getting a job as a game programmer is to produce a game demo. If you are starting off afresh with no work experience at all, you need to show people you want to work for them and can do the job. There is no better way to do that than to give them a demo. This is exactly the same process as an artist who submits a portfolio. The more things you can show you can do, the easier you can get a job.

In order to produce a demo game, you need good programming skills. This is where doing a rigorous and reputable degree like the BSc(Computer Science) or the BSc(Information Technology) comes in.

Some key concepts which are taught in courses such as the BSc(IT) or the BSc(Computer Science) courses are:

Algorithms: Before you start writing in a formal language you need to know how to specify what you will want a particular piece of code to do. Learning how to construct logical and functional code which is efficient is of prime importance.
Programming: Of course theory alone is not enough and you are not only limited to the fundamentals of algorithm design. Taught languages include C, C++, Java and others.
Assembly Level Programming: Device drivers and core code may have to be programmed in assembly code to enable games to run faster or do things which would otherwise be limited by higher-level programming languages.
Computer Architecture: Learning about the various computing architecture is important when considering the implications of the games software, which will be run on a particular platform.
Software Engineering: This is about large scale computing projects (which is exactly what most new games are these days). It is concerned with the project analysis, planning, specification, and implementation of projects that are generally bigger than just one programmer. Also involved are the management aspects such as project management and team dynamics.
Computer Graphics: Of course this is vastly important today as so few games lack this.
Data Structures: How are games levels stored?
AI and Expert Systems: Games need nonhuman opponents, and you need to know how to program them so that they are realistic and challenging.
Human Factors: Here is where you learn how to make a terrific Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Mathematics: Games programmers are not afraid of mathematics. Polygon mesh games are little more than linear algebra engines so a good grasp of linear algebra and calculus are fundamental for prospective games programmers.

16. I'm interested in studying Nanotechnology but I am worried there won't be any jobs in the field when I graduate. What's your advice? [back to top]

It is rare to find a job advertised in the newspaper for nanotechnologists since the field is still relatively new and growing. However, the amount of investment and interest in this field is enormous, resulting in a surprising wealth of employment opportunities.

Australia is unique in being one of the first countries in the world to offer bachelor degree programs in nanotechnology. In countries such as the US and UK, nanotechnology as a discipline is offered only at postgraduate level.

The nanotechnology course offered at Curtin is a rigorous program designed to create very competent scientists. A career in the field is not intended as a finite end point terminating at the bachelor level. Rather, it is designed to inspire high achieving graduates to continued studies and possibly research.

To find out more about the job prospects in nanotechnology there is a number of excellent websites to visit:

http://www.foresight.org/
Press releases, careers and research in Nanotechnology.
http://www.workingin-nanotechnology.com/
A good website for finding jobs in nanotechnology.
http://www.newscientistjobs.com/splash.action
General science information, career information and search facility.
http://www.smalltimes.com/home.cfm
A source of business news and information about the emerging small tech industry, which includes nanotechnology, MEMS and microsystems.
http://www.nanotechnology.gov.au/index.cfm
An Australian government gateway to demonstrate national capabilities in the areas of nanotechnology.
http://www.nanotechnology.com.au/frameset.htm
Information about nanotechnology research and practical application in Australia. Also information about careers.

17. Is it advisable to study a double degree program? [back to top]

Double degree programs are certainly getting more popular and can be a great benefit to academically capable students. Generally double degree programs are a little more academically demanding and this would be a consideration when choosing to study one. The benefits of a double degree program are:

In a moderate time frame you can graduate with two distinct qualifications rather than one.
Graduates are not limited to the study areas of only one degree and normally couple this with study in another area that is complementary (eg. Computer Science and Mathematics).
Prospective employers sometimes give preference to graduates holding dual qualifications because of the value for money this represents. This can be especially the case in smaller firms where multi-skilled employees are an asset and a potential cost saving.

The drawbacks of a double degree programs are:

The program takes at least a year longer than the single degree. This can represent a one-year delay in entering the workforce which can be accounted in potential lost income.
It is better to do well in a single degree program rather than do badly in a double degree program. In the case where a student is not coping well with the academic demands of the double degree program the benefits of a broader study plan are reduced.

18. The double degree programs with Engineering and Commerce are not offered any more. Why is that? [back to top]

In order to best answer this question it is worthwhile looking at how double degree programs work. In all degree programs there is always a prescribed component (or "core"), which is considered essential to the fulfilment of the degree program. Normally, this is defined by the professional body that ultimately accredits the relevant course. Coupled with this are more flexible aspects of study that can be tailored to the student��s aspirations or interests (optional subjects and electives). Some programs are obviously more flexible than others.

With double degree programs, the core structure of both courses are still maintained but the flexible components of one is taken as the core of the other and vice versa. Essentially there is some overlap between the two programs that is used to meet the professional requirements of the respective courses. The result is a program that is generally one year longer than the longer of the two constituent degree courses. It is not physically possible to condense two separate programs any further than this.

Double degree programs have the benefit of creating multi skilled graduates who are competent in two areas, generally complementary to one another. Very successful combinations include double degree programs such as Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and Computing Science and Physics. In the case of combinations of degree programs that do not share elements that are so complementary, the inevitable result is that depth at which each program can be studied is reduced (but of course still acceptable to accrediting bodies).

In the case of Commerce and Engineering double degree programs the focus was on producing graduates with skills in two areas. This can be beneficial and many graduates used this as the basis for entering rewarding careers. However, whilst these double degree programs were popular with students, feedback from the engineering industries indicated a reduced demand for such broadly trained graduates. Degree holders in engineering who have a strong technical foundation (from a single degree) or added specialist knowledge (from a combination of strongly interconnected areas) are well regarded in industry and are actively sought.

Largely as a result of this, the option of taking double degree programs with commerce and either engineering or computing was discontinued at the beginning of 2004. At the completion of their studies most students do obtain employment and get some work experience before they continue any further studies. For engineering graduates who do wish to continue their studies can gain skills in management and business by undertaking a Masters in Engineering Management over three trimesters. This program is well regarded in industry and can be taken on a part time basis concurrent to working. However, should a student wish to complete the undergraduate engineering degree plus the Master of Engineering Management degree by full time study this can be achieved in 5 calendar years. More information about this graduate program can be obtained from Master of Engineering Management page.