Course Title: Dissertation

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Dissertation

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

INTE1068

City Campus

Postgraduate

140H Computer Science & Information Technology

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Vacant

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2348

Course Coordinator Email: do-not-reply@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You may not enrol in this course unless it is explicitly listed in your enrolment program summary, and you have confirmed with your program coordinator that it is an appropriate choice for your study plan.

You must have a CGPA of 3.0 or higher to enrol in this course.


Course Description

Note: This course is not currently available. There are no plans to reintroduce it in the near future, as well.

You may substitute a dissertation for one advanced elective by applying to do a research project in the general area of your specialisation. If approved, you then establish the requirements and scope of the project in consultation with the Program Leader/Coordinator and the academic staff member who agrees to supervise your project. You might be required to attend some of the lectures for Research Methods, preferably in the semester before you undertake the Dissertation.
The scope of this research is not as wide as that of a Masters by Research, and the level of originality is less than that which is ordinarily required of a PhD.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The objective of this course is to engage you in a process of supervised original research. You will be required to demonstrate that you can assimilate and intelligently analyse and synthesise research-level material under the supervision of an academic staff member. Whilst guidance and topic will be provided by the supervisor, it will be up to you to show that you are capable of a measure of original research.

This course contributes to the development of the following capabilities:

  • Critical analysis: Analyse a research problem and think critically about its solution, both your own and others’
  • Problem solving: Design and carry out suitable experiments to test your solution against others’
  • Communication: Motivate and explain the rationale for your project, and your methodology for developing and testing a solution
  • Responsibility: Collaborate with your supervisor to set milestones, and deliver these in a timely manner
  •  


Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • Break down a research problem into research questions that can be tested
  • Find and review reports of relevant research done by others
  • Devise solutions and test them against other possible solutions
  • Verbally discuss concepts, experiments and results at a technical level
  • Present your analysis, methodology and results via a technical report of professional standard


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be expected to show a level of independence in your learning program. Although staff will provide the initial guidance, it will be your responsibility to find, understand and present any supportive or background material that is germane to the problem you are investigating.
Your supervisor will be available on a weekly basis to discuss progress, read drafts, and comment on any issues you raise. The supervisor will manage your research; they will not do the research.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School.
Initial lists of relevant textbooks, reference texts, resources in the Library and relevant internet sites will be provided.


Overview of Assessment

The written report will be assessed by an academic staff member, guided by these criteria:

  • [20%] Did you follow appropriate guidelines for presentation?
  • [ 5%] Is there an adequate abstract?
  • [15%] Is scientific rigour evident in the critical analysis of the material?
  • [10%] Is the work relatively self-contained?
  • [ 5%] Is there an adequate conclusion?
  • [15%] Do you demonstrate an understanding of the issues?
  • [30%] Do you demonstrate that you were able to research and present an original critique and analysis of the issues (and not just recount and summarise what was presented)?

For standard assessment details, including deadlines, weightings, and hurdle requirements relating to Computer Science and IT courses  see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/compsci/cgi