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Units indexed by faculty Master of Computer ScienceCourse code: 3328 + Course abbreviation: MCS + Total credit points required: 96 + 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time Study mode and course locationOn-campus (Clayton) Course descriptionThis degree, offered by the Clayton School of Information Technology, aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of one or more areas of study relevant to technical computing and information technology, and in the case of the Master of Computer Science (Minor Thesis) option, to provide preparation for further research. Students must complete a sequence of study in at least one MCS specialisation. To qualify for the MCS, students must complete 96 points of study. The program must include: a minimum of 75% (72 points) of approved MCS units with at least 24 points of level 5 units; at least one approved 36-point MCS specialisation; and up to 25% (24 points) of elective units approved by the course leader. With the permission of the course leader, the elective units may be chosen from other schools and faculties and may include advanced undergraduate units that provide preparation for approved MCS units or otherwise complement the MCS program. This flexibility is beneficial to students and facilitates preparation for further interdisciplinary studies. MCS students who perform well and are contemplating undertaking further research studies have the opportunity to complete a research project/minor thesis and research methods training which, if completed to a satisfactory level, will enable them to graduate with a MCS (Minor Thesis). The MCS (Minor Thesis) provides an entry pathway to research programs such as the PhD. Upon completion of a semester of MCS coursework, students who have attained a distinction average may apply for permission to do a research project/minor thesis along with formal research methods training. This option typically requires a 36-point research project/minor thesis. (A 24-point research project may be taken with permission from the course leader.) The MCS (Minor Thesis) is a graded degree with grades of H1, H2A, H2B and H3. Completion of the MCS (Minor Thesis) at H1 or H2A level enables students to apply for admission to a research degree program such as the PhD in the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University. MCS students not undertaking the minor thesis option will graduate with MCS, an ungraded degree, and will not generally be eligible for entry to a subsequent research program. Students who successfully complete 24 points of graduate-level approved MCS units may exit the course with a Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Science. Students who successfully complete 48 points of study, of which at least 36 points are from graduate-level approved MCS units, may exit the course with a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science. Entry requirementsA three-year undergraduate qualification in computer science or equivalent with a credit grade point average in the final year of study from an Australian university or equivalent. Graduates of a four-year honours program such as software engineering with honours or computer science (honours) may apply for admission to the MCS with advanced standing of up to 48 points. Course structureMaster of Computer Science (MCS)To graduate with the MCS, students must complete 96 points of study. The program must include:
Master of Computer Science (Minor Thesis) [MCS (Minor Thesis)]To graduate with the MCS (Minor Thesis), students must complete 96 points of study. The program must include:
MCS specialisationsComputer science specialisation units
Digital communications specialisation units
Software engineering specialisation units
Mobile and distributed computing specialisation units (subject to approval)
Project/minor thesis units
Note that a 36-point minor thesis is made up of the three 12-point units -- CSE5351, CSE5352 and CSE5353 taken over two or three semesters. A 24-point minor thesis comprises CSE5351 and CSE5353 over one or two semesters. Note also that despite being divided into 12-point components for administrative reasons, the minor thesis is a single entity incorporating a research project and formal research methods training, hence results are returned only on completion of CSE5353, the final component. Contact detailsCourse leaderDr Tim Ferguson Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents |