EA Stage One Competencies
1.1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and
physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering
discipline.
The Bioinformatics Engineering program provides a strong foundation in the
scientific disciplines relevant to the design of bioinformatics applications and
systems. About 25% of the program is dedicated to physical, biological and chemical
sciences (core courses include BABS1201, PHYS1121, CHEM1031, BIOC2201 and
BABS3121, with another 1-3 life science electives) and 15% to mathematics and
statistics (MATH1141/1241, MATH1081, MATH2801) that provide the foundation
for the software engineering component of bioinformatics engineering. Both
BINF2010 and BINF3010 also cover the scientific bases of bioinformatics, which are
applied in the thesis courses. Fundamentals of software and computing infrastructure
engineering and design applicable to Bioinformatics Engineering are introduced in
first and second years in ENGG1000, COMP1917, COMP1927 and COMP2911.
1.2. Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics,
and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
The Bioinformatics Engineering program includes 15% dedicated mathematics and
statistics courses, and at least 15% computer and information science fundamentals
courses. Bioinformatics courses include a significant statistics component.These
provide graduates with a strong foundation in statistics-based evaluation and decisionmaking as well as knowledge management, which they are required to apply in their
life science and computing courses.
1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering
discipline.
The program includes 5 courses dedicated to bioinformatics engineering (BINF2010,
BINF3010, BINF3020, BINF3111, BINF4111) as well as a compulsory thesis
component that requires students to apply their skills to a bioinformatics engineering
project. In addition students receive a strong grounding in computer science and
engineering.
1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the
engineering discipline.
Bioinformatics engineering is a field that brings together technologies at the forefront
of biology, computing and engineering, and strong appreciation of current and
emerging technologies pervades the program. In the bioinformatics engineering and
life science courses, materials are regularly revised to introduce students to new
technologies and data types, through both examinable lectures and assessed laboratory
work. Critical interpretation and application of research literature is emphasized
throughout the science component of the program, and is an essential, assessable
component of the final year thesis.
1.5. Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
The contextual factors impacting the broader engineering profession are discussed in
ENGG1000 (Engineering Design) and COMP4920 (Management and Ethics), and
further explored in the workshop courses (SENG1031/BINF3111/BINF4111).
Contextual factors specific to bioinformatics engineering are covered specifically in
BINF2010, BINF3111 and BINF4111.
1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of
contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.
The roles, codes of practice and accountabilities of the engineering profession are
specifically discussed in ENGG1000, and in a more specialist context, in COMP4920
Management and Ethics, as well as in the workshop courses
2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem
solving.
Complex engineering methods and engineering problem-solving are emphasized
throughout the program but especially in:
 Workshop courses (SENG1031/BINF3111/BINF4111). These courses are projectbased and require students to fully design and implement a solution using
engineering methods.
 ENGG1000 Engineering Design is a mostly project-based course where students
must design a practical solution to an engineering problem (indicators a-e, i)
 COMP3121 Algorithms and Programming Techniques, whose focus is on
problem-solving strategies: all the assessable tasks in this course require
students to demonstrate competency in problem-solving through both application
of existing approaches and development of new approaches (indicators d, e, i)*
 PHYS1121 Physics 1A also emphasizes problem solving through dedicated
tutorials
 COMP3311 Database Systems also assesses analytical thinking and creative
problem solving through its assignments.
 COMP1917 Computing 1, and COMP2911 Design in Computing also emphasize
engineering problem-solving in their tutorial tasks and their (examined)
algorithms modules (indicator d)
 Statistics courses (MATH2801 and to some extent BINF3010 and 3020) ensure
graduates have a strong exposure to the analysis of imprecise and unreliable data
(indicator c)
 BINF3010 Bioinformatics Methods and Applications: the focus of this course is
on comparative evaluation of different bioinformatics methods and algorithms.
Assessed laboratory work as well as the main assignment require students to
compare multiple approaches and select the best one(s) for the problems at hand
(indicator e)
 The final year thesis courses (COMP4930/4931) require the student to apply their
knowledge to a concrete problem, including demonstration of
problem/requirement identification and scoping, methodology development,
evaluation, interpretation and reporting.
2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
Tools, techniques and resources for bioinformatics engineering include:
 Project management tools and techniques: covered and assessed in COMP4920
(Management
and
Ethics)
and
in
the
workshop
streams
(SENG1031/BINF3111/BINF4111).
 Programming languages and programming techniques: assessed through
assignments and practical exams in COMP1917, COMP1927, COMP2041, and
COMP2911. Students can only pass these core courses if they pass or achieve a
threshold mark in their programming practical exams. These courses are common
to the BE Computer Engineering and BE Software Engineering degree programs
at UNSW. Programming is further assessed through assignments in most
computing courses as well as BINF3020.
 Mathematical and computational models: in addition to a full statistics course
(MATH2801), mathematical and computational models relevant to bioinformatics
are covered in detail in BINF3010 and BINF3020. Both large assignments of
BINF3020 require application of mathematical models of biological systems.
