Why Bachelor of Computer Science?
Do you love using technology and care about people? Bring your interest in people, love of technology and your problem-solving skills to Human-Centred Computing. It’s not just about the tech – it’s about understanding the person that uses the technology.
Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Computer Science majoring in Human-Centred Computing teaches how you how human cognition can be applied to computer systems to make technology seamless and accessible. Learn to push the boundaries of how people interact with technology. Create human experiences that are simple, effective and as seamless as possible. When you build the right interactive device, the interaction will be intuitive and natural.
You’ll also gain the knowledge and skills to build the next generation of human computer interaction techniques – creating masterpieces of technology that people not only use, but love. With your human-centred approach to technology, you’ll be ready for a creative and fulfilling career that can span multiple industries.
Overview
This degree introduces you to the human elements of technology and how to create user-friendly interfaces. Develop the software and design skills to improve research industries. Use state-of-the-art technology to create genuine immersive environments. The Bachelor of Computer Science majoring in Human-Centred Computing spans multiple disciplines including cognitive psychology and design, preparing you to improve user efficiencies in industry.
Build practical knowledge of user interface design and software infrastructure to support user experience. Organise large interactive systems optimised for a variety of audiences. Create genuine immersive environments through a professional game development platform. Learn practical skills and gain the knowledge required to support future research. You’ll also collaborate with industry partners in a capstone project – introducing you to exciting future career opportunities. You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (arcIVE), one of the most prestigious research groups in the world working on virtual and augmented reality.
Graduate ready to influence the relationship and interactions between humans and computers – addressing some of the most significant challenges to our global future. Understand the role that we play in building software for consumption and design compelling and authentic alternate realities.
Key features
Study common Computer Science subjects in first year before exploring a major.- Understand the link between the human and the software.
- Learn practical skills in user interface and interaction.
- Create immersive environments through a professional game development platform.
- Develop solutions to issues affecting industry through research.
- Work collaboratively to solve global problems in user experience technologies.
What you'll learn
Explore the breadth of computer science before targeting your studies with a major in your second year. Build a theoretical and mathematical grounding to solve complex problems in society. Develop deep reasoning skills to understand the capabilities of modern computing and its ethical limitations. Prepare for future career opportunities by uncovering current research trends and new technology developments.
In your specialisation, you’ll focus on making computer systems easier to use and more accessible. You’ll study how human cognition is applied to computer system design and how to adapt technology for greater global access. Apply current augmented, virtual, and mixed reality technologies and interaction techniques to build fun and immersive environments.
Finally, you’ll participate in a collaborative industry project where you can apply your skills and knowledge to a real-word problem.
Assessments for this degree include a combination of essays, exams, case studies, portfolio, group work, supervised written and oral tests, and programming exercises.
You’ll be able to complete majority of first year common courses and second year courses at either our Adelaide City or Mawson Lakes Campus with some potential cross-campus study required. Throughout your degree, you’ll gain access to cutting-edge facilities across both campus locations to enhance your overall learning experience.
Majors
The Bachelor of Computer Science is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 66 units for all Core courses, and
- Either:
- 54 units for one Major from Majors, or
- 54 units for all Discipline courses, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for Electives
Complete 66 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Object-Oriented Programming
|
Course code
COMP1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Structures and Algorithms
|
Course code
COMP2017
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Software Development Practice
|
Course code
COMP2021
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Object-Oriented Programming
|
Course code
COMP1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Statistics for Human Factors
|
Course code
STAT2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Interactive Systems Design
|
Course code
COMP2024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Software Development Practice
|
Course code
COMP2021
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Agile Development and User Experience
|
Course code
INFO2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human-Computer Interaction
|
Course code
COMP2023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Structures and Algorithms
|
Course code
COMP2017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Immersive Technologies
|
Course code
COMP3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced HCI
|
Course code
COMP3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Human-Centred AI
|
Course code
COMP2013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Accessible, Inclusive and Ethical Design
|
Course code
COMP2014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Complete 54 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Accessible, Inclusive and Ethical Design
|
Course code
COMP2014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human-Computer Interaction
|
Course code
COMP2023
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Interactive Systems Design
|
Course code
COMP2024
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Statistics for Human Factors
|
Course code
STAT2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Agile Development and User Experience
|
Course code
INFO2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced HCI
|
Course code
COMP3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Immersive Technologies
|
Course code
COMP3013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human-Centred AI
|
Course code
COMP2013
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Object-Oriented Programming
|
Course code
COMP1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Statistics for Human Factors
|
Course code
STAT2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Interactive Systems Design
|
Course code
COMP2024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Software Development Practice
|
Course code
COMP2021
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Agile Development and User Experience
|
Course code
INFO2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human-Computer Interaction
|
Course code
COMP2023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Structures and Algorithms
|
Course code
COMP2017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Immersive Technologies
|
Course code
COMP3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced HCI
|
Course code
COMP3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Human-Centred AI
|
Course code
COMP2013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Accessible, Inclusive and Ethical Design
|
Course code
COMP2014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Object-Oriented Programming
|
Course code
COMP1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Statistics for Human Factors
|
Course code
STAT2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Interactive Systems Design
|
Course code
COMP2024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Software Development Practice
|
Course code
COMP2021
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Agile Development and User Experience
|
Course code
INFO2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human-Computer Interaction
|
Course code
COMP2023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Structures and Algorithms
|
Course code
COMP2017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Immersive Technologies
|
Course code
COMP3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced HCI
|
Course code
COMP3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Human-Centred AI
|
Course code
COMP2013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Accessible, Inclusive and Ethical Design
|
Course code
COMP2014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
- 12 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Problem Solving and Programming
|
Course code
COMP1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Structured Data
|
Course code
COMP1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Information Technology Systems
|
Course code
INFO1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Computing Innovations in the Modern World
|
Course code
COMP1015
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Object-Oriented Programming
|
Course code
COMP1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Security Foundations
|
Course code
INFO1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
System Requirements
|
Course code
INFO1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Statistics for Human Factors
|
Course code
STAT2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Interactive Systems Design
|
Course code
COMP2024
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Software Development Practice
|
Course code
COMP2021
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Agile Development and User Experience
|
Course code
INFO2006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Human-Computer Interaction
|
Course code
COMP2023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Data Structures and Algorithms
|
Course code
COMP2017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Communication and Teamwork
|
Course code
INFO2032
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Immersive Technologies
|
Course code
COMP3013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced HCI
|
Course code
COMP3012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Human-Centred AI
|
Course code
COMP2013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Accessible, Inclusive and Ethical Design
|
Course code
COMP2014
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 1
|
Course code
INFO3901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
ICT Capstone Project 2
|
Course code
INFO3902
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Human-centred computing spans multiple industries, including computer science, engineering, product design, and psychology – so your job prospects are endless. As technology continues to develop and become more accessible, there will be an increase in demand for specialists in this field.
Whether it's crafting the perfect mobile app interface, designing the next-gen interface of a simulation, or revolutionising healthcare technology, your deep understanding of computing systems and human behaviour will help you create user-friendly experiences. You could even create a VR application where the user’s journey is personalised to their human thoughts and feelings.
Careers you may like to explore include:
- Web information architect
- User interface designer
- User experience designer
- Human factors researcher.
Industry trends
The human-centred computing market is expected to grow to $32 billion by 2028 (Fortune Business Insights, 2023 ). This means companies will be looking for experts in the field who can bring innovative ideas to their business. You might focus your work on helping humanity in the areas of wealth distribution, environmental sustainability, education, or health care services.
Accreditation
This program is provisionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Graduates are eligible for membership with the ACS and are recognised internationally through the Seoul Accord.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
