Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

An honours degree in computer science exposes students to state-of-the-art research and advanced topics in computing, beyond what is offered in a three-year undergraduate degree, and opens a range of career opportunities. Students with honours are particularly sought after by leading employers, and can choose from more interesting research and development positions because of their extra skills and proven abilities. An honours degree also leads to postgraduate study, which is necessary for an academic career or a career in industrial research.

On completion of the Honours degree of Bachelor of Computer Science, students will have knowledge of:

• a range of specialised topics in computer science
• cultural, social, legal and ethical issues inherent in research applicable to the discipline of computer science
• how to plan, conduct and manage a research project
• research methodology appropriate to computer science, their use and their limitations.

Graduates will gain an understanding of several advanced areas of computer science and how to formulate and approach a research problem. They will have the ability to:

• critically analyse research literature and conduct a literature survey
• plan and manage a research project
• analyse, synthesize and evaluate factors in their research project, and to defend their research approach
• undertake a significant independent research project
• document and communicate research results, and the methods used, orally and in a written report
• undertake independent learning and apply analytical thinking.

They will have attitudes which enable them to behave in an ethical and professional manner and participate professionally in research and development.

A person may be admitted to candidature for BCS (Hons) if they meet one or both of the following criteria:

(a.) satisfy the requirements of a relevant pass degree and obtained credit average or above in all units with a distinction in third-year IT units

(b.) gained qualifications and experience in studies undertaken in any faculty or educational institution if such qualifications and experience are deemed by the faculty's admissions and credit transfer sub-committee to be preparation equivalent to attainment of the pass degree of the standard specified in (a) above.

The honours degree consists of a total of 48 points comprising:

• FIT4005 IT Research methods* (6 points)
• honours thesis (24 points)
• advanced computer science coursework electives (18 points), as outlined below.

* Including compulsory attendance at workshops and stipulated faculty seminars.

Advanced computer science coursework electives

Students choose at least one core unit from the following list (all units 6 points):

• 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

Students choose two level four or five elective units from a list published by the Faculty of Information Technology at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/honours (all units six points). With approval from the honours coordinator, students may instead complete one FIT level four unit from the published list and a six-point elective chosen from any faculty of Monash University at either level three, level four or level five.

Honours degree of Bachelor of Computer Science