Computer Science at USM began with a course in programming in 1974. It has since developed into a specialisation in Computer Science under the Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) honours degree, and eventually the Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) (B.Sc. (Comp.Sc.)) degree with honours was offered. Beginning in the 1983/84 session, after a complete revamp of the curriculum, the Bachelor of Computer Science (B.Comp.Sc.) degree with honours was offered to replace the B.Sc. (Comp.Sc.) degree.
USM's B.Comp.Sc. (Hons.) has succeeded significantly in producing highly qualified graduates that have been widely accepted by both the public and the private sectors. An important contributing factor to this success is its strong curriculum, which always strives to achieve a balance between the teaching of the theory of computing and exposure to practical aspects. The curriculum has been continually updated in accordance with current technology. For instance, in the 1992/93 session a new curriculum which was more up-to-date was implemented, and in the 1994/95 session, it was further modified to conform to the University Academic System (SPU). Beginning with the 1996/97 session, the curriculum had been adjusted to reduce the minimum period for graduation from 4 years to 3 years under the Three Year Academic System (SPTT). In 2000/01 session a new curriculum was introduced and adapted to conform with the recommendation made by the National Higher Education Council on SPTT (SPTT(M)). In 2006/07 session, a new revised curriculum was introduced. The degree programme has been adjusted in 2009/10 to revert the minimum period for graduation to 4 years (Four Year Academic Systems) (Sistem Pengajian Empat Tahun) (SPET).
In 2019/20 academic session, a revised curriculum was introduced which involves restructuring the degree programme into three programs that is offered as single entry multiple track entrance mechanism. This mechanism allows a unified intake for three programs and students will start to specialize at their fourth semester based on their choices.
Major: Intelligent Computing (Perkomputeran Cerdas)
In the digital world we live in, the element of intelligence permeates our daily lives. From homes to cities and from apps to robots - intelligent computing helps us monitor activities, plan schedules, secure information and make right decisions. The demand for intelligent and smart systems by governments, organisations and end-users has given new impetus to the area of intelligent computing. This has created a demand for computing professionals who are able to fulfil this requirement.
Students majoring in Intelligent Computing will develop and expand their knowledge on machine learning, computational intelligence, programming language implementation and paradigms and theory of computation. These would lay the foundation for students to further pursue specific interest in either Data Analytics, or Media Computing.
Ultimately, graduates majoring in Intelligent Computing will be able to:
* apply intelligent techniques and approaches to solve domain-specific problems which include intelligent systems, data analytics, computer vision, natural language processing and multimedia information systems [Technical Knowledge].
* develop and design intelligent or smart applications and software on various platforms including web-enabled systems, and mobile and game platform-based development [Design Solutions in Context].
The general educational goal of the Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons.) degree programme is to produce high-quality graduates with the necessary professional skills to practice as successful computing professionals and compete effectively in a world of rapid technological change. Therefore, the educational objectives of the programme are to train:
PEO 1: Computing practitioners who are able to adopt appropriate methodologies and techniques to provide computing solutions based on relevant knowledge and technical skills in the fields of computing which are in line with the industry requirements.
PEO 2: Computing practitioners who have leadership skills, autonomy and responsibility and communicate effectively with computing-related stakeholders.
PEO 3: Computing practitioners who have positive attitudes, commitment for lifelong learning and entrepreneurial mind-set within industry for self and career progression.
PEO 4: Computing practitioners who uphold ethical and professional practices in maintaining self and professional integrity.
At the end of the programme, graduates will be able to:
PLO1: Analyse concepts, principles, and theories relating to computer sciences [Knowledge and Understanding].
PLO2: Apply appropriate algorithm and techniques for computing solutions [Practical Skills].
PLO3: Construct computing solution using appropriate algorithm and technique for non-routine problem [Cognitive Skills].
PLO4: Communicate effectively and confidently with diverse stakeholders in appropriate context in a well-structured manner to a diversity of audiences [Communication Skills].
PLO5: Interact effectively with different people in diverse learning and working communities in computing practices as well as other groups [Interpersonal Skills].
PLO6: Uphold professional and ethical practices in delivering services related to the field of computing and varied social environment [Ethics and Professionalism].
PLO7: Engage effectively in self-directed lifelong learning and professional pathways [Personal Skills].
