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Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT)

Dept. of Computer Science (DCS)

Masters of Computing

COMP87*0 Project Courses

Semester 1 2007

Background and Structure

The Masters of Computing aims to further the training and experience IT graduates for the IT and computing industry. In particular, it offers specializations in the various areas of computing supported by researchers at the College of Engineering and Computer Science. This is supported both by coursework in and a substantial (12 unit), implementation-based project in each area. The areas, project courses, and current Co-ordinators are:

As for their `predecessor' COMP6703, these courses will comprise a project (possibly a small-team project) with an industrial or scientific objective. The project topic must be consistent with the project course's designated areas. Assessment will typically be based on the design and implementation of a software system, written documentation, and verbal presentation. These courses are all 12-unit courses which run in either semester.

The project courses are thus generally implementation rather than research-oriented, although it is possible a project may have a significant research component, depending on the nature of the project and the experience and abilities of the student. It is expected that the student has experience in Project Management principles to the degree of COMP6704 and applies these to the project.

The project, if taken, thus represents a `capstone' course for the MCOMP degree. Normally, it will be taken in the last semester of study, when the student has gained the most experience in the project's area. Those considering going on to the MCOMP Honours degree (especially with the intention of pursuing a research pathway to a PhD), should especially consider taking the project, and also put careful thought to the selection of the designated area (where there is a potential advantage in maintaining the same research area throughout).

Enrolment in each course will require Departmental consent (e.g. from the respective Project Co-ordinator). Each course may have its own policy. The remainder of this page applies strictly to COMP8750, COMP8770 and COMP8780 only. However, it may serve as an indication of what might apply for the other project courses.

The guideline for permission to enroll will be having completed at least 6 units from the same research area as the course, and at least 12 other units for the MCOMP. For this reason, the project course would be not be permitted earlier than the second semester for full-time study. If granted, continuation in the course would be subject to finding an appropriate project topic and supervisor.

Assessment

See the corresponding section for COMP6703. Variations may be individually negotiated if the nature of the project topic is significantly different from a typical COMP6703 project.

The report

(see the corresponding section for COMP6703)

Suggested Organisation of the work

(see the corresponding section for COMP6703)

Project topics

See the corresponding section for COMP6703. Note however approval from the Project Co-ordinator is needed that the topic sufficiently matches the area of the project course you have enrolled in. One criteria for judging this is whether the topic matches thematically to any of the coursework-style courses listed under the same area in MCOMP Schedule 1. Check with your potential supervisor (the project topic proposer) first - hopefully they will have indicated this clearly on the topic's web page if it is. Secondly, discuss this with the respective Project Co-ordinator.

Supervision

(see the corresponding section for COMP6703)

Possible timetable

(see the corresponding section for COMP6703)