Course Description
The Preliminary course introduces students to the basic concepts of computer software design and development. It does this by looking at the different ways in which software can be developed, the tools that can be used to assist in this process and by considering the interaction between software and the other components of the computer system.
The HSC course builds on the Preliminary course and involves the development and documentation of software using a variety of data structures and language facilities. Students learn to solve a number of interesting and relevant software problems.
Preliminary Course
Concepts and Issues in the Design and Development of Software
Social and ethical issues
Hardware and software
Software development approaches
Introduction to Software Development
Defining and understanding the problem
Planning and designing software solutions
Implementing software solutions
Testing and evaluating software solutions
Maintaining software solutions
Developing software solutions
HSC Course
Development and Impact of Software Solutions
Social and ethical issues
Application of software development approaches
Software Development Cycle
Defining and understanding the problem
Planning and design of software solutions
Implementing software solutions
Testing and evaluating software solutions
Maintaining software solutions
Developing a Solution Package
Options
Study one of the following options:
Programming paradigms or
The interrelationship between software and hardware
Particular Course Requirements
There is no prerequisite study for the Preliminary course. Completion of the Preliminary course is a prerequisite for the HSC course. It is a mandatory requirement that students spend a minimum of 20% of Preliminary course time and 25% of HSC course time on practical activities using the computer.