Key facts

UNE unit code: COSC101

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
  • UNE Sydney Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Software development is a collaborative undertaking that requires the integration of different technologies to build elegant and intuitive solutions. This unit introduces you to the fundamentals of software production.

Helping you to develop a strong understanding of how data is represented and manipulated within a computer system, you will solve problems in a series of individual and collaborative software development tasks.

Your capacity for critical thinking, analysis and complex problem solving will be extended as you build interactive software in a high-level programming language, applying your skills to effectively communicate design choices.

With the Australian Government predicting very strong future growth for the sector, highly skilled professionals who can harness the tools of modern software development are in demand.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1On Campus, UNE Sydney Campus
Trimester 1Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

There are no requisites for this unit.

Notes

Students will need to be able to install the Processing IDE to complete design tasks. Please review:

Students will need to be able to record short videos using a webcam, digital camera or smartphone and be able to upload them to online services.

To study this unit on campus at the UNE Sydney Campus you must be admitted to your course as an on campus student at the UNE Sydney Campus.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Farshid Hajati
Farshid HajatiSenior Lecturer in Data Science - Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Science and Technology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. explain how data and information is represented within a computer system and how it is manipulated to solve problems in a range of disciplines;
  2. solve problems and design software solutions using a high-level programming language and a range of technologies, protocols and algorithms;
  3. apply basic collaborative software development practices to work effectively with team members on small-scale software development projects;
  4. understand basic interaction design principles and apply these to the development of interactive software; and
  5. demonstrate effectively written and oral communication skills to convey information, approaches and design decisions to a range of audiences.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assessment 1Yes10%All offerings

Individual programming task. 

Assessment 2Yes10%All offerings

Individual programming task. 

Assessment 3 - Assurance TaskYes30%All offerings

Collaborative software development with oral demonstration task. Students must pass the Final Examination and also pass the sum of the Final Examination and Assessment 3 in aggregate in order to pass the unit.

Assessment 4Yes10%All offerings

Individual development reflection. 

No. Words: 1000

Final Examination - Assurance TaskYes40%All offerings

Final Exam: Supervised MyLearn Quiz. Students must pass the Final Examination and also pass the sum of the Final Examination and Assessment 3 in aggregate in order to pass the unit.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Processing: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists

ISBN: 9780262028288

Reas, C. and Fry, B., MIT Press 2nd ed. 2014

Text refers to: All offerings

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