FIT5136 Software engineering
Faculty of Information Technology
FIT5136 Software engineering is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU). It needs FIT9133, FIT9136 or FIT9131 and unlocks 2 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton, Suzhou (SEU)
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FIT5136
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After FIT5136
2 units list FIT5136 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisites
For C6007 students who commenced in 2020: None.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
Software has become an integral part of our modern world, permeating various sectors. Thus, software engineering is a branch of computer science in which engineering principles are applied to create software systems that meet project requirements that are reliable, and stay within budget and timeline constraints. In this unit, you will learn about modern software development lifecycle (SDLC), processes, tools, and technologies. You will also gain practical experience in a range of software engineering activities, including project planning, requirement analysis, software design and development, software quality assurance, and testing. By the end of the unit, you are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle complex software projects and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of technology, making them valuable assets in a wide range of industries, from software companies to finance, healthcare, and more
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Suzhou (SEU) | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Assessment 1: Requirement Gathering and AnalysisArtefact15%
- Assessment 2: Software DesignArtefact15%
- Assessment 3: Development Process and ArtifactsProject40%
- Assessment 4: Software Quality and TestingPerformance30%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe and differentiate the various phases of the SDLC, including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance;
- 2
Design and document software architecture using appropriate diagrams and notations;
- 3
Implement a maintainable software system using Object-Oriented Principles (OOP);
- 4
Implement and execute software testing strategies to ensure the reliability and functionality correctness of the developed software;
- 5
Effectively work and communicate in team-based software development projects;
- 6
Identify ethical issues in software engineering including intellectual property, privacy, and security, and adhere to professional standards and practices.
Workload and teaching
- Applied sessions25 hours
- Applied sessions24 hours
- Lectures24 hours
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning and online engagement.
Learning resources
Technology resources
This is a bring your own device unit. You will be expected to bring a web-connected device (i.e., laptop or tablet) to class to access specialist software. You will be using the following applications/software, free to install for Monash students:
Java students may use:
- IntelliJ https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/
- BlueJ https://www.bluej.org/
- NetBeans https://netbeans.org/downloads/8.0.2/
- Eclipse https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
Python students may use:
Pycharm https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
Anaconda https://www.anaconda.com/distribution/
Other Softwares/tools:
GitKraken https://www.gitkraken.com/
GitLab
Trello https://trello.com/
Lucidchart https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/
Draw.io
Please liaise with your TA to find the limitations and requirements of using these applications/software for this unit or if you want to use different software. Alternatively, you can use MoVE, however support and applications are limited. For more information, visit monash.edu/move
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Kla Tantithamthavorn
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FIT5136?
You need FIT9133, FIT9136 or FIT9131 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
What can I take after FIT5136?
FIT5136 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including FIT5032 and FIT5046.
When is FIT5136 offered?
In 2026, FIT5136 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU).
How much work is FIT5136?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does FIT5136 have an exam?
No. FIT5136 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.