COMPAS8680 - Master of Computer Science
course outline
The Master of Computer Science program is a postgraduate program aimed towards graduates who
have a four year degree in science or engineering and wish to become computing professionals. This
two year full-time program addresses all aspects of modern computing systems, including its
hardware, its software, and applications. This retraining program has four distinct phases.
The first phase consists of four courses that bring students up to date with the
fundamentals of computing. These courses introduce students to problem solving, program
development, elementary principles of software engineering, mathematical background for computing,
data structures, elementary algorithms, and introduction to the building blocks of computers. (Group A)
The second phase is aimed at teaching core knowledge in computer science. The eight
courses in this phase address different areas of the computing disciplines. These core areas are
Software Engineering, Internet Programming, Analysis of Algorithms, Operating Systems, Computer
Architecture, Programming Languages, Database Systems, and Artificial Intelligence. (Group B)
The third phase constitutes complementary courses that emphasise important aspects of
computing. These core areas are Compiling Techniques, Microprocessor Systems, Computer Networks and
Applications, Computer Graphics, and Human-Computer Interaction. (Group C)
A student who has completed the third phase is well prepared to take the
advanced postgraduate electives, (Group D) which forms the fourth phase of the
program. Exceptional students may be allowed to replace part of this phase with a single semester
research project.
Students who have undertaken a small amount of formal studies in computer science in their first
degree may request exemption from some or all of the
Group A courses. Students with a strong background
in computer science are directed toward the one year Master of Engineering Science in CS&E,
which is a more appropriate postgraduate qualification for them.
units of credit:
96 Units of Credit (uc)
typical duration:
4 semesters for full-time students or 8 semesters for part-time students.
structure of courses:
Master of Computer Science students complete a program of 96uc of study. The program can be
completed in two ways:
- coursework only: 16 x 6uc courses ; OR
- coursework plus project: 12 x 6uc courses and a 24uc project taken during the final
semester.
The project option is only available to students who (a) have achieved a Distinction average
(75%) in the first 24uc of
Group B courses attempted; and (b) have obtained
approval for their proposed topic from the potential supervisor and the School's Postgraduate
Co-ordinator. The project option is only available to full-time students.
Postgraduate courses in the School of Computer Science and Engineering are divided into four
groups. Each course is worth 6 units of credit.
Under both the options, a student may be allowed to take up to two postgraduate courses from
other schools with prior approval from the Postgraduate Enrolment Coordinator This includes the
Group B/C free elective. Approved courses are
counted as either
Group B, C or D substitutions.
Students must check the units of credit of their electives before enrolment.
study mode
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Coursework Option
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Project Option
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Group A
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24uc/ 4 courses
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24uc/4 courses
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Group B & C
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42uc min/7 courses
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42uc min/7 courses
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Group B, C & D
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30uc/5 courses
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6uc/ 1 course
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Project
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-
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24uc
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Total Units of Credit
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96uc
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96uc
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exemptions
Exemptions are available from
Group A only if it can be demonstrated that
sufficient knowledge of the courses was obtained in previous studies. If you feel you have covered
the material in
Group B in a previous course you should consider
the MEngSc (if eligible) where the program concentrates on advanced electives.
entry requirements
Candidates for admission to the MCompSc should have a degree equivalent to an Australian
standard Bachelors degree of at least 4 years in engineering or science or a degree with a
mathematical component. An average over the final two years of study at a credit level is
necessary.
Entry to this program is quota based and is very competitive.
Refer to "
Summary of CSE Program Structures" for complete
details.
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