Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences (Honours)

This course aims to provide highly achieving students progressing from an undergraduate qualification to acquire research skills appropriate to their discipline and to understand the fundamentals of conceptual, methodological and implementation issues of IT-related research.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. ability to critically analyse research literature and conduct a literature review
2. ability to think creatively in developing solutions to problems
3. ability to work independently in developing and applying research techniques to problems
4. understanding of the role of research in information technology to provide support to organisations and society
5. understanding of the fundamental conceptual methodological and implementation issues involved in the conduct of IT-related research
6. understanding of a range of research theories and techniques used in information technology
7. ability to apply a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods in research practice
8. ability to conduct independent research, applying methods, tools and techniques appropriate to the research question
9. understanding and awareness of the social consequences of the role of information technology
10. awareness of the need to continue lifelong education in their discipline
11. understanding of best practice, industry standards and professional ethics ability and willingness to adhere to these
12. ability and willingness to objectively assess own performance
13. ability to recognise the roles of research ethics, peer review and collaborative research
14. ability to document and communicate research results and the methods used both orally and in a written report
15. understanding of ethical and professional codes willingness to adhere to these.

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

(a.) satisfy the requirements of a relevant pass degree and obtained a credit (60 per cent) average or above in all units with a distinction (70 per cent) in third year IT units

or

(b.) gained qualifications and experience in studies undertaken in any faculty or educational institution if such qualifications and experience are deemed by Faculty Education 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 Research methods in information technology*
• honours thesis (24 points)
• three level four or five units** chosen from a list published by the Faculty of Information Technology

* Including compulsory attendance at workshops and stipulated faculty seminars

** A maximum of one unit may be selected from units offered by other faculties with the approval of the honours coordinator. Suitable units can be identified using the unit index by facultyunit index by faculty (http://www.monash.ac.za/study/handbooks/units/index-byfaculty.html) in the Handbook.