Index
Course Title: Research Methods
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Research Methods
Credit Points: 12
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
|
COSC2148 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
140H Comp Sci & Info Technology |
Face-to-Face | Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011 |
|
COSC2149 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
140H Comp Sci & Info Technology |
Face-to-Face | Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011 |
|
COSC2150 |
City Campus |
Research |
140H Comp Sci & Info Technology |
Face-to-Face | Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011 |
Course Coordinator: Dr. Xiuzhen Jenny Zhang
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2774
Course Coordinator Email:xiuzhen.zhang@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.
Course Description
This course introduces you to the process and practice of research in computer science. You will work with your research supervisor to develop a research proposal, and acquire some of the skills you need to successfully complete your first research project in computer science. You will also participate in and contribute to a research community -- your classmates and their research supervisors -- and learn about different ways of thinking about research.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to the development of the following capabilities:
- Enabling Knowledge: apply knowledge effectively to new situations and learn from the experience; specifically, the concepts and skills that are needed for the process and practice of research in computer science.
- Critical Analysis: examine and consider accurately and objectively any topic, evidence, or situation; specifically: assessing research literature and your classmates’ research papers
- Problem Solving: analyse problems and synthesise suitable solutions; specifically: analysing your research problem to identify research questions and devise a plan to answer these questions.
- Communication: communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through a range of modes and media; specifically: written reports and oral presentation suitable for a general computer science audience.
Upon completing this course you will be able to:
- Explain the process and practice of research in computer science;
- Utilise tools and methods of research in computer science;
- Critically assess published and draft research papers;
- Develop research proposals with research questions and research plans;
- Prepare and present, in a professional manner, written and oral reports of research.
Overview of Learning Activities
The learning activities included in this course are:
• lectures presenting key concepts, illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
• meetings with your research supervisor, to discuss and develop your research proposal;
• directed reading, on topics related to the lectures;
• labs where you can practice the concepts presented in lectures;
• assignments, as described in Overview of Assessment (below), requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter to practise and apply new skills
• private study, working through the course as presented in classes and learning materials, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and technical problems.
Overview of Learning Resources
Course notes will be available from the book shop and include copies of overheads, assessment task descriptions, lab class exercises, and articles.
Some material may be distributed during lectures or on the course web page.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment consists of written reports, including an experiment design, a research paper on experiment results, draft and final versions of your research proposal, and critical reviews of classmates’ research papers.
For standard assessment details, including hurdle requirements, relating to Computer Science and IT courses see:http://www.rmit.edu.au/compsci/cgi