Course Catalogue

Master of Information Technology (Software Engineering) (SITSE1)

2026

Course Structure

The information provided for this course was valid for the final year of enrolment. Students continuing in this course may find there have been some changes to the unit availability. Students should, in the first instance, refer to the recommended study plan in the newest version of this course to make their unit selection for the current year.

Every re-enrolling student will be able to complete their current course of study. As a continuing student you should always consider transferring to the newest course version to enable you to take advantage of new and exciting changes to university programs. Students electing not to transfer should refer to the transitional arrangements where provided.

If you have any queries, or concerns about your course progression you would like clarified, please contact Student Central on freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au.

The core units of this program will allow you to explore a range of software engineering concepts. Specialist elective units will allow you to explore complementary areas of interest through an industry placement unit, or a research thesis unit.

A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit type

Credit Points

Specific requirements

Core Units
(12-13 units)

160cp

Compulsory Core units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below.

HIT137 Software Now
HIT220 Algorithms and Complexity
HIT234 Database Concepts
HIT391 Machine Learning: Advancements and Applications (replaces HIT363 Enterprise IT Management from 2023)
PRT581 Principles of Software Systems
PRT582 Software Engineering: Process and Tools
PRT583 Process Development Methodologies
PRT574 Security Assessment in Software Development
PRT565 Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms (replaces PRT580 Discrete Structures from 2025)
PRT551 Risk and Reliability Management
PRT585 Software Engineering Practice (20cp) (replaced by PRT681 (20cp) from 2025)

Plus either:

Practice Experience Option (40 credit points)
PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp)
PRT840 IT Thesis (20cp)

Research Project Option (40 credit points)
PRT821 Master Thesis A (20cp) (new from 2025) (replaces PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) (repeatable)
PRT822 Master Thesis B (20cp) (new from 2025) (replaces PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) (repeatable)

160cp

Total Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.

2025 - Course Changes and Transitional Arrangements

From 2025, the course structure has changed as follows:

PRT565 Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms replaces PRT580 Discrete Structures.
PRT681 Software Engineering Practice (20cp) replaces PRT585 Software Engineering Practice (20cp)
PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) (repeatable) x 2 has been removed from the Research Project Option.
PRT821 Master Thesis Part A (20cp) and PRT822 Master Thesis Part B (20cp) have been added to the Research Project Option.

Transitional arrangements

Students who have completed PRT580 Discrete Structures prior to 2025 do not have to complete PRT565 Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms.
Students who have completed PRT585 Software Engineering Practice (20cp) do not need to complete PRT681 Software Engineering Practice (20cp).
Students who have completed Part A of PRT820 should also complete PRT822 Master Thesis Part B.
Students who have not completed Part A of PRT820 should complete PRT821 Master Thesis Part A and PRT822 Master Thesis Part B.

Any student who believes they will be disadvantaged by these changes should contact the course coordinator for assistance.

2024 - Course Changes and Transitional Arrangements
From 2024, the course structure has changed as follows:

Research units have been moved to the core unit requirements
Increase in the core unit requirement from 11 units (120cp) to 12-13 units (160cp)
New Practice Experience Option and units PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp) and PRT840 IT Thesis have been introduced

Transitional Arrangements

Students that have already completed Part A of the PRT820 Master Thesis MUST enrol and complete Part B of PRT820
From 2024, students will have the option of completing either the Professional Experience or Research option

Any student who believes they may be disadvantaged by these changes should contact the course coordinator for assistance.

Further Assistance

For further assistance please contact Student Central on 1800 061 963 (freecall) or student.central@cdu.edu.au. Student Central staff will assist you with applying for or enrolling in a course and provide assistance with timetables, fees, HELP (Higher Education Loan Program), external materials, enrolment changes and many other issues.

Unit Catalogue - provides general information about each unit including a brief description, the semester and mode offered as well as the fees for Commonwealth Supported places.
Timetables - provides information about individual class times for units offered internally. Timetables for the following academic year are published early in December each year.
Bookshop - if text books have been prescribed, recommended or ordered for units in this course, details are available by unit code through the Casuarina Campus Bookshop.