FIT4186 - Honours thesis

Leader: Judy Sheard

Offered

Berwick First semester 2007 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2007 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2007 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2007 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2007 (Day)
South Africa First semester 2007 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit is a research unit and a requirement for the FIT Honours degrees. Due to the nature of IT, a wide range of Honours project types can be offered to students. Some project components are of a practical nature and may involve some software development and/or experimentation, while other components are of a more theoretical nature.

Objectives

On completion of the unit students should :

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the area of their chosen research project.
2. Acquire necessary skills to plan and undertake rigorous independent research.
3. Acquire comprehensive research skills in the IT field.
4. Develop the capacity to engage in critical thinking and analysis.
5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate research activities and findings.

Each prospective Honours student should reach an agreement with a potential supervisor about a research area for, and feasibility of, Honours project before enrolling in the course. The student and supervisor will agree on a project which is interesting for both parties. After completing this unit, students should have developed attitudes of:

1. Confidence in their ability to undertake independent and individual research.
2. Confidence in their abilit to plan and execute an individual research project.

After completing this unit, students should have the skills to:

1. Find and analyse current research literature.
2. Critically evaluate research findings.
3. Identify open problems in current research.
4. Identify promising new research directions based on previous results.
5. Define feasible projects based on such problems.
6. Set realistic timelines and intermediate deliverables for a research project.
7. Communicate research results in a variety of forms, including informal oral presentations, written reports, seminar presentations and poster presentations.

Although the projects are carried out separately as individuals, the students are allocated computers and offices in a shared, common area (for the group of honours students). The students are encouraged to communicate, discuss problems and difficulties among themselves. The honours students also get the opportunity to mix with and communicate with PhD and Masters research students of the faculty.
After completing this unit, students should be able to:

1. Communicate reseach ideas effectively in oral and written form.
2. Collaborate effectively with their supervisor.

Assessment

Presentation and final thesis (normally 10,000 - 20,000 words): 100%