Software Development Major - Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences
In the Software Development major in the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences you develop the skills to design and develop new and existing software solutions using common development tools.
Demand for new technology is constantly increasing. Technological solutions could lead to advances in areas as diverse as biomedicine, communications, business and entertainment. Software developers play a role in those advances. This major prepares you for these diverse and exciting roles.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences.
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You design and develop secure software and use the latest technologies including modern programming languages, operating systems, networks, distributed computing systems, databases and modelling. You also carry out quality assurance tasks.
Year 1
You’ll study six core courses that cover foundational computing knowledge, as well as a course on programming, covering the processes of program design and implementation using object-oriented programming.
You study the following courses:
Core courses
- COMP500 Programming Concepts and Techniques
- COMP501 Computing Technology in Society
- COMP507 IT Project Management
- COMP508 Database System Design
- DIGD507 Mahitahi/Collaborative Practices
- MATH503 Mathematics for Computing
Software development course
You also take the first course for your second major, minor or elective courses.
Year 2
Courses include software development practice, program design and construction, data structures, operating systems, and algorithms.
You study the following courses:
Software development courses
- COMP602 Software Development Practice (15 points)
- COMP603 Program Design and Construction (15 points)
- COMP610 Data Structures and Algorithms (15 points)
- One of:
You also continue to take courses for your chosen second major, minor(s) or elective courses.
Year 3
This year you complete courses related to human computer interaction, issues in software engineering, distributed and mobile systems, and web development.
You study the following courses:
Software development courses
- COMP719 Applied Human Computer Interaction
- ENSE701 Contemporary Issues in Software Engineering
- One of:
You also take the final courses for your chosen second major, minor(s) or elective courses.
Workplace experience in the Software Development major
The Research and Development Project course in your final year brings together the skills you’ve developed throughout your degree. You apply what you’ve learnt throughout your studies in a project for an industry client or research centre, under the guidance of an experienced supervisor.
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Workplace experience in AUT programmes
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- Computer programmer
- Mobile/app developer
- Software developer, engineer or tester
- Systems analyst or architect
- Technology consultant
- Web developer
- Project manager
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences
Postgraduate study
- High demand for software development skills
- Exciting pace of innovation and change
- A major research project for an industry organisation or research centre
- Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
- Interested in IT and innovation
- Logical
- A planner
- Careful and meticulous
- Technically innovative
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.