Course Title: Preliminary Computer Science Honours Thesis

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Preliminary Computer Science Honours Thesis

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC2462

City Campus

Undergraduate

140H Computer Science & Information Technology

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016

COSC2462

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020

Course Coordinator: Dr Hai Dong

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3736

Course Coordinator Email: hai.dong@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 14.10.10

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment, by email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Research Methods COSC2148 (co-requisite)

Each honours student must take the Preliminary Computer Science Honours Thesis (12 credit points) before the Computer Science Honours Thesis (36 credit points). The whole honours research project is worth 48 credit points in total. For part-time mode, part 1 and part 2 (24 credit points each) should be taken.

Note it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.


Course Description

The honours research project is designed to introduce students to the skills and character of computer science research. It is a substantial work of supervised research or development.

This course is the preliminary component of the honours research project. You will conduct a literature review and plan your research under the guidance of your supervisor.

For more information on the honours research project, see the Program Information Book, available from: http://www.rmit.edu.au/compsci/bh013


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the following program learning outcomes:

  • PLO1: Knowledge - Apply a broad and coherent set of knowledge and skills for developing user-centric computing solutions for contemporary societal challenges.

  • PLO2: Problem Solving - Apply systematic problem solving and decision-making methodologies to identify, design and implement computing solutions to real world problems, demonstrating the ability to work independently to self-manage processes and projects.
  • PLO4: Communication - Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods in interactions.to both computing and non-computing personnel.
  • PLO6: Responsibility and Accountability - Demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, sustainable and culturally inclusive professional standards, including First Nations knowledges and input in designing and implementing computing solutions.


Course Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Identify a task or problem relevant to computer science and/or IT,
  2. Search and review of the relevant literature,
  3. Propose a partial solution to the task or problem,
  4. Establish effective research practices under supervision,
  5. Present a survey of the research literature and research plan in written form.


Overview of Learning Activities

Work on the honours thesis actually takes place during the whole of the honours program, not just in one semester. The initial work on the research project is done as part of the course Research Methods and Preliminary Computer Science Honours Thesis.

The preliminary work (this course) aims to better prepare each honours student for the subsequent Computer Science Honours Thesis. Under guided supervision and through regular consultation with your supervisor, you will learn how to identify problems, conduct a literature review, use research methodologies, and exercise critical thinking. From this, you will produce a literature review and a project plan report in preparation for your honours thesis.


Overview of Learning Resources

For extra support with study organisation, assignment planning or learning skills you may wish to contact any of the following:

Study and Learning Centre:
To make appointments or just drop-in for learning support, see location, times, and contact details, as well as self-help learning support resources, via: http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre


Overview of Assessment

The preliminary thesis course will be assessed based on your research plan report, which describes research objectives, scope, methodologies, hypotheses, potential research contributions, including a literature review report and an outline of the thesis. The proposal will be assessed by at least 2 examiners.

For more details on the assessment criteria and process see the program information book.

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