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Monash University

Master of Computer Science

NOTE: This course has been updated - please refer to the postgraduate handbook change register for details.

Course code: 3328 ~ Course abbreviation: MCS ~ Total credit points required: 96 ~ 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Information Technology

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton)

Course description

This degree aims to provide students who have a previous qualification in computer science or a related discipline, with an in-depth knowledge of one or more areas of study relevant to information and communication technology, in particular, computer science, digital communications or software engineering. In addition, the Master of Computer Science (Minor Thesis) option (below) provides preparation for further research. Students must complete a sequence of study in at least one Master of Computer Science (MCS) specialisation.

Course objectives

On completion of the MCS, graduates will have: an in-depth knowledge of one or more areas of information and communication technology relevant to technical computing so that they will have the intellectual and conceptual foundation to play leading roles in the development of the information and communication technology industry; the conceptual and theoretical framework in which they can appreciate and integrate new software and hardware technologies, and, within technical context, use them to develop solutions to complex problems in our society

Graduates of the MCS (Minor Thesis) will have: planned and completed a substantial research project relevant to computer science, digital communications or software engineering documented by extended 36-point minor thesis; an understanding of the use of a variety of research methods appropriate to information and communication technology; demonstrated competency in technical and research communication, including written and oral presentations; and, if completed at a suitably high standard, be adequately prepared to undertake further research at PhD level.

Minor thesis option

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).

After completion of a semester of MCS coursework, students who have attained an average grade of distinction 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 on the basis of their MCS.

Course structure

To qualify for the MCS, students must complete 96 points of study. The program must include: a minimum of 75 per cent (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 per cent (24 points) of elective units approved by the course coordinator. With the permission of the course coordinator, 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.

Course requirements

Master of Computer Science

To graduate with the MCS, students must complete 96 points of study, including:

  • a minimum of 72 points of approved MCS units with at least 24 points of level 5 units
  • at least one approved 36-point MCS specialisation
  • up to 24 points of elective units approved by the course coordinator.

Master of Computer Science (Minor Thesis)

To graduate with the MCS (Minor Thesis), students must complete 96 points of study, including:

  • at least one approved 36-point MCS specialisation with at least 24 points of level 5 units
  • a research project and research methods training/minor thesis, typically of 36 points (however a 24-point research project may be taken with the permission of the course coordinator)
  • up to 24 points of elective units approved by the course coordinator.

With the permission of the course coordinator, 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 specialisations*

Computer science specialisation units
  • CSE4213 Formal methods in software engineering
  • CSE4333 Parallel systems
  • CSE4500 Information retrieval systems
  • CSE4530 Object oriented application programming in C++
  • CSE5200 Distributed database systems
  • CSE5230 Data mining
  • CSE5501 Mobile and distributed computing systems
  • CSE5610 Intelligent software systems
  • ECE5074 Advanced computer architecture
  • ECE5077 Advanced computing techniques
  • FIT4005 IT research methods
  • FIT4009 Advanced topics in intelligent systems
  • FIT4010 Advanced topics in algorithms and discrete structures
  • FIT4011 Advanced topics in programming languages and systems
  • FIT4012 Advanced topics in computational science
  • FIT5059 Advanced programming for database applications
Digital communications specialisation units
  • CSE5210 Advances in information security
  • CSE5807 Wireless and personal communications systems
  • ECE5024 Wireless communications
  • ECE5042 Communications theory
  • ECE5043 Optical communications
  • ECE5045 Network performance
  • FIT4015 Digital communications technology and protocols
  • FIT4016 Information security
  • FIT4017 Network management
  • FIT5008 Digital communications project
  • FIT5010 Advanced internet protocols and applications
  • FIT5011 Advanced network design and performance
  • FIT5012 Coding and compression for digital communications
Software engineering specialisation units
  • BUS5150 Project management
  • BUS5720 Corporate groupware
  • CSE4002 Software engineering studio project
  • CSE4213 Formal methods in software engineering
  • CSE4333 Parallel systems
  • CSE4431 System validation and verification, quality and standards
  • CSE4530 Object oriented application programming in C++
  • CSE5000 Distributed object terminology
  • CSE5210 Advances in information security
  • CSE5910 Java programming for multimedia applications
  • CSE5930 User interface design and programming
  • ECE5077 Advanced computing techniques
  • FIT4016 Information security
  • FIT5150 Project management
  • FIT5077 e-Business application and development

    * Not all units are available in any one year. This list is subject to revision.

Project/minor thesis units**

** A 36-point minor thesis is made up of the above units taken over three semesters. A 24-point minor thesis can be taken over one or two semesters. Despite being divided into 6, 12, 18 and 24-point components for administrative reasons, the minor thesis is a single entity incorporating a research project and formal research methods training. Results are returned only on completion of the final component. It is essential that students enrol in FIT4005 (IT research methods) as a prerequisite or as a corequisite in cases where enrolment in the Minor Thesis extends over more than one semester. To enrol in the Minor Thesis option, students must have first:

  1. completed at least 24 points of level 5 units in their degree
  2. attained a Distinction average on their Masters coursework
  3. obtained their course leader's approval to enrol
  4. completed FIT4005 (IT research methods).

Exit awards

Students wishing to exit the Master of Computer Science early may apply to graduate with the:

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Science after successful completion of 24 points of study, or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science after successful completion of 48 points of study, of which at least 36 points are from graduate-level approved MCS units, or
  • Master of Information Technology after successful completion of 72 points of study, of which at least 60 points are from graduate units in the Master of Information Technology, including at least four level-5 units

provided they have satisfied the requirements for these awards.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as meeting the standard of knowledge for professional-level membership. The Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science is accredited by the ACS as meeting the standard of knowledge for associate-level membership.

Contact details

Refer to http://ask.monash.edu.au/ or visit http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/clayton

Course coordinator

Associate Professor Andrew Paplinski