1999 Information Technology Handbooks - Master of Computing by research

Master of Computing by research

General
Introduction
Admission requirements
Course structure
Fees for Australian residents
Attendance requirements
Duration

General

Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula and Gippsland campuses
Course code: 1895
Discipline coordinators: Associate Professor Kim Marriott (School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Clayton campus), Dr Arkady Zaslavsky (School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Caulfield campus), Dr Frada Burstein (School of Information Management and Systems, Caulfield campus), Dr Baikunth Nath (Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology) and Dr Jun Han (Peninsula School of Computing and Information Technology)

Introduction

The Master of Computing by research is offered on the Clayton campus in the fields of computer science and digital technology; on the Caulfield campus in the fields of computer technology, information systems and software development; on the Peninsula campus by the Peninsula School of Computing and Information Technology; and on the Gippsland campus by the Gippsland School of Computing and Information Technology. It requires completion of a major thesis which shows independence of thought and demonstrates the ability of the candidate to carry out research in the selected field.
Areas for research include graphics and image processing, artificial intelligence, inductive inference, parallel and persistent computer architectures, systems analysis and design methodologies, knowledge-based systems, information systems management, computer-assisted software engineering, programming paradigms and languages, object-oriented systems, formal specification, software metrics, decision support systems, executive information systems, human-machine interfaces, distributed systems, information storage and retrieval, robotics, digital communications, microelectronic circuit design and digital systems design.
For more information about research interests and activity within each school, please refer to the 'School information' section in this handbook.

Admission requirements

The normal entry requirement for a Master of Computing degree by research is a four-year honours degree in computing or in a related discipline with a class I or IIA pass, or a Master of Computing preliminary year or equivalent qualification with an average result of at least 70 per cent (HIIA).
An applicant with a degree or diploma in computing and several years relevant experience may also qualify for admission after completion of a preliminary program. A preliminary course of study mainly involves studying subjects offered at honours (fourth year) or graduate diploma level. The Monash graduate diplomas in information technology, information systems, digital communications or robotics are considered equivalent to a Master of Computing preliminary year.

Course structure

A research candidate is required to undertake a program of supervised research within a school of the faculty resulting in the completion of a major thesis. The thesis will demonstrate the candidate's ability to carry out research in the field concerned and show independence of thought.

Fees for Australian residents

The Master of Computing by research attracts the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees.

Attendance requirements

Candidates are required to meet the following faculty attendance requirements.
1 Candidates should meet with their supervisor at least once per month, and attend specific seminars.
2 Full-time candidates are required to attend the university five days per week unless other arrangements have been made with their supervisor. Full-time students are also expected to spend the equivalent of five days per week working on the project.
3 Part-time candidates are required to attend the university, on average, one day per week and be able to spend the equivalent of two days per week working on the project.
4 Where work is to be done away from the university, the head of school should certify that suitable facilities, supervision and time are available to the candidate.
It is possible for a candidate to transfer to PhD candidature if the school and faculty determine that the candidate has demonstrated an ability to undertake research and that the research topic will remain essentially unchanged, although its scope will be substantially broadened.

Duration

The Master of Computing may be completed in a minimum of one year of full-time study (two years part-time) and a maximum of two years of full-time study (four years part-time).