Undergraduate - Course1608 - Honours degree of Bachelor of Computer Science

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.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to demonstrate:

• knowledge of a range of specialised topics in computer science historical, cultural, social, legal and ethical issues inherent in research applicable to the discipline of computer science
• understanding of several advanced areas of computer science and how to formulate and approach a research problem
• knowledge of how to plan, conduct and manage a research project and understand the research methodology appropriate to computer science, their use and their limitations
• ability to critically analyse research literature and conduct a literature survey, plan and manage a research project
• ability to analyse, synthesise and evaluate factors in their research project, and to defend their research approach
• ability to undertake a significant independent research project
• ability to document and communicate research results, and the methods used, orally and in a written report
• ability to undertake independent learning and apply analytical thinking
• understanding of ethical and professional codes willingness to adhere to these

A person may be admitted to candidature for BCompSc (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.

This course consists of coursework units, research in a selected area and completion of an honours thesis.

Students must complete:

• FIT4005 IT research methods*
• honours thesis (24 points)
• three level four or five elective units (18 points)

A minimum of one elective must be chosen from the chosen from the advanced computer science coursework electives listed below. The remaining elective units needed to make up the required credit points can be chosen from a list published by the Faculty of Information Technology at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/current/index.html. With approval from the honours coordinator, students may instead complete one FIT level four unit from the published elective list and one 6-point unit chosen from any faculty of Monash University at level three, four or five.

* Including compulsory attendance at workshops and stipulated faculty seminars.

Advanced computer science coursework electives

• FIT4009 Advanced topics in intelligent systems
• FIT4010 Advanced topics in algorithms and discrete structures
• FIT4012 Advanced topics in computational science

Honours degree of Bachelor of Computer Science