The School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics (CSEM) combines its three disciplines into one School, eliminating the often arbitrary boundaries that can be created by separating them. There is considerable value in this.
The science and engineering of computing, electronic and mechanical machinery is undergoing an unprecedented convergence. It is no longer unusual for multidisciplinary teams to be involved from the outset of scientific discovery to the final engineered product. Computer scientists need to know about hardware and networking; engineers often need advanced programming skills. Mathematics is a core discipline in both engineering and computing. Our courses reflect this. Graduates of our courses, and in ICT disciplines generally, are in great demand - see, for example, the Career Opportunities Fact Sheet (Sources - Engineers Australia, APESMA, AIIA, ACS, DEEWR, 2001 and 2006 Australian Census).
The advantages of a joint School containing all ICT disciplines is significant. There are fewer impediments to developing innovative courses or research programs that cut across boundaries. Examples are computational/discrete mathematics, software engineering, internet networks, and signal and image processing. At the present time, almost half of the School's teaching and research activities cut across these traditional boundaries.
Having almost the whole of the University (over 16,000 students) on one campus means that we can provide facilities not normally available on smaller campuses. Our students and staff can interact with other disciplines more readily - sometimes formally, for example, through students being able to take minors in areas as diverse as French or Chemistry. Sometimes informally, through the University's student activities or simply a cup of coffee on the Plaza. This interaction often leads to multi-disciplinary collaboration. For example, CSEM staff and students are currently undertaking research with medicine, psychology, biological sciences, screen studies and education.
The School currently comprises over 60 staff and around 600 students ... and growing fast. The School is located in two purpose-built buildings on the picturesque Bedford Park Campus at Australia's Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia. It is located within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, one of the four faculties of the University.
The School is following a strategic growth path. Following a thorough external review in 2007, a decision was taken to expand the Engineering programs offered by the School. We now offer eleven undergraduate Engineering awards including biomedical, electronic, mechanical and from 2013, electrical engineering. The Computer Science and Information Technology area is also growing with the addition of two new degrees - a Bachelor of Computer Science and a Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Media) - to the existing Bachelor of Information Technology. A separate review of Mathematics has also recommended expansion and in 2013 a new Bachelor of Mathematical Science will be offered.
All of these degrees have been warmly accepted with Flinders engineering applications hitting an all time high, and SATAC recording a record number of applications for its awards. This year, our first year engineering cohort increased by 50% and is likely to rise by up to 25% again next year.
The School interacts strongly with industry. All our engineering students, for example, undertake a nationally recognised 20-week work placement in 3rd year and from this year, this work placement is also available as an option to our information technology students. Over 100 Engineering Industry Placement Organisations are regularly involved. This placement is now available also to our computing students. In addition our School has an industry advisory committee, made up of industry members, and this committee making our courses relevant and focussed.
This is an exciting time for the School. If you would like to be a part of it, please contact us.
