Computer Science Subject regulations
Computer Science involves the study of all aspects of computers: their technology, algorithms and programming, underlying theory, and their application.
The Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc) is a focussed programme of computing papers - see the Qualification Regulations for the BCompSc for the required papers.
Computer Science is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours (BCMS(Hons)) and the Bachelor of Science (BSc). Computer Science was available as a first major for the Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech)). Computer Science may also be included as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Computer Science as a single major for the BCMS(Hons), BSc or the BSc(Tech), students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Computer Science, including 105 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level.
BCMS(Hons) and BSc students must complete COMPX101 or ENGEN103, COMPX102, COMPX201, COMPX202, COMPX234, COMPX225 or COMPX216, COMPX361, and at least 15 points from List B. Students in the BCMS(Hons) will also need to take at least 60 points in the subject of Computer Science at 500 level, including COMPX520.
BSc(Tech) students must complete COMPX101 or ENGEN103, COMPX102, COMPX201, COMPX202, COMPX203, COMPX204, COMPX301 or COMPX361 and at least 15 points from List B.
To complete Computer Science as part of a double major for the BCMS(Hons), BSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Computer Science, including 90 points above 100 level, and 30 points above 200 level. Students must complete COMPX101 or ENGEN103, COMPX102, COMPX201, COMPX202, COMPX234, COMPX225 or COMPX216, COMPX361 and 15 points from List B. Students in the BCMS(Hons) will also need to take at least 60 points in the subject of their first major at 500 level including COMPX520 if Computer Science is the first major.
The List B papers are: COMPX301, COMPX304, COMPX307, COMPX310, COMPX322, COMPX323, COMPX341, COMPX349, and ENGEE319.
To complete a minor in Computer Science, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for Computer Science. Students must complete COMPX101 and COMPX102. At least 30 points must be above 100 Level. CSMAX170, COMPX251, COMPX252 and CSMAX270 cannot be counted towards the minor. The minor in Computer Science is not available in the BCompSc.
There will be no new enrolments in the following programmes: BSc(Tech) in Computer Science, BCMS(Hons) in Computer Science, BCompSc with a specified programme in Embedded Systems, and BCompSc with a specified programme in Data Analytics. Students enrolled in these programmes previously should consult the Division of STEM for programme advice.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
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BCompSc The qualification regulations define the requirements for the Bachelor of Computer Science.
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IntDip(CompSc)[1] The International Diploma (Computer Science) is primarily available to international students as an alternative pathway to the second year of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree with a major in Computer Science or Data Analytics, or the Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc) degree.
Students must complete COMPX101, COMPX102, DATAX111, ENSLA100, MATHS135, MATHS165, a further two papers dependant on the degree entered into (as below), and the four modules INDIP101, INDIP102, INDIP103 and INDIP104.
Students wishing to progress to the BSc should also complete COMPX161 and one of CSMAX175 or MATHS168.
Students wishing to progress to the BCompSc should take MGSYS101, and one of CSMAX175 or MATHS168.
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GradCert(CompSc) and GradDip(CompSc) A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Computer Science at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of STEM Office.
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PGCert(CompSc), PGDip(CompSc), BSc(Hons), MSc and MSc(Res) The papers ENGME585 and LEGAL526 would not normally be considered papers in the subject of Computer Science.
The papers COMPX568 and COMPX569 are available only for the PGCertInfoTech and the 240 point MInfoTech.
The papers CSMAX596 and RPLCR570 are available only for the MInfoTech, while the paper CSMAX570 is available only for the MInfoTech and MTIB.
The papers COMPX520 and COMPX577 are normally available only for the BCMS(Hons) and BCMS degrees, respectively.
To complete a PGCert(CompSc), students must complete 60 points at 500 level consisting of 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.
To complete a PGDip(CompSc), students must complete 120 points at 500 level including at least 90 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.
Enrolment in papers towards the BSc(Hons) is only by invitation of the Head of School. To complete a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science, students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including at least 60 points from the papers listed in the subject of Computer Science, of which at least 30 points must be in research (normally COMPX591).
To complete an MSc in Computer Science, students admitted under section 2(a) of the MSc regulations must complete 180 points at 500 level including COMPX592 and at least 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.
To complete an MSc (Research) in Computer Science, students admitted under section 2(a) of the MSc (Research) regulations must complete 180 points at 500 level consisting of COMPX594 and 60 points from papers listed in the subject of Computer Science.
Candidates for these graduate qualifications should select their papers in consultation with the Graduate Advisor of the Department of Computer Science.
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PGDip(CyberSec) and MCS To complete a PGDip(CyberSec), students must complete 120 points at 500 level including one of COMPX508 or COMPX519, one of COMPX511 or COMPX517, COMPX515, and COMPX527.
The compulsory papers for the Master of Cyber Security degree are one of COMPX508 or COMPX519, one of COMPX511 or COMPX517, COMPX515, COMPX527, and either COMPX520 and COMPX585 or COMPX592 or COMPX593.
Students admitted into the 120-point Master of Cyber Security will be given appropriate waivers on the compulsory papers based on the 500-level study completed prior to admittance.
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PGCertInfoTech and MInfoTech Candidates enrolled in the PGCertInfoTech must complete 60 points from COMPX568 and COMPX569.
Candidates enrolled in the 120 point Masters must complete 60 points from CSMAX596, 15 points from CSMAX570 or other approved paper, and at least 45 points from the 500 level Computer Science or Geography papers listed below (excluding COMPX568 and COMPX569), or courses listed in the University of Auckland Master of Information Technology Schedule.
Candidates enrolled in the 180 point MInfoTech must complete 60 points from CSMAX596, 15 points chosen from CSMAX570, 15 points from ENGME585, GEOGY558, or other approved papers, and at least 90 points from the 500 level Computer Science or Geography papers listed below (excluding COMPX568 and COMPX569), or courses listed in the University of Auckland Master of Information Technology Schedule.
Candidates enrolled in the 240 point MInfoTech must complete 60 points from COMPX568 and COMPX569, 60 points from CSMAX596, 15 points from CSMAX570, 15 points chosen from ENGME585, GEOGY558, or other approved papers, and at least 90 points from the 500 level Computer Science or Geography papers listed below, or courses listed in the University of Auckland Master of Information Technology Schedule.
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MPhil The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
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PhD The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
Computer Science papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
COMPX316
Network Security
A study of the Internet and its security, exploring hands-on how the Internet works, the most important attacks, and technologies to defend against... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
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COMPX316 Network Security
A study of the Internet and its security, exploring hands-on how the Internet works, the most important attacks, and technologies to defend against...
Points 15
2026 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 23 Aug 2025 01:00am