COMP90041 Programming and Software Development
University of Melbourne · Level 9 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- Final exam 40%: mostly coursework
- About 4 class hours a week
Is COMP90041 hard?
COMP90041: Harder. A graduate subject, so it isn't on the easy and hard lists; this is how it compares with Bachelor of Science's subjects. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it’s hard (6 reviews), You must pass the exam on its own, 2 other hurdle tasks.
What you learn
Object-oriented programming in Java: designing and writing programs for moderately complex problems.
After it you can
- Write, test and debug Java programs
- Use classes, inheritance and interfaces well
- Design a program before coding it
What you need first
COMP10001 or COMP10002 or COMP20005 or BMEN20003
- COMP10001 Foundations of Computing
- COMP10002 Foundations of Algorithms
- COMP20005 Intro. to Numerical Computation in C
- COMP90059 Introduction to Programming
- BMEN20003 Applied Computation in Bioengineering
What it leads to
- INFO90004 Evaluating the User Experience
- INFO90006 Fieldwork for Design
- SWEN30006 Software Modelling and Design
Can’t be taken together with
Careers
Helps toward: Software Engineer, Web and social media developer, Computing professional, Mobile app designer
How it’s assessed
Quizzes 10%, Assignments 50%, Final exam 40%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 6 students on StudentVIP (2014–2024)
- Seen as a core object-oriented programming subject in Java that pays off in later subjects and in software jobs.
- Hard with no prior programming. Practise lots of examples, and ask for help after a couple of hours stuck rather than losing a whole evening.
- Several 2019 reviewers complained about poor organisation and little feedback before the exam. The final exam was called tough and tight on time.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate COMP90041
Quick answers
- When is COMP90041 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking COMP90041?
- Needs COMP10001 or COMP10002 or COMP20005 or BMEN20003.
- Does COMP90041 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 40% of the mark. You must pass the exam on its own. Assessment: Quizzes 10%, Assignments 50%, Final exam 40%.
- Is COMP90041 hard?
- From 6 student reviews on StudentVIP: Seen as a core object-oriented programming subject in Java that pays off in later subjects and in software jobs.
- What do students say about COMP90041?
- Seen as a core object-oriented programming subject in Java that pays off in later subjects and in software jobs. Hard with no prior programming. Practise lots of examples, and ask for help after a couple of hours stuck rather than losing a whole evening. Several 2019 reviewers complained about poor organisation and little feedback before the exam. The final exam was called tough and tight on time.
- How many class hours a week does COMP90041 have?
- 4 h a week in class
- Can I take COMP90041 as breadth?
- No, it isn’t listed as breadth for any course.
- What can I take after COMP90041?
- 3 subjects need it first, for example INFO90004, INFO90006, SWEN30006.
- Can I rate COMP90041?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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