PLO8: Apply entrepreneurial mind set in delivering solutions under changing industry landscape [Entrepreneurial Skills].
PLO9: Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, accountability, and responsibility in delivering services related to field of computing [Leadership, Autonomy and Responsibility].
PLO10: Use a broad range of information and software tools to support study or professional work in computing [Digital Skills].
PLO11: Use numeracy skills for problem solving in the field of in computing practices [Numeracy Skills].
Programme Requirements
Programme requirements together with course code classification for all Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) programmes are given in the table below.
Programme Requirements |
Course Type |
Number of Units |
Type of Programme |
||
Computer Science |
||
(a) Core |
T |
|
(i) Computing |
60 |
|
(ii) Specialisation |
20 |
|
(b) Elective |
E |
21 |
(c) Free Module / |
E |
15 |
University Requirements |
U |
16 |
Minimum Total Unit Requirements |
|
132 |
CORE COURSES:80 CREDITS |
||
Common Core (60 Credits) |
||
Course Code |
Course Name |
Credit Hours |
CPT111 |
Principle of Programming |
3 |
CPT112 |
Discrete Structures |
4 |
CPT113 |
Programming Methodology and Data Structures |
3 |
CST131 |
Computer Organisations |
4 |
CPC151 |
Fundamentals of Logic and Artificial Intelligence |
4 |
CPC152 |
Foundations and Programming for Data Analytics |
4 |
CAT201 |
Integrated Software Development Workshop |
2 |
CMT221 |
Database Organisation & Design |
4 |
CSE241 |
Foundations of Software Engineering |
4 |
CST232 |
Operating Systems |
3 |
CST235 |
Principles of Computer Networks and Information Security |
4 |
CPT212 |
Design and Analysis of Algorithms |
4 |
CAT302 |
Industrial Training |
12 |
CAT304 |
Group Innovation Project and Study for Sustainability |
3 |
CAT402 |
Professional and Technopreneurship Development |
2 |
Total Credits |
60 |
|
Major Core (20 Credits) |
|
|
CPC251 |
Machine Learning and Computational Intelligence |
3 |
CPT316 |
Programming Language Implementation and Paradigms |
3 |
CPT411 |
Automata Theory and Formal Languages |
3 |
CST435 |
Principles of Parallel Computing |
3 |
CAT405 |
Intelligent Computing Major Project |
8 |
Total Credits |
20 |
ELECTIVES COURSE COMPONENTS |
||
Must Take all courses (due to electives becoming specializations) |
||
CPC351 |
Principles of Data Analytics |
3 |
CPC353 |
Natural Language Processing |
3 |
CPC354 |
Computer Graphics and Visualization |
3 |
CPC357 |
loT Architecture and Smart Applications |
3 |
CPC451 |
Big Data Technologies and Management |
3 |
CMT322 |
Web Engineering & Technologies |
3 |
CMT426 |
Business Intelligence and Analytics |
3 |
|
Total Credits |
21 |
FREE MODULE COURSE COMPONENTS |
||
CPC452 |
Animation and Virtual Reality |
3 |
Free Module from other School |
12 |
|
Total Credits |
15 |
|
UNIVERSITY COURSE (LOCAL STUDENTS) |
||
LKM400 |
Bahasa Malaysia IV |
2 |
WUS101 |
Teras Keusahawanan |
2 |
HFF225 |
Falsafah dan Isu Semasa |
2 |
HFF224 |
Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban |
2 |
|
Kursus Bahasa Inggeris |
4 |
|
Kursus Kokurikulum |
2 |
|
Pilihan : Kokurikulum / Bahasa Ketiga/ Kursus Kemahiran/Opsyen |
2 |
Total Credits |
16 |
|
UNIVERSITY COURSE (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS) |
||
LKM100 |
Bahasa Malaysia I |
2 |
SEA205E |
Pengajian Malaysia |
4 |
HFF225 |
Falsafah dan Isu Semasa |
2 |
|
Kursus Bahasa Inggeris |
4 |
|
Kursus Kokurikulum |
2 |
|
Pakej Bahasa Ketiga/Bahasa Inggeris Khusus/KoKurikulum/Kursus Kemahiran/Opsyen |
2 |
Total Credits |
16 |
|
Total Units |
132 |