Software Engineering

2 units for each of Year 11 and HSC

NESA Developed Course

What background knowledge do I need to study Software Engineering?

Previous study of Information and Software Technology is not expected when electing this course for study during Years 11 and 12. Prior knowledge from students is not a requirement nor an indicator for their level of success. It is assumed that students have an interest in logic, problem solving and coding.

Why study Software Engineering?

Software Engineering provides students authentic opportunities to design and develop software solutions across a range of contexts. The subject provides students with a systematic approach to problem solving, an opportunity to be creative, excellent career prospects and interesting content. The subject is not only for those who seek further study or careers in the field of computer science, but also for those who wish to understand the underlying principles of software engineering. Students with existing software development skills wishing to deepen their understanding and acquire team and communication skills will find this subject relevant.

The computing field, particularly in the area of software engineering, offers opportunities for creativity and problem solving and a collaborative work environment where working with people and exploring issues is an integral part of the job. It is critical that students have the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to pursue the many new, exciting and highly paid employment opportunities that exist in the field. The study of Software Engineering promotes intellectual, social and ethical growth. It provides the flexibility to be able to adapt in a field that is constantly changing, yet vital to the Australian economy. This course opens the door to a wealth of opportunities in new areas of entrepreneurship and start-ups as well as traditional industries. On completion, the subject provides students with options in the workforce and university study.

Course description:

The Year 11 course introduces students to the fundamentals of programming. It does this by exploring the different paradigms and development steps utilised by programmers, examining the tools used to support this process, and the interaction between software and other components in the system. Students develop and apply computational thinking to a range of real-world problems using the programming language Python.

Main topics covered:

Year 11 Course

• Programming Fundamentals o Software development o Designing algorithms o Data for software engineering o Developing solutions with code

• The Object-Oriented Paradigm o Understanding OOP o Programming in OOP

• Programming Mechatronics o Understanding mechatronic hardware and software o Designing control algorithms o Programming and building

HSC Course

• Secure Software Architecture o Designing software o Developing secure code o Impact of safe and secure software development

• Programming for the web o Data transmission using the web o Designing web applications

• Software Automation o Algorithms in machine learning o Programming for automation o Significance and impact of machine learning and artificial intelligence

• Software Engineering Project o Identifying and defining o Research and planning o Producing and implementing o Testing and evaluating

Project work:

Students will be assigned project work in both the Year 11 and HSC courses as part of their internal assessment. As part of the HSC course they will complete a major project in which they may choose any area of interest. Students have an opportunity to design and produce a software solution that satisfies a genuine need. Students are strongly encouraged to seek professionals currently in the workforce who need software solutions. If successful, these solutions have the potential to be possible business beginnings.

HSC examination structure:

Digital paper – 80 marks, 2 hours and 30 minutes, divided into two sections:

• Section I

• Section II

Objective response items

Short-answer items

20 marks

60 marks

How is Software Engineering relevant to tertiary studies and career choice?

Software Engineering provides students with an excellent platform for the world of work. The skills of translating a human need into a software solution are invaluable in the modern world, with many students able to commence paid work during their tertiary studies. These opportunities can be treated both as the building of a portfolio for future career options or simply as a lifestyle decision to support them during their next years of study.

The study of Software Engineering can open many doors to a variety of careers in IT as nearly every area of IT involves an element of coding. It is also highly beneficial for those students who have an interest in pursuing a career as an entrepreneur or being involved in the world of start-ups. Each of the major universities have many degrees in which the knowledge and skills learned in Software Engineering are highly relevant and beneficial, from computer-science based courses, through to mathematics, science and business.