This course has been Accredited by TEQSA as an AQF Level 5 – Diploma course.
Diploma of Science (Computing/IT) (Year 1) is designed to enhance your learning experience, and provide you with the underpinning knowledge necessary to prepare you for studies in computing, information technology and cyber security at university level.
Diploma of Science (Computing/IT) (Year 2) introduces you to the disciplines of computer science, software engineering, computer security, information technology and other emerging fields. All computing courses at ECU are developed in consultation with the IT industry and have received the Australian Computer Society’s highest level of accreditation (Level 1). Students who complete the ECC Diploma of Science (Computing/IT) (Year 2) will receive 8 units (120 credit points) advanced standing, the equivalent of the first year, in the respective bachelor’s degree at ECU. A minimum of 50% pass in all units is required for progression to ECU.
Year 1: 8 units (8-12 months)
Year 2: 8 units (8-12 months)
Year 1: February, June, October
Year 2: February, June, October
ECU Joondalup Campus West
2025 Year 1: A$26,500
2025 Year 2: A$36,000
2025 Year 1: A$17,200
2025 Year 2: A$17,600
On campus (face-to-face)
Please note:
The program consists of 8 units of study and can be completed over 2 or 3 trimesters, and provides opportunities for scaffolded learning and the development of core academic and employability skills. Students will study the 5 core units outlined below, plus 3 Year 1 Electives.
This course will provide students entry into ECC Diploma of Science (Computing/IT) (Year 2).
Students will identify, analyse and apply communication, social and intercultural skills for effective interpersonal and workplace relationships. This unit develops written skills, oral presentation skills and research skills, to prepare students for academic or professional environments. Students will make connections between learning and future employability through topics such as effective workplace relationships, negotiation, managing conflict, and skills for teamwork and leadership.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit develops knowledge and skills in computing systems – software, hardware, digital security, communication networks, internet, information and data management. Students will develop their digital literacy and gain practical skills in specific computing applications from the Microsoft Office Suite. Students will also be introduced to some basic hands-on skills in program design using Pseudocode.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit is designed for students who require a general mathematics background suitable for studies in business, health sciences and computing/IT courses. Students will learn to use a scientific calculator and develop critical thinking skills to identify, analyse, synthesize and solve mathematical calculations in arithmetic, statistics, algebra, functions and their graphs, optimisation, sequences, series, growth and decay, trigonometry, geometric sequences, series, set theory and interest.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces the foundations of academic writing – from library research using databases, selection of approved academic resources, to writing paragraphs and essays, using the APA referencing system and delivering oral presentations using multi-media. The unit also includes essential study skills to assist with time management, note-taking and the use of memory aids for study purposes.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces concepts and skills used by managers to propose, plan, secure resources, budget and lead project teams to successful project completion. Students will examine and apply fundamental principles, strategies and approaches for project management in a variety of contexts that are universally applicable across organisations and project types.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
ICS100 Intercultural Studies
The unit introduces students to intercultural interaction in the contemporary world, focusing on multiple and diverse audiences, modalities, globalisation, cultural symbols and values, language, and interpretations of intercultural sites. Accounting for the international students’ experiences, they are given a practical introduction to relevant processes leading to expanding their cultural knowledge. Global citizenship, including intercultural communication skills, is introduced and enhanced, focusing on cultural diversity and contemporary implications for professional practice. Students will explore, report and present on their intercultural communication journey, and its’ relevance to their discipline / professional interests.
CPT100 – Information Design
This unit introduces fundamentals of information design and how best to present information using graphics, colour and layout. Students will investigate principles and elements of visual communication – and learn to apply them in practical workshops. It includes a range of information products (paper-based media, way-finding systems, exhibition installations, desktop publishing and electronic media) and uses desktop publishing to plan, coordinate, evaluate and justify choices in the development of a website and other information products.
SCN110 Foundation Science
This integrated Science unit enables students to investigate science issues in the context of the world around them. It incorporates aspects of biology, chemistry, and physics, and is suited to students wishing to pursue a range of future career and study options. Integrated Science encourages students to be questioning, reflective and critical thinkers about scientific issues. Students develop a range of practical skills and techniques through investigations and fieldwork in context and use scientific evidence to make informed decisions about scientific issues.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
The course consists of 8 units of study and can be completed over 2 or 3 trimesters.
This unit will introduce students to the skills required of professional scientists, with a special focus on effective communication. These professional skills include techniques of accessing, evaluating and presenting scientific information. Written, visual and oral presentation skills for scientific and general audiences will be developed through the analysis of topical scientific issues. This unit will prepare students to develop careers in the science discipline of choice.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit presents fundamental topics in mathematics that are essential to computing studies including propositional and predicate calculus, Boolean algebra, set theory, computer arithmetic and number systems in computing. It also provides an introduction to matrix algebra with applications to computing and cryptography.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit develops a student’s understanding of the components of systems analysis: definition of a system, the role of and context of systems analysis, interfacing with the user; the life cycle of a management information system from the feasibility study through to the post-implementation audit. Applying skills by fact gathering, interviewing, presenting, group working, documenting an existing system; analysis techniques involving use cases, state diagrams, data modelling, data from diagrams, data dictionaries, decision tables, web page, screen and report design.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces students to the principles of programming, including data manipulation, control structures, and abstraction. The unit focuses upon developing the ability to design and implement programs to solve problems.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces students to current and proposed telecommunications and networking infrastructures and their application in business and communications services. With a primary focus on the Internet and the World Wide Web, students examine in detail the principles, processes and technologies associated with data communications and computer networking, applications of the major carriage media, communications standards and emerging broadcast and narrowcast technologies based on communications channels.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces the fundamental architecture and operating principles of digital computer system. Students will learn how modern computers are organised and operated, and how they can be programmed at an assembly (machine) language level, as well as using higher level languages, and the role of operating systems in this. Students will also learn fundamental concepts related to the interfacing of peripheral components to computer systems, including memory and secondary storage, and explore different types of computer systems including an overview of virtualisation and cloud technologies.
Pre-Requisite Units: MAT1252D – Mathematics for Computing
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
This unit introduces students to the concepts of relational databases, including database design via normalisation and entity-relationship modelling in order to solve problems. It explores the use of Structured Query Language (SQL) to create, populate and administer relational databases and to perform complex queries upon the data inside them.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
The unit is an introduction to computer security which serves as a preliminary unit to prepare students for various advanced studies within their respective courses. The unit focuses on understanding the potential threats and vulnerabilities geared towards a variety of computer-related assets and examines a wide range of countermeasures to overcome weaknesses and minimise threats.
Pre-Requisite Units: None
Tuition Pattern: Weekly 3hr Class
Credits: 15