 Database management systems: suitable application of database development and
management tools must be demonstrated to pass the core course COMP3311
Database Systems
 Bioinformatics software and data repositories: competent use must be
demonstrated in laboratories in order to pass BINF3010 Bioinformatics Methods
and Applications
 The final year thesis courses require students to draw on all these tools to
complete their project.
2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
ENGG1000 Design and Innovation emphasises engineering design processes through
an engineering project. 30% - 50% of the assessment for the course (depending on the
project) requires students to demonstrate “Development of engineering design skills
for creative solutions to open ended problems”.
COMP2911 Engineering Design in Computing focuses on the development of
software design skills. It includes a group project where students must design and
implement a system that satisfies user requirements. Students must reflect upon,
criticize and improve their initial design ideas.
The workshop course sequences (SENG1031/BINF3111/BINF4111) are based on a
full team project where the students must apply systematic engineering synthesis and
design processes to design a solution before implementing it.
COMP4920 Management and Ethics includes a project-based project management
assessable component that requires application of engineering design processes
(indicators c and d) and managing the commercial, legal and ethical aspects of the
project (indicator b)
The final year thesis component (COMP4930/4931) is fully project-based and
requires the student to design, implement and evaluate a bioinformatics engineering
solution to a biology-based problem. This incorporates multiple processes of the
design cycle, including requirements collection (usually from project supervisor);
scoping the project tasks and developing a specification and a project plan which are
assessed as part of Thesis A report and seminar; evaluating multiple approaches and
selecting the optimal approach; documenting the process through presentations and
thesis reports (indicator c).
2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of
engineering projects.
The new COMP4920 Management and Ethics course is required for Computer
Engineering and Bioinformatics Engineering students. At least half of the assessment
of the course requires demonstration of software engineering project management
competencies. The course includes a major team project-based assignment that
requiring the full planning, management and delivery of a substantial engineering
project.
The workshop course sequence (SENG1031/BINF3111/BINF4111) encompasses one
or more hands-on engineering project and requires the students to apply systematic
approaches to the management of their project. ENGG1000 is also project-based and
introduces students to project management techniques.
Students are also required to apply and demonstrate their engineering project
management skills as part of their final year thesis project. Students must scope their
project and submit a project plan and timeline as part of their Thesis A report
(COMP4930).
3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability
The new course COMP4920 Management and Ethics is required for Computer
Engineering and Bioinformatics Engineering students, with half of its assessment
based on demonstration through essays and tutorial participation, of an understanding
of ethical conduct, codes of practice, professionalism and intellectual property.
In addition ENGG1000, BINF2010, COMP1917 and BINF4111 include lectures and
tutorial questions on professionalism and ethics relevant to the engineering
profession.
3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
The following core courses have assessment tasks requiring written communication in
the form of essays or formal reports: BABS1201, BABS3121, BIOC2201, BINF3010,
COMP4920, COMP4930, COMP4931, ENGG1000, and the workshop courses.
The following courses have assessment tasks requiring oral communication in the
form of class or tutorial presentations: BABS3121, COMP1917, BINF3020,
COMP4920, COMP4930, workshop courses
In addition oral and written communication are assessed in many elective courses and
general education courses.
3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
Bioinformatics engineering is a new interdisciplinary field that tends to attract
students with a broad interest in cutting-edge technology and innovation. Students get
to interact with engineering, computing, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics
students in their core courses, with electives and general education courses providing
opportunities for broader exposure and interaction with other fields. In addition all
students must complete 60 days of industrial training which requires them to find a
paid position in industry on their own.
3.4. Professional use and management of information.
The use of scientific literature is introduced in BABS1201 Molecules Cells and Genes
with a dedicated lecture and an essay worth 5% of the final course mark, is assessed
all through the science component of the program, and culminates in the final year
thesis where a critical literature review represents 20% of the assessment of the thesis
report.
In addition, the successful completion of the laboratory components of BINF2010 and
BINF3010 (25-30% of the final mark for the course) requires students to locate,
access and correctly use the documentation of the software programs used. The ethics
essay in COMP4920 also requires literature searching and reference management.
Many general education courses also involve essays and literature reviews.
3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
The typical full-time workload of the program is 4 courses per session, with each
course representing 3-7 contact hours per week as well as homework assignments and
autonomous study. Successful completion of the program therefore requires
commitment, self-motivation, time management and continuous self-review and
performance evaluation.
In addition professionalism and professional conduct is emphasized in COMP4920
Management and Ethics. The Industrial Training requirement for a 60 days paid
industry internship that must be organised by the student also requires motivation and
professional image and conduct.
3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.
The following core courses include team-based assignments and projects that require
the
student
to
work
well
in
a
team:
Workshop
courses
(SENG1031/BINF3111/BINF4111),
BABS1201,
BIOC2201,
BABS3121,
ENGG1000, COMP1917, BINF3010, BINF3020.
Teamwork is also assessed in a number of elective and general education courses